BASF Is Honored by General Motors as a Supplier of the Year for 2002 First Supplier to Be Recognized by GM for Automotive Coatings

MOUNT OLIVE, N.J., April 14 -- BASF has been named a General Motors Supplier of the Year for exceptional performance as a global supplier of automotive OEM coatings.

The award, which was presented to BASF during recognition ceremonies Saturday, April 12, in Miami, Florida, marks the first time that a company has been named by General Motors as a Supplier of the Year for automotive coatings.

"We are extremely pleased to be recognized by General Motors as one of its most valued global suppliers. We view this award as a reflection of the shared commitment of General Motors and BASF to the highest quality products and services," said Klaus Peter Loebbe, the member of the BASF AG Board of Executive Directors with responsibility for BASF's Coatings business. Loebbe is also Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation in North America.

"This recognition is a tribute to BASF employees worldwide who serve GM, and reflects their unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction," said Jean-Pierre Monteny, President of BASF Group's Coatings Division and CEO of BASF Coatings AG.

According to Bo Andersson, Vice President, GM Worldwide Purchasing Production Control & Logistics, BASF is representative of the select companies that GM expects will grow with it as the automaker seeks to increase market share.

"BASF's performance and contributions have been critical in helping GM to become the industry's low-cost producer of high-quality vehicles, and BASF serves as a role model for other suppliers," said Andersson.

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a global program in 1992. Award winners are selected by a global team of General Motors executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, who base their decisions on supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company and a global leader in automotive coatings. BASF supplies General Motors manufacturing sites in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

A photograph is available on request. Please contact Andy Ladak at (248) 948-2088 or at ladaka@basf.com.

BASF: A major international player in coatings

BASF Coatings AG and its affiliates, along with all the coatings activities of other BASF group companies around the world, belong to the global Coatings Division of the BASF Group. This BASF division achieved world sales of 2.1 billion euros in 2002. BASF has a major, global presence in this sector, with significant market positions in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia/Pacific region, for example, with affiliates in Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines. In the coatings segment, BASF develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as the processes needed to apply them. In this business, eco-efficient powder coatings, water-based, high-solids and radiation-curable coatings play a special part. In Brazil, the company has been successful in the decorative paints market for years and holds the leading position. The Internet address of BASF Coatings is www.basf-coatings.de.

BASF: Helping Make Products Better(TM)

BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. Its distinctive approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is its strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and gives the company a competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had sales of $34 billion and more than 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. In North America, 2002 sales were approximately $8.2 billion and the company employs approximately 13,000 people. For more information or to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

   For more information, contact:

   In North America:

   Andrew Ladak
   BASF Corporation
   Tel: (248) 948-2088
   Fax:  (248) 948-2076
   E-mail: ladaka@basf.com

   In Europe:

   Michael Golek
   BASF Coatings AG
   Global Communications
   Phone: +49 2501 14 37 47
   Fax: +49 2501 14 37 50
   email: michael.golek@coatings.basf.org
   web : www.basf-coatings.de