Collins & Aikman Corporation Announces GM Interiors Business

TROY, Mich., June 14 Collins & Aikman Corporation announced today that it has received the production intent order from General Motors Corporation (GM) for the floor console, instrument panel and related components for GM's next generation of compact cars, commencing in the 2005 model year. Additionally, one of Collins & Aikman's minority joint venture partners, Engineered Plastic Products, will produce garnish trim for this platform. The dollar amount of the awards was not disclosed.

Commenting on the announcement, Mike Mitchell, Collins & Aikman's President of Global Commercial Operations, noted, "We're very excited to have been awarded this new business with General Motors. Increasingly, customers are recognizing Collins & Aikman for its world-class manufacturing and technological leadership in instrument panels, cockpit systems and interior trim solutions, as evidenced by our ability to claim content on over 90 percent of all vehicles produced in North America. As GM vehicles continue to have tremendous success in the marketplace, I believe Collins & Aikman's broad portfolio of high quality products will continue to play a significant role in achieving that success."

Collins & Aikman plans to produce the instrument panel at its operation in Rantoul, Ill., with floor console production to occur at the company's new "mega" facility in Sterling Heights, Mich. The production location for the various instrument panel components has not yet been determined.

Collins & Aikman Corporation is a global leader in cockpit modules and automotive floor and acoustic systems and a leading supplier of instrument panels, automotive fabric, plastic-based trim, and convertible top systems. The Company's current operations span the globe through 15 countries, more than 120 facilities and over 25,000 employees who are committed to achieving total excellence. Collins & Aikman's high-quality products combine superior design, styling and manufacturing capabilities with NVH "quiet" technologies that are among the most effective in the industry. Information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at http://www.collinsaikman.com.