Stoneridge Opens New Asia Technical Center and Sales Office in Shanghai, China

SHANGHAI, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) today announced the opening of a new technical center and sales office in the Xu Hui District of Shanghai, China.  The 7,000 square-foot facility is the latest step in the expansion of Stoneridge as the Company continues to pursue growth opportunities in the commercial and non-commercial vehicle markets in China and the Asia Pacific region.

"This new facility will help us provide significantly increased technical capabilities to our customer base in the region, including product and engineering development and support," said John Corey, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Located in a multi-national industrial park on Hongmei Road, the new technical center enables Stoneridge to house all existing technical employees under one roof while dramatically improving the laboratories and support requirements necessary to develop applications specific to the local market.  The center will function as a combined sales, application engineering and design center for the development of vehicle electronics focusing on instrumentation, application development and systems testing.

"China has clearly demonstrated it is one of the fastest growing transportation markets in the world," Corey said.  "With the addition of this technical center, we see excellent opportunities to grow in the China market and support our global customers with customized electronic, switching and sensor solutions for a variety of markets including commercial, agricultural and off-road vehicles."

Stoneridge first entered China in 2004 and has already established a production base in Suzhou. The new technical center demonstrates Stoneridge's continued strong commitment and investment to serve the markets of China and the Asia Pacific region.  In its Suzhou operation, Stoneridge produces a select range of automotive switches and sensors, and plans to add capabilities in wiring in 2010.

About Stoneridge, Inc.

Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Warren, Ohio, is an independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems principally for the automotive, medium- and heavy-duty truck, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.  Additional information about Stoneridge can be found at www.stoneridge.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical fact are forward- looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors, the loss of a major customer, a decline in automotive, medium- and heavy-duty truck or agricultural vehicle production, the failure to achieve successful integration of any acquired company or business, labor disputes involving the Company or its significant customers, risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, or a decline in general economic conditions. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects the management's best analysis only as of the date of this release. Stoneridge does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements contained in this release can be found on Stoneridge's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Stoneridge, Inc.