STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. ANNOUNCES

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2003 RESULTS

New York, NY, March 8, 2004......Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE:SMP), an automotive replacement parts manufacturer and distributor, reported today its financial results for the three months and for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2003 were $162.5 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $107.9 million during the comparable quarter in 2002. Losses from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2003 were $5.5 million or 29 cents per diluted share, compared to $8.1 million or 68 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Consolidated net sales for 2003 were $678.8 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $598.4 million in 2002. Earnings from continuing operations for 2003 were $224,000 or 1 cent per diluted share, compared to $6.1 million or 51 cents per diluted share in 2002.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Lawrence Sills, Standard Motor Products Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The net sales increase in the fourth quarter of 2003 was related to the previously announced acquisition of Dana Corporation’s Engine Management Division (DEM), effective as of June 30, 2003. Net sales generated in the fourth quarter and the second half of 2003 from DEM were $57.2 million and $115.5 million, respectively. Since the fourth quarter has the fewest selling days of any quarter and based on current expectations, we continue to forecast the DEM volume at approximately $250 million annually.”

“Our core Engine Management net sales, excluding DEM, were flat in the fourth quarter and down a modest 1.4% for the year. This decline would have been mitigated if we had implemented normal price level increases in 2003, and in early 2004 we have begun implementing price increases. In our Temperature Control business, net sales were down slightly for the fourth quarter and down $35.5 million or 13.9% for the year, the result of the loss of AutoZone’s business and the very cool summer season. “

Mr. Sills added, “Our operating margins were negatively impacted in the fourth quarter and year-to-date by the lower margins on the DEM acquisition and certain transition costs while reducing redundancies. Due to our reduced Temperature Control volume for the year, we provided an incremental $2 million inventory reserve in the fourth quarter based on our inventory agings. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses in 2003 included $4.8 million of integration and restructuring costs for DEM and other SMP facilities.”

Looking forward, Mr. Sills added, “The DEM acquisition in 2003 was strategic and continues to be our primary focus entering 2004. The critical goals we established for a successful integration were to (a) maintain the DEM customer base, (b) reduce excess capacity by closing seven of the nine acquired facilities in a 12 to 18 month timeframe (c) complete the transition for $30-35 million during this period in restructuring and integration costs, and (d) achieve $50-55 million in estimated annual savings. I am pleased to report we are on target for meeting all of these goals. Based on our current expectations, we believe that the benefits from the above savings will materialize as we progress throughout 2004 and the full extent of the anticipated $40-45 million operating profit should be achieved in 2005.”

Standard Motor Products will hold a conference call at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, on Monday, March 8, 2004. The dial in number is 800-362-0571 and the ID number is STANDARD. A replay of the call will be available on March 8 through March 15 at 12:00 midnight. The playback number is 888-276-5302 (toll free) and the international number is 402-220-2331.

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Standard Motor Products cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the company, including those that may be made in this press release, are based on management's expectations at the time they are made, but they are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those risks and uncertainties discussed in this press release, and detailed from time-to-time in prior press releases and in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. By making these forward looking statements, Standard Motor Products undertakes no obligation or intention to update these statements after the date of this release.

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