Cooper-Standard Automotive Appoints Vella Global Director of Operations Strategy, Fluid Systems Division

Novi, Mich., October 16, 2006 - Cooper-Standard Automotive has appointed Mike Vella global director of Operations Strategy for the Fluid Systems Division. In this role, Vella will be responsible for manufacturing optimizations, cost reductions, and championing best practices within the Fluid Systems Division worldwide. He will also participate in potential acquisition operational reviews.

Vella has a Bachelor of Science in aviation engineering technology from Western Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Most recently, Vella was vice president and general manager of the brake and fluid group at TI Automotive.

Vella will report to Larry Beard, president, Fluid Systems Division.


About Cooper-Standard Automotive
Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global automotive supplier specializing in the manufacture and marketing of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include body sealing systems, fluid handling systems, and NVH control systems. Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. employs approximately 19,000 people globally with more than 70 facilities throughout the world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: www.cooperstandard.com.

Cooper-Standard is a privately-held portfolio company of The Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners Funds.

The Cypress Group is a private equity investment firm managing more than $3.5 billion of capital. Cypress has an extensive track record of making growth-oriented investments in targeted industry sectors and building equity value alongside proven management teams.

Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is one of the oldest and largest investment banking firms. Goldman Sachs is also a global leader in private corporate equity and mezzanine investing. Established in 1991, the GS Capital Partners Funds are part of the firm's Principal Investment Area in the Merchant Banking Division. Since 1986, Goldman Sachs' Principal Investment Area has formed 13 investment vehicles aggregating $56 billion of capital to date.