Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines buys DAS from Nissan

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines buys DAS from Nissan    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines will acquire a 50 percent share of Distribution and Auto Service Inc. (DAS) from Nissan North America Inc. for an undisclosed amount on April 30.
   The remaining 50 percent share will be bought by Manuel Antelo, president of Car One Argentina, and a member of the board of directors of Renault Argentina.
   Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines will assume operational responsibility with Christopher J. Connor, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines America president, becoming chief executive officer of Wilmington, Calif.-based DAS.
   Included in the acquisition is DAS subsidiary Annacis Auto Terminals (1997) Ltd, located in Delta, British Columbia.
   DAS and Annacis Auto Terminals employ 1,200 and handle 1.6 million vehicles annually. Wallenius Wilhelmsen said it has no plans for changes in employment levels or core operations.
   “The acquisition of DAS is a significant step forward in our global logistics strategy, and creates a new, independent finished vehicle logistics company in North America,” Connor said. “The scale and scope of the existing DAS network will provide an excellent opportunity for us to develop efficient distribution solutions for other automobile manufacturers in the competitive North American market.”