Faurecia to Supply Extensive Content for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2012 Passat to be built at Volkswagen's new Chattanooga, Tenn., plant will incorporate technology from Faurecia inside, outside and under the car, according to Faurecia North America President Mike Heneka. Faurecia is the world's sixth-largest automotive supplier and the 12th largest in North America.

Volkswagen of America, Inc., recently announced the debut of the new midsize sedan, the largest Passat ever, which will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year.

"Faurecia is pleased to be playing a key role in the development and production of the new Passat, with major systems furnished by every one of our business groups, including Faurecia Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors," Heneka said.

A brand-new Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies just-in-time-production operation in Volkswagen's Chattanooga supplier park will provide complete exhaust systems for the Passat. Faurecia supported the design and development of unique emissions control packages for three of the engines that will be available in the Passat: a 2.5L gasoline engine, an eco-friendly 2.0L TDI clean diesel and a powerful 3.6L VR6.

Faurecia Automotive Seating supplies manual front seat structures and power front seat backrests for the vehicle.

The interior of the new Passat will feature instrument panels from Faurecia Interior Systems. Faurecia has installed technology for the production of a foamed, soft slush skin that is dedicated to the Passat instrument panels. The Automotive Exteriors business group provides a lightweight front-end carrier, a support structure for the vehicle's grille, headlamps, bumper, fan and other components.

Today the Volkswagen Group is Faurecia's largest customer worldwide with 24.4% of sales dedicated to Audi, Volkswagen and other Volkswagen Group brands. In June, 2010, Faurecia received the Volkswagen Group Award, an annual distinction given by the automaker to its best international suppliers. The award honored Faurecia's excellence in innovation strength, product quality, environmental compatibility, competent project management, globalization and development expertise.

Volkswagen considers the new Passat to be a transformational car in the company's growth plan for the U.S. market, and Faurecia has committed production in 10 plants, including five in the U.S., to supply a full range of systems and components for the vehicle.

About Faurecia North America

Faurecia North America had sales of $3.4 billion in 2010. The Group has 29 production sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and employs more than 9,000 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 #6 automotive equipment 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 North America