Volkswagen Recognizes Hella for Development Competence

PLYMOUTH TWP., Mich., Aug. 21, 2006 -- Volkswagen has given automotive supplier Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. its prestigious Volkswagen Group Award for development competence.

The award recognizes Hella as one of Volkswagen Group's 24 best suppliers and is based on quality, innovation, customer service and technical support.

Hella was one of only five companies to be honored in the category of development competence. Volkswagen also presented group awards to its supplier companies in four other categories, including product quality, logistics, corporate performance and environmental awareness.

"This award recognizes Hella's strength in the development of lighting technology on a global basis," said Steve Widdett, executive vice president of automotive sales for Hella North America. "It's an award that we're especially proud to have received."

Hella, a global supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including advanced driver-assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort. In addition, joint venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle-electric systems. Hella is also one of the world's largest companies selling automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $3.8 billion.

Hella is one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. A total of 24,000 people are employed in 65 production facilities, production subsidiaries and joint venture companies. More than 2,900 Hella engineers and technicians work in research and development. Customers include all of the world's leading automakers and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive aftermarket.

Additional information is available at http://www.hella.com/ .