Cleveland-Based Alcoa Recognized for Innovation Within Heavy Trucking Industry.

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland-based Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products was honored by a prominent commercial truck industry trade publication for developing one of the 50 most innovative new products of 2003. This marks the second straight year that Alcoa has made this exclusive list.

Alcoa's Dura-Flange(R) wheel, which is produced in Cleveland, won Heavy Duty Trucking magazine's most recent Nifty Fifty award. Products were judged by the publication's editors for their usefulness to truck operators in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance.

"It's truly an honor to earn this award," said Mark Holtz, marketing manager, commercial vehicle wheels and accessories for Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products. "Bringing added value to our customers through innovation is a core value at Alcoa. Being the leader in innovation is an expectation we set for ourselves every day."

Dura-Flange(R) aluminum wheels contain a patent-pending treatment on the wheel rims that guards against excessive rim wear, thus increasing the life of the wheel. They were developed for applications where loads are heavy and prone to shifting - such as transit buses, tankers and logging trucks - which causes tire walls to rub against the wheel rims.

In 2002, Alcoa's Dura-Bright(R) wheel technology, which resists corrosion and eliminates the need for polishing, won the Nifty Fifty award.

For more information on Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products, visit www.alcoa.com or www.alcoawheels.com.

About Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products

Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products (AWFP) is the world's leading producer of aluminum wheels for the commercial vehicle market. Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products serves commercial vehicle, automotive and aerospace markets worldwide with forged aluminum, titanium and nickel-based alloy parts.

AWFP is a business unit of Alcoa Inc.(NYSE:AA). Alcoa Inc. is the leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina. It is active in all major segments of the industry, including mining, refining, smelting, fabricating and recycling. Alcoa has 120,000 employees in 41 countries. Revenues for 2003 were $21.5 billion.