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Hayes Wheels Ships First FFC(TM) Wheels For Ford Ranger

5 August 1997

Hayes Wheels Ships First FFC(TM) Wheels For Ford Ranger

    ROMULUS, Mich., Aug. 5 -- Hayes Wheels International, Inc.
has begun shipping wheels to Ford Motor Company for
the 1998 Ranger pickup truck.  Under the terms of the multi-million dollar
contract, which was announced in October 1996, Hayes will supply several
innovative wheels for the Ranger, including full-face styled steel wheels,
ultra-light fabricated aluminum wheels, and the company's first high-volume
application of its full-face cast (FFC(TM)) wheels, which are light weight and
offer high styling capability.
    The wheels are being produced at the company's manufacturing facilities in
Sedalia, Mo., and Gainesville, Ga.  As a result of this contract, as well as
other recent contracts from various original equipment manufacturers, Hayes
Wheels recently completed significant capital investments in both facilities
totaling in excess of $40 million.
    "Hayes Wheels continues to be the industry leader in developing innovative
new products," said Ron Cucuz, president and chief executive officer.  "The
Ranger contract, which is one of the largest we've ever received and
encompasses several of our latest technologies, is another example of the
advantage we have in being a full-line supplier.  We're genuinely pleased with
the support we were able to provide Ford in optimizing styling, weight and
other considerations for this very popular vehicle, and we will continue to
focus on technological innovations that will provide our customers with the
products they need today and in the future."
    Hayes Wheels International is a world leader in the design, engineering
and manufacture of steel and aluminum wheels and brake drums and rotors for
the automotive and commercial highway markets in North America, Europe and
Asia.

SOURCE  Hayes Wheels International