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Oxford Automotive, Inc. Nears Completion of Plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

2 December 1999

Oxford Automotive, Inc. Nears Completion of Plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

                      A Model of the 'Go Fast' Strategy

    TROY, Mich., Dec. 1 -- Oxford Automotive, Inc. a Tier I OEM
automotive Supplier has announced that its new plant located in Ramos Arizpe,
Mexico is nearing completion.  The Ramos Arizpe plant will set itself apart
from the competition by virtue of its "Go Fast" program management strategy
which made it possible for the design, construction and implementation of
products, tools, and equipment to be operational within an 18 month timeline.
When the new plant opens in February 2000, it will establish a new way for
automotive suppliers to work with automotive OEMs.  The long-term benefit of
the "Go Fast" strategy is that it supports Oxford Automotive's capability to
satisfy the global needs of OEMs by bringing products to the market in the
shortest time possible.
    "We're very excited that this new plant is nearing completion.  It has
been benchmarked against leading stamping and body shop operations worldwide
with additional third party evaluations of our equipment and work flow
standards," said Steven Abelman, president and CEO of Oxford Automotive.
"Hands down, this facility will serve as a showcase for Oxford Automotive's
Program Management System which emphasizes intense employee training.  For
example, over 20 members of the Oxford Mexican management team have recently
returned from living and learning at our Troy headquarters where they learned
our program systems, developed the plant operating systems and processes, and
assumed our exceptional quality standards to meet and beat our customers
expectations."
    The Ramos Arizpe plant will produce complete class "A" closure assemblies,
complex underbody assemblies, wheelhouses, rear compartment, and front floor
assemblies.  The facility is state-of-the-art at approximately 300,000 square
feet with plans to expand into 400,000 square feet to accommodate additional
projects.  The plant will employ a workforce of 400 people.  The plant's
technology arsenal includes more than 30 presses, some of which are fully
automated ranging from 150 to 1500 tons.
    Oxford Automotive, Inc. a privately held company headquartered in Troy,
Michigan is a leading full service Tier I designer and producer of high-
quality, engineered metal components, assemblies and modules used by
automotive OEMs.  Oxford currently operates 24 facilities in 5 countries with
state of the art technologies in metal stamping, rollforming, welding and
assembly equipment.