PARIS, Jan. 9, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Faurecia (Paris Stock Exchange:EO):
In million E 4th quarter Year to date Dec.
2001 Variation 2001 Variation 2000
2001/2000* 2001/2000(a) published
Automotive seating 875,3 8,5% 3519,2 17,2% 3004,0
Vehicle interior 868,7 (1,2)% 3297,6 15,3% 456,5
Exhaust systems 486,9 (17,5)% 2219,3 12.7% 1969,6
Front-end modules 143,5 (1,6)% 574,6 3,1% 409,5
Total 2 374,4 (2,0)% 9610,7 14,5% 5839,6
(a) 2000 proforma sales including Sommer Allibert
As forecasted, Faurecia's fourth quarter sales figures for 2001 reflect the impact of production cutbacks implemented by several major automakers. Sales, which rose 21.2% for the first nine months of the year, fell back 2% during the fourth quarter.
For the year as a whole, consolidated sales amounted to E 9,610.7 million, up 14.5% on 2000. Excluding catalytic converters, sales stood at E 8,431.8 million, an increase of 12.9%.
The launch and ramp-up of several new vehicle models (Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, Peugeot 307, Renault Laguna II) supported sales in 2001, particularly for the automotive seating and vehicle interior divisions.
Sales for the automotive seating division expanded 17.2% in 2001 as a whole, with an 8.5% increase during the fourth quarter.
Sales for the vehicle interior division rose 15.3% in 2001, despite a slight dip of 1.2% in the fourth quarter compared to the year-earlier period when the division had reported particularly high tooling sales.
The exhaust systems division's sales contracted by 17.5% during the fourth quarter. For 2001 as a whole, sales were up 12.7% compared to 2000, with catalytic converters as the main growth driver during the year (up 28.2%). Excluding catalytic converters, total 2001 sales dipped 0.9%.
Front-end modules fourth quarter sales edged down 1.6%.