Mannesmann Sells Stake in Atecs Mannesmann

Vodafone AirTouch PLC
18 April 2000

 MANNESMANN SELLS STAKE IN ATECS MANNESMANN TO SIEMENS AND BOSCH
                                
Vodafone AirTouch Plc announces that its subsidiary Mannesmann AG
('Mannesmann')   has  reached  an  agreement  with   Siemens   AG
('Siemens') and Robert Bosch GmbH ('Bosch') on the disposal of  a
50%  plus 2 shares stake in the Atecs Mannesmann engineering  and
automotive   businesses  ('Atecs  Mannesmann').    In   addition,
Mannesmann has agreed to an option arrangement over its remaining
stake in Atecs Mannesmann.

The  transaction values Atecs Mannesmann at approximately EUR 9.6
billion, consisting of:

*    A  payment of EUR 3.116 billion to be paid on completion  of
     the  sale  of  the  stake  of 50% plus  2  shares  in  Atecs
     Mannesmann,  but  in any event no later  than  30  September
     2000.

*    A  payment  of  between  EUR 3.657  billion  and  EUR  3.807
     billion, to be paid upon the exercise of certain options  by
     Mannesmann  or  Siemens  and Bosch which  can  be  exercised
     between  closing  and 31 December 2003, in  respect  of  the
     remaining  stake in Atecs Mannesmann.  The exact  amount  of
     the  payment will depend on the trading performance of Atecs
     Mannesmann for the period 2000-2002.

*    EUR  2.827  billion of pension liabilities  and  non-trading
     financial liabilities to be assumed by Siemens and Bosch.

Completion of the transaction is conditional, inter alia, upon
the approval of the relevant European Union and US regulatory
authorities.

Atecs Mannesmann consists of:

DIVISION                           ACTIVITY
-------------------------------    ------------------------------

Atecs Mannesmann AG                Holding company

Mannesmann Demag Krauss-Maffei AG  Producer of plastics machinery

Mannesmann Dematic AG              Produces materials handling
                                     equipment

Mannesmann Rexroth AG              Produces hydraulics/automation
                                     equipment

Mannesmann Sachs AG                Automotive components supplier

Mannesmann VDO AG                  Manufacturer of automotive
                                     systems

Certain other related businesses

Mannesmann  decided to initiate the disposal of Atecs  Mannesmann
in  order  to enable Mannesmann to concentrate on developing  its
core  telecoms business.  The proceeds of the sale will  be  used
principally to repay existing debt.  Mannesmann believes that the
transaction  will  ensure  that Atecs Mannesmann  has  sufficient
funding  for  its  growth  strategies, will  enhance  the  career
prospects   and   opportunities  for  the  employees   of   Atecs
Mannesmann,  and  will position the company  as  the  partner  of
choice for Atecs Mannesmann's most important customers.
According  to  pro  forma  accounts  the  net  assets  of   Atecs
Mannesmann as at 31 December 1999 were EUR 3.117 billion, and the
profit  before tax attributable to these assets in 1999  was  EUR
418 million.


Enquiries:

Vodafone AirTouch Plc
Tim Brown, Investor Relations Director
Melissa Stimpson, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Tel:  [phone]

Goldman Sachs International
Scott Mead
Simon Dingemans
Tel:  [phone]

Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges
Tel:  [phone]



This   announcement  has  been  issued  by  and   is   the   sole
responsibility   of   Vodafone  AirTouch  Plc.    Goldman   Sachs
International,  which is regulated in the United Kingdom  by  The
Securities and Futures Authority Limited, is acting for  Vodafone
AirTouch  Plc and for no one else in connection with the proposed
transaction  and  will not be responsible to  anyone  other  than
Vodafone  AirTouch Plc for providing the protections afforded  to
customers of Goldman Sachs International, or for providing advice
in relation to the transaction.