Akebono: In talks to buy Bosch's N.America brake ops

[BellaBo]

Anybody have any comments regarding Akebono interest in Bosch? What if any effect it will have on Bosch's ability to provide replacement parts for us. I have also read that their are layoffs going on at Bosch.

[DriVer]

Bosch is the world's largest supplier of automotive parts and owns 11.3% of Akebono Brake.

[BellaBo]

TOKYO -- In July, aftermarketNews reported that Bosch was exploring the possibility of selling off parts of its North American brake business.

"Bosch has begun reviewing alternatives for its North American Foundation Brake Business, including discussions with a prospective buyer,” said an official statement from the company. Now, Reuters has reported that Akebono Brake of Japan could be that 'prospective buyer.'
According to the Reuters report, a spokesman for Akebono said the company wants to make a decision on the sale by the end of the year. While Akebono did not provide details on which businesses were being considered, the business Bosch looks to divest – its North America Foundation Brake Business – is part of Bosch’s North American brake division.

[rvjer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streamerman TOKYO -- In July, aftermarketNews reported that Bosch was exploring the possibility of selling off parts of its North American brake business. "Bosch has begun reviewing alternatives for its North American Foundation Brake Business, including discussions with a prospective buyer,” said an official statement from the company. Now, Reuters has reported that Akebono Brake of Japan could be that 'prospective buyer.' According to the Reuters report, a spokesman for Akebono said the company wants to make a decision on the sale by the end of the year. While Akebono did not provide details on which businesses were being considered, the business Bosch looks to divest – its North America Foundation Brake Business – is part of Bosch’s North American brake division.

Sounds like they may be looking for a way to get out of the "recall"

[mfire1339]

YUP. They're going to pull a monaco on us.

Mike

[BellaBo]

From what I've read, the brake foundation business is one of the the least profitable and I wouldn't think it would be very attractive to Akebono knowing they had to provide 400,000 new free calipers as part of the deal. Anything at this point would only be supposition until more facts come out.

[Brazels RV Performance]

Actually it's 200,000 but who's counting!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfire1339 YUP. They're going to pull a monaco on us.

Mike, the devil is in the details. Monaco LLC disowned MCC's warranty obligations. Disowning a Federal safety campaign on the other hand is not going to be quite as easy if not impossible. The campaign on the affected vehicles is irrevocable and must be resolved.

Bosch selling to Akebono will not absolve them from completing the terms listed in the 09V110000 NHTSA Campaign.

[-Gramps-]

The sale may be one of the ways they plan to pay for the recall.

[Davel]

One thing you have to be very careful about is trying to apply "logic" to what large organizations do. I spent 35 years at GM and it never seemed to work. The only thing it is likely to do is drive you a little "nuts".....I may be living proof.

Dave

[mfire1339]

Err. I thought it was Voluntary.

Mike

[BellaBo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazels RV Performance Actually it's 200,000 but who's counting!

Sorry, broke my calculator and ran out of toes and fingers

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfire1339 Err. I thought it was Voluntary.

Mike did you read the sticky at the top of the forum about the campaign? The NHTSA completed their investigation and assigned it a campaign ID. Workhorse instituted a voluntary campaign once Bosch and the Government arrived at a plan to resolve the problem. Workhorse is going to fix the problems and is ready and willing to do so however Bosch must supply the parts and NHTSA has to sign off on the design.