Cooper-Standard Automotive To Close El Dorado, Arkansas NVH Plant

Novi, Mich. - November 3, 2005 - Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc. announced today that the company will close its El Dorado, Ark., NVH manufacturing facility within the next 12-18 months, and will transfer current production to other Cooper-Standard NVH facilities.

"The consolidation of our El Dorado facility is necessary to better align our manufacturing capacity," said Global NVH President Jim Pifer. "We currently have underutilization of our manufacturing assets. This move will improve our utilization levels and strengthen the portfolio of products manufactured at our other NVH facilities. We will also work closely with our employees and customers to execute a smooth and efficient transfer of current production business," said Pifer.

The El Dorado facility employs approximately 400 people.


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.