Grand Jeep Cherokee

Photo: DaimlerChrysler

Total truck sales for Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth and Jeep brands, an August record at 146,835, were up 13 percent versus August 1999. Separately, sport utility vehicle sales, also an August record, totaled 63,026, a 41 percent jump over August 1998 and the 12th consecutive month in which SUV sales have been record-setting. Passenger car sales for the Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth brands were 57,156, up 1 percent compared to last year.

Other monthly high marks included Ram pickup with sales of 38,821, a 20 percent increase over August 1998's sales of 32,323, and the 14th monthly record for Ram in the last 16 months. Dodge Durango sales continued to be strong at 12,972 units, an 18 percent rise from 1998's record of 10,953. Also in the Dodge lineup, Dodge Intrepid posted record sales of 10,657, a 42 percent increase for that model over last August's sales.

The voluntary agreement covers women who worked at the Chicago Assembly Plant or Chicago Stamping Plant from 1996 to today and includes several elements, among them are:

A $7.5 million fund is established to be distributed to individuals in any cases where it is proven that harassment has taken place in the workplace. The amount was determined in consultation with the EEOC and any unused funds will be donated to charity. A three-person monitoring panel is established that will be responsible for administering certain parts of the agreement in the Chicago plants. A number of additional policies, procedures and training will be implemented aimed at achieving a zero tolerance environment and to resolve internal complaints.

As part of the agreement, the company and the EEOC agreed to expand training programs on diversity sensitivity in 11 other Ford stamping and assembly facilities in the United States. In addition, the company will voluntarily roll out the additional training to all of its U.S. facilities.

The company has already implemented a number of actions and programs in the workplace in support of its zero tolerance policy including a toll-free hotline for employees who wish to anonymously report incidents of harassment, local diversity councils at all facilities and anti-graffiti programs at both Chicago plants. The Chicago Assembly Plant is located in Chicago and employs 2,535 people. The Chicago Stamping plant is located in Chicago Heights and employs 1,975 people.

ESP is already standard in all A8 cars as well as in the S4, S6 and S8. In addition to this ESP is also standard equipment in the A3 range from 110 kW (150 bhp) up, as well as A4 and A6 cars with six cylinder petrol engines. The full TT range and the S3 will have ESP as standard equipment as of the end of this year.

Audi S6

Photo: Audi

For all other cars in the above model ranges Audi offers ESP as additional equipment.