 News of May 16, 1999
(the
DaimlerChrysler to Acquire Stake in Westfalia Werke's Vehicle Customization Business Stuttgart, May 10, 1999 DaimlerChrysler has announced plans to purchase a 49 percent stake in the vehicle customization business of Westfalia Werke GmbH & Co, Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies has already been signed. The the purchase will take effect on Oct.1 and Westfalia Werke GmbH will continue to operate as an independent, medium-sized firm after the deal goes through. Westfalia Werke GmbH & Co has an excellent reputation throughout Germany, the U.S. and Japan. The company is well-known for its customization of recreational vehicles and for its vehicle coupling and trailer divisions, which will continue to be run independently. DaimlerChrysler's participation in Westfalia Werke reflects the company's commitment to satisfying the increasing demand of individual customers for customization of vans and recreational vehicles. "The ability to meet individual customer requirements and provide customized accessories is an important determinant of success for automobile manufacturers today," explained Dr. Rolf Bartke, director of DaimlerChrysler's Vans Europe business unit. DaimlerChrysler's acquisition of a part of Westfalia Werke is a step toward satisfying the growing demand for so-called vehicle system packages. What this means is that customers - if they so desire - can obtain complete service from one provider. This service begins with the purchase of the new vehicle and encompasses everything from maintenance and service packages to spare parts supply, financing and used car trade-in. Daimler Chrysler and Westfalia already work together on customization of the Vito F, Vito Marco Polo and Sprinter James Coock vehicles. DaimlerChrysler's 49 percent stake will solidify Westfalia's financial and technical base and create favorable conditions for successful business expansion. CHARLOTTE -- The all-new 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo will pace the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina on May 30, 1999.
"Monte Carlo is the most successful nameplate on the NASCAR circuit," said Don Parkinson, Monte Carlo brand manager. "It only makes sense that we put it out in front of the pack as the pace car, with a racing legend like Richard Childress. Both are already recognized leaders on the track." Childress has proven his leadership on the track with a racing career spanning 12 years, from 1969 to 1981, when he drove his own NASCAR Winston Cup Series car to a record six top-five finishes and 76 top-ten finishes. It was in 1981 that Childress made a career change from driver to full-time car owner, stepping aside to let Dale Earnhardt replace him in the driver's seat. "It's an honour to be selected as pace car driver and to introduce the all-new 2000 Monte Carlo as a pace car. This is my 30th year in racing and most of those races have been in Chevrolets. You can't beat a Chevrolet product. I never won a race as a driver, but I'll be running out front at Charlotte in that 2000 Monte Carlo and I can't wait," Childress said. Childress has also proven his leadership as owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as well. He has won six Winston Cup Championships, including back-to-back Winston Cup Championships in 1986 and 1987, 1990 and 1991, and again in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, he became the first team owner to win the Inaugural NASCAR Truck Series Championship with driver Mike Skinner. In addition, he has been to Victory Lane in the Winston Cup Series 63 times and has 203 top-five and 294 top-ten finishes in 429 starts - all of which are Winston Cup highs for that period. RCR has won a Winston Cup race every season from 1983 to 1996, finishing in one of the top-three positions in points, nine of their last twelve seasons, as well as finishing in the top-five in points eleven of the last twelve seasons. "I remember when Richard drove stock cars, and I don't think he will have any problems driving the Monte Carlo pace car. Richard has always been one of my heroes and represents the backbone of our sport," Bill France, president of NASCAR said. No other manufacturer has won as many manufacturer's or driver's championships on the NASCAR Winston Cup racing circuit as Chevrolet. And Monte Carlo's winning percentage is 70 percent greater than that of its nearest competitor. Chevrolet's Monte Carlo pace car will also make motorsports history May 30 as it becomes the first car to pace two prestigious motorsports events on the same day: the Indianapolis 500) with comedian Jay Leno at the wheel) and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C. © 1999
Copyright Automotive Intelligence, www.autointell.com [Homepage] [ News]
[ Companies] [ Management]
[ Publications] [ Events]
[ Careers] |
will lead you to the full article)
Page 1 of 6