Pirelli Will Not Build Indian Plant
Pirelli S.p.A. says it has no plans to build a new tyre plant in India, denying the news item in earlier reports that it may be looking at that possibility. Pirelli’s published statement was to the point: “The Pirelli Group has no plans to build a new factory in India for tyre production.”
Continue ReadingSlovakia Scrambles to Mend Hankook Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) Reports say that Slovakian government officials are trying to meet with Hankook Tire Co to see if a deal to bring a 500 million euro tyre plant to that country can be salvaged. Earlier this week, government ministers rejected an incentive plan previously offered to lure the South Korean tyre maker to that country. According to the Slovak Spectator, Economy Minister Pavol Rusko was expected to meet with Hankook officials yesterday to discuss “an acceptable amount of investment incentives.” The rejected incentive plan would have provided nearly 300 million euros in infrastructure improvements and tax breaks, said the newspaper.
Continue ReadingPirelli Working to Beat Michelin.
Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has predicted that they will have a ‘real chance’ to win in Argentina next weekend - and has announced that the team will introduce a new tyre at the Rally Finland in August.
Continue ReadingMcLaren Win British Grand Prix
McLaren driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Montoya reportedly told his McLaren team he was going to win the Grand Prix and beat Fernando Alonso before the race started. According to race commentators he did both in style.
Continue ReadingMany Drivers ‘Fail to Check Tyres’
As many as two million motorists in the UK are putting their lives at risk by never checking their tyre pressure or tread, according to a survey launched by the RAC foundation today. The warning comes at the start of “National Think Before You Drive Month”, which is launched by the RAC Foundation in association with the FIA Foundation, Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingTyre Collection Services Suffers Fire
More than 50 fire-fighters from across the midlands tackled a fire at Tyre Collection Services Ltd on the Walsall/Sandwell border at the end of June. Around 500 tyres were involved at the height of the fire in Western Way, Moxley. Bosses at the firm blame arsonists for the fire, local news sources have reported.
Continue ReadingMotoGP Welcomes Back Laguna Track
MotoGP has welcomed a new challenge with the re-launch of the American Laguna Seea race. This time however, the circuit that staged its last GP eleven years ago, will host 990 cc-MotoGP bikes. The Laguna Seca circuit is known for its steep ascents, tight corners, fast direction changes and the famous drop-off zone as well as a notorious Corkscrew and a blind downhill S-curve.
Continue ReadingMAK’s Matrix5 Mirror
Italian wheel producer MAK has launched the Matrix5 Mirror. The wheel’s new sporty design is characterised by the unusual colour of the spokes; a diamond finishing touch. Aimed at young drivers that want to accessorise their cars the wheel will be available in two sizes 8J17 and 8J18 in September. MAK produces its wheels through a casting system with a sliding mould. Its products are made with aluminium light alloy, which weighs 20 per cent less than any similar product says the company.
Continue ReadingPneu Laurent Quits Passenger Retreads
Michelin subsidiary Pneu Laurent has terminated the production of passenger car retreads at its Avallon factory in France. The decision comes exactly 50 years after the company first entered the business. The company’s sales figures have decreased in the past few years due to the low prices of new tyres, particularly those coming from the Far East. Pneu Laurent maintains that every one of the 22 workers involved in the division will be relocated within the company. It is not the first company to withdraw from the segment and follows Reiff Reifen, which has also ended the production of passenger car retreads due to the declining trend in the market.
Continue ReadingSmarTire Reorganises Management
SmarTire Systems has reorganised its senior management team. President and CEO Robert Rudman has resigned and will serve SmarTire as both the non-executive chairman of the board and as a consultant to the company. Chief operating officer Al Kozak will take his place. The general manager of the companys European operations, Nigel Hammond, has also been promoted to the new position of managing director, SmarTire (Europe). Rudman said, As SmarTire enters its next major stage of development, it is necessary that all members of our senior management team have the responsibility and authority to focus their unique skill sets on the opportunities and challenges ahead. In my particular case, I can best serve SmarTire as the chairman of the board and consultant to the company. With the completion of the major financing that we announced yesterday, SmarTire now has the capital resources to execute on its strategic plan, an area in which I will play an active role. In addition, I will continue to be the companys primary representative to the investment community.
Continue ReadingYokohama Win WTCC Contract
Yokohama Rubber has been appointed as the official tyre supplier to the World Touring Car Championship. The manufacturer will replace Michelin for the 2006 season. The company will also supply the control tyre for the first FIA European Touring Car Cup to be held this October at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.
Continue ReadingTVS’ Ambitious Plans
TVS Tyres is set to increase its tyre exports. The Indian company, which has just launched seven new tyres into the market, expects exports to account for 40 per cent of its total turnover. It is also planning to increase its two wheeler tyre production by 15 per cent. “At present our exports, of solid tyres only, contribute 15 percent to the total turnover. We have already established our presence in Europe, West Asia and Africa and are proceeding to the US and neighbouring countries,” said S Balasubramanian, VP, marketing of the company.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein Secure Investment
Amtel has secured a sum of private equity capital totaling US $70 million (£40 million). Following its recent acquisition of Vredestein the company has arranged equity financing from two leading groups, Alfa Group and Temasek Holdings, representing both domestic and international investors.
Continue ReadingBFNAT Workers May Strike
(Akron/Tire Review) Union workers at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) truck tyre plant in Warren County, Tennessee, say they plan to go out on strike 22 July unless they receive a better master contract offer from the Nashville, Tennessee-based manufacturer.
Continue ReadingNew Pattern For Sonar Brand
Nankang Rubber Tyre Co Ltd has launched a new pattern for its Sonar brand. According to the company the Sonar SX1 is aimed at the high performance market, and the company is planning to introduce new sales channels in across Europe countries in 2005. Sizes will also be enlarged to between 15 and 19 inches in order to cater for demand form tuning shops.
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