ArvinMeritor’s Yost to Discuss Heavy Duty Supplier Industry Trends at Heavy Duty Dialogue
Larry Yost, chairman and CEO of ArvinMeritor will discuss the challenges facing the heavy duty supplier industry at Heavy Duty Dialogue 2004, slated for Feb. 9 and 10. The event will take place at the Atlanta Airport Hilton and Towers, Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Ga. This is 13th in the biennial series presented by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA).
TI Automotive Wins $1.2 Billion in New Business
TI Automotive recently won contracts in its fuel systems division valued at more than $1.2 billion from automotive manufacturers in Europe, Asia and North America. Beginning with 2006-model-year production, the fourth-quarter contract awards include complete fuel systems and subsystems for a range of products,
George Dettloff Appointed President of SKF’s North American Automotive Division
Chicago Rawhide Americas President George Dettloff has been appointed president of SKF’s North American Automotive Division, which manufactures seals and bearings for the automotive industry. In his new position, Detloff will oversee all of the division’s North American original equipment and aftermarket operations, including financial, sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing. He assumes these new responsibilities in addition to his current position as president.
Automotive Products is Sold
German brake and clutch manufacturer FTE Automotive GmbH said Monday it bought Auburn Hills, Mich., auto clutch systems maker Automotive Products Inc. for an undisclosed price. The deal makes Ebern, Germany-based FTE a major player in clutch products with worldwide sales of $462 million.
Midas Completes Restructuring
Midas said it has completed its restructuring plan successfully, and on schedule. In April 2003, Midas announced agreements with AutoZone in the U.S. and Uni-Select in Canada for distribution of Midas brand and other automotive parts to the 1,900 Midas shops in North America. Midas’ timetable to exit the parts distribution business was the end of fiscal 2003. In April 2003, Midas announced agreements with AutoZone in the U.S. and Uni-Select in Canada for distribution of Midas brand and other automotive parts to the 1,900 Midas shops in North America. Midas’ timetable to exit the parts distribution business was the end of fiscal 2003.
Dana and GETRAG Sign Joint-Venture Agreement with Volvo
A recently formed joint venture company between Dana and GETRAG has signed an agreement with Volvo Car Corp. (VCC) to purchase a 60-percent interest in VCC’s operations in Koping, Sweden. The resulting joint venture with VCC will be known as GETRAG All Wheel Drive AB, a Dana/GETRAG Co. The company will produce all-wheel-drive (AWD) and chassis systems and components for passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles.
Visteon Projects Profit After Losses
Visteon Corp. expects to earn a small net profit this year after losing at least $1.6 billion from 2001 to 2003, executives said Thursday. If Visteon turns a profit this year, it would be the first since 2000, the year the auto parts maker separated from Ford Motor Co. In a briefing for Wall Street analysts in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show, Visteon laid out its financial expectations for the first time in at least a year.
Bridgestone Americas’ Lampe To Retire
John Lampe, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, who led the company’s remarkable recovery after devastating tire recalls in late 2000 and early 2001, announced today that he is retiring effective Mar. 31. He will be succeeded as chairman and CEO of BAH by Mark Emkes, currently chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). Lampe announced his retirement this afternoon during a company-wide live Web cast and conference call. In addition, Lampe and Emkes granted Tire Review an exclusive in-depth interview about the retirement and the company’s future plans earlier this morning.
Transpro Named NAPA Branded Radiator Supplier
Transpro has been named supplier of a new radiator program for NAPA. Under the agreement, Transpro will supply NAPA with a radiator program that will offer a selection of popular radiator models covering a variety of automotive and light truck applications. Transpro will begin shipping product to NAPA this month, and the program will be rolled out to the NAPA distribution system in February.
Automotive Market Research Council Begins 2004 Light Duty Aftermarket Forecasting Project
The Light Duty Aftermarket Committee of the Automotive Market Research Council (AMRC) has begun research for its annual aftermarket product forecasting project. The project gathers market information, both in dollars and units, for 11 different product lines and systems. Each year the light duty aftermarket project establishes demand trends by product line and for the light duty aftermarket overall, including a three-year dollar forecast by product and a review of market issues impacting sales.