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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


            ACCURIDE CORPORATION COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AKW L.P.

Henderson, KY -- April 1, 1999 -- Accuride Corporation announced today that 
it has completed the acquisition of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation's 
50 percent share of AKW L.P. This acquisition gives Accuride 100 percent 
control of AKW. Total consideration paid to Kaiser for the 50 percent 
interest was approximately $70 million. AKW was formed in 1997 as 50-50 joint 
venture between Kaiser and Accuride to design, manufacture, and sell heavy 
duty aluminum wheels.

"We are very pleased to finalize this transaction. The acquisition of 100 
percent of AKW allows us to strategically expand our aluminum wheel 
manufacturing and supply capabilities and thereby better service our 
customers' total wheel requirements," said Bill Greubel, Accuride's President 
and CEO.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, the operating subsidiary of Kaiser 
Aluminum Corporation (NYSE:KLU), is a leading producer of alumina, primary 
aluminum, and fabricated aluminum products, and is a major supplier of 
alumina and primary aluminum in the domestic and international markets. 
MAXXAM Inc. (ASE:MXM) directly and indirectly holds approximately 63 percent 
of Kaiser.

Accuride Corporation is North America's largest manufacturer and supplier of 
wheels for heavy/medium trucks and trailers. The Company offers the broadest 
product line in North American heavy/medium wheels. Accuride Corporation also 
produces wheels for buses, commercial light trucks and sport utility 
vehicles, and passenger cars. Accuride Corporation has steel wheel operations 
in Henderson, Kentucky; Columbia, Tennessee; London, Ontario, Canada; and at 
its joint venture in Monterrey, Mexico. Accuride Corporation is involved in 
the production and sales of aluminum wheels through AKW L.P. in Erie, 
Pennsylvania, and in a commercial tire and wheel assembly joint venture in 
Springfield, Ohio and Talbotville, Ontario, Canada.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking 
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform 
Act of 1995. The company cautions that any such forward-looking statements 
are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and 
uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those 
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various 
factors.

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