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Old 03-18-2008, 01:40 AM   #1
nthfinity
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Default More on the Steve Saleen Saga...

steve saleen starts a new biz March 13, 2008 - Orange County, California. Steve Saleen announced today the formation of “SMS Limited”, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles, the pinnacle brand in his portfolio of companies. As a professional race driver and innovative businessman, Steve is well known as the founder of numerous Steve Saleen Brands including Saleen Autosport in 1983, Saleen Productions in 1993, Saleen Speedlab in 1997, Saleen Performance in 1999, Saleen, Inc. in 2001 and now SMS Limited in 2008. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, product development, sales and marketing. His latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car and Global Supercar markets.
“I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel” explains Steve Saleen, Chairman and CEO of SMS Limited. “SMS will enable us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS to create world-class specialty vehicles.”
“We are currently developing our Signature Series of ultra high performance
vehicles and technical performance parts which will address the new American Muscle Car offerings”, discloses Mr. Saleen, “our charter focuses on delivering the best solutions at the best performance value to the varied world of the automotive enthusiast, be they Dodge, Chevrolet or Ford faithful.”
“Supercar fans will be delighted to learn about the all-new vehicles and new technology we are currently developing”, reveals Mr. Saleen “these cars will deliver superior performance and innovation for both the track day enthusiast and the passionate on-road driver”. Billy Tally, Chief Technical Officer, adds, “These vehicles have been engineered to meet the demands of the world’s most challenging race tracks”. Mr. Saleen continues, “Sportscar racing enthusiasts will be excited about the upcoming announcement of our return to racing in the American LeMans Series. You will hear more about that very soon.”
“Developing and manufacturing cars is one thing, but selling them is quite another” continues Mr. Saleen, “We will be bringing our new and unique automotive lifestyle retail experience to a number of global markets. Watch out for more interesting news on our distribution and retail plans in a few weeks”. Mr. Saleen concludes “The time is right; we have the talent, the new technology, the funding and the drive to achieve our goals. We will be the brand of choice for the community and culture of the automotive enthusiast”.
Background:
SMS Limited Lifestyle Performance Automobiles™
SMS Limited
We are a niche volume manufacturer of lifestyle ultra high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. We design, engineer, test, certify, manufacture and assemble all our vehicles and products with passion, precision and technology. We race, we win, and we succeed.

SMS Limited Corporate Directors

Steve Saleen, Chairman, CEO – As a professional race driver and innovative businessman, Steve is well known as the founder of numerous Steve Saleen Brands including Saleen Autosport in 1983, Saleen Productions in 1993, Saleen Speedlab in 1997, Saleen Performance in 1999, Saleen, Inc. in 2001 and now SMS Limited in 2008. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, product development, sales and marketing. SMS Limited is launched as the pinnacle brand in the Steve Saleen portfolio.
Billy Tally, Chief Technology Officer – Billy Tally has been heavily involved in motorcycle and automotive racing as well as in automotive production for over 25 years. His extensive hands on approach to powertrain design and development, engine development, vehicle dynamics and emerging technologies have led the programs to countless pole positions, wins, championships and to commercial success. Billy has worked closely with Mr. Saleen for over 10 years and was responsible for the engineering of the Saleen S7 as well as the numerous programs that have followed.
Phil Frank, Chief Creative Officer – Phil Frank, an innovative and
creative designer has been involved in the automotive, product and environment
design world for over fifteen years. His talents and capabilities are broad and
deep, spanning the field of innovation, conceptualization, design, CAD
development, tooling, engineering, management and marketing. Phil was
responsible for the design and development of all the Saleen vehicles since
1994, including the S7. He was also instrumental in the design and storytelling
in the Saleen Store as well.

SMS Limited Core Competencies

SMS Limited Services
SMS Limited consulting services deliver world class expertise in the world
of design, engineering, testing, certification, manufacturing and assembly for
our client’s vehicles and products. Our team consists of icons and innovators
from the world of specialty vehicle performance, design and manufacturing.
Past Vehicle Programs
In his automotive career, Steve Saleen has created, produced and marketed
numerous groundbreaking specialty vehicles and programs such as the Saleen S7, four generations of Saleen S281 Mustangs, Saleen S121 Focus, Saleen S331 Sport Truck, Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition, and has overseen the engineering, development and manufacturing of the Ford GT. Further capabilities include show car and movie car development for such block buster films as “Transformers”.
Design, Engineering, Testing and Certification
Our design and engineering development teams collaborate to ensure that
every component, feature and function is designed to exude quality and to exceed the highest industry standards. From the first sketch to the first production part to the final certification we work as a team to develop innovative solutions in a timely and cost effective manner for ourselves and for our clients.
Manufacturing, Assembly and Production
Our manufacturing and assembly teams collaborate regularly with our
engineering development team to ensure that the appropriate processes, tooling,
sourcing and timing are considered early in every program. This sharing of ideas
throughout the business also ensures that every aspect of a program is
considered and understood by the entire enterprise to keep the team working towards the common goal.
World Headquarters
Our 150,000 square foot R&D facility is designed for collaboration, efficiency and security. The state-of-the-art-design, development, prototype, machining, testing and composites groups support our clients, our manufacturing, our production and our race team. The parts we race with are the parts we produce our cars with. We are the brand of choice for the community and culture of the automotive enthusiast.
SOURCE: Saleen via TheMustangSource
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Old 03-18-2008, 01:47 AM   #2
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SWWEEEEEEEET!!! I knew he was doing something with that big ol' empty warehouse that he'd had for a couple of months!
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Old 03-18-2008, 01:50 AM   #3
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I read about this couple of days ago, and I still don't know what all this means.
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Old 03-18-2008, 01:53 AM   #4
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It means he's back to his usual sort of tuning business, but is no longer limited to Ford. At least that's what I'm hoping. Perhaps he'll tie in his odd connection to the Chinese pickups with this somehow.
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Old 03-18-2008, 01:58 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by 79TA View Post
Perhaps he'll tie in his odd connection to the Chinese pickups with this somehow.
I hope not. The last thing I want is V8 powered super trucks disintegrating into trees all over CA.
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Old 03-18-2008, 02:03 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by HeilSvenska View Post
I hope not. The last thing I want is V8 powered super trucks disintegrating into trees all over CA.
I'm not sure I follow.
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Old 03-18-2008, 02:05 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by 79TA View Post
I'm not sure I follow.
Saleen-ified Chinese tru... nevermind.
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Old 03-18-2008, 02:37 AM   #8
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Boardroom coup ousts Chamco executives
Diana T. Kurylko
Automotive News
March 10, 2008 - 12:01 am ET



Directors of Chamco Auto, a company formed to sell Chinese vehicles in the United States, have ousted two top executives and a powerful consultant alleged in lawsuits to be the company's de facto leader.

The directors on Monday, March 3, installed a new executive team, and top officers and shareholders immediately filed a civil suit alleging fraud, mismanagement and diversion of corporate funds by the New Jersey company's former managers.

Fired by the board were Chairman Bill Pollack and President Sam Tropello. The board also severed ties with consultant E. Michael Daspin, husband of the privately owned company's largest shareholder. Two lawsuits by former Chamco employees allege Daspin ran the company but his role was concealed to cover up a past felony fraud conviction that would inhibit the company's ability to sign up dealers.

The shareholders' suit alleges Daspin and others diverted corporate funds to other companies they owned; issued Chamco stock without authorization to friends, family and associates; and mismanaged the company.

The suit was filed in New Jersey Superior Court. No date has been set for a hearing.

In an e-mail, Pollack called the board's actions "illicit attempts to bankrupt our company and expropriate our assets." Pollack contended he is still in charge of Chamco.

The directors say Chamco is headed by Mario Ferla, a former Fiat executive brought in last October as CEO. Ferla now adds the title of chairman. Thomas Del Franco, a former Audi and Mazda executive who had been Chamco's COO, was named president by the board.

Chamco, short for China America Cooperative Automotive Inc., has said it will begin selling a Chinese-made pickup and SUV next year, plus a car and crossover later. The vehicles will be built by Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Co.

Chamco says the vehicles will be sold through a network of 75 dealers. The company says it has signed 37 dealers.

Ferla said about 30 dealers who took part in a conference call Friday, March 7, expressed support for the new management team




http://www.chamcocorp.com/

This is supposed to counter what the other chamco site said. Its like a civil war at that place.
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Old 03-18-2008, 02:50 AM   #9
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Oh that's a big mess.

http://www.chamcoauto.com/company/?aID=exec
vs
http://www.chamcocorp.com/ourStaff.html

So, does that mean that my Chamco Pickup 302 Extreme's not yet on the table?
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