PARIS, France - Faurecia signed an agreement today to invest in the Walbrzych economic zone in Lower Silesia, western Poland.  

Faurecia's recent commercial successes and the strong growth of the automobile industry in eastern European countries -- 15% per year over the past three years -- has led the Group to make new investments in Poland in addition to its Grojec plant opened in 1998.  Under the agreement signed today, Faurecia will build a new plant on a 72,000 m2 site, for the manufacture of metal components for seats.

Production is scheduled to start up in early 2002.  The total investment will be 30 million euros and 570 jobs will be created.  Sales will exceed 30 million euros over a full year.

Faurecia will be present at the Poznan, Poland, automobile trade show from 25 to 31 May 2000, with a booth in Hall 24, presenting products and innovations in its four business areas. Faurecia has had industrial operations in Poland since 1998 with its Grojec plant, south of Warsaw where it employs 600 people and reports sales of 70 million euros.

(May 24, 2000)