Uniwheels OE on new Audi A8 Hybrid
Uniwheels’ has been selected to provide OE wheels for the new Audi A8 Hybrid. The contract sees Uniwheels provide its “19-inch hybrid aluminium wheel”, which is said to offer an exclusive aerodynamic design.
Conti merges brakes & chassis divisions into vehicle dynamics unit
NewsEffective from the 1 September Continental AG has merged its Suspension Systems and Chassis Electronics segments into the Electronic Brake Systems business unit from the Chassis Components unit, which has been dissolved as far as an organizational structure is concerned. In line with the move the Electronic Brake Systems unit has been renamed Vehicle Dynamics.
ContiTrade Africa acquires Jody’s Tyre Group
NewsContiTrade Africa, a newly founded entity of Conti Global Holding, has bought eight Jody’s Tyre Group fitment stores in Johannesburg, South Africa. ContiTrade Africa is responsible for franchise and retail operations in Africa with two main systems, FIT&GO and Best Drive – some of which are company owned while others are franchise stores. Of the eight stores recently acquired three will be converted into FIT&GO and four into Best Drive with one store trading by the name, Jody’s Tyres.
Dunlop designs Opel Monza Concept tyres
NewsDunlop has developed tyres for the new Opel Monza Concept car, revealed at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt this week. Dunlop says that work on the concept tyre, in size 245/35R21, began in early 2013 and underwent a number of stages in collaboration with Opel to meet the car manufacturer’s expectations. The design features the same sleek lines found on the Monza Concept, enhancing the car’s overall look through the tyres and onto the ground.
“Dunlop and Opel design teams worked on the design and development of the tyre to ensure the tread matched the sleek shape of the car perfectly”, explains Helmut Fehl from Dunlop’s advanced design and development centre in Hanau, Germany. “Every detail of the tyre was discussed, evaluated and designed to meet the highest standards and expectations of the Opel team.”
Sailun encouraged by European truck market ‘progress’
NewsSailun says the last three years have seen it establish a stronger truck tyre presence in Europe, from what it describes as “a relatively very low” base. The company states that its approach has been through research and development, epitomised by the creation and growth of a 400-strong Technical Quality and Research Centre at its company-owned manufacturing plant in Qingdao.
GT Assist building brand confidence with Manchester dealer
NewsThe GT Radial brand has made much well-documented progress within the UK commercial vehicle tyre market over the past few years, and in December 2012, its manufacturer Giti Tire’s UK operation began rolling out a commercial vehicle roadside service assistance programme. Now in the third quarter of 2013, GT Assist has developed to consist of a network of approximately 220 dealer partner depots covering the UK and Ireland. Tyres & Accessories visited one of GT Radial’s longest standing customers in the UK, Manchester independent family business Tyre Save, to discuss the roadside service assistance programme with sales and marketing director Truck and Bus Tony McHugh and regional sales manager Truck and Bus Steve McDonald from GiTi Tire (UK) and Tyre Save owner Mark Davies and manager Stewart Little.
US tyre demand showing ‘signs of recovery’
NewsTyre demand is picking up in the US, according to analysts and industry associations alike. Industry body RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) estimates that US light vehicle replacement tyre shipments increased 7.1 per cent year-on-year in August. US replacement commercial truck tyre volumes were estimated to be up 3 per cent year-on-year.
Cabot China output up 25 per cent
NewsCabot Corporation has said that its Chinese “output capacity” will rise 25 per ecnt along with the operation of a plant in Xingtai, Hebei province. However the company is also quoted by local news sources as saying that it will not seek to go public and make acquisitions in China.
Maxxis named on Forbes' 'Asia Fab 50' list
NewsFor the second year running, Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd, trading as Maxxis International, has been named one of Asia's Fab 50 companies by Forbes magazine.
In explaining Maxxis' inclusion on the list, Forbes cited the company's record revenue in 2012, boosted by demand in emerging markets including Indonesia, China and India. Forbes also noted that Maxxis' net profit grew by 86 per cent last year to $530 million.
Boost for Jaguar Land Rover at Frankfurt show
NewsAt the Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover announced an investment approaching £1.5 billion to introduce an all-new technically-advanced aluminium vehicle architecture in forthcoming models. To support this strengthening of the Jaguar product portfolio 1,700 new jobs will be created in the UK at the company's advanced manufacturing facility in Solihull.
Italmatic and Tesco of America enter joint venture
NewsItalmatic Group has entered into a Joint Venture with Tesco of America Inc., the US based supplier to the automotive and tyre sector. The joint venture will be renamed as Tesco Italmatic LLC, with headquarters in Oakland Park, Florida, USA. According to the company, the partnership will focus on “making a strong statement for the distribution of Italmatic products in the North, Central and South American regions, offering a wide and complete range of products and services.”
Infinity holds first German Partner Conference
NewsThe Al Dobowi Group has initiated an annual Infinity German Partner Conference, having presented the Infinity Tyres programme and discussed new distribution strategies with a select group of German tyre retailers, distributors and journalists at Aschaffenburg’s Schloss Hotel in Bavaria. Infinity Tyres were introduced to the European market nine years ago, and the brand’s owner and global distributor expects a complete new passenger range for 2014 to bring faster year on year sales growth, especially in technically demanding markets such as Germany.
One-stop Vettel makes Italian GP ‘straight-forward’
NewsSebastian Vettel won a 32nd career victory at the Italian Grand Prix in uncomplicated fashion, using only two sets of Pirelli’s tyres in the exclusive supplier’s home race. Fernando Alonso, with whom Vettel shares that career wins total, also used a one-stop strategy in his Ferrari to get second place, having started from fifth on the grid, meaning that he limited Vettel’s championship lead to 53 points – likely too much to make up already.
AA trials universal spare wheel too
Product News, UK NewsThe AA reports that it is the latest motoring organisation to be trialling the use of a 'universal spare wheel'. At the same time the company revealed data relating to spare tyre usage. A survey of 22,827 AA members revealed that close to a fifth (17 per cent) of members do not have a spare wheel in their car. The innovative wheel fits the majority of modern cars with a five-stud wheel. The 17” alloy uses a system of special adaptors of ten different sizes to find the best fit.
New chief executive for DVLA
NewsOliver Morley has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Morley will take up the post in November. The current interim chief executive, Malcolm Dawson, will continue as planned in his role until then. Department for Transport permanent secretary Philip Rutnam said: "I am very pleased to welcome Oliver Morley to the Department. He brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role.
