China Automotive Systems Has Begun Commercial Supply to Chrysler North America

WUHAN, Hubei, China, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAAS) ("CAAS" or "the Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, announced today at a Company ceremony that its first global OEM customer, headquartered in North America, is the Chrysler Group LLC ("Chrysler"). In November 2008, CAAS received its first order from Chrysler to export power steering gears to Chrysler's North America assembly facility. Since mid-2009, the steering gears have been exported from China to the United States and installed in the award-winning Jeep Wrangler model.

Part of the Company's ceremony included the ground breaking for the new Henglong Research and Development Center. After Mr. Hanlin Chen, CAAS Chairman's opening remarks, Mr. Xiangxi Wang, the Mayor of Jingzhou City, also provided remarks and presented the Exports Special Contribution Award to CAAS. Chrysler representative Mr. Peter Zhou, Chrysler's Director of Supplier Quality China and Taiwan presented the Proof of Certified Supplier certificate to China Automotive Systems based on the Company's performance in delivering the power steering gears.

Chrysler conducted an initial screen and review of CAAS's research and development capacity, quality control and production capabilities as part of the supplier development process. CAAS and Chrysler next created a framework for their future joint development. The Company successfully passed several product evaluations and road tests resulting in Chrysler accepting the Company's power steering gears and issuing a purchase order.

Mr. Hanlin Chen, Chairman of China Automotive Systems, commented, "We are very excited about our strengthening relationship with Chrysler and the deep potential for the vast North American OEM market. Chrysler's order boosted our confidence to continue to develop and produce reliable power steering systems reaching the highest quality standards required by the world's most sophisticated auto manufacturers."

During the ceremony today, CAAS also announced that it has begun production of its electronic power steering ("EPS") system. This new electronic power steering product and technology represents the first such steering system developed internally within China. The Company is currently supplying this EPS system at a rate of 2,000 units per month to Suzuki Auto Ltd. in China.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, CEO of China Automotive Systems, concluded, "We are also very pleased about the steady commercialization progress of our EPS products. Given the benefit of improving overall fuel efficiency, EPS systems are widely adopted by OEMs in Europe and gradually expanding market share in the U.S. OEM market. Although EPS systems are relatively new in China, we see great potential for EPS in China, the world's largest automotive market. We are proud to be the first Chinese power steering producer to introduce a domestically designed and manufactured product to compete with imported systems in the fast growing Chinese automotive market."

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Automotive Systems" conference call:

Phone Number: +1-877-407-9205 (North America)

Phone Number: +1-201-689-8054 (International)

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on Friday, February 5, 2010. The dial-in details for the replay are: U.S. Toll Free Number +1-877-660-6853, International dial-in number +1-201-612-7415; using Account "286" and Conference ID "342781" to access the replay.

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Based in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers 4 separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 2.5 million sets, steering columns, steering oil pumps and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading Chinese auto manufacturers such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., etc. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com

Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company's operations, financial performance and, condition and the impact of acquisitions on its financial performance. For this purpose, statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the impact of competitive products, pricing and new technology; changes in demand for the Company's products; changes in consumer preferences and tastes; and effectiveness of marketing; changes in laws and regulations; fluctuations in costs of production, delays and cost overruns related to developing and opening new production facilities; and other factors as those discussed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

    For further information, please contact:

     Jie Li
     Chief Financial Officer
     China Automotive Systems
     Email: [email protected]

     Kevin Theiss
     Investor Relations
     Grayling
     Tel:   +1-646-284-9409
     Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.