RNS Number:4228H
Antonov PLC
13 February 2003


Immediate Release        07.30 am Thursday, 13 February 2003


                                  ANTONOV PLC

                             SIX-SPEED AAD EXPECTED
                       TO MEET INDUSTRY GOALS FOR FUTURE
                            AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Antonov plc, (ATV) the developer of a unique and innovative automatic gearbox,
the Antonov Automatic Drive (AAD), is pleased to give an update on its AAD after
evaluations by major auto and transmission producers over the last few months
following the successful launch of the fourth-generation six-speed AAD at the
Paris Show last October.

Meetings and drive test demonstrations of a prototype equipped vehicle have been
held with General Motors, Ford, BMW, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Getrag, ZF and Jatco
as well as existing production licencee Honda.

Commenting on progress and interest from potential licencees, Roumen Antonov,
Chairman said: "All who have test driven and made an initial evaluation of the
six-speed AAD are moving forward to the next stage".  Manufacturer attention is
now focussed on making assessments of the mass production cost of the AAD,
manufacturability and marketing studies as well as transmission characteristics
such as ratio choices for vehicles and shift behaviour.

The potential of the six-speed AAD to achieve low cost has been acknowledged,
one car maker and a competitor's analysis ranked the AAD as the lowest cost
among the available transmission alternatives.

Roumen Antonov further commented:

"Our meetings have also highlighted the importance of our potential fuel-economy
advantage.  We achieve this through low hydraulic pressure, high mechanical
efficiency, broad gear-ratio range, ability to start without a torque converter
and the AAD's inherent light weight and compactness, contributing to low vehicle
weight.  Car makers looking to stringent new limits on fuel consumption in 2008,
with a further step in 2012- plus tough limits in Japan from 2010 - look for
every advantage from their automatics.  Later in the spring we will publish
independent comparative test results showing the new AAD's fuel-economy 
benefits".

One leading car maker has confirmed that a developed version of Antonov's
six-speed AAD meets its future need for an automatic.  It has also confirmed
that for mass production, no principle problems are perceived which could
prevent the AAD from reaching the required shift quality level.

Based on the success of these initial prototype tests, Antonov has entered
collaboration discussions with a number of major tier one OEM transmission
makers."


For further information, please contact:
Mike Emmerson                                            +31 10 4126046 (office)
Managing director - Antonov                        +31 (0) 6 553 856 82 (mobile)
www.antonov-transmission.com

Lisa Baderoon                                      +44 (0) 207 466 5000 (office)
Buchanan Communications                             +44 (0) 7721 413496 (mobile)



Editor's notes

The Antonov group was formed in 1991 to develop and market the automatic
transmission concept conceived by Roumen Antonov. The result is a major
simplification of the conventional automatic gearbox which independent
assessment has shown to generate cost savings of 30 to 40 %, fuel efficiency
improvements of 15 to 30 % as well as remarkably small size, light weight and
improved vehicle dynamics.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

MSCDLLFFXLBBBBQ