SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC
DEF 14A, 1998-03-19
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
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<PAGE>   1
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                               (AMENDMENT NO.   )
 
Filed by the Registrant [ ]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by 
     Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12

                    SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[X]  No fee required.
 
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
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     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
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     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
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     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
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     (5)  Total fee paid:
 
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[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
     Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:

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     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
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     (4)  Date Filed:

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<PAGE>   2
 
                    SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              7800 WOODLEY AVENUE
                           VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91406
 
                            ------------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                            TO BE HELD MAY 15, 1998
 
To the Stockholders of
SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.:
 
     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL,
INC. will be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, California 90212 on Friday, May 15, 1998 at 10:00 A.M. for the
following purposes:
 
          (1) To elect two directors;
 
          (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
              meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 
     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 1998 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On any business day
from May 5, 1998 until May 15, 1998, during ordinary business hours,
stockholders may examine the list of stockholders for any purpose relevant to
the Annual Meeting at the Company's executive offices at 7800 Woodley Avenue,
Van Nuys, California 91406.
 
     You are urged to execute the enclosed proxy and return it in the
accompanying envelope at your earliest convenience. Such action will not affect
your right to vote in person should you find it possible to attend the Meeting.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          Daniel L. Levine
                                          Secretary
Van Nuys, California
Dated: March 27, 1998
 
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID
ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>   3
 
                    SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              7800 WOODLEY AVENUE
                           VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91406
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                            ------------------------
 
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                            TO BE HELD MAY 15, 1998
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors to be used at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Superior Industries International, Inc. ("Superior" or the
"Company"), to be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire
Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90212 on Friday, May 15, 1998 at 10:00 A.M.
and at all adjournments thereof. The approximate date on which Superior
anticipates first sending this Proxy Statement and form of proxy to its
stockholders is March 27, 1998.
 
     The solicitation of the proxy accompanying this statement is made by the
Board of Directors of Superior, and the cost of such solicitation will be borne
by Superior. The solicitation will be by mail, telephone, or oral communication
with stockholders.
 
     The matters to be considered and voted upon at the Annual Meeting are set
forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting which accompanies this Proxy Statement.
 
     A proxy for use at the Annual Meeting is enclosed. A proxy, if properly
executed, duly returned and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions contained thereon. If the proxy is executed and returned without
instruction, the proxy will be voted for the election as directors of the
individuals named below. If the proxy is not returned, your vote will not be
counted. Any stockholder who executes and delivers a proxy has the right to
revoke it at any time before it is exercised, by filing with the Secretary of
Superior a written notice revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date, or if the person executing the proxy is present at the meeting, by voting
his shares in person.
 
                    VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
 
     There were issued and outstanding 27,905,378 shares of Superior's common
stock, par value $0.50, on March 16, 1998, which has been set as the record date
for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting. Each holder of common stock will be entitled to one
vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of common stock standing in his name
on the books of Superior as of the record date; votes may not be cumulated. To
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
Meeting, there must be present, in person or by proxy, a majority of the issued
and outstanding shares of common stock.
 
     The following table sets forth information known to Superior as of March 1,
1998, with respect to beneficial ownership of (i) more than 5% of Superior's
common stock, (ii) Named Officers (as defined under "Executive Compensation"),
except where disclosed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and (iii) all
directors and officers as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         AMOUNT             PERCENT
                                                      BENEFICIALLY            OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                     OWNED               CLASS
- ------------------------------------                  ------------          -------
<S>                                                   <C>                   <C>
Louis L. Borick                                        4,570,250             16.4%
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

FMR Corp. ("Fidelity")                                 2,991,500             10.7%
  82 Devonshire Street
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3614

Juanita A. Borick                                      2,744,653              9.8%
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

American Century Companies, Inc.                       2,261,400              8.1%
  4500 Main Street, P.O. Box 418210
  Kansas City, MO 64141-9210

James M. Ferguson                                         56,432              *
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

R. Jeffrey Ornstein                                       46,600              *
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

Raymond C. Brown                                          28,394              *
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

Henry C. Maldini                                          16,250              *
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406

Superior's Directors and Officers                      4,901,037(1)          17.6%
  As a Group (17 persons)
  7800 Woodley Avenue
  Van Nuys, California 91406
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
 *  Less than 1%.
 
(1) Includes 957,084 shares of which the directors and officers have the right
    to acquire beneficial ownership through the exercise within 60 days from the
    date hereof of stock options that have previously been granted. Excluding
    Mr. L. Borick, the directors and officers beneficially own 330,787 shares,
    or 1.2% of the class over which each has sole investment and voting power.
 
     A COPY OF SUPERIOR'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE FURNISHED TO ANY STOCKHOLDER WITHOUT
CHARGE ON WRITTEN REQUEST TO R. JEFFREY ORNSTEIN, VICE PRESIDENT & CFO, SUPERIOR
INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., 7800 WOODLEY AVENUE, VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91406.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The purpose of the Meeting is to elect two persons to Class II of the Board
of Directors in accordance with the Company's Articles of Incorporation. Unless
instructed to the contrary, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will
vote the shares for the election of the nominees named herein to Class II of the
Board of Directors as described below. Although it is not contemplated that any
nominee will decline or be unable to serve, the shares will be voted by the
proxy holders in their discretion for another person if such a contingency
should arise. The term of each person elected as a director will continue until
the director's term has expired and until his or her successor is elected and
qualified. The two persons receiving the largest number of votes shall be
elected as Class II directors. Since there is no particular percentage of either
the outstanding shares or the shares represented at the meeting required to
elect a director, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as
the failure of shares to be represented at the meeting, except that the shares
subject to such abstentions or non-votes will be counted in determining whether
there is a quorum for taking shareholder action, under California law and the
Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
 
     The Company's Articles of Incorporation provides that its eight directors
be divided into three classes. The term of office of those directors in Class I
expires at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; the term of office of those
directors in Class II expires at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
the term of office of those directors in Class III expires at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Directors elected to succeed those directors whose
terms expire are elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding
annual meeting of stockholders after their election.
 
                             NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
 
     Messrs. Ausman and Evans are currently serving as directors in Class II and
were elected at the 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a term of office
expiring at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All nominees were
recommended for re-election by the Board of Directors. The name, age and
principal business or occupation of each nominee and each of the other directors
who will continue in office after the 1998 Annual Meeting, the year in which
each first became a director of the Company, committee memberships, ownership of
equity securities of the Company and other information are shown below in the
brief description of each of the nominees and continuing directors and in the
table following such descriptions.
 
     Each of the following persons is nominated for election to Class II of the
Board of Directors (to serve a three-year term ending at the 2001 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified):
 
  Sheldon I. Ausman
 
     Mr. Ausman is a Senior Vice President and Director with the international
financial printing firm of Bowne of Los Angeles. He served with Arthur Andersen
& Co. for 34 years and was managing partner of the firm's practice in Southern
California, Honolulu and Las Vegas before his retirement. Mr. Ausman is very
active in the community and among other responsibilities serves as Chairman of
the Los Angeles Music Center Operating Company. Mr. Ausman serves on the Audit,
Compensation and Long Range Financial Planning Committees of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
 
  V. Bond Evans
 
     Mr. Evans has over 35 years of domestic and international experience in
engineering, manufacturing and management disciplines, primarily in the aluminum
industry. He graduated from General Motors Institute of
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
Technology and Management and began his career with General Motors Diesel Ltd.
in London, Ontario. He joined a Canadian subsidiary of Alumax and in 1968 was
made President of the Canadian company with added responsibility for European
operations. On moving to the United States, he became President of Kawneer Co.
in 1971 and was made a Group Vice President of Alumax Inc., an integrated
aluminum company and member of the NYSE, in 1976. He was promoted to Executive
Vice President in 1979 and held a series of top management positions before
becoming President and CEO in 1991. Mr. Evans retired from Alumax Inc. in 1994.
During the past 10 years he has served as a committee chairman and director of
the Aluminum Association and a director of the International Primary Aluminum
Institute. Mr. Evans serves on the Compensation and Stock Option Committees of
the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
CLASS I -- SERVING UNTIL THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND UNTIL THEIR
           RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED:
 
  Jack H. Parkinson
 
     Mr. Parkinson has more than 45 years experience in the automotive industry.
He retired from Chrysler Corporation after 24 years in its international
organization. He was Managing Director of Chrysler's Mexico operations from 1974
to 1982 and was Executive Vice President of Sunroad Enterprises, an entity
involved in real estate development, banking and car dealerships, from 1983 to
1994. He serves on the Long Range Financial Planning and Compensation Committees
of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
  Philip W. Colburn
 
     Mr. Colburn has more than 30 years experience in the automotive industry.
He currently is the Chairman of the Allen Group, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange
listed manufacturer of electronic and other mobile communications products for
the wireless telecommunications industry. He has held his current position since
March 1988 and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Allen since
1975. Mr. Colburn serves on the Audit and Long Range Financial Planning
Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Colburn is also a
Director of Earl Scheib, Inc., TransPro, Inc. and Spinnaker Industries, Inc.
 
  R. Jeffrey Ornstein
 
     Mr. Ornstein, a certified public accountant, joined the Company in June
1984 as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer and is Chief Financial Officer of
the Company. He became Vice President and CFO in 1995. Mr. Ornstein serves as an
ex officio member on the Long Range Financial Planning Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company and also serves on the Western Advisory Board of
Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company.
 
CLASS III -- SERVING UNTIL THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND UNTIL
             THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED:
 
  Louis L. Borick
 
     Mr. L. Borick has been President and Chairman of Superior's Board of
Directors since 1957 and has been responsible for the formation of the overall
corporate policy of the Company and its subsidiaries. His son,
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
Steven J. Borick, serves on Superior's Board of Directors. Mr. Borick also
serves as a member of the Long Range Financial Planning Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company.
 
  Raymond C. Brown
 
     Mr. Brown recently retired from the Company after a distinguished career
spanning thirty years of service. Mr. Brown joined the Company in 1967 and
became Senior Vice President in 1975. His duties included strategic and product
planning and involvement in all of the Company's major projects. He was directly
responsible for marketing and sales of products for original equipment
manufacturers and was also responsible for Corporate Quality.
 
  Steven J. Borick
 
     Mr. S. Borick, who is a son of Louis L. Borick, has been engaged in the oil
exploration business for over 19 years in his capacity as President of Texakota,
Inc. and general partner of Texakota Oil Co. Mr. S. Borick also serves on the
Board of Directors of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange Company.
He serves on the Audit, Long Range Financial Planning and Stock Option
Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     The names of and certain stock ownership information with respect to the
nominees and the incumbent directors are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     COMMON STOCK
                                                         FIRST        OWNED BENE-    PERCENT OF
                                                        ELECTED       FICIALLY ON    OUTSTANDING
        NAME           AGE    PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION   AS A DIRECTOR   MARCH 1, 1997     SHARES
        ----           ---    --------------------   -------------   -------------   -----------
<S>                    <C>   <C>                     <C>             <C>             <C>
NOMINEES
  Sheldon I. Ausman    64    Senior Vice President,       1992             6,000(1)     *
                             Bowne
  V. Bond Evans        63    Retired President and        1994             8,000(1)     *
                             CEO, Alumax Inc.
INCUMBENTS
  Louis L. Borick      74    President and Chairman       1957         4,570,250(3)     16.4%
                             of the Board
  Raymond C. Brown     69    Retired Senior Vice          1972            28,394(2)     *
                             President
  Steven J. Borick     45    President, Texakota,         1981            56,946(1)     *
                             Inc.
  Jack H. Parkinson    70    Retired Executive            1983            21,339(1)     *
                             Vice President,
                             Sunroad Enterprises
  Philip W. Colburn    69    Chairman,                    1991            10,930(1)     *
                             Allen Group, Inc.
  R. Jeffrey Ornstein  55    Vice President & CFO         1991            46,600(2)     *
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
  * Less than 1%.
 
(1) Includes 9,000, 6,800, 10,930, 8,000, and 6,000 shares for Messrs. S.
    Borick, Parkinson, Colburn, Evans, and Ausman, respectively, of which they
    have the right to acquire beneficial ownership through the exercise within
    60 days from the date hereof of non-statutory stock options that have been
    previously granted.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
(2) Includes 5,000 and 38,800 shares for Messrs. Brown and Ornstein, of which
    they have the right to acquire beneficial ownership through the exercise
    within 60 days from the date hereof of incentive stock options that have
    been previously granted.
 
(3) See "Voting Securities and Principal Holders."
 
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     During 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company held five regularly
scheduled meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate
number of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the committees of
the Board on which he served. In addition to meeting as a group to review the
Company's business, certain members of the Board of Directors also devote their
time and talents to certain standing committees. Significant committees of the
Board of Directors of the Company and the respective members are set forth
below.
 
     The Audit Committee establishes and oversees the Company's audit policy. It
is presently comprised of Steven J. Borick, Sheldon I. Ausman and Philip W.
Colburn. The Audit Committee met twice during 1997.
 
     The Stock Option Committee administers the Company's stock option plans. It
is presently comprised of Steven J. Borick and V. Bond Evans. The Stock Option
Committee met four times during 1997.
 
     The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the non-stock compensation
for the Company's officers and key employees. The committee consists of Sheldon
I. Ausman, V. Bond Evans and Jack H. Parkinson. The Compensation Committee met
once during 1997. See "Compensation Committee Report" located elsewhere in this
Proxy Statement.
 
     The Long Range Financial Planning Committee reviews the Company's long-term
strategic financial objectives and the methods to accomplish them. The committee
consists of Steven J. Borick, Sheldon I. Ausman, Louis L. Borick, Philip W.
Colburn, Jack H. Parkinson and R. Jeffrey Ornstein as an ex officio member. The
Long Range Financial Planning Committee met once during 1997.
 
     The Company does not have a standing nominating committee.
 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     Superior's main office and manufacturing facilities located at 7800 Woodley
Avenue, Van Nuys, California, are leased from Mr. L. Borick and Juanita A.
Borick. One of the two buildings on the property is a casting plant containing
approximately 85,000 square feet and the other is a combined office,
manufacturing and warehouse structure. The offices comprise approximately 24,000
square feet and the manufacturing and warehouse area 236,000 square feet. During
fiscal 1997, Superior paid $1,140,142 in rentals under the lease.
 
     Superior leases the plant and office facilities at 14721 Keswick Street,
Van Nuys, California from Keswick Properties, owned jointly by Steven J. Borick,
a director of the Company, and two other of Mr. L. Borick's children. During
fiscal 1997, Superior paid Keswick Properties $292,102 in rentals under the
lease.
 
     The plant facilities at 14617 Keswick Street were leased by the Company
from the Borick Building Corporation, a company owned jointly by Mr. L. Borick
and Juanita A. Borick, until the building was sold in July, 1997. During fiscal
1997, Superior paid to Borick Building Corporation $87,920 in rentals under the
lease.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
     The Company believes that the terms of the above mentioned lease agreements
are as favorable to the Company as those obtainable from an unaffiliated third
party.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     On January 1, 1994, Superior renewed its employment agreement with Mr. L.
Borick. The agreement provides for a five-year evergreen term, an annual base
compensation, use of a company automobile, life insurance and other customary
employee benefits. Mr. L. Borick's annual base salary in effect as of January 1,
1996 is $1,000,000. The life insurance policies have a face value of $2,500,000
and the Company as the beneficiary. The agreement also provides, in the event of
Mr. L. Borick's death or disability during the employment term, for a payment
over 60 months of the balance of Mr. L. Borick's compensation under the
agreement at the time of his death or disability. Upon an early termination of
the agreement or Mr. L. Borick's retirement, he will receive, for life,
one-twelfth of his annual base compensation during each of the ensuing 60 months
and one-half such amount during each of the 120 months following. The agreement
also provides for a $2,000,000 payment to Mr. L. Borick's beneficiaries upon his
death. See "Compensation Committee Report" located elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement for more discussion regarding Mr. L. Borick's compensation.
 
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
     The Company entered into agreements with its directors and executive
employees which provide for Superior to pay to the individual, upon his
retirement after having reached his specified vesting date, or in the event of
his death while in the employ of the Company prior to retirement, a monthly
retirement benefit equal to 30% of his final average compensation over the
preceding 36 months. Such payments are to continue through the later of 120
months or, if subsequent to his retirement, the individual's death.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     During 1997, all non-employee directors of the Company were each
compensated $20,000 for services as directors and $500 for each committee
meeting attended. Management members of the Board of Directors are not
compensated for their service as directors.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table shows information concerning the annual and long-term
compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years
1995 through 1997 of those persons who were, at December 31, 1997, (i) the chief
executive officer and (ii) the other four most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company (the "Named Officers").
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          LONG-TERM
                                             ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)     COMPENSATION -
                                   FISCAL    -----------------------        STOCK           ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR       SALARY       BONUS          OPTIONS       COMPENSATION(2)
   ---------------------------     ------    ----------   ----------    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>
Louis L. Borick                     1997     $1,018,213   $1,752,000            -0-          $  900
  President and Chairman of the     1996        994,194    1,265,000            -0-             990
  Board                             1995        751,262    1,248,000            -0-           2,310

Raymond C. Brown                    1997     $  291,846   $  360,000            -0-          $  900
  Senior Vice President             1996        287,665      360,000            -0-             990
                                    1995        274,349      360,000         15,000           2,310

R. Jeffrey Ornstein                 1997     $  211,523   $  200,000          5,000          $  900
  Vice President & CFO              1996        207,514      200,000            -0-             990
                                    1995        200,681      200,000         10,000           2,310

James M. Ferguson                   1997     $  184,738   $  100,000          3,000          $  900
  Vice President, OEM Marketing     1996        169,820       90,000            -0-             461
  Group                             1995        163,248       85,000          5,000           2,139

Henry C. Maldini                    1997     $  160,832   $   88,000          3,000          $  764
  Vice President, Engineering       1996        143,575       80,000            -0-             528
                                    1995        138,661       80,000          5,000           2,196
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) While the executive officers enjoy certain perquisites, such perquisites do
    not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such officer's salary and bonus,
    and, accordingly, are not reflected on this table.
 
(2) These amounts represent the Company's contributions to the employee
    retirement savings plans covering substantially all of its employees.
 
OPTION GRANTS
 
     The following table shows information on grants of stock options during the
fiscal year 1997 to the Named Officers reflected in the Summary Compensation
Table.
 
                     OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                       PERCENTAGE OF                                         ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                                       TOTAL OPTIONS                                         PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
                                         GRANTED TO                                                     TERM(3)
                         OPTIONS        EMPLOYEES IN      EXERCISE PRICE      EXPIRATION     ------------------------------
        NAME            GRANTED(1)      FISCAL 1997        PER SHARE(2)          DATE             5%               10%
        ----           ------------   ----------------   -----------------   -------------   -------------    -------------
<S>                    <C>            <C>                <C>                 <C>             <C>              <C>
R. Jeffrey
  Ornstein...........     5,000             6.5%              $26.625           4/14/07       $   83,722       $  212,167

James M. Ferguson....     3,000             3.9                26.625           4/14/07           50,233          127,300

Henry C. Maldini.....     3,000             3.9                26.625           4/14/07           50,233          127,300
</TABLE>
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
- ---------------
 
(1)  All options granted are exercisable in cumulative equal installments
     commencing one year from date of grant, with full vesting on the fourth
     anniversary date for the options of the other Named Officers. Vesting may
     be accelerated in certain events relating to the change of the Company's
     ownership or certain corporate transactions.
 
(2)  All stock options were granted at market value (closing price on the New
     York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions of the Company's common
     stock) on the date of grant.
 
(3)  Reported net of the option exercise price. These amounts represent certain
     assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if any, on stock option
     exercises are dependent on the future performance of the common stock,
     overall stock conditions, as well as the option holders' continued
     employment through the vesting period. The amounts reflected in this table
     may not be indicative of the value that will actually be achieved or
     realized.
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES
 
     The following table shows information with respect to stock options
exercised during fiscal year 1997 and unexercised options to purchase the
Company's common stock for the Named Officers.
 
            AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                            FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED,
                                                           OPTIONS HELD AT            IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                           SHARES                         DECEMBER 31, 1997          AT DECEMBER 31, 1997(2)
                         ACQUIRED ON      VALUE      ---------------------------   ---------------------------
          NAME            EXERCISE     REALIZED(1)   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
          ----           -----------   -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Louis L. Borick.........      -0-       $    -0-       750,000           -0-       $1,044,375       $   -0-
Raymond C. Brown........      -0-            -0-        92,500         5,000          840,606        11,563
R. Jeffrey Ornstein.....    7,500         98,700        39,866         8,334          359,715        28,647
James M. Ferguson.......   12,600        292,320        29,133         4,667          362,403        16,417
Henry C. Maldini........      -0-            -0-        13,833         4,667          100,869        16,417
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Represents the difference between the market value on the date of exercise
    and the option exercise price.
 
(2) Represents the difference between the market value at December 31, 1997 and
    the option exercise price.
 
                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
     The Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), as currently constructed, is
comprised of Messrs. Ausman, Evans and Parkinson; individuals who have never
been employees of the Company. Its responsibility is to develop and make
recommendations to the full Board with respect to executive compensation. Also,
the Compensation Committee establishes the annual compensation of the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and reviews the compensation
policy related to the Company's other executive officers. Its executive
compensation philosophy is to set levels of overall compensation that will allow
the Company to successfully compete for exceptional executives, to tie part of
each executive's compensation to the success of the Company in attaining its
short and long-term objectives, and to recognize individual effort and
achievement.
 
     The Committee considers the competitiveness of overall compensation,
solely, and evaluates the performance of the executive officers and adjusts
salaries accordingly. For individuals other than the CEO, adjustments are made
based on subjective recommendations of the CEO to the Committee of the
individual
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
executive's performance and also take into account the profitability of the
Company but without regard to a specified formula. The Committee believes these
criteria for salary adjustments are in accordance with sound overall
compensation guidelines.
 
     Pursuant to this philosophy, the Committee reviews published compensation
surveys covering a wide array of public companies, both larger and smaller than
the Company. Periodically it reviews the compensation paid and to be paid to
each of the Company's executive officers and receives an evaluation of their
performance from the Company's CEO. The Company's CEO has an employment contract
which is discussed under "Employment Agreements."
 
     The compensation surveys that are utilized for executives other than the
Company's CEO were prepared by a nationally recognized independent management
consulting firm based on the compilation of over nine (9) individual surveys
contained in their internal data base. The names of the companies in the survey
are not identified.
 
     The compensation surveys utilized for CEO compensation are published in
national magazines and contain certain of the companies comprising the peer
group (see "Common Stock Performance Graph") but include a variety of other
public companies. Compensation levels for the CEO were not solely based by
reference to peer company compensation levels.
 
     The Committee does not specifically target a level of compensation relative
to comparative compensation data collected for the CEO or other executive
officers, but rather refers to this data for subjective review and confirmation
of reasonableness of salaries paid to executives.
 
     In 1994, the Board of Directors and the stockholders approved an Incentive
Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") for Mr. L. Borick, the Company's CEO. The purpose
of the Bonus Plan is to provide Mr. Borick an additional incentive to continue
the extraordinary efforts, initiative and judgment he has exercised on behalf of
the Company and its stockholders by establishing his yearly bonus on a specific
formula basis. Under the Bonus Plan, the amount of Mr. Borick's annual bonus
will equal 2.0% of the Company's annual income before income taxes and before
deducting any annual awards under the Bonus Plan or any other executive
incentive arrangements. However, if such annual income does not equal at least
90% of the planned level for the year, as approved by the Compensation
Committee, the 2.0% figure will be reduced to 1.8%, ranging down to 1.0% at 70%
of the planned level. In no event, however, will Mr. Borick's annual bonus under
the Bonus Plan be less than 1.0% of annual income, as defined.
 
     The Compensation Committee administers the Bonus Plan and determines the
amount payable under it in accordance with its terms. The Compensation Committee
has the right to amend or terminate the Bonus Plan at any time. The 1997 bonus
paid to Mr. Borick pursuant to the Plan was $1,752,000.
 
     The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 ("the Act") enacted in August
1993 limits the deductibility by the Company of the annual compensation paid
over $1,000,000 to the Named Officers, unless such compensation was
"performance-based," as defined in the Act. The intent of the Compensation
Committee is that compensation paid under the Bonus Plan will qualify as
performance-based compensation under the Act.
 
     The overall amount of the bonus pool is approximately 6% of pre-tax income.
The pool is utilized for all employee bonuses including the Bonus Plan for the
CEO. The determination as to the portion of the bonus pool awarded to each
executive, other than the CEO, is entirely subjective and discretionary based on
an evaluation of their performance and contribution for the year. The Committee
approved the establishment of
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
the pool and the amount; and individual bonus awards, other than for the CEO,
are based on recommendations of the CEO and reviewed and approved by the
Committee.
 
     The stock option awards to each executive are determined subjectively based
on an evaluation of their performance and contribution to the Company and also
take into account the relative financial performance of the Company without
regard to any specified formula.
 
     Base salaries are generally reviewed no sooner than every 12 to 18 months
and adjusted when deemed necessary. The last salary review for each of the Named
Officers is as follows: Mr. L. Borick (December 11, 1995), Mr. Brown (July 1,
1995), Mr. Ornstein (January 1, 1998), Mr. Ferguson (January 1, 1997), and Mr.
Maldini (January 1, 1998).
 
     The foregoing report has been furnished by --
 
                                    Sheldon I. Ausman
                                    V. Bond Evans
                                    Jack H. Parkinson
 
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The following graph compares the five year cumulative total return of the
Company's common stock to that of the Dow Jones Equity Market Index and the Dow
Jones Automobile Parts and Equipment Excluding Tire and Rubber Makers Index.
 
                COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         'SUPERIOR                                 DOW JONES
        MEASUREMENT PERIOD               INDUSTRIES        DOW JONES EQUITY     INDUSTRY GROUP
      (FISCAL YEAR COVERED)         INTERNATIONAL, INC.'     MARKET INDEX            INDEX
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>                 <C>
1992                                          100                  100                 100
1993                                       229.13               109.95              130.87
1994                                       141.18               110.76              114.84
1995                                       142.16               152.49              141.62
1996                                       125.72               187.63              161.49
1997                                        147.3               251.34              207.78
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Assumes that the value of the investment in Superior Industries common stock
  and each Index was $100 on December 31, 1992, and that all dividends were
  reinvested.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
       STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Stockholder proposals complying with appropriate Securities and Exchange
Commission and proxy rules to be presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must be received at the Company's executive offices at 7800 Woodley
Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406 by November 30, 1998 in order to be included
in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     Management does not know of any matters to be presented to the Meeting
other than those described above. However, if other matters properly come before
the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy
to vote said proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters, and
discretionary authority to do so is included in the proxy.
 
     Management has not selected or recommended any auditors for the forthcoming
year. Management believes that this decision is premature at this time although
it expects to retain Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's auditors for 1998. A
representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the Meeting
and available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
            SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     A regulation under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") requires
the Company to disclose all late filings of reports, of which it is aware,
required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Act by directors and officers
during the past fiscal year. Pursuant to this regulation, the Company believes
that no late filings were made during 1997.
 
                                      SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
                                      Louis L. Borick, President and
                                      Chairman of the Board
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
PROXY


                   SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.


         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


           PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS -- MAY 15, 1998


          The undersigned hereby appoints R. JEFFREY ORNSTEIN and DANIEL L.
LEVINE, and each of them, the attorney, agent and proxy of the undersigned, with
full power of substitution, to vote all stock of SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES
INTERNATIONAL, INC., which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of said corporation to be held at the Regent Beverly
Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90212 on
Friday, May 15, 1998 at 10:00 A.M., and at any and all adjournments thereof, as
fully and with the same force and effect as the undersigned might or could do if
personally thereat.

          THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.  IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS INDICATED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL
NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS.

                           (continued on backside)

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<PAGE>   16
                                                                          ___
                                                            Please mark    
                                                            your vote      X
                                                            as this       ___


THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all proposals.


                                    FOR
                                all nominees          WITHHOLD
                                listed below         AUTHORITY
                                  (except as        to vote for
                               indicated to the     all nominees
                                contrary below)     listed below
(1) The election of directors         ____              ____

    Nominees:  Sheldon I. Ausman      ____              ____
               V. Bond Evans

                                                   If you expect to      ____
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote       attend the meeting,
 for any individual nominee, write that            please check box.     ____
 nominee's name in the space provided below.)


___________________________________________

                                                    ______
                                                          /
                                                          /
                                                          /





Signature(s)__________________________________________ Date _________________

NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please
give full title as such.

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