New venture provides electronic & electromechanical design services, turnkey project work, and technology implementation to the automotive industry

PITTSBURGH - October 16, 2000 - Ansoft Corporation (NASDAQ: ANST) announced today the formation of a new business venture, Automotive Product & Technology (APT) Solutions, to address the growing demands from the automotive industry for engineering project and design services. APT targets key electronic and electromechanical systems including 42 Volt Systems, EMI/EMC , Electric and Hybrid Vehicles. APT provides analysis and design services, turnkey project services, and technology implementation & customization of Ansoft's software.

"APT Solutions is a natural progression for Ansoft. For over a decade, we have worked with automotive engineers at Ford, General Motors and Daimler Chrysler as well as their suppliers to design next generation components and systems for automobiles," said Sherry Hess, Senior Director of Marketing. "APT consolidates Ansoft's design expertise into a business venture with rapid growth potential."

Dr. Bogdan Ionescu, Technical Support Manager for Maxwell EM Products said, "Automotive engineers traditionally involved in the design of mechanical and hydraulic systems have found Ansoft's tools invaluable to the creation of the new electronic and electromagnetic components and systems in today's automobiles. APT answers the call of our customers for complete design solutions from Ansoft."

Ansoft is a leading developer of EDA software. Its products are used by engineers in the design of high performance electrical devices and systems, such as cellular phones, satellite communications, circuit boards, motors and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Ansoft markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force and distributors, and provides comprehensive customer support and training. Ansoft customers include leading electronics, telecommunications, and automotive companies including General Motors, Motorola, ABB, Raytheon, TRW, Mitsubishi, Texas Instruments, Hitachi, AT&T, Chrysler and Sun Microsystems.

Ansoft is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ANST."