Business Briefs; Chrysler may pick up Yucca facility

Compiled from staff reports and press releases

Ford announced in January that it will scale back operation at its testing facility near Yucca. Now comes word that other auto manufacturers may be looking at the site.

Mary Beth Halperin, spokesperson for DaimlerChrysler said the company is looking at “all options” when it comes to a proving grounds in Arizona.

“We haven't made any decisions. We are intending to stay in Arizona but beyond that we haven't made any decisions,” Halperin said. “I can confirm that we are looking at all options for a proving ground.”

Last year DaimlerChrysler sold its Phoenix proving grounds to a land developer and has been leasing use of the facility until another can be found or developed. That lease will expire this summer.

On Jan. 26, Ford announced it would be selling or scaling back operations at the Arizona Proving Grounds.

“We've been looking at this for some time as a way to consolidate testing facilities in North America. It's too early to say where when and how that will be implemented,” said Ford spokesman Said Deep.

The Arizona Proving Grounds provides an estimated economic impact to Lake Havasu City of $4.4 million annually via 40 jobs held by residents as well as money spent in the city on hotels and restaurants by Ford officials.

Hualapai Tribe to unveil Skywalk

The Hualapai Tribe's Glass Bridge Skywalk on the Canyon at Grand Canyon West will open to the public on March 28 with considerable fanfare.

According to a Grand Canyon West brochure, the Glass Bridge will be suspended more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the edge of the Grand Canyon. That's more than three times as high as the Empire State Building.

There will be a private media event held on March 20 during which astronaut Buzz Aldrin will take the first walk above the Grand Canyon. “Current day astronauts will be on hand on March 28 when The Skywalk opens to the public,” Raskansky said. “Mohave County residents will also receive a 25 percent discount during and after the March 28 opening. From that day forward, one Mohave County identification card will be good for up to four people in case someone wants to bring out-of-area guests.”

Mohave County residents can reach Grand Canyon West by taking Highway 93 north to Dolan Springs/Meadview City/Pierce Ferry Road exit. They should follow Pierce Ferry Road to Diamond Bar Road (about 28 miles), turn right and stay on Diamond Bar to Grand Canyon West (21 miles).

For more information, call Destination Grand Canyon at (707) 878-WEST or (877) 716-9378.

Havasu car dealer vows

to win city contracts

More than a week after the Lake Havasu City Council gave the green light to buy Ford police cruisers from a dealer in Phoenix, Bradley Ford owner Mike Bradley said his dealership is committed to winning future contracts based on superior price and service, not local preference.

“I've got a great team, great product and great price,” he said.

Until this year when Lake Havasu City hired a central procurement officer, the Police Department sent out requests for proposals. Competition included dealers in Kingman and Phoenix, said Eric Peterson, Bradley's fleet manager.

Dealers can win city government business in one of two ways: submitting the lowest, responsive bid to a request-for-proposal or by being the state contract award winner.