04/27/07

Message from the President
Spring has finally sprung, and with it comes good news from our sales department. Our company is now ranked #4 in the nation in sales for the first quarter of 2007. That's quite an accomplishment coming from our little town of Richmond! In addition, there's more good news from our service department. Our Fixed Ops Manager, Janet Laubach, has now achieved Super DSA status. One of the advantages is that she is able to perform some of the functions of the District Manager in expediting warranty claims, thereby getting our customers in and out of service quicker, and ultimately making for happier customers. Plus, we are receiving the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Jeep Pacesetter Awards this week for our 2006 performance, where we ranked sixth in the World. Congratulations to everyone involved!.
Dick Huvaere

Chrysler plans new Michigan axle plant in Marysville
Detroit Axle's days are numbered.
The Chrysler Group announced Wednesday plans to build a massive axle plant in Marysville to replace Detroit Axle, the Free Press has learned. The plant could employee as many as 900 people, and would produce axles for both Chrysler and Mercedes products, according to information told to employees at Detroit Axle on Monday. The new plant could be online by 2010.
The project is part of a $3-billion powertrain investment announced Feb. 14 as part of Chrysler's turnaround plan. Many parts of the turnaround plan, which includes eliminating 13,000 jobs in three years, were mostly overshadowed by the announcement that all options regarding Chrysler's future were on the table, including the possible sale of DaimlerChrysler's struggling U.S. unit. The Auburn Hills-based maker of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles lost $1.5 billion last year.
While discussions are ongoing with potential buyers for Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche has said that no matter what happens, he does not want all ties severed between Chrysler and Mercedes. On Monday, Chrysler spokesman Mike Aberlich confirmed plans for the plant and said the facility would be phased in over four to five years. The announcement of the plant comes at an uncomfortable time. "We are not stopping the work," Aberlich said. "We have a recovery and transformation plan that we have to put into play."
UAW workers are expected to approve the local work rules today and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority is expected to consider tax breaks for the project. The future of Detroit Axle, which has about 1,600 employees, has been uncertain for some time. Earlier this year, an analyst from UBS Investment Research predicted the plant would be sold to American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. The facility, which makes about 5,000 axles a day, generated an estimated revenue of $700 million in 2006, according to UBS Investment Research.
In 2003, Chrysler wanted the UAW to agree to a collective bargaining unit agreement that would allow for the plant to be closed or sold. The union balked and the demand was dropped from the final agreement.

CC's Cafe' Renews Lease
Everyone's favorite cafe', CC's, has renewed their lease for another 3 years inside Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep. The menu includes items such as sandwiches, Achatz soups, salads, coffee, soft drinks, snacks, cookies, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and much more. The cafe is located adjacent to the customer waiting area for your convenience. We are also a wireless hot-spot for internet access. Stop in and say hi!

Richmond Auto Body Classic Car Show

Richmond Auto Body, located at 66629 Gratiot Ave., Richmond MI, will be hosting a Classic Car Show on Sunday May 20th from 10am until 4pm, rain or shine. The first 200 participants will receive Goodie Bags and Dash Plaques. 75 Awards will be given out, there will be Door Prizes, Food, Entertainment and Moonwalk for the kids. No pets please! All proceeds will be donated to the Richmond Community Theatre. For more info, call 586-727-8960 or email richmondclassiccar@yahoo.com. Photos of our first car show, and additional information, are available online at www.driveenvy.com/carshow.

MOVEMENT 2007, Detroit's Electronic Music Festival
This is the first in a series of previews featuring artists performing at this year?s Detroit Electronic Music Festival May 26, 27 & 28 in Downtown Detroit?s Hart Plaza. Visit www.demf.com for more information.

2007 Detroit Electronic Music Festival - Artist Preview

One of several long-awaited homecomings planned for the 2007 Detroit Electronic Music Festival, Detroit native Claude Young with Takasi Nakajima (Different World) will perform at the Real Detroit Stage on Sunday, May 27 at 9 PM. An accomplished and internationally respected DJ/Producer, Young has remixed and produced records for some of the greatest names in the business from Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, 4 Hero, Octave One, Sven Vath and a host of other artists. Young?s DJ mixes are among the most popular on the market and he has headlined almost every major industry event globally, entertaining audiences in America, Spain, German, Slovenia, China, Scotland, Austria, Australia, France, Croatia, Switzerland and other countries.

Tasaki Nakajima (Tokyo/Fukui, Japan) is one of Japan?s greatest DJ?s, and the head of Xpansive Media. Young and Nakajima became close friends after Young relocated from Glasgow to Tokyo in 2005. The two formed Different World in 2006 and began playing their own resident events in Japan, gaining a loyal following of music lovers. They host a monthly podcast at their site www.cynet-media.com and are currently developing Young?s second solo album for the label, as well as the release of a Different World Album.