Huge Increase in Rollover Deaths Spike Traffic Death Toll to Highest Since 1990

             But Technology is Available to Prevent Rollovers

  Who:    William Kozyra, President/CEO of Continental Teves
          Automotive safety equipment supplier

          The Honorable Richard Burr, Vice Chairman, House Energy and
          Commerce Committee

          Harry Teter, Executive Director, American Trauma Society

          Judy Appleby, a Chattanooga, TN mother whose son was killed
          in a rollover crash

  What:   News conference and launch of a national road tour to educate
          consumers about how they can prevent rollover crashes, injuries
          and deaths.

  When:   Wednesday, July 23.  11 a.m. news conference followed by the
          monthly lunch meeting of Washington Automotive Press Association
          (WAPA)

  Where:  Capitol Mall.  3rd St. between Jefferson and Madison Drives
          (look for large tent and tractor-trailer exhibit)

  Why:    Traffic deaths in 2002 reached the highest level since 1990, and
          fatalities in rollover crashes accounted for 82 percent of the
          increase in 2002, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
          Administration (NHTSA).  There has been a steady drumbeat of
          warnings about the dangers of rollovers, especially in SUVs.

          *  But available safety equipment that is widely used in Europe
             and elsewhere that could prevent more than 5,000 rollover
             deaths every year is still unknown to most Americans.

          *  The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended
             last month that the NHTSA expand and expedite its current
             evaluation of electronic stability control and consider whether
             to require it in all passenger vehicles.

          *  Continental, a major automotive supplier of electronic
             stability control and other safety equipment, is launching a
             national educational road tour to promote consumer awareness
             about preventing rollover crashes, injuries and deaths.  More
             information is available at www.conti-online.com or
             www.contitevesna.com

           Note:  This will not be a commercial event.  Continental Teves is
           encouraging electronic stability control generically, the same as
           air bags were promoted a decade ago.  The safety equipment is
           manufactured by several suppliers and marketed under many brand
           names.



PRNewswire -- July 22