2003 was not a good year for U.S. automakers, with production down 4 percent.
In comparison, Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership (FNGP) produced a good performance.
Excluding the effect of acquisitions, the decline in Dollar sales by producing
divisions of FNGP was only 2 percent. This confirms the success of strategically
targeting business at the “New Domestics” to both maintain and increase market
share. The term “New Domestics” describes automakers from outside the U.S. with
production facilities in the country. FNGP is ideally positioned to secure business
from the New Domestics because many of these automakers already do business with
FNGP’s partners Freudenberg Seals and Vibration Control Technology in Europe or
NOK in Asia.
Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership is a joint venture between the Japanese company
NOK Corporation, Tokyo, (25 percent) and Freudenberg & Co., Kommanditgesellschaft,
Weinheim/Germany (75 percent). The corporation produces seals and vibration control
parts for the automotive sector and the general industry segment. Its main market
is the Americas.
 "Acoustic test rig at FNGP")