Continental Recognized by Ford with World Excellence Gold Award

DEARBORN, Mich., April 16 -- Ford Motor Company honored Continental as one of its top global suppliers with a World Excellence Gold Award in ceremonies last evening. The award recognized Continental for its contributions to Ford's efforts to produce world-class vehicles for global customers. The award is the second bestowed on Continental in two days, having received a 2008 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award Monday evening in the Product category for its groundbreaking gasoline piezo injector technology that contributes to improved fuel economy and engine performance.

"It is an honor to be recognized by one of our largest customers worldwide and we are committed to helping our customers keep and expand their customer base by creating and manufacturing superior products that enhance the safety, comfort, sustainability and affordability of driving," said Bill Kozyra, president and CEO Continental North America, in accepting the award.

The World Excellence Gold Award specifically recognized Continental's Silao, Mexico electronic brake plant for outstanding achievements in 2007 for manufacturing quality and delivery. The Silao plant began production in 2001 and produces wheel speed sensors that are an integral part of electronic brake systems that add to the safety of driving. It is one of many Continental plants around the globe to achieve low single-digit parts-per-million quality marks, a sure sign of high quality production. The plant employs approximately 750 and produces 14 million sensors a year. It is part of Continental's Chassis and Safety Division, Sensorics Business Unit.

"Our employees in Silao are justifiably proud of this achievement," said Kozyra. "The Silao plant, as well as Continental's other manufacturing operations, has received numerous awards over the years for their adherence to quality, productivity and on-time delivery. This latest award is validation of our commitment to ensuring our plants are among the best in the world."

First distributed in 1998, the World Excellence Awards were jointly developed by Ford and its suppliers. There are three levels of awards: Gold, Silver and Recognition of Achievement. The gold and silver awards are presented to Ford's top production and non-production suppliers that consistently demonstrate superior quality, delivery and cost performance. The Recognition of Achievement, is given to suppliers that improve customer satisfaction by leading key initiatives.

"This marks the tenth year we have honored world-class suppliers for extraordinary contributions that directly impact Ford's ability to deliver high quality vehicles and customer satisfaction," said Tony Brown, group vice president, Global Purchasing. "This commitment to excellence is coming through in the latest quality data, which show Ford's initial quality in North America is now equal to the best in the industry. These successes belong not just to Ford - but our suppliers as well."

"It is a pleasure to recognize the technical excellence of our supplier partners," said Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally. "As we work to deliver the products and services people really want and value, we are more fully integrating our suppliers into our processes. It is by working together that we will be able to deliver profitable growth for all involved with the Ford enterprise."

With targeted annual sales of more than €26.4 billion for 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

As a worldwide leading technology and systems partner to the automotive industry, the Chassis & Safety Division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how and leading-edge quality in the fields of active and passive driving safety, safety and chassis sensorics, and chassis components. The Division achieves sales of more than € 5 billion (based on 2006 figures) with a workforce of more than 27,500 (2007). Chassis & Safety develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, air bag control systems, occupant classification systems, washer systems as well as electronic air suspension systems.