Ford, Chrysler Join Discount Race
Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Chrysler Group on Thursday revealed a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign about its new-vehicle incentives for June that takes a dig at struggling cross-town rival GM by boasting: “You don’t need an employee discount to get a great deal from us.”
Commercial Vehicle Group Promotes Five Executives to Vice President Positions
Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG), a supplier of interior systems, vision safety solutions and other cab-related products for the global commercial vehicle market, recently promoted five members of its sales team to vice president customer sales. According to Mervin Dunn, CVG president and CEO, the company is experiencing a growth spurt and the addition of these roles will ensure continued, focused commitment to the company’s customers.
Remy Appoints David Abel to Senior VP of Operations and Supply Chain
David Abel has been appointed senior vice president of operations and supply chain for Remy Inc. Abel will serve as a member of the Remy Inc. Leadership Board. In his new role, Abel will focus on performance improvement strategies for supply channels and has functional oversight for PCL, Purchasing, Operations and Continuous Improvement.
Sellers Sue Detroit Diesel
Ten truck dealers sued Detroit Diesel Corp. on Wednesday, saying the heavy-duty engine maker violated federal antitrust laws by organizing an illegal boycott and price-fixing scheme. The lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia on behalf of dealers for Volvo Trucks Inc. and International Truck and Engine Corp. Detroit Diesel is owned by DaimlerChrysler AG.
ALLDATA Releases 2005 First Quarter Computer-Based Training Disc
ALLDATA, computer-based automotive repair information and software solutions provider, has released its first quarter 2005 professional disc product to repair professionals nationwide. ALLDATA’s new release offers more than 60,000 pages of new OE information and more than 1,100 technical service bulletins.
ArvinMeritor Reports Fiscal Year 2005 First-Quarter Results
ArvinMeritor has reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter, which ended on Dec. 31, 2004. Chairman, CEO and President Chip McClure said while the business continues to perform well in many aspects, the company’s financial results are still being affected by industry-wide issues such as the escalating costs of steel and other raw materials.
Manufacturer to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Toledo, Ohio
After considering a number of competitive sites within a two-hour driving radius of Detroit, Egelhof Controls Corp., a German-based manufacturer serving the automotive and heating industries, has selected Toledo, Ohio, to house its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operations. Cornel Broenner, currently at Egelhof’s production facility in Breitenbach, France, will relocate to Toledo to become the plant manager. Sales and engineering activities, which were established in metro Detroit in 2000, will also relocate to the new facility in Toledo.
Women Suggest Friendly Auto Design Features
Amy Ng, 27, of Farmington Hills, Mich., wants a place to keep her purse in her car so it doesn’t flop around on the passenger seat. Sophia Modelski, 47, of Metamora, Mich., wants the equivalent of a belt clip for her cell phone in the car, preferably near the stereo.Kitty Adler, 45, of Waterford, Mich., wishes she had vanity mirrors in the back seat so her daughters wouldn’t fight for the front seat to put on their makeup. These are simple solutions to problems that divert minds and eyes off the road and they came from female drivers and women in the auto industry at a breakfast Tuesday that featured a car designed by women.
Cleveland-Based Buyout Firm Acquires Phillips & Temro Industries
Morgenthaler Partners, private-equity buyout firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, has acquired Phillips & Temro Industries (PTI), a supplier of products for diesel engine related markets. Phillips & Temro supplies cold start and emissions control products to both the aftermarket and original equipment market through its brands ZeroStart, Temro, EM Products, Cowl and Cab Power.
Stability Control Jumping from Autos to Semis
Motive technology is always on the go. Take the rearview mirror. It made its way from the Indy 500 in the early 1900s onto every passenger vehicle made today. Now, an automotive technology is being used on semitrailer trucks. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems of Elyria, Ohio, has come up with a stability control system for 18-wheelers like those found in cars. It says the system could reduce the number of semi rollovers by 50 percent.