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Webasto: glass roof systems a hit with US car makers

Glass car roof manufacturer Webasto“s decision to expand North American capacity is being vindicated as US vehicle makers turn to the German company“s innovative roofing systems.
Stockdorf-based We…

Glass car roof manufacturer Webasto“s decision to expand North American capacity is being vindicated as US vehicle makers turn to the German company“s innovative roofing systems. Stockdorf-based Webasto developed the UltraView panoramic glass sunroof on the 2004 Cadillac SRX sport wagon. The sunroof is an important feature of the vehicle. When fully retracted, UltraView provides nearly half a square meter of open space over the first- and second-row passengers. Third-row passengers have a vented glass panel that adds even more space. “This is a big step forward because it is the first time a North American manufacturer has shown a panoramic sunroof on a series car,” said Webasto Chairman Franz-Josef Kortm. “Others will follow.” Webasto“s North American sales were USD 300 million (EUR 280 million) in 2002. Kortm forecasts that to grow to USD 500 million to USD 600 million by 2008. Cadillac began work on the SRX program three years ago. Webasto was selected after a concept competition and joined the program in its early stages with the brief to develop the new roof. In Europe, Webasto has a wide range of roofing systems experience: it supplies the large, modular glass roof on the Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe and the panoramic glass roof on the long-wheelbase Maybach 62. “This type of German engineering is being well received by US carmakers,” he said. “As a result, we have invested heavily in North America over the last few years.” In 2000, Webasto acquired 100% control of its US sunroof joint venture with Magna, Webasto Sunroofs Inc. In 2001, Webasto opened a new North American technical center in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Then, in March 2002, Webasto started building a new, USD 28 million, 64,000-square-meter facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The facility will bring new technologies to Webasto in North America, such as glass encapsulation and the ability to produce more complex roof systems and sophisticated convertible roofs. The company has already won orders for the plant, said Kortm, including sunroof contracts for Honda, Subaru and Nissan. “We had a very good response at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association aftermarket show in Las Vegas in November,” said Kortm. “It is looking quite promising.”

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