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 Global Partnership
Announced Between Castrol and BMW Global Partnership Announced Between Castrol and BMW
Under the agreement, Castrol Industrial will become the BMW Group’s technical partner in the supply of advanced products and services to BMW Group production plants. The companies state that this will lead to the joint development of technical fluid management solutions, as well as improvements in vehicle production techniques and reduced environmental impact. They also hope to see benefits such as improved fuel consumption and quieter transmission passed on to customers. Castrol will become the recommended engine oil and lubricant for all BMW cars and motorcycles, Rover, Land Rover, Mini and MG with most of these marques being filled with Castrol oils, engine and transmission lubricants and other technical fluids as they leave the production line. Meanwhile, the BMW Group will recommend Castrol in service literature, driver handbooks and marketing communications, as well as prominently on vehicle engines. Castrol will also be the recommended oil for existing BMW Group vehicles. (12/99) Global DaimlerChrysler Approval For Autoglym Motor industry giant DaimlerChrysler has granted world-wide approval to a number of Autoglym’s professional and consumer car-care products. According to Autoglym, the evaluation by DaimlerChrysler took into consideration such factors as safety, environmental issues and compatibility with Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler vehicles, the result being the approval of 17 products. Autoglym has supplied Mercedes-Benz in the UK for more than 30 years, and also has long-standing approvals and supplier relationships with Aston Martin Lagonda, Jaguar, McLaren and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as well as many other manufacturers and importers.(12/99) 5 Year Partnership Agreement For GP Automotive And Sachs Boge UK Speedpart Group and Sachs Boge have signed a five year distribution agreement whereby Speedpart subsidiary, GP Automotive Ltd, will distribute a wide range of Sachs Boge products. GP Automotive, which already has brand names such as Gates, Brembo and SKF in its portfolio, will now add Sachs and Allinquant shock absorbers, Sachs clutches and cables, Boge coil springs, Hi Drive chassis components and Stabilus gas springs.(12/99) Tenneco Automotive Begins Regular Trading as an Independent Company Tenneco Automotive, the exhaust and shock absorber manufacturer, began its first day of ‘regular’ trading as an independent company on the 5th of November, following completion of its strategic separation from Tenneco’s packaging business. The spin-off occurred after the close of business on 4th November 1999, leaving Tenneco Automotive as an independent, publicly traded company, with a new board of directors. Shareholders will retain common stock in Tenneco Automotive following the company’s one-for-five reverse stock split that occurred after the spin-off. These shares began regular trading Friday, 5th November 1999, under the existing trading symbol TEN.(12/99) Lex Attacks the Small Fleet Market Lex Vehicle Leasing is moving all its small fleet activity to Lex Vehicle Partners in a thrust to capture and service the small fleet market. Over the past 12 months, Lex Vehicle Partners has selected a number of partners who can pro-actively manage customers on a local basis to agreed service levels. In future, all Lex Vehicle Leasing small fleets will be managed through this channel. The move is backed by research undertaken by the company, which confirms that small fleet managers prefer to operate their day-to-day business at a local level but continue to view the assurance of nationwide driver support as an imperative. According to Lex, the decision to reposition its small fleet business has allowed the company to streamline some of its business activities at what is seen by many in the industry to be a difficult trading period.(12/99) Daewoo Opens Dedicated Aftersales Centre In Northampton
Delphi to Purchase Diesel Business From TRW Inc. Delphi Automotive Systems Corporation has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Lucas Diesel Systems and its associated aftermarket business from TRW Inc. for approximately £538 million or US $ 871 million in cash. Upon closing the transaction, Lucas Diesel Systems will be renamed Delphi Diesel Systems. The purchase means that Delphi Diesel Systems will become the world’s No2 producer of diesel fuel injection systems for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, with annual revenues of approximately US1.1 billion. The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, including consultations with employee representatives. With 1998 sales of US $1.1 billion Lucas Diesel Systems has 12 manufacturing locations in seven countries. Together with its associated aftermarket operations it employs approximately 8,600 people.(12/99) Wurth to Become Exclusive Supplier to Lookers Lookers plc, one of the largest dealer groups in the UK, is to exclusively source an extensive range of workshop and bodyshop products from Wurth UK Ltd. The partnership agreement is the latest to be secured by the Erith-based workshop logistics company which has similar agreements with 35 major dealer groups and 14 vehicle importers in the UK. Wurth workshop consumables and its ORSY stock management control system will be supplied to all 30 dealerships operated by the Lookers group.(12/99) Gabriel to Deliver Direct to UK Aftermarket Shock Absorber manufacturer and supplier, Gabriel has announced that it is now in a position to supply the UK aftermarket with Gabriel products direct from its central logistics warehouse at Blackpool. The new initiative will include independent motor factors and selected existing Arvin Replacement exhaust customers. The move means that Gabriel products are now available nation-wide, via overnight delivery, to the British shock absorber replacement industry direct from the manufacturer. Gabriel Europe became part of Arvin’s newly created Arvin Replacement Products European division in 1998 and has recently expanded its UK sales operations which are now based at Squires Gate, Blackpool, the headquarters of Arvin Replacement Products’ UK operations.(12/99) Two New MasterFit Centres for South Wales Two long established Vauxhall dealers in South Wales are opening MasterFit centres to boost the brand’s share of the fast-fit market. WP Lewis based near Pembroke and J&G Bland of Haverfordwest are both upgrading their facilities to meet MasterFit standards. Long established family concern J&G Bland has been in business since 1875 and has held the Vauxhall franchise since 1976 whilst WP Lewis is celebrating its 49th anniversary by opening the new centre. The project also includes extensive new developments to the company’s forecourt facilities and showroom.(12/99) Varta Offer Battery Tips for Winter Motoring According to the AA, a flat battery due to driver error is the most common cause of breakdown. With this in mind battery manufacturer, Varta, has published the following advice for winter motoring:
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Castrol and the BMW
Group have entered into a long-term business agreement
aimed at achieving mutual improvements in both global
performance and cost efficiencies. The two companies will
work together in joint research and development projects
to use lubricants technology to improve the performance
of new vehicle models.
Daewoo Cars opened
its fourth dedicated aftersales centre in Northampton on
9 November. The 15,000 sq.ft. facility comprises a 12-bay
service workshop to service up to 50 cars a day, an MOT
bay, valeting bay, parts storage facility and customer
waiting room with free refreshments. The site is located
at Unit 3, Riverside Park, Northampton. Pictured opening
the centre are S K Kim, Daewoo Car’s Deputy Managing
Director, and Paul Taylor, Northamptonshire County
Cricket star.(12/99)