Hella Extends Leadership in Bend Lighting

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 18, 2005 -- Four auto companies will incorporate Hella bend-lighting systems on new vehicles in the coming model year, further extending the automotive supplier's leadership position in advanced cornering and bend-lighting systems.

Hella-supplied bi-xenon bend lighting is featured on the Range Rover Sport, VW Golf Plus, Audi A6 and A8 models, BMW's 7-series, Peugeot 407 Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, bringing to 15 the number of model lines that offer the company's innovative cornering lighting systems. The dynamic lighting system is available as an option on select Audi, BMW and Mercedes- Benz models in the United States.

"This option is popular on European vehicles and we are discussing its expanded use on U.S. vehicles with several auto manufacturers," says Joe Borruso, president and chief executive officer of Hella North America. "The benefits of this technology -- especially in rural areas -- are incredible. It will significantly enhance nighttime visibility and driving safety."

The bi-xenon bend lighting system swivels to the right or left to nearly double the area illuminated by low-beam headlamps when driving into a curve. Bend light works with both low- and high-beam lighting and is linked to vehicle speed. The system allows drivers to quickly recognize the path of a curve and adapt their driving style accordingly.

The system also incorporates dynamic headlamp leveling to ensure that light beams remain at the proper height during changes in load and during acceleration and braking, preventing glare to oncoming traffic.

Hella has received several international awards for its bend lighting technology and is the market leader in the field of both xenon and bend- lighting systems.

Lighting, electronics, complete vehicle modules, air conditioning systems, vehicle wiring systems and signal processing for the automobile industry, as well as automotive aftermarket components, are the core fields of competency for automotive supplier Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. Sales for the Hella Group are approximately $3.9 billion, placing Hella among Germany's top 100 industrial companies.

With its corporate headquarters in Lippstadt, Germany, the company employs nearly 24,000 people at 65 manufacturing facilities, production subsidiaries and joint-venture companies in 18 countries. More than 2,000 engineers and technicians work in research and development. All of the world's leading automobile and systems manufacturers are Hella customers as well as the automotive components aftermarket.

Additional information is available on the Internet HERE.