Group sales of internationally active manufacturer of automotive seats and plastic components, Grammer (www.grammer.com), Amberg / Germany, increased 2% in the first quarter of 2004 against the 2003 period to EUR 207.5m, while EBIT soared by 30% following a decline of 27% in full year 2003 to EUR 30.9m. In 2003, sales rose 1% to EUR 786.5m against 2002. The group forecasts a "slight increase in sales and faster rise in earnings" for full year 2004. Grammer is building two new plants at Emden and Zwickau / Germany, scheduled to start up in November of this year, manufacturing parts for the new VW "Passat".