Cooper Tire losses continue into third quarter

Findlay, Ohio -- Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has reported a net loss of $1 million from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as lower unit sales volume, higher raw material costs, and higher reported interest expense weighed on the Company's results and more than offset the positive impact of tyre price increases and improved product mix. The results also include $1 million in debt extinguishment costs.

Total sales for the quarter increased by 1 percent to $558 million compared to $551 million in the same period last year. The increase in sales was driven by higher selling prices and improved product mix, which combined to offset lower tyre unit sales.

For the first nine months of the year, Cooper's continuing operations generated net sales of $1600 million and a net loss of $9 million, compared to net sales of $1500 million and net income of $24 million in the first nine months of 2004. The results in the first nine months of 2005 included the net impact of $10 million ($7 million net of tax) in debt extinguishment costs and $24 million ($16 million net of tax) in costs related to the strike in the Company's Texarkana, Arkansas tyre plant that occurred in March and April. The loss

from continuing operations was partially offset by $6 million net of tax from the gain on the sale of discontinued operations.