Auto Supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG Appoints Norberto Farina President of South American Divisions

    FLORENCE, Ky., May 2 ZF Group appointed Norberto Farina as
President, South America.
    Currently, Farina is responsible for ZF of Brazil and ZF Argentina.  In
his new role, he will direct all South American activities.  His primary
responsibilities will be to ensure customer satisfaction and develop
integrated strategies emerging from ALCA discussions into North America and
other markets.  He will report directly to Jim Orchard, President and CEO
North and South American Regions and Member of the Management Board of ZF
Friedrichshafen AG.
    "Mr. Farina will focus on the strategic positioning of ZF in the South
American Market.  He will help to reorganize the business to better serve our
customers and increase profitability," Orchard said.
    Farina joined ZF in 1996 to direct activities in the Brazilian market.  In
1997, he was placed in charge of ZF Argentina S.A.  During that time, he
concentrated all Brazilian activities into a single location and shortly
after, did the same with Argentine operations.
    Prior to joining ZF, Farina held the position of Managing Director of
IOCHPE-MAXION S/A (formerly Massey Ferguson), from 1992-96, where he was
responsible for its agribusiness division, motors and road transports, exports
information systems, insurance and bank trading.
    Born in Bento Goncalve in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Farina
started his career in 1964 with Massey Ferguson do Brazil where he held
various management positions.  In 1980, he was appointed Manufacturing
Director for production of tractors.  From 1984-86, he was Vice President of
Finance and Administration.  He became President of the company in 1986.
    Farina is a member of various institutions for social assistance and
culture and is a board member of the German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and
a member of the Suppliers Board at GM-Fiat and Volkswagen.
    The global ZF Group, a leading automotive systems supplier of driveline
technology, steering and suspension components, is headquartered in
Friedrichshafen, Germany.  It employs more than 37,000 people worldwide and
operates over 60 facilities in 17 countries.  In 2000, the ZF Group posted
sales of $7 billion.  With sales of $1.2 billion in 1999 and sales of
approximately $1.8 billion in 2000, the ZF Group in NAFTA expects annual sales
of over $2 billion by 2002.  ZF's NAFTA Operations is headquartered in greater
Cincinnati and operates 17 production sites.

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