ArvinMeritor to Develop Specialty Vehicle Drivetrain with Unicell Ltd.
ArvinMeritor has entered into program to develop a new alternative-power vehicle with an electric drivetrain. ArvinMeritor will work on the project with Unicell Ltd., a medium-duty body builder with operations in Toronto, Ontario, and Buffalo, N.Y. The new electric drive vehicle will be equipped with a fully-electric drivetrain and will be demonstrated to the public in 2006.
Williams Controls Opens Sales and Manufacturing Operations in China
Williams Controls said this week it has obtained the necessary government approvals to begin manufacturing and sales activities of its wholly owned subsidiary, Williams Controls Asia, in the People’s Republic of China. Williams Controls will begin producing products for the Chinese market in March 2005 out of a manufacturing facility located in the Suzhou Industrial Park.
Bosch Releases New Premium Fuel Pump Catalog
Bosch’s new Premium Fuel Pumps catalog (#2212151-05) covers more than 1200 electric and mechanical fuel pumps for domestic and import cars, light trucks and vans. Available in both print and electronic versions, the catalog features Bosch’s new Turbine Technology fuel pumps, designed to provide superior fuel flow and virtually silent operation.
DENSO Acquires 25 Percent of Automotive A/C Company in the Republic of South Africa
DENSO Corp. announced this week it is purchasing 25 percent of Smiths Manufacturing (Pty) the largest automotive air conditioner company in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). DENSO has been involved in the RSA’s automotive air conditioner market since 1982, when it entered into a technical assistance agreement for automotive air conditioners with Smiths. DENSO continues to provide technical assistance to the company on automotive air conditioners, heaters, radiators and electric fans.
Delphi Appoints President, COO and New Vice Chairman; Donald Runkle to Retire
In what is described as an effort to streamline operations and sharpen its focus on stronger growth, Delphi’s board of directors announced several executive appointments Friday. Rodney O’Neal has been named president and COO, with responsibility for Delphi’s three operating segments, its three regional operations, Global Supply Management and Sales and Marketing. This appointment marks the first time a single officer other than founding chairman, CEO and President J. T. Battenberg III will be responsible for all of Delphi’s global business units. O’Neal will continue to report to Battenberg, who remains chairman and CEO and also chair of the Delphi Strategy Board, the company’s top policy-making group.
Alcoa to Take Over Ownership of AFL Auto
Alcoa and Fujikura, Ltd. of Japan have signed a letter of intent to split ownership of the businesses run under the companies’ joint venture — Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. Through the agreement, Alcoa will take complete ownership of the AFL automotive business based in Detroit, Mich., and Fujikura will obtain complete ownership of the AFL telecommunications business, based in Nashville, Tenn. Alcoa and Fujikura currently hold a 51-49 percent, respective ownership of both through the Alcoa Fujikura Limited joint venture.
GM, DCX Join Forces To Make Hybrid Engines
General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG are teaming up to develop fuel-saving hybrid engines in hopes of cashing in on an expanding market already dominated by hybrid leaders Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Financial terms of the agreement between GM, the world’s largest automaker, and its German-American rival weren’t disclosed Monday, but Tom Stephens, GM’s group vice president for powertrains, said the collaboration likely will involve an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Bosch Launches New Replacement Fuel Pump Program
Robert Bosch Corp. recently launched a new premium replacement fuel pump program for domestic and import vehicles. According to Bosch, the all new replacement fuel pumps allow the installation of superior turbine technology in more than 65 percent of vehicles equipped with electric fuel pumps – many of which are equipped with older technology pumps.
Mohammad Samii Receives APRA’s Distinguished Service Award
Mohammad Samii has received the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s (APRA) Distinguished Service Award. APRA presented the award to Samii on Oct. 31, during the “International Big R Show” in Las Vegas. Mohammad Samii, or Sammy as he is often called, came to electrical rebuilding from a ten-year service in the Iranian Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with a degree in aircraft maintenance engineering. Since 1972, Sammy has been involved with electrical rebuilding and currently is President and Operator of Sammy’s Auto Electric Service, Inc. in Champaign, Ill. His company does custom electrical rebuilding, electrical/electronic diagnostic and installations on various vehicles.
Standard Motor Products Supports Car Care Council’s 21st Century Tune-up
Standard Motor Products said it has incorporated the Car Care Council’s new 21st century tune-up concept into its marketing and public relations programs. Standard wants to help the automotive aftermarket industry re-define and promote the term “tune-up.”