Faurecia Moves Into Top 10 North American Automotive Suppliers

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Faurecia (http://www.faurecia.com) today announced that its continued growth and increased market share are responsible for the company soaring into ninth position among North America's largest automotive suppliers. Faurecia increased its rank in the region by nine positions, as reported by sales in 2010, according to Automotive News. Faurecia grew its sales in North America to $3.4 billion in 2010 and demonstrated a strong first quarter in North America for 2011. The company is the sixth-largest automotive supplier in the world.

"As Faurecia's name has become known in North America, our reputation for innovation and quality has grown as well," said Mike Heneka, president of Faurecia North America. "We take pride in partnering with automakers to develop products that enhance quality, comfort, convenience, safety, fuel economy and cost savings."

In North America, the tier-one supplier of automotive seating, emissions control technologies, interior systems and automotive exteriors has diversified its customer base with domestic and transplant automakers both organically and through its acquisition of EMCON Technologies in 2010. It also has continued its expansion in the Southeast U.S. Since 2009, Faurecia has announced:

• Construction of a new facility in Cottondale, Ala., to produce complete seats for Mercedes-Benz.
• Acquisition of a plant based in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to produce various interior components for the Nissan Armada, Frontier and Xterra, as well as some automotive exterior parts for Nissan.
• Production of exhaust systems for the Volkswagen Passat from a new facility within the Volkswagen supplier park in Chattanooga, Tenn.
• A new facility in Louisville, Ky., to manufacture, assemble and sequence vehicle interior systems and components for Ford.
• Acquisition of a Madison, Miss.-based plant to produce complete seats for the Nissan Altima, Armada, Titan and all-new NV.

"Faurecia's activity in North America is strategically aligned with the intention to continue expanding relationships with our customers and our operations throughout the region," Heneka said. "We are optimistic about the potential offered by our recent success as we constantly seek out innovation; demonstrate respect for our talented people; and earn praise for our products, quality and partnerships."

The level of achievement for which Faurecia has been recognized by customers, partners and its workforce is founded in the Faurecia Excellence System (FES), which is employed across all aspects of Faurecia's operations. FES drives all of Faurecia's businesses and functional areas, from research and development to production, sales and corporate functions. It ensures continuous improvement in quality, cost and delivery in every stage of the manufacturing process, while providing a sound and efficient work environment for employees.

For the latest updates on Faurecia activities throughout North America, connect with the company at http://www.facebook.com/faureciaNA and http://www.twitter.com/faurecia_NA.

About Faurecia North America

Faurecia North America had sales of $3.4 billion in 2010. The Group has 32 production sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico and employs more than 10,000 people in the region. It has four technical and development centers, situated in Auburn Hills, Holland and Troy, Mich., and in Columbus, Ind., as well as a customer center in Toledo, Ohio.

About Faurecia

Faurecia is the world's sixth-largest automotive supplier with four key Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2010, the Group posted total sales of $18.22 billion. The company is headquartered in Nanterre, France, with its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. It employs 75,000 people in 33 countries at 238 sites and 38 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com

SOURCE Faurecia