Strategic Alliance

Total Fina S.A.
28 January 2000

HUTCHINSON FINALIZES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH BRIDGESTONE IN AUTOMOTIVE
ANTIVIBRATION SYSTEMS

Hutchinson subsidiary Paulstra said today that it has finalized a strategic
alliance in automotive antivibration systems with Bridgestone Corporation of
Japan.  Paulstra and Bridgestone will jointly develop and produce antivibration
systems to supply the worldwide automotive industry. The components will be
manufactured in the two partners' respective plants. 

Carmakers now expect suppliers to support them wherever they expand in the
worldwide marketplace; they want partners capable of delivering the technology
and innovation demanded by today's markets whatever the location. 

The new alliance positions Paulstra and Bridgestone together among the world's
most competitive suppliers of antivibration systems, with combined sales of
around £650 million.

The partners operate Technical Centers in France, the United States and Japan,
and offer production capacity at Paulstra plants in France, Spain, the UK, the
US, Argentina, Brazil and China, and at Bridgestone plants in Japan Thailand and
the United States. They will each retain control of their respective operations.


Hutchinson is a TOTALFINA subsidiary and a world leader in rubber products for
industry. It reported 1999 sales of FRF 14 billion from operations in the
automotive, industry and consumer markets.