Modine Aftermarket Division Expands Parts Lineup
The aftermarket division of Modine Manufacturing Co. has expanded its offering of parts kits for the replacement of key A/C system components. Marketed under the Air Pro Quality Parts brand, the lineup includes more than 250 packages.
Dana Cuts 75 Jobs at Northern Indiana Plant
Auto-parts supplier Dana Corp. said it will lay off about 75 workers at a plant in northern Indiana that cuts and assembles axle components. The job cuts — about half the remaining work force — will leave about 80 jobs at the plant in Syracuse, Ind., said Dana spokesman Gary Corrigan.
Visteon Presents Summit Award to the GM of Its Shanghai Joint Venture
The general manager of Visteon’s automotive electronics joint venture in Shanghai, China, has been presented with company’s highest form of recognition — a Summit Award — for exceptional accomplishments in 2003. Alfeu Doria, general manager, YanFeng Visteon Electronics, was one of six individuals and teams recognized with Summit Awards by Visteon Chairman and CEO Peter Pestillo and President and COO Michael Johnston.
American Axle Pact Ratified; Supplier Gets the Right to Negotiate 2-Tier Wages
UAW members ratified a four-year contract with American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., after a one-day strike late last month that disrupted General Motors Corp. truck production. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday.
American Axle Strike Causes GM to Idle Plant
In a move that already is rippling through the auto industry, about 6,500 UAW auto-parts workers hit the picket lines Thursday morning at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. in Detroit and other cities. A 4-year contract with UAW members at American Axle, one of the world’s largest auto suppliers, expired at midnight Wednesday and the two sides could not reach a tentative agreement. By late Thursday the strike already was affecting General Motors Corp., American Axle’s biggest customer and former owner.
Speedway Motorsports Announces Executive Appointments
Speedway Motorsports (SMI) has appointed James Holden, former CEO and president of DaimlerChrysler, to the company’s board of directors. Holden recently completed 27 years in the automotive industry including 19 with DaimlerChrysler, and its predecessor, Chrysler Corp. Highlights of his career include being named president of DaimlerChrysler in 1999 and CEO in June 2000.
Modine Wins High Volume Condenser Program from PSA
Modine Manufacturing Co. has received the largest condenser order in the company’s 88-year history, from the European automobile manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen. The condensers will be used in several models for PSA, which has been one of the fastest-growing carmakers in the past five years. Modine will start production in 2006 for the anticipated $15 million order, approximately half of which represents incremental business. The air conditioning condensers will be manufactured in a highly specialized facility in Austria, which started in 1984 as a joint venture.
Tower Takes Charges, Posts Loss
Tower Automotive Inc., the world’s largest maker of vehicle frames, had a fourth-quarter loss of $24.7 million because of expenses for restructuring operations and writing down assets. The loss was 43 cents a share, compared with profit of $17.3 million, or 29 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 5.2 percent to $717 million from $681.6 million, the Novi-based company said.
Lund International Announces Two Executive Appointments
Lund International has promoted Bob Schuetz to vice president of aftermarket sales. Schuetz joined Lund in October 2003 in the newly created position of vice president of new business development. Lund has also announced the appointment of John Whitten as director of sales engineering. Whitten brings with him 11 years of quality and product engineering, most recently working in automotive accessories on a contract basis for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler.
Tower Automotive to Move Dodge Ram Frame Production to Mexico
Tower Automotive has announced it will move the production of frame assemblies for the Dodge Ram light truck from its Milwaukee manufacturing facility to a facility run by the company’s joint venture partner, Metalsa S. de R.L., in Monterrey, Mexico. Tower Automotive owns a 40-percent equity interest in the venture. The move is planned for mid-2005.