ZF Sales Up 8 Percent in 2005
ZF Friedrichshafen AG reported $13.5 billion in global sales for 2005 — an increase of 8 percent over 2004. North American sales totaled $2.1 billion. The increase is attributed to an upswing in the commercial vehicle Market and new plant openings in China, Russia and North America. In addition to the commercial vehicle market, key products such as six-speed automatic transmissions, electronic steering systems and passenger car axle systems and components resulted in above-average sales, according to the company.
SmarTire President and CEO Resigns; New Exec Appointed
SmarTire Systems announced today that Leif Pedersen, a senior sales and marketing executive with extensive global experience in electronic systems, has been appointed the new president and CEO of SmarTire, effective immediately. Pedersen replaces Al Kozak, who has left the company to pursue other interests.
Two Execs Named to New Metaldyne Posts
Logan Robinson has been named executive vice president, general counsel and government relations for Metaldyne Corp. He will report to Tim Leuliette, chairman, president and CEO. Sandra (Sandi) Galac has been named vice president and treasurer for the company. She will report to Jeff Stafeil, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Galac will be responsible for worldwide cash and debt management, tax planning and analysis, risk management and pension fund management.
VW, Siemens Sell Jointly Owned Company
Volkswagen and Siemens VDO Automotive have sold their jointly owned electronics systems offshoot Volkswagen Bordnetze GmbH to Japan’s Sumitomo Electric Industries, VW said Monday. Details of the price for Bordnetze, which supplies carmakers with parts, were not released.
VW, Siemens Sell Jointly Owned Company
Volkswagen and Siemens VDO Automotive have sold their jointly owned electronics systems offshoot Volkswagen Bordnetze GmbH to Japan’s Sumitomo Electric Industries, VW said Monday. Details of the price for Bordnetze, which supplies carmakers with parts, were not released.
Japanese Auto Parts Firm Opens German R&D Facility
Japanese automobile parts manufacturer DENSO has built a new research and development center in Germany, the company announced Thursday. The $15.6 million project in Wegberg, near the city of Aachen, will be used to develop fuel injector systems for diesel engines, a spokesman for DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH said.
Bosch Growth Could Include Parts of Delphi: Troy Supplier’s Loss $121 Million
Robert Bosch GmbH, the world’s largest auto parts supplier, said Tuesday it is looking to acquire other auto suppliers, including Delphi Corp., to grow its business. The troubled Troy, MI-based parts supplier has been losing $120 million to $1 billion a month since filing for bankruptcy in October. Germany-based Bosch CEO Franz Fehrenbach said Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland that Bosch might consider purchasing parts of Delphi.
Bosch Full Year 2005 Sales Up 5 Percent, Sees Stronger Growth in 2006
Robert Bosch GmbH said its full year 2005 sales rose by just under 5 percent to some $51 billion and recorded a slight increase in earnings. In the automotive technology segment, sales rose by 4 percent to approximately $31 billion, while sales of consumer goods and building technology approached the $12 billion mark for the first time.
Never Before Released NASCAR Drivers Items Hit Online Auction Block
GoMotorBids.com (GMB), in partnership with Jeff Gordon, Inc., (JGI) will offer a limited number of 8 x 10 photo-plaques of NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. These hardwood photo plaques were never approved for production, and have never before been released to the public.
German Car Makers Aim for Bumper U.S. Sales in 2006
German car manufacturers are hoping for bumper sales of more than a million vehicles in the U.S. during 2006, Bernd Gottschalk, president of the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) told attendees at the Detroit car show on Sunday. German car companies were hoping to take advantage of downturns in the fortunes of U.S. carmakers Ford and General Motors, to enter what Gottschalk described as “a new phase of expansion.”