Sika Automotive Enjoys Quiet Success With PT Cruiser Content

              Providing NVH solutions for the Neon gave Chrysler
                      the inside track on the PT Cruiser

    MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 24 Introduced as a concept
car at the 1999 Detroit International Auto Show, the PT Cruiser later was
deemed a hit and last year was named Motor Trend 2001 Car of the Year.  While
it is said that success has many fathers, in this case it also has many
beneficiaries especially among the suppliers who provided parts and content
for the vehicle.  Among the suppliers sharing the windfall is Sika Automotive
based in Madison Heights, Michigan.
    Sika Automotive, a division of Sika Corporation, is an industry leader in
the development and production of high-performance specialty acoustic, bonding
and sealing systems.  Sika produces approximately 30% of the baffles used in
North American vehicles to reduce noise and vibration characteristics.  Sika's
engineers were involved in the PT Cruiser development from the start and
consequently there is more Sika content on the PT Cruiser than Sika had
previously supplied on any other vehicle.
    When DaimlerChrysler introduced the Neon in 1995, Sika Automotive had two
components on the vehicle.  Even though the Neon was a "wildly popular"
vehicle, customers complained and car reviewers wrote about the Neon's
problems with excessive road noise.  Chrysler turned to Sika Automotive for
help on the Neon's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) issues.  Sika
Engineers worked with the Neon team to develop NVH solutions for the Neon and
had approximately eight baffles located on the vehicle in all major pillar
locations.  Reviews for the 1999 Neon noted the improvement in NVH
characteristics and DaimlerChrysler turned to Sika for NVH solutions on a new
concept car to be based on the Neon small-car platform.
    A quieter ride is an important goal for Sika Automotive products.  As a
full partner in the process, from design to validation to production, Sika
Automotive provides unique NVH solutions that meet automaker objectives for
quality, effectiveness, cost efficiency and productivity.
    "We're not terribly worried about the downturn of the economy," said Bob
Myers, VP Sika Automotive, "especially when customers realize we can provide
acoustic solutions, in fact several automotive solutions at a relatively low
cost/high value.  Our solutions, in addition to being highly effective also
reduce vehicle weight and require minimum labor or assembly time."
    Sika Corporation is a subsidiary of the Sika Group.  The Sika Group, based
in Baar, Switzerland, is a worldwide leading company in the field of Specialty
Chemicals for Construction and Industrial Materials.  Sika Automotive, a
division of Sika Corporation based in Madison Heights is an industry leader in
the development and production of high-performance specialty acoustic, bonding
and sealing systems.  Sika Automotive provides automobile manufacturers with
proven expertise in effective and economical ways to improve interior sound
quality in vehicles worldwide.

Click here