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   Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Ford Motor Co. announced that it has entered into agreements with two companies to sell Michigan and Mexico auto parts plants.
The companies are Flex-N-Gate Corp. and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. The former is a privately held manufacturing company based in Urbana, Illinois. It has agreed to purchase the operation in Milan, about 35 miles southwest of Detroit. The plant is utilized by the automaker in the production of automotive grills and bumpers. According to the automaker, the auto parts plant includes salaried employees leased from Visteon Corp. and United Auto Workers union hourly employees leased from Ford.
Meanwhile, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., headquartered in Novi, agreed to purchase the Jarudo automotive fuel rail factory of the automaker in Mexico. Said factory has about 500 workers. Cooper-Standard is a world leader automotive supplier that specializes in the manufacture and marketing of systems and components for the auto industry. Ford had agreed to sell its climate-control business to a French automotive supply company named Valeo SA. The automotive operation is based at a plant in Plymouth Township. Al Ver, Automotive Components Holdings chief executive officer and chief operating officer said, "We're on the right track."
In connection with the plant's sale to Flex-N-Gate, Steve Stamper, president of UAW Local 600 at the Michigan fuel tank plant said, "It's better than being closed." The plants were previously part of Visteon, the automaker's parts wing that eventually become a separate company in 2000. In 2005, the automaker bought back some plants and created Automotive Components Holdings LLC. It is now responsible for producing automotive and architectural glass, chassis, auto interior, powertrain components, and Ford climate control. Said holding company operates 10 plants in the United States and 3 in Mexico.
Aside from selling parts plants, Ford is also absorbed in global restructuring. Mark Fields, president of Ford Motor Co.'s Americas division, said that global restructuring of the automaker's management team will help give him the resources he needs to turn around the company's struggling North American business. Fields added that the reorganization will allow Ford to better leverage its global product development resources. However, he said that it will take years for the effort to bear its full fruits. "It accelerates getting our products to market as we share architecture and components," Fields said.


Lincoln MKR Concept, Unleashed
This week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit has something exquisite to offer – all-new Lincoln MKR, a four-door four-seater coupe concept. Said vehicle hold the key to the future of automaker’s design. The automaker likened the model to “a train of an elegant gown.”
According to Peter Horbury, Ford's head of design for the Americas, Lincoln designers will choose from these seven defining Lincoln characteristics to create a family resemblance among the brand's vehicles. Sometimes, designers will use three of the magic seven elements. Sometimes they will use five. Or more. Or less. The 415-horsepower, rear-drive Lincoln MKR show car uses all seven of 'em.
Lincoln MKR shares the D2C platform with Ford Mustang. TwinForce engine family is introduced in the car. The engine is a 3.5L engine twin-turbo, direct-injection gasoline V6, which is also capable of running on bioethanol. It produces 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet if torque.
"The Lincoln MKR Concept is sophisticated and modern, resembling an athlete — extremely strong and fit but looks elegant in a tuxedo," said Horbury. "This concept is the ultimate expression of elegant simplicity consistent with the world's best Lincolns, and this new design language will lead us forward in the growing premium segment."
The 7 magnificent design features of MKR are: 1. clean and uncluttered body surfaces; 2. dynamic beltline; 3. surface running parallel to the beltline; 4. a twin-port "bow-wave" front grille inspired by the 1941 Continental Cabriolet; 5. stunning headlamps; 6. a substantial C-pillar that smoothly transitions into the roof; and 7. a pronounced roof rail.
The concept car is also equipped with Lincoln independent rear suspension mated to MacPherson struts. With regards, the interior of the car, the concept made use of environmentally-friendly and renewable materials that include cashmere leather, mohair carpet, oak instrument panel and seat cushion. THX-II is also featured in the car. Said feature is the trade name for hi-fi sound system reproduction that is recommended for theaters, car audio systems, gaming consoles, and more.
The next flagship sedan of Lincoln is the production version of MKS, which uses upgraded Lincoln LS 2002 parts. It will make its debut in 2008. The flagship sedan is greatly influenced by the MKR concept.


Owning and Collecting Private Number Plates
The popularity of personalised private number plates has risen vastly over the last decade and private car registrations are now a must have motoring accessory. People from all walks of life are discovering the joys and benefits of having their own personal number plate and the number of owners continues to rise.
The reasons why people chose to buy personal number plates are endless. To some people they represent the ultimate personal gift for a loved one, while other people are simply indulging themselves and adding a personal touch to their car. Many companies buy private number plates as a unique form of advertising their and number plate collectors buy registrations as a hobby or investment. Number plate enthusiasts and collectors often own large collections of private plates which they have built up over time. The age of some of the registrations in such collections date back to 1903 when number plates we made compulsory in the UK.
Many collectors attend the DVLA auctions in the hope of adding a classic car registration to their collections. These auctions are held every few months throughout the year at exclusive hotels and stately homes and provide number plate collectors and enthusiasts a place to meet up and bid on previously unreleased registrations. Name plates, dateless car registrations and humorous private plates are all offer at the auctions, which are a perfect place to network and socialise with other number plate fans.
Recently there has been an increasing trend to invest in private number plates and many people are now purchasing car registrations to diversify their financial portfolio. Often these investors see excellent returns on their investment due to the unique nature of each number plate. Number plates with fewer letters and low numbers are typically the most expensive number plates on the market, with the exception of certain “name plates” (a personal number plate which reads a name).
Many number plate collectors and fans choose to become members of the Registration Numbers Club (RNC), which is the only UK based club for number plate enthusiasts. It was founded in 1977 and the number of members has grown considerably since. The RNC publishes a quarterly newsletter called “RNC News” which provides details of upcoming events and interesting number plate stories from its members. The RNC is run by volunteers, with Steve Waldenberg acting as Honorary Organising Secretary from the head office in Leeds. For more information on the RNC you contact them at RNC Office, PO BOX MT12, Leeds, LS17 7UD.
This years Registration Numbers Club annual rally was held in June at the picturesque Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. The event saw members turning up en mass with their cars and motorbikes to display their own private number plates and cherished registrations. People of all ages and backgrounds attend these events for the opportunity to meet other number plate enthusiasts and collectors. The RNC hold competitions for members number plates, including such categories are best name plate, best prefix number plate, and the best “Number 1” registration.
Every number plate is totally unique and can mean so many different things to so many people. Car registrations provide an increasing number of individuals with a fun hobby as they strive to build their collection and find ever scarcer car registration numbers. To others they represent a great present from a family member that will last their lifetime and an asset which can be passed down to younger generations. To others they are simply an investment, adding a prestigious touch to their vehicle, as they grow in value over time. Whatever the reason for owning and collecting personal number plates, there is a number plate out there that is perfect for you. Now is the time to find your personal number…before someone else does!