New Aftermarket Firm Streetcar USA Launches: Establishes Key Alignment with Jeep Conversion and Aftermarket Company American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)

Streetcar USA, LLC, a new Detroit-based aftermarket automotive supplier, announces a key strategic alignment with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a legendary supplier of rugged, high-quality aftermarket parts for Jeeps for many years. By creating partnerships with creative and visionary aftermarket suppliers like AEV, Foose Design, 3D Carbon, and Element 114, Streetcar will help bring the industry's finest innovations to a wider market through a streamlined engineering and low-volume manufacturing process, plus a coordinated marketing, sales and distribution effort.

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) December 2, 2006 -- Streetcar USA, LLC, a new Detroit-based automotive aftermarket supplier, has bolstered its product line with the announcement of a new strategic alignment with Missoula, Montana-based American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).

AEV (www.aev-conversions.com), winner of four DaimlerChrysler Design Excellence Awards since 1997, has become legend within the dedicated Jeep-driving community for rugged and stylish aftermarket parts, custom wheels and performance conversions for several Jeep models. AEV's product development and engineering operation will continue to be directed from Missoula by AEV founder and President Dave Harriton. Harriton will now be able to direct all of his attention to product innovation, quality control and seamless cohesion with Jeep designs that built AEV's sterling reputation.

Established in 2006 by rising Detroit automotive star Michael Chetcuti and financier Michael Collins, Streetcar USA plans an aggressive strategy for growth in the automotive aftermarket industry. By creating partnerships with creative and visionary aftermarket suppliers like AEV, Streetcar will bring the industry's finest innovations to a wider market through a streamlined engineering and low-volume manufacturing process, plus a coordinated marketing, sales and distribution effort.

While traditional automotive suppliers in Detroit are closing shop or moving their manufacturing elsewhere, Streetcar is bullish on Detroit's capacity to adapt to fast-changing automotive trends, particularly in the aftermarket. The firm plans to bring a dynamic new presence to the flourishing aftermarket industry, projecting Motor City attitude from its headquarters in a newly-renovated, 100-year-old former power plant that once propelled streetcars up Detroit's famed Woodward Avenue.

In addition to AEV, Streetcar also plans to continue to build on longstanding relationships with aftermarket heavy-hitters like Foose Design, 3D Carbon and Element 114.

As regular attendees of the massive aftermarket trade show of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Streetcar's Chetcuti and Collins are convinced that the industry will continue to grow as consumers seek to modify and individualize their OE-built vehicles.

"There are some brilliant designers at SEMA who lack the engineering and production capacity to fully develop and market their concepts," Chetcuti said. "Streetcar plans to give them OEM-quality engineering and manufacturing assistance, plus access to wider channels of distribution."

Carl Sheffer, SEMA Vice President of OEM Relations, adds that "the key to success in the aftermarket industry is in a company's ability to deliver products with OE-level durability, reliability and quality. Michael Chetcuti's companies have been setting those benchmark standards for several years."

Among AEV's offerings at November's SEMA 2006 was a production-ready Jeep WranglerTJ pickup conversion called "Brute." Available in early 2007 as a shipment-direct "kit" for garage hobbyists, or as a turnkey conversion built-to-spec by AEV, the Brute is a bold, rugged pickup that marks the return to American roads and trails of the tough, hard-core utility truck that has virtually disappeared. Eye-popping on the street and -- with the addition of an AEV Hemi conversion -- a powerful box of fun on rocks and trails, the Brute will turn heads from Manhattan to Moab.

In addition to the Brute and Hemi conversions, AEV builds parts for several Jeep makes and models, including AEV alloy wheels for Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander and the new JK Wrangler; a complete line of fully-integrated accessories for the JK Wrangler, including an aggressively styled heat reduction hood; and the new award-winning High-Lift fender and hood kit for TJ Wrangler, which allows for larger wheels without jacking up the frame.

Streetcar intends to warehouse and ship all AEV parts and wheels, as well as perform all Brute, Hemi, and other conversions to customer order, from a newly-established southeast Michigan facility.

For further information on Streetcar USA, contact Dave Collins at 248.225.7759, or by e-mail; for orders and further information on American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), contact Kent Klein at 406.251.2100, or by e-mail.

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