Hayes Lemmerz Receives Approval to Preserve Exclusivity On Previously-Filed Plan of Reorganization

HAYES LEMMERZ INTERNATIONAL LOGO
Hayes Lemmerz International logo. (PRNewsFoto)[AG]
NORTHVILLE, MI USA 05/22/2001
    NORTHVILLE, Mich., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: HLMMQ) announced that
it has received Court approval to extend the period in which the Company has
the exclusive right to file or advance a Plan of Reorganization in its Chapter
11 cases.  The January 10, 2003 Order preserves the Company's exclusive right
to sponsor a Plan of Reorganization to April 15, 2003, and further preserves
the Company's exclusive right to solicit acceptances of a plan until June 16,
2003.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010522/HLILOGO )
    The Company obtained the recent court order to maintain control of its
reorganization and prevent the possible distraction that could arise if
another party filed a different Plan of Reorganization.  In its ruling, the
Court said the extension is in "the best interests of the debtors, their
estates, their creditors, and other parties in interest."
    On December 16, 2002, the Company filed its Plan of Reorganization with
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.  At the Company's
request, the Court scheduled a hearing for February 6, 2003 to consider
approval of the Company's proposed Disclosure Statement and a hearing on April
9, 2003 to consider confirmation of the Company's Plan of Reorganization.
    "The Court's extension of the Company's exclusive plan filing and
solicitation periods will ensure that the Company will not be distracted as it
completes its restructuring," said Curt Clawson, chairman and chief executive
officer of Hayes Lemmerz.
    "Our progress towards emergence from Chapter 11 is on track," Mr. Clawson
said.  "With the significant changes we are making in our business to cut
costs, improve efficiency, and improve customer service, we expect that Hayes
Lemmerz will emerge from Chapter 11 during the first half of this year and
continue to compete vigorously as a world-class automotive parts supplier."
    Hayes Lemmerz and its subsidiaries in the United States and one subsidiary
in Mexico filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the
bankruptcy code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on
December 5, 2001.
    Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. is one of the world's leading global
suppliers of automotive and commercial highway wheels, brakes, powertrain,
suspension, structural and other lightweight components.  The Company has 44
plants, 3 joint venture facilities and 11,400 employees worldwide.
    This press release includes forward looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations
and beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently
anticipated.  All statements other than statements of historical facts
included in this release are forward looking statements.  Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such forward-looking statements include the factors set forth in our periodic
reports filed with the SEC.  Consequently, all of the forward looking
statements made in this press release are qualified by these and other
factors, risks and uncertainties.