Southwall Technologies` XIR Heat Reflective Film Helps Auto Makers Improve Fuel Efficiency, Reduce GHG Emissions

Heat Blocking Auto Glass Can Help Auto Industry Reduce Air Conditioning Power
Consumption Up to 20%, Increase Fuel Efficiency Up to 5%, and Save 1.4 Billion
Gallons of Gas Annually

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
In response to President Barack Obama`s plan to increase and accelerate industry
requirements for higher gas mileage and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,
Southwall Technologies Inc., the worldwide innovator of high performance
energy-saving films and glass products, today called on automakers to install
infrared (IR) reflective glass using XIR film technology in all new vehicles.
Doing so would be an immediate and cost-effective step toward improving fuel
efficiency and reducing emissions.

"Automotive decision makers may be surprised to discover that existing
technologies, such as IR reflective glass using XIR film, can help them meet the
President's mandate to accelerate fuel efficiency in US cars," said Dennis
Capovilla, Southwall Technologies` President and CEO. "Europe has adopted
automotive glass with XIR film technology in over 20 million vehicles since
1993, and it represents low-hanging fruit for US vehicle manufacturers seeking
to deliver tomorrow`s high-efficiency vehicles today."

According to the US Department of Energy`s Vehicle Ancillary Load Reduction
Project Close-Out Report, some 230 million vehicles in the US consume 7 billion
gallons of fuel annually to power air conditioning (AC). This is equivalent to
5.5% of the total domestic light-duty vehicle petroleum consumption. AC use can
have an even more dramatic impact for high-efficiency vehicles, increasing fuel
consumption by as much as 35%. XIR heat reflective glass significantly reduces
the amount of solar heat entering a car, enabling automotive engineers to
downsize the AC system while maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature.

"Standardizing on IR reflective glass enables smaller AC systems for all vehicle
models," Capovilla added. "This not only justifies the cost premium of the glass
but also makes it a value-added feature for consumers who are increasingly
seeking options to reduce their impact on the environment."

Southwall Technologies` heat reflective XIR film is available off-the-shelf to
automotive glass manufacturers who laminate it with uncoated glass to create
high-performance and cost-effective IR reflective glass. Because XIR film is
laminated with uncoated glass, it enables any automotive glass manufacturer to
produce IR reflective glass today without the need to invest tens of millions of
dollars in glass coating equipment. XIR film also makes IR reflective glass
cost-effective for low-to-mid volume model runs and for aftermarket replacement
glass that otherwise could never justify the fixed costs associated with glass
coating production.

Southwall Technologies Inc (OTCBB:SWTX) is recognized as an innovator in the
development and manufacture of high performance, energy-saving films and glass
products that dramatically improve the energy efficiency of architectural and
automotive glass. Southwall is an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer with
customers in over 25 countries around the world, including Saint-Gobain Sekurit,
Pilkington, Guardian, AGC and Soliver. Glazing systems incorporating XIR film
are offered by the world`s leading automotive manufacturers such as Audi, BMW,
Daimler, Ford, Volkswagen and Land Rover.

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John Miller Public Relations, Los Gatos, CA
John Miller, 408-354-2400
miller@johnmillerpr.com

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