Wescast Industries Inc. reports that its European business unit, Wescast Hungary Autoipari Rt., has earned contracts from PSA Peugeot Citroen, Volkswagen AG and Ford of Europe. Wescast designs, casts, machines, and assembles iron exhaust manifolds, turbine housings, and integrated turbo manifolds for automotive producers and suppliers.

PSA Peugeot Citroen assigned Wescast to supply cast manifolds for its 4-cylinder DV4, 1.4L diesel engine program (Ford Focus and Fusion, Citroen and Peugeot); DW 8 1.9L diesel engine program (Peugeot Partner, Boxter, Citroen Berlingo); and TUL4 1.6L gasoline engine program (Peugeot and Citroen Berlingo). The contract begins in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Volkswagen named Wescast to supply cast, machined, and assembled manifolds to its Salzgitter engine plant for the 2.5L 5 cylinder diesel engine (Touareg, T5). This contract begins in the fourth quarter of 2005, as well. Wescast states that it has demonstrated its cast-iron design provides packaging advantages and increased durability compared with the original stainless steel fabricated version.

Ford of Europe chose Wescast to supply cast and machined manifolds for its 4-cylinder Lynx 1.8L diesel engine program (Focus, C-Max, Transit Connect, New Mondeo, New Galaxy), and for the 3.6L Lion V8 engine (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport). Both programs are expected to begin production in 2006.

"These new contracts are validation of our global strategy to diversify our customer base and strengthen our relationship with current customers as they expand in Europe," said Ed Frackowiak, Chairman and CEO of Wescast. "We are very pleased to have taken these steps that will bring our Hungarian operations closer to full capacity and increase our share in the very competitive European automotive market."

Wescast operates seven production facilities in North America and Europe, including a 49% interest in United Machining Inc.