Developments on the European automobile market were better than expected. Sales
only fell by 1 percent to 14.2 million vehicles. Incoming orders in the mechanical
engineering sector in November and December 2003 were high, but they were not
sufficient to prevent a decline in sales of just over 1 percent. The chemical
industry, another sector taking Freudenberg Seals and Vibration Control products,
also reported a decline in production, but sales nevertheless increased by 1.5
percent. Against this backdrop, Freudenberg Seals and Vibration Control Technology
expanded its market position in all core business areas with sales rising by almost
3 percent. The company increased sales to the automotive industry by 4 percent,
while sales to the general industry sector rose by 5 percent and Freudenberg Process
Seals, the special sales channel for the chemicals and process technology sector,
reported a 30 percent boost in sales.
 "Producing Simmerrings for ABS brake systems")