United Steering Systems receives QS 9000/ISO 9001 registration

Business Wire, March 21, 1997

LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 1997--United Steering Systems (USS), a BREED Technologies Company (NYSE:BDT), has been awarded QS 9000 and ISO 9001 quality assurance certification by third party register, Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

USS was certified after an intensive audit of the Company's worldwide business procedures as they relate to total quality management.

"As one of North America's largest steering wheel manufacturers and a part of the BREED family of companies, USS is highly committed to bringing superior quality products to the world marketplace," said Gregory Horvath, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of BREED's Steering Wheel Division. "BREED is known around the globe for providing the highest quality product at the lowest cost. By earning QS 9000 and ISO 9001 certification, USS assures automotive customers that our superior quality management system runs through every facet of the organization."

The QS 9000 program was initiated through a joint effort by Ford, Chrysler and General Motors to standardize supplier quality requirements in the automotive industry. The certification is awarded to companies who meet international standards which are ascertained through reviews of written quality systems, lengthy on-site reviews comparing operations with written systems, and a continuing assessment of the program after certification has been made.

Through strategic acquisitions in the last year, BREED has established focused product divisions in the areas of automotive electronics/sensors, steering wheels & interiors and safety restraints. Headquartered in Lakeland, BREED is a full automotive occupant safety system supplier providing the global automotive market with research and development, engineering, testing and manufacturing capabilities in 55 global facilities. Information about BREED and its products is available on the Internet at http://www.breedtech.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the World Wide Web address noted in this news release, there is a double slash between http: and www.breedtech.com. These symbols may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: BREED Media Relations

Lisa Spinazzola, 941/668-6464

or

BREED Investor Relations

Bob Fincher, 941/668-6049