[OEA LETTERHEAD]


                          OEA To be Acquired by Autoliv

     DENVER, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of OEA, Inc. (NYSE:
OEA) announced today that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
with Autoliv Inc. which contemplates a tender offer by Autoliv for all
outstanding shares of common stock of OEA for a purchase price of $10.00 per
share in cash.
     The tender offer contains a minimum condition of acceptance by a majority
of the common stock outstanding, along with other customary conditions, and
the agreement contemplates a second step merger in which untendered shares
would be converted into the right to receive $10.00 per share in cash.  It is
expected that Autoliv will commence the tender offer shortly.
     Charles B. Kafadar, president and CEO, said, "OEA is very happy to be
joining the Autoliv family, the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems.
This merger will provide greater market opportunities for OEA's products and
advanced technology, leading to continued growth and more opportunities for
OEA's employees."
     OEA is the technology leader and a major manufacturer in the air bag
inflator and initiator industry.  The Company is also a leader in the design and
manufacture of personnel escape systems for military aircraft and
high-reliability devices for missile and aerospace applications.

SOURCE OEA, INC.
     -0-                                03/13/200
     /CONTACT:  John E. Banko of OEA Investor Relations, 303-693-1248; or Jay
Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Public Relations, Inc., 303-393-7044, jay@pfeifferpr.com,
for OEA, Inc./
     (OEA)


                                      -0-