What began a century ago as a simple furniture polish laboratory and plant in the garage of founder Frank Meguiar, Jr., now spans over 100 years of Meguiar family stewardship. Meguiar's, Inc. has become one of the world's leading surface care products companies, providing highly specialized products for almost every conceivable type of surface.The company produces a variety of automotive care products, including soaps, chrome polishes, carnauba waxes, and vinyl and leather conditioners. It also makes microfiber chamois, towels, and pads that can be used on air and electric polishers. Products are available at major auto parts retailers such as AutoZone and O'Reilly Automotive, as well as through Meguiar's online store. In addition to its car care offerings, the company produces syndicated TV and radio show Car Crazy, which caters to automobile enthusiasts and is hosted by Barry Meguiar, CEO and the founder's grandson. Meguiar's was founded in 1901. 3M acquired the company in 2008.

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) is the parent of Subaru of America, the automotive company known for its all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology found in cross-over vehicles (a sedan drive with SUV looks), such as the Forester and Outback, and in the Impreza, Legacy, and Tribeca models. Through almost 70 subsidiaries, FHI manufactures in China, Japan, Taiwan, and the US, where it operates through Subaru of America. Other FHI businesses include Aerospace (aircraft and structural components), Industrial Products (general-purpose engines), and Eco Technologies (sanitation trucks and wind power systems).

American Service Center is exclusively German. The company sells new and used Mercedes-Benz (and only Mercedes) automobiles in the Arlington, Virginia, area. The company also leases cars and does brake work, tire rotation, wheel alignment, periodic scheduled maintenance, and other services as well as collision repair. Its Web site -- jusstmercedes.com -- offers inventory search, car repair tracking, service scheduling, parts ordering, and financing applications. As part of the customer service one might expect from Mercedes, American Service Center calls customers to remind them when their car is due for its 7,500-, 15,000-, or 30,000-mile check up. The company was founded in 1937 by Saul Brooks and Saul Gordon.

Auto dealerships in Minnesota take a backseat to Lupient Automotive Group. The company, operating about 10 dealerships, is the largest auto dealer in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Lupient Automotive sells a variety of models, including those made by Chrysler, General Motors, Kia, and Nissan. The company is also one of the nation's leading dealerships in terms of fleet sales and offers title and license administration and nationwide delivery. Founded in 1968 by chairman James Lupient as an Oldsmobile dealership, Lupient Automotive also performs warranty, maintenance, and service work. The company is owned by its chairman and CEO James Lupient.

CalsonicKansei North America's business tends to run hot and cold - which is a good thing. The Nissan-affiliated company makes car air conditioning and heating systems, exhaust systems, radiators, cooling fans, and other related automotive components. The company also offers services including engineering, testing and development, as well as testing labs. CalsonicKansei North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan's Calsonic Kansei Corporation (which itself is about 40% controlled by Nissan Motor Co.). The company began operations in 1976 at a plant in Irvine, California. Today CalsonicKansei has about 10 factories in Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee, as well as in Mexico.

Dutton-Lainson has something for everyone who labors. The company manufactures and sells equipment for marine, industrial, auto, and agriculture markets around the world. Its manufacturing arm turns out anchors, winches, couplers, and fence stretchers, fuel filers, jacks, and trailer accessories, as well as wheel bearings and protectors. Custom manufacturing services handle metal stamping, machining, and finishing, tooling and dying, welding and brazing. Printing services, offered by its Cornhusker Press, include electronic prepress, design and layout, brochures, and business forms. Founded in 1886, Dutton-Lainson grew from a harness and horse collar shop. It is owned and led by members of the Lainson family.

Environmental Solutions Worldwide (ESW) is concerned, worldwide pollution control starts in your garage. The company makes catalytic converters and related products for engines used in automotive, off-road, and industrial applications. ESW's products can be used on engines that run on diesel, gasoline, or alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas. Among ESW's products are catalyzed substrates, which are a major component of catalytic converters.

Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star of Arizona sells and services Freightliner heavy trucks, including Freightliner's Sterling and Western Star brands. The company operates three dealerships -- located in Chandler, Flagstaff, and Tolleson, Arizona -- that sell new and used trucks. Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star of Arizona was formerly known as Cunningham Commercial Vehicles. But former owner and president Bob Cunningham was named president and COO of Phoenix-based truckload carrier Swift Transportation in 2004, and he sold the company in order to avoid any conflict of interest between the business and his new employer, a major purchaser of commercial trucks.

AUDI gets about three-quarters of its sales in Europe. Even if you were born with an innie, you can still have an Audi . . . automobile. A subsidiary of Volkswagen, AUDI manufactures premium automobiles with a lineup including its A-series cars and Q5 and Q7 SUVs. Other models include the TTS Roadster, TT Coupe, the S4, and an all-wheel-drive A6 allroad quattro wagon. The company also makes armor-plated security vehicles. Audi Financial Services provides financing for leasing and purchasing vehicles, offers an Audi Visa Signature credit card, and handles insurance through Liberty Mutual. Italy-based Automobili Lamborghini, which makes the extravagant Murcielago and Gallardo, is an AUDI subsidiary.

Spectra Inc. (Spectra) is a vertically integrated manufacturer and supplier of innovative products and services to the Commercial Transportation Industry and the Professional Trucker. Spectra is a publicly traded company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: SSA). Spectra’s product line is aimed at improving fleet safety, reducing maintenance costs and improving operational productivity within the commercial trucking industry.

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