PUMA(R) Extends Deal with Ford Team RS / New 360° Partnership to span PUMA Racewear, Teamwear, Footwear and Accessories

Herzogenaurach, Germany, 15.01.2004 (PROTEXT/ots) - PUMA AGand Ford Team RS today announce an extension to the existingsupplier contract. Building on a successful first season inmechanic and team footwear, the partnership is now expanded toinclude fireproof racewear and fireproof rally driver and co-driver boots, as well as performance teamwear and outerwear forthe entire team. "Ford Team RS have a long proud heritage in rallying and provedin 2003 that whether with star veterans or young rookies, theyalways challenge for rallies and for championships. We aredelighted to extend the contract and to work with such adedicated team and talented young drivers", says Andrew McPhail,Senior Manager of PUMA Motorsport. "Supplying the rally drivers,co-drivers and support crew with suitable gear for such a widerange of terrain and climatic conditions gives us a chance todemonstrate the know-how in high-performance motorsport apparel,which we have been able to accumulate with many partners over anumber of seasons." "As a result of the good partnership, we have decided to extendthe deal with PUMA," states Malcolm Wilson, the former rallydriver behind the wheel of the Ford attack to WRC. "The WorldRally Championship is one of the most demanding and challengingmotorsport competitions worldwide. It is therefore crucial forour drivers and team to have high quality, functional gear, andPUMA can give us exactly that." The FIA World Rally Championship races in 16 countries,starting in the French Alps near Monte Carlo, turbo-chargingthrough the snow bound forests of Sweden, over the widecountryside of Argentina, past the historic scenery of GreecesAcropolis and ending in the dirt and dust of Australia. Millionsof fans in countries all over the world watch the teams battleit out on 5 continents. PUMA(R) performance racing shoes were first used by variousdrivers and teams in the 1970s and early 1980s. And since 1998PUMAs motorsport division has gradually assembled an impressiveportfolio of sponsorships. Along with Ford Team RS and a WRCpartnership, PUMA will in the 2004 season be the officialsupplier of racing gear in several motorsport disciplines suchas Formula One, F 3000, motocross, etc. ### PUMA(R) is the global athletic brand that successfully fusesinfluences from sport, lifestyle and fashion. PUMAs uniqueindustry perspective delivers the unexpected in sportlifestylefootwear, apparel and accessories, through technical innovationand revolutionary design. Established in Herzogenaurach, Germanyin 1948, PUMA distributes products in over 80 countries. Forfurther information please visit www.puma.com. Contact: Ulf SantjerTina Heinlein Corporate Communications

CorporateCommunications PUMA AGPUMA AG +49 9132 81 2489

+49 9132 812561 ulf.santjer@puma.comtina.heinlein@puma.com

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