Faurecia Unveils a 'Happy attitude' in North America

Interior concept showcases Faurecia's innovative design capabilities

TROY, Mich., May 31 -- Faurecia today announced the North American unveiling of "Happy attitude," Faurecia's interior vehicle design concept. Happy attitude is a concept based on a system of interchangeable parts through which consumers can physically change elements of the interior decor. Happy attitude fosters a unique approach to vehicle personalization that allows consumers to express the latest trends as well as individual style.

In order to fulfill consumers' widely varying preferences in terms of customization, Faurecia has taken the trend to a new stage, presenting four different trim concepts that create specific moods in the vehicle interior by using different collections of interchangeable parts. These themed parts include four high-fashion collections that are designed to be easily identified in the cockpit and simple to change. They can be mixed and matched to create different themed concepts which include Ginkgo Time, Kumquat Time, Moon Time and Pop Time, resulting in a vehicle personality that can adopt and reflect different attitudes.

"Faurecia is embracing a new and different vision of the car, offering design innovation for the automaker as well as personalized customization for the vehicle owner," said Andreas Wlasak, Vice President of Industrial Design and Happy attitude designer. "This approach to vehicle design distinguishes Faurecia as a leader in flexibility and design capability."

With its customizable features, Happy attitude highlights the expression of the car buyer's personality and creates an identification with the product they have purchased. As a result, the car becomes more than just a vehicle but also a new living environment and a very personal space, creating an emotional bond between owner and vehicle.

With the Happy attitude concept, Faurecia's design team addresses manufacturer as well as consumer needs in a new way, breaking with the traditional automotive design codes and adopting the modes of expression that are widely used in the fashion world today. Happy attitude highlights more than just technical performance, it expresses an identity and personal style, displaying the latest trends while at the same time being totally adaptable to the needs of the individual.

The North American unveiling of Happy attitude took place at the NextEnergy Center in Detroit, Mich., on Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

In North America, Faurecia had sales of $1.5 billion in 2005. The Group has 17 sites in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and employs nearly 7,000 people in the area. It has three technical centers in Auburn Hills and Troy, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.

Faurecia is a world leading automotive supplier of six major vehicle modules: seats, cockpits, door modules, acoustic modules, front ends and exhausts. In 2005 the Group posted sales of euro 11 billion. It operates in 28 countries and employs 60,000 people at 160 sites. Faurecia is listed on the Euronext Paris- Eurolist stock exchange.