Released on January 18, 2008

Hyundai Motor Company recently awarded a contract for the production of a new V-6 aluminum engine block to JL French Automotive Castings Inc., Sheboygan, Wis.

JL French said it will manufacture the block at its Gateway Plant, located in the city of its headquarters. The component then will be forwarded to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Montgomery, Ala. With development work yet to be done for the new engine, production of the block will ramp up in late 2009. Full-year production is slated for 2010.

“This is a significant piece of new business for us with a very important new customer,” said Jack Falcon, JL French chairman, president and CEO.

JL French makes aluminum engine blocks using its high pressure diecasting technology. In addition to the new work for Hyundai, it maintains contracts for DaimlerChrysler’s 2.0L/2.4L in-line four-cylinder engine and a six-cylinder engine block for Ford Motor Co.

The company manufactures a variety of other automotive parts, including oil pans, engine front covers and transmission cases. It has facilities in Glasgow, Ky., and Ansola, Spain, as well as a joint venture in Chongqing, China.