Quote -  Just wanted to let you know that the new OBJ importer/exporter made it in the latest release of Blender. 2.49 RC3 is available: http://www.blender.org/development/current-projects/changes-since-248/

And the Wavefront OBJ routines now preserve the groups. Just be sure that the "Poly Groups" buttons are pressed in both cases. I'm putting together a video tutorial but you can grab the update today and play with it.

Thanks a lot, best News ever THANKS