Federal-Mogul Plugs Into Own Resources to Strengthen Champion(R) Brand

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 17 -- Federal-Mogul Corporation is
making a substantial investment in its Toledo, Ohio, Ignition Technical
Center, bringing the ceramic development process for its Champion(R) spark
plugs in-house to increase responsiveness in a competitive market in order to
exceed customer expectations.
    "The quality of spark plugs required by our original equipment and
aftermarket customers is continually increasing," said Mark Sullivan, vice
president, Ignition Products, Federal-Mogul.  "To meet their needs, we must
continually update our research and development in ignition products and
dedicate ourselves to discovering and implementing the most innovative spark
plug designs and the most efficient production processes."
    The multi-million dollar investment in the Toledo facility includes
forming a ceramic group, consisting of new equipment and employees
specializing in glass and ceramics.  The new ceramic analysis, testing and
development equipment will help Federal-Mogul determine the most efficient
materials and processes to be used in the ceramic development process.  Some
new equipment is already in place, with the remainder expected to arrive by
the end of April.  The complete transformation of moving this process in-house
will be complete by late spring.
    Richard Keller, director of sales and technology at the Toledo facility,
added, "Enhancing our technical capabilities allows our ignition research and
development group to develop new materials and methods to produce the best
ceramic possible, capable of meeting and exceeding industry demands.
Advantages come from the face-to-face interaction between the ceramic group
and the other product and process development engineers and employees who
provide manufacturing support, as well as better contact with our customer
base."
    Ceramics play a key role in spark plugs.  The ceramic material is heated
and glazed to become the insulator, the heart of the spark plug.  The
insulator electrically, thermally and mechanically isolates the high-voltage
center of the plug from the external portion of the plug.  Considerations in
developing and producing world-class ceramic insulators include optimizing
insulator strength and durability while minimizing scrap and overall cost.
    "The ceramic development process is a very critical step in the entire
design of the spark plug," Keller said.  "It is very important to get this
step right, and bringing this process in-house will allow us to have more
control and careful watch over the process and allow us to produce a higher
quality spark plug, more competitive in the industry today."
    "Investment in our Toledo Ignition Technical Center underscores our
dedication to meeting automotive and heavy-duty industry expectations and
remaining a leader in spark plug technology," Sullivan said.
    The Toledo Technical Center provides research and development and
technical and engineering support to all 10 Federal-Mogul ignition
manufacturing locations and other worldwide plants that operate under license
arrangements with Federal-Mogul.  Federal-Mogul also operates an ignition
technical center in Upton, England, serving the European automotive market.
Federal-Mogul invests millions of dollars in these two technical centers to
ensure the growth of the Champion brand.
    Federal-Mogul's Champion spark plugs are known throughout the industry as
"powering all" including automotive, industrial, marine, motorsport and small
engine applications.  More than 1 million Champion plugs are manufactured
daily and the brand is ranked first in the world market.
    Federal-Mogul is a global supplier of automotive components and sub-
systems serving the world's original equipment manufacturers and the
aftermarket.  The company utilizes its engineering and materials expertise,
proprietary technology, manufacturing skill, distribution flexibility and
marketing power to deliver products, brands and services of value to its
customers.  Federal-Mogul is focused on the globalization of its teams,
products and processes to bring greater opportunities for its customers and
employees, and value to its constituents.  Headquartered in Southfield,
Michigan, Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and today employs
47,000 people in 24 countries.  For more information on Federal-Mogul, visit
the company's Web site at http://www.federal-mogul.com .