EXHIBIT 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACTS:

Phyllis A. Knight                   Colleen T. Bauman
Chief Financial Officer             Investor Relations
(248) 340-9090                      (248) 340-7731


                           CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
                         ANNOUNCES BANK CREDIT FACILITY

         AUBURN HILLS, MICH., JANUARY 20, 2003---CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
(NYSE: CHB) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Champion Home
Builders Co., has entered into a three-year, $75 million revolving credit
facility with Congress Financial Corporation (Central), a subsidiary of Wachovia
Bank, N.A. The facility will be used for general corporate purposes and in
support of the company's letters of credit. Previously, Champion did not have a
bank credit facility.

         Champion's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
Phyllis A. Knight, commented, "We're pleased to finalize this credit facility,
which immediately improves our short-term liquidity and provides necessary
operating flexibility for the company. We are now able to free up restricted
cash and cash deposits, which will provide further liquidity cushion. We will
continue to focus on maintaining a strong liquidity position, particularly while
challenging market conditions persist."

         Availability under the new line is subject to a borrowing base. Amounts
outstanding under the facility are secured by Champion's assets, including cash,
accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant, and equipment and other
assets. The agreement contains certain financial covenants that require the
company to achieve established targets only in the event that its liquidity
falls below $35 million. At December 28, 2002 the company had $77 million in
unrestricted cash, $52 million in restricted cash and $16 million in cash
deposits.

         Champion Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is
the industry's leading manufacturer and has produced nearly 1.6 million homes
since the company was founded. The company operates 37 homebuilding facilities
in 16 states and two Canadian provinces and 119 retail locations in 24 states.
Independent retailers, including 636 Champion Home Center locations, and
approximately 600 builders and developers also sell Champion-built homes. The





company also provides financing for retail purchasers of its homes.  Further
information can be found at the company's website, www.championhomes.net.

         This news release contains certain statements, including those
regarding liquidity, operating flexibility, freeing up restricted cash and cash
deposits and market conditions, that could be construed to be forward looking
statements within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These
statements reflect the company's views with respect to future plans, events and
financial performance. The company does not undertake any obligation to update
the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the date of this press
release. The company has identified certain risk factors which could cause
actual results and plans to differ substantially from those included in the
forward looking statements. These factors are discussed in the company's most
recently filed Form 10-K and other SEC filings, and those discussions regarding
risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.




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