Ford JIT Supplier HBPO Opens New Manufacturing Plant in Mexico

HERMOSILLO, Mexico--Sept. 19, 2005--HBPO GmbH, a joint-venture company formed by automotive suppliers Hella, Behr and Plastic Omnium, has opened a new 12,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.

The facility will produce front-end modules for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr models built at Ford Motor Company's Hermosillo assembly plant. The HBPO facility employs 42 people and has an annual production capacity of more than 220,000 front-end modules.

The Hermosillo plant is HBPO's second facility in Mexico. The company also operates a plant with more than 110 employees in Puebla that supplies front-end modules for Volkswagen of America.

"We believe Mexico will develop into our largest production location," says Martin Schueler, HBPO's managing director. "We plan to assemble more than 650,000 front-end modules in Puebla and Hermosillo on an annual basis within the next several years."

About HBPO and Its Partner Companies

HBPO GmbH, Lippstadt, Germany was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Hella, Behr and Plastic Omnium and is based on a previous joint venture formed by Hella and Behr in 1999. With annual sales of more than 350 euros, HBPO today assembles more than 1.2-million front-end modules in eight manufacturing plants around the world, a number that is expected to grow to more than 2-million units within the next two years. HBPO is the only company specializing in the design, development assembly and delivery of complex front-modules that incorporate lighting, engine cooling, air conditioning, assembly carriers, crash boxes, electronics, locks, air baffles and bumpers.

About the Partner Companies

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Lippstadt, Germany - Hella is an automotive components manufacturer that develops and produces lighting, electronics, wiring and signal processing systems, as well as integrated front-end modules. It is also a global supplier of automotive spare parts. In fiscal 2004-2005, the Group reported sales of more than 3 billion euros. Its 65 manufacturing facilities, production subsidiaries and joint venture companies employ nearly 24,000 people in 18 countries.

Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, Germany - A specialist in vehicle air-conditioning and engine cooling systems, Behr is a leading original equipment manufacturer for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, with 2004 sales of around 3 billion euros and 18,000 employees in ten development and 30 production facilities in Europe, North and South America, South Africa, and Asia.

Plastic Omnium, Levallois, France - Plastic Omnium is a manufacturing and services company with 9,500 employees in 25 countries on four continents, 107 production facilities and 15 research and development centers. In 2004, the company reported sales of 1.8 billion euros. Its Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior division is a world leader in exterior body parts and modules.