EXHIBIT 99

      News Release of Collins & Aikman Corporation dated March 21, 2001.

CONTACT: Collins & Aikman Corporation
Media: Aaron Stowell, 248/824-1656
aaron.stowell@colaik.com
Analysts: Sandra A. Thomas, 248/824-1645
sandy.thomas@colaik.com

COLLINS & AIKMAN ANNOUNCES LETTER OF INTENT TO ACQUIRE BECKER GROUP LLC

TROY,  Mich.--(AutomotiveWire)--March  21,  2001--Collins  & Aikman  Corporation
(NYSE:CKC)  announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the
Becker  Group LLC  (Becker),  a leading  supplier of plastic  components  to the
automotive  industry,  with fiscal 2000 sales of approximately  $235 million and
EBITDA of $29 million. Under terms of the letter, Collins & Aikman will purchase
all of the operating  assets and equity  interests of Becker.  Consideration  is
expected to include $60 million in cash,  an $18 million  non-compete  agreement
(paid out over five years),  17 million  shares of Collins & Aikman common stock
and  warrants  for  500,000  shares at an  exercise  price of $5.00  per  share.
Completion  of the  transaction  is  subject  to normal  terms  and  conditions,
including negotiation of definitive  documentation,  and it is expected to close
within  approximately  60 days.  Once  completed,  the  addition  of  Becker  is
anticipated to enhance Collins & Aikman's "Mega Tier Two" supplier position, via
a  significant  increase in the scale of the  Company's  plastics  business  and
strengthened   relationships  with  the  world's  leading  automotive   interior
integrators.

Upon completion of the transaction,  Chuck Becker, principal owner of the Becker
Group,  will join the  Collins & Aikman  Board of  Directors  as Vice  Chairman.
Becker is a skilled and successful veteran of the automotive  plastics industry,
who brings to the combined  companies  extensive  product  knowledge  and strong
customer relationships.

Commenting on the transaction,  Thomas E. Evans, Collins & Aikman's Chairman and
Chief  Executive  Officer  stated,  "We are extremely  excited about our pending
transaction  with  the  Becker  Group.  Our  initial  analysis  shows  that  the
combination  of Becker and Collins & Aikman  provides us with an  opportunity to
more than double our North American plastics business within a few years,  while
simultaneously  providing both Collins & Aikman and our customers with a host of
synergistic benefits. We look forward to completing this transaction,  welcoming
Chuck  Becker  and  his  team  to  our  Company,   further   strengthening   our
relationships   with  the  major  Tier  One   integrators   and  continuing  the
transformation of Collins & Aikman into a world-class 'Mega Tier Two' automotive
supplier."

Collins & Aikman, with annual sales approaching $2 billion, is the global leader
in automotive floor and acoustic systems and is a leading supplier of automotive
fabric, interior trim and convertible top systems. The Company's operations span
the globe through 72  facilities,  13 countries and nearly 15,000  employees who
are committed to achieving  total  excellence.  Collins & Aikman's  high-quality
products  combine  industry-leading  design and styling  capabilities,  superior
manufacturing  capabilities  and  the  industry's  most  effective  NVH  "quiet"

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technologies. Information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at
www.collinsaikman.com.

This news release contains forward-looking  statements within the meaning of the
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  Actual  results may differ
materially   from  the   anticipated   results  because  of  certain  risks  and
uncertainties,  including but not limited to general economic  conditions in the
markets in which Collins & Aikman  operates,  fluctuations  in the production of
vehicles  for which the  Company is a supplier,  labor  disputes  involving  the
Company  or  its  significant   customers,   changes  in  consumer  preferences,
dependence on significant automotive customers,  the level of competition in the
automotive  supply  industry,  pricing pressure from automotive  customers,  the
substantial leverage of the Company and its subsidiaries, limitations imposed by
the Company's debt  facilities,  charges made in connection with the integration
of operations acquired by the Company,  the implementation of the reorganization
plan, changes in the popularity of particular car models or particular  interior
trim packages,  the loss of programs on particular car models,  risks associated
with conducting business in foreign countries and other risks detailed from time
to time in the Company's  Securities and Exchange  Commission  filings including
without limitation, in Items 1 and 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the  year-ended  December 25, 1999,  and Item 1 in the  Company's  Quarterly
Report  on Form  10-Q for the  periods  ended  April 1,  2000,  July 1, 2000 and
September 25, 2000.