FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2003

For More Information Contact:

Dianne Bell 
Strategic Marketing Manager
Vehicle Dynamics Division
(952) 974-6108

MTS Selected by Spanish Automotive Testing Lab

Eden Prairie, Minn., May 20, 2003 - MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC) today announced that it received a 3.5 million euro order for advanced vehicle and component test systems from CITEAN (Centro de Innovación Tecnológica de Automoción de Navarra), a new, state-of-the-art automotive testing laboratory currently under construction in Navarre, Spain.

"MTS has been involved with the CITEAN project since its inception more than three years ago. Our selection is representative of MTS's worldwide strengths in advancing vehicle and component testing effectiveness," said Sidney W. Emery, Jr., MTS chairman and CEO."

"We are well-suited to help CITEAN realize their vision of a world-class testing laboratory," commented Dianne Bell, strategic marketing manager for the Vehicle Dynamics Division of MTS. The order includes a mix of leading-edge truck and passenger car testing systems and software, including: an advanced 6-degree-of-freedom road simulator to support vehicle modeling, analysis, design and virtual testing; world-leading RPC® Pro software for data validation, analysis, lab simulation and test monitoring; multiple SWIFT™ wheel assembly measurement and control systems; several FlexTest™ GT controllers, SilentFlo™ hydraulic power units, and a wide variety of services. "The complete array of vehicle and component testing systems included in this order will give CITEAN the advanced testing capability it will need to fulfill its mission of gaining a competitive edge for its client automotive companies," concluded Bell.

Funded by the local Government of Navarre, Fundación CETENASA, Universidad Pública de Navarra, DANA Automoción, and AP Amortiguadores S.A. CITEAN is one of a series of economic development projects outlined in the forward-looking Technological Plan of Navarre (2000-2003). The center's mission is to position Navarre as a European focus of automotive component research and development. According to Leopoldo Palacios, CITEAN director, "The economic benefits of this state-of-the-art facility for this region will be many-fold. CITEAN will serve to increase the global competitiveness of automotive companies, it will foster and enhance the investigational and innovative capabilities of both industry and academia, and it will attract branches of multinational companies and new investments." Further information on CITEAN can be found on the worldwide web at http://www.citean.com/.

The CITEAN facility is located on the campus of the Universidad Pública de Navarra, where it will enjoy the support of the university's Mechanical Engineering Department. When completed in July 2003 the 3,100 square meter facility will support a community of highly qualified investigators and house a collection of the world's most advanced automotive vehicle and component testing and simulation equipment. The center's state-of-the-art testing systems and qualified personnel will be available to more than 70 regional automotive companies, including component suppliers such as AP Amortiguadores S.A. and DANA Automoción, as well as a local Volkswagen vehicle assembly facility. "The use of this center's advanced testing facilities will represent a significant advantage for local companies in the automotive sector," explained Palacios. "Assembling such an extensive array of sophisticated equipment would be extremely difficult for any of these companies to undertake alone."

About MTS Systems Corporation:
MTS Systems Corporation is a global supplier of integrated simulation solutions that help customers accelerate and improve their design, development and manufacturing processes. MTS supplies products for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products and structures - including computer-based testing and simulation systems, modeling and testing software, and consulting services - as well as products for automating manufacturing processes. MTS had 1900 employees and revenue from continuing operations of $356 million for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2002. Additional information on MTS can be found on the worldwide web at http://www.mts.com.