Affinia Group Intermediate Holdings Inc. (AFN) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Thursday, December 31, 2009

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

AFFINIA GROUP ANNOUNCES CONTINUED MARGIN

IMPROVEMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, March 12, 2010

2009 Year End

As previously announced, the Company sold its Commercial Distribution Europe segment on February 2, 2010. The Commercial Distribution Europe segment qualified as a discontinued operation for purposes of financial reporting for fiscal year 2009. Consolidated sales from continuing operations for the full year 2009 were $1.797 billion, as compared to $1.915 billion for 2008. The $118 million decrease in net sales was primarily a result of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects of $96 million.

Brake North America and Asia net sales were $593 million in 2009, a $65 million decrease compared to 2008. The decline in net sales was partially due to $14 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation. Additionally, softer demand for the Company’s brake products led to a decline in volume in 2009.

Net sales in Filtration products for 2009 were $713 million compared to $727 million in 2008. The $14 million reduction in net sales was attributable to $47 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation which was offset by $33 million in primarily increased volume.

The Company’s Brake South America segment and Commercial Distribution South America products experienced a $39 million decrease in net sales. The net decline in sales was due to $35 million of unfavorable currency translation and $7 million of lower sales in Argentina as a result of a closure of a brake manufacturing facility in 2008. These lower sales were offset by higher sales at the Company’s Brazilian distribution operations which continued to grow market share even in unfavorable market conditions.

Gross profit for 2009 was essentially flat at $368 million as compared to $369 million for the same period in 2008. Gross profit margin improved from 19 percent to 20 percent over the same time periods. The improvement in gross margin was a result of ongoing savings realized from the Company’s comprehensive restructuring program which was initiated in 2005.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2009 were $267 million compared with $276 million in 2008. The year-over-year reduction was largely a result of a reduction in restructuring costs of $16 million partially offset by a $3 million management fee paid to Cypress for services related to the Company’s debt refinancing and other advisory services.