Preh Supplies High-End Interior Controls for Ford 2010 Lincoln MKZ

NOVI, Mich., Feb. 10, 2009 -- Preh, a leading German supplier of automotive driver controls, sensors and electronic control units, has been awarded a contract to develop and produce the new electronic center stack panel for the 2010 MY Ford Lincoln MKZ luxury 4-door premium passenger sedan. Previously, Preh announced its first order with Ford for the climate control units for the new F-150 truck.

Available for vehicles without navigation systems, Preh's center stack interface comprise both infotainment and climate controls.

The center stack was developed over an 18-month period in close collaboration between Ford and Preh's North American customer service center in Novi, Mich. -- from initial design to production at Preh's manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico.

Design challenges for the panel's engineering team included adapting to a very small packaging space, and developing a highly sophisticated push-button guide concept that allows for an equal push force and travel stroke. This provides the driver with a high-quality haptic feel during operation, a Preh engineering specialty that has distinguished the supplier in similar driver control systems with other leading luxury car manufacturers around the world.

About Preh

Preh was founded in Germany in 1919. As a full-service supplier, Preh works directly with major automakers in the development and production of complete driver control systems, sensors and electronic control units.

The company maintains in-house capabilities for plastics injection molding, precision mechanics, light-pipe design, electronics hardware, surface finishing, laser etching and software development.

With sales of $448.1 million in 2008, Preh employs over 2,000 people located in Germany, Portugal, France, Mexico and the U.S. Eighty-six percent of Preh's annual revenue comes from its automotive business. Preh's U.S. customer service center is located in Novi, Mich.