Ford announced last September its partnership with AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based challenger for sailing's prestigious America's Cup trophy, in its quest to win the 2000 Cup in New Zealand. 

Computational fluid dynamics help both Ford and AmericaOne

Photo: Ford

Ford is providing AmericaOne world-class capabilities in computational fluid dynamics and finite element modeling for structural analysis of the yacht's rig, hull and appendages. AmericaOne’s design program is relying extensively upon Ford's Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) capabilities to support the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic components of the boats’ design analysis.
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Paul Cayard, CEO and Skipper America One

Photo: Ford

"AmericaOne’s efforts on three fronts made this America's Cup team the clear choice for Ford," said Neil Ressler, vice president, Advanced Vehicle Technology. "First, their program offered technological superiority in the early design and development work. Second, they have the best sailing talent imaginable with Skipper Paul Cayard, Tactician John Kostecki and the others on the team. And third, their other technology partners also bring to the team an environment that will challenge and stimulate the engineers we assign to the team. We’re confident that Ford will fortify AmericaOne’s boat design program and provide needed expertise to gain the best chance to represent America in this prestigious race."

A number of talented Ford engineers are working with the AmericaOne team and its technology partners, said Bill Powers, vice president - Research. "There is a close correlation between the work we do to make a car 'slippery' as it travels through the air down a highway and the work an America's Cup design team does to ensure the boat is slippery through the water," Powers said. "In fact, one of the team members from Research who has been assigned to work on this project has a PhD in Naval Architecture. Our people will bring a great deal of knowledge and expertise to this effort, and they in turn will learn from the total systems design experience." "Ford's computer-aided engineering capabilities will advance our analysis of different boat designs as we seek optimal strength characteristics with lightweight materials and a hydro-dynamic design," said Bob Billingham, chief operating officer of AmericaOne.

The America’s Cup The next America’s Cup will be held in Auckland, New Zealand in February and March 2000. Challengers will race in a selection series from October 1999 through February 2000 to select one challenger for the America's Cup match race against Team New Zealand. Sixteen challengers from 10 nations have met the requirements to race in the Challenger Selection Series. The racing will draw extensive worldwide TV coverage during the 16 weeks of competition.

"Bringing together the regional management for Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler brands in one location is an important step in the DaimlerChrysler integration process," said Theodor R. Cunningham, Executive Vice President – Latin America Sales and Marketing. "This will allow us to quickly implement synergies, reduce operating costs and maximize our sales, marketing and customer service support throughout Latin America."

DaimlerChrysler's Miami office will be headed by Myke Jacobs, Vice President for the Latin America Region. The office will provide sales, marketing, parts and service, human resources, communications, financial, legal and administrative support for Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Approximately 30 employees from DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills facility, plus additional staff from other areas of the company, will be relocated to Miami. They will join about 30 Mercedes-Benz Latina and 10 debis Financial Services employees already based there. The new office, located in downtown Miami, will be fully operational by January 2000.

DaimlerChrysler has a total of seven automotive and truck manufacturing facilities throughout Latin America (excluding Mexico, which is part of the company's North American operations). In 1998 sales in South America, the Caribbean and Central America totaled 8,000 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, 58,000 Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles and 49,500 Chrysler cars, Jeep sport utility vehicles and Dodge trucks. The region generated approximately US$ 3.4 billion in revenues for DaimlerChrysler.

At GM Powertrain (GMPT), Childers will be responsible for key media relations, daily news interface, internal communications and product communications. GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine and industrial original equipment manufacturers. Headquartered in Pontiac, Mich., GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for General Motors powertrain operations in the North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions, employing over 80,000 people globally.

Childers began her General Motors career in 1984 as a college intern and served in a number of assignments in both Communications and Human Resources. In 1986, she was promoted to writer for the Pontiac Motor Division. While there, Childers was assigned a number of communications positions with responsibilities for internal communications and special projects. In 1990, she was transferred to GM Powertrain where she had communications responsibility for passenger car powertrain plants and product publicity. In 1992, Childers was promoted to manager of Communications at GM Truck with communications responsibility for full size and commercial trucks and was a member of the full-size truck vehicle line executive team.

In 1996, she moved overseas as manager of Public Relations and Communications for GM China-Shanghai Operations. In 1998, Childers was promoted to director of Public Relations for GM China and served in that capacity until returning to the United States this year. She has a bachelor of science degree in Communications from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.