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Continental Teves Supplies Brake System to Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute

15 May 2000

Continental Teves Supplies Brake System to Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 15 Continental Teves has been
selected by Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company as the sole supplier
for brake systems for the new 2001 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute sport utility
vehicles.  This award is the largest systems contract for a program in
production to date for Continental Teves North America.  Teves has been
working on the design of this new system since 1997.  Vehicle volume is
projected at 250,000 vehicles annually.
    Continental Teves will provide the vehicles' complete foundation brakes
(calipers, rotors, brakes hoses, drum brake), park brake system (cables and
levers), actuation (booster/Master Cylinder assembly), four-wheel anti-lock
brakes (ABS) with wheel speed sensors and suspension/wheel components
(knuckles, hubs and bearings).  In addition, Continental Teves will be
responsible for the complete assembly of both front and rear brake corner
modules.
    Continental Teves' plants in Morganton, Henderson and Asheville, North
Carolina, will manufacture and assemble the components and systems.  The
vehicles will be built in Kansas City, Missouri, and Hofu, Japan.
    "Continental Teves is a pioneer in delivering on the OE's need for a
systems supplier," said Bill Kozyra, president, Continental Teves N.A.  "This
program represents the latest in a series of system contract wins which are
doubling our business in North America.  It is a compliment to the
collaborative efforts of Ford, Mazda and Teves people who worked to ensure the
safety technologies we innovate to enhance customer satisfaction."
    Inclusion of complete brake corner modules in the program means the
vehicles will benefit from improved system integration and enhanced
performance.  "By designing, testing and assembling the entire corner module
as part of the Escape/Tribute brake system, Continental Teves has optimized
weight, cost and performance," said Joe Gaus, vice president Foundation
Brakes, Continental Teves.  "Ford received the added benefit of simpler
logistics."
    The Escape is the latest entry into the Ford Outfitters line-up.  Together
with the Explorer, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Expedition and
Excursion, the new Escape gives Ford one of the most comprehensive SUV lineups
in the industry.  The distinctive design, exceptional functionality and
responsive handling of the Tribute represents a glimpse of what's to come from
Mazda.