New Recruit at Bandvulc
Bandvulc Tyres has appointed Mandi Ingram as office operations manager. Her responsibilities will include improving the efficiency and effectiveness of systems and procedures within the accounts department and the Bandvulc Tyre Contracts (BTC) fleet division. The role will also require her to deal with personnel issues and the recruitment of office staff. “I’m determined to drive Bandvulc forward by focusing on operations at the grass roots level, so that it can become the best that it can be,” said the new office operations manager. “It’s been quite a challenge starting with zero tyre knowledge and I’m on a steep learning curve but once the new systems and procedures are in place, my vision for BTC to attain the ISO 9000 quality standard will be realised,” she added.
Continue ReadingIndian Truck and Bus Tyre Production Up
(India/Rubber Asia) Truck and bus tyre production continues to increase and now accounts for 65 per cent of the total turnover of the industry in terms of value. Recently released January 2005 figures show that, in terms of volume, total production is just below the million unit mark – standing at 947,000 compared with 934,000 a year ago. Passenger car tyres production in India reached 1.06 million units, while LCV tyre production for January stood at 353,000 units. The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association figures show that some 221,000 units were exported.
Continue ReadingMOT Industry Calls for Reduced MOT Test Fees
The MOT Trade Forum is urging the Minister of Transport, David Jamieson, to amend the MOT Test fee structure and introduce a reduced but mandatory fee and a new scale of re-test charges. The Forum’s membership represents the interests of the country’s 19,500 MOT testing stations and has proposed a complete overhaul of the MOT Test fee structure that would both reward motorists who keep their vehicles in good condition and encourage those running badly maintained and potentially dangerous vehicles to improve their maintenance standards.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Plans to add $300 Million to New Financing
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has announced that is proposes to add a $300 million third-lien secured term loan facility. The financing, due in March 2011, is in addition to new credit facilities of about $3.35 billion maturing in 2010. The $300 million financing, which is being arranged by JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank Securities, will be secured equally with existing secured bonds due in 2011 and is expected to close in April, the company said.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Makes ‘In Roads’
ATS Euromaster has introduced a new customer reward scheme in a bid to strengthen its support for managers of small to medium size fleets. The ‘In Roads’ scheme, which is being supported by Michelin, is designed to provide an extensive package of business and driver benefits, explains the company. Dedicated support packages will be offered covering duty of care, specialist technical advice, a business fund redeemable against business products and services and a clear environmental policy. Regular reports and statements will also be provided together with fleet management software.
Continue ReadingCooper Launches Discoverer ATR
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has introduced the Cooper Discoverer ATR, a new line of light truck/SUV radials that the company says “offers uncompromising on and off-road performance, going beyond ordinary all-terrain tyres.”
Continue ReadingDunlop Sponsor BTCC
Dunlop will be the title sponsor of the MSA British Touring Car Championship for the next three years. As the sole tyre supplier to the BTCC for the past two seasons this latest agreement extends the relationship and reinforces the manufacturer’s brand marketing programme.
Continue ReadingAlonso Takes Malaysia Victory
Michelin equipped Fernando Alonso dominated the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, winning by 24.3 seconds. Jarno Trulli, who scored Toyotas first podium in Formula 1, took second place. Williams Nick Heidfeld was third with Juan Pablo Montoya fourth for McLaren. David Coulthard was sixth ahead of Michael Schumacher, who started 13th, while Jenson Button retired after three laps with engine failure. Seventh place Schumacher was the only Bridgestone driver to end up in the top eight, with teammate Rubens Barrichello retiring.
Continue ReadingThe UK’s Top Technicians Step Up
The tension is rising for the 12 potential ‘Top Technicians’ who will battle it out at next month’s Automotive Trade Show. Once named, the winner will be able to choose from a wide variety of prizes, including holidays, VIP tickets, motor sport events, tools, equipment or formal training opportunities.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Results Contain ‘Surprises’
Although Goodyears earnings were roughly as expected Goodyear’s recent positive results contained some surprises, Deutsche Bank analysts have reported. Despite 4 per cent growth in unit sales and an 8 per cent increase in average transaction prices, Goodyear was only marginally profitable in its North American tyre division in the fourth quarter, say the analysts. “We have doubts about Goodyear Tires’ ability to cut costs, increase volume, or improve variable margins in this region. In fact, there was evidence that cost cutting is losing steam,” they said adding: “Our model suggests that first half EPS will be close to breakeven. Improvement in the second half requires significant ramp up of cost savings.”
Continue ReadingMore Tyre Safety Statistics
The TIC has released further results from last year’s roadside tyre checks that highlight an increase in the number of defective tyres on Britain’s roads. West Midlands Police has revealed a disappointing seven per cent rise to 17 per cent in the number of cars and vans with defective tyres on the county’s roads.
Continue ReadingMWS to Launch Forged Aluminium CV Wheel
MOTOR Wheel Service Group, the Manchester-based independent distributor of commercial vehicle wheels, will be launching a full range of forged alloy wheels at this year’s CV Show. According to the company, the new forged alloy wheels are exclusive to the MWS Group and will increase the comprehensive range of wheels already stocked by MWS. The company did not release details of where or which company will produce the wheels.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Gains New OE Fitments
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear tyres will be fitted on the popular Toyota Prius hybrid and have also earned fitment on the new Pontiac Solstice. Goodyear Integrity radials (size P185/65R15) are OE on the 2004 Prius, the fast-selling hybrid vehicle in America. The petrol/electric hybrid delivers 55 mpg on average, according to Toyota. The 2006 Solstice, a two-seat roadster that is expected to reach Pontiac dealers later this year, will feature P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-As, the tyre manufacturer said.
Continue ReadingAdvan on TV
(Fullerton, California/Tire Review) Yokohama Tire Corp has premiered its new Advan brand television commercial on the Speed Channel. The commercial was aired multiple times during the network’s replay of the 12 Hours of Sebring 2005 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) event. “We believe Advan will reinstate Yokohama as the premier ultra-high performance consumer tyre-maker,” said Art Michalik, director of marketing communications for Yokohama.
Continue ReadingTen Great Myths – The Case for Passenger Tyre Retreading
The last issue of Tyres & Accessories carried an in-depth article analysing the future of passenger tyre retreading in Europe. Contrary to the current prevailing opinion, the RMA believes that the passenger retreading sector is far from dead. Indeed, the association believes the overall pessimistic view of the prospects for passenger retreading is based on the failure of the retreading industry to effectively explain the role and position that passenger retreads are capable of having as well as a misunderstanding of the kind of sales levels required by the retreading industry in order to create a viable business proposition for the UK’s remaining retreaders. This viewpoint, I believe, is perpetuated by ten key misconceptions, which I have characterised here as “The Ten Great Myths of Passenger Tyre Retreading”.
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