NOVI, MI — Cooper-Standard Automotive, an operating group of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., has formed a joint venture company with Saiyang Sealing Products Co. of China. Through the joint venture, the two companies will manufacture and sell automobile sealing systems for under the name Cooper Saiyang Wuhu Automotive.

The joint venture will manufacture sealing components for the C307 program for Changan Ford. Cooper Saiyang also has acquired new sealing business with SAIC Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., one of China’s fastest growing automotive OEMs.

Cooper-Standard Automotive will provide advanced sealing technical and operational knowledge to the new joint venture as well as expertise in the manufacture of sealing systems. Cooper-Standard also will assist with sales and marketing of the joint venture company’s products.

Saiyang Sealing Products will contribute to the venture its knowledge of the Chinese domestic market and business development. The company is the fifth largest sealing supplier in China, with strong relationships with automotive OEMs in the market.

According to Jim McElya, president of Cooper-Standard Automotive, the opportunities in China are enormous.

“This joint venture agreement is a key element of our Asian strategy,” said McElya. “We are now positioned to grow our business in Asia to better serve the needs of our global OEM customers. With over 1,000 new vehicles each day on the streets of Beijing and the high demand for new vehicles in the country, we are excited about our prospects in the Chinese market.”

For more information about Cooper, go to: http://www.coopertireandrubber.com.

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