Road Safety Forum
The Auto Mobil International 2005 motor show, Leipzig, 5-6 April, will again host the road safety forum organised by the VDIK and TÜV SÜD Group. Amongst others the conference will address car manufacturers and suppliers, state authorities and associations as well as car safety experts and biomechanics. The road safety event is titled ‘Integrated Safety Concepts and Reliablity’ and the two day agenda will discuss, amongst other issues, the European Commission’s Road Safety Action Plan.
Continue ReadingReplacement Van Tyres Report
The latest report to come from Research and Markets Ltd analyses the replacement van tyres industry. The ‘Replacement Van Tyres Global Industry Guide,’ available now, includes information on market size and segmentation, textual analysis of the key trends and competitive landscape, and profiles of the leading companies.
Continue ReadingAviva Buys RAC for £1.1 billion
The RAC has agreed to a £1.1 billion takeover approach from insurer, Aviva. Aviva said buying the RAC would boost its Norwich Union insurance business “creating a powerful new combination in insurance and motoring services.” It added that combining Norwich Union and the RAC would allow cost savings of at least £80m a year in 2006. On Tuesday, RAC shares jumped 19 per cent after it said it had received a bid approach. Aviva, UK’s largest general insurer, could be interested in developing the RAC’s promising financial services business, observers said. The company declined to comment.
Continue ReadingUSWA Begins Strike Preparation
The United Steelworkers of America union (USWA) has announced that it has begun conducting strike preparation meetings with employees at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) plants, according to Tire Review.
Continue ReadingMichelin Lifestyle Launches Tyre Care Products
Groupe Michelin’s Michelin Lifestyle division has introduced what it claims are the first wheel and tyre care products on the market to be developed for and approved by a major tyre manufacturer. Michelin says it will make these products available to select retailers to sell to consumers.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Presents RunOnFlat at Geneva Show
Goodyear has unveiled its RunOnFlat technology, the latest in a long line of pioneering innovations to roll out into the consumer market. According to the company, RunOnFlat tyres are “set to introduce a new dimension in safety technology into the automotive world and will bring greater peace of mind to the drivers of tomorrow.” Visitors to the Goodyear stand will be able to learn more about the companys dedication to consumer-benefit driven innovation and technological excellence. The Goodyear stand will also give visitors an insight into the tyre companys greatest achievements, which have kept it at the forefront of innovation for more than 100 years. Goodyear is the Official Press Sponsor for the event which takes place from 1 to 13 March 2005.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Replaces Avon as GP2 Supplier
Bridgestone recently took over as the sole tyre supplier of the GP2 motorsport series. Already a supplier to Formula 1, the Japanese company has decided to become the sole supplier of GP2 which has replace F3000 as the primary support series for F1. Previously Cooper’s Avon brand was the GP2 series supplier.
Continue ReadingGoodyear to Supply Tyres for Airbus Aircraft
Goodyear has extended a multi-year contract for the supply of aviation tyres to Airbus. Specifically, the extended contract is between Airbus France and Goodyear Nederland BV, a Dutch (Tilburg) company. Goodyear will supply Flight Leader aircraft tyres for the Airbus wide-body family, the A300 and 310 models, as well as Flight Radial and Flight Leader aircraft tyres for the Airbus single-aisle family, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 models. Goodyear has not published any details of how many additional tyres it will supply.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Appoints New UK Commercial Business Unit Director
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced the appointment of Clive Powell as director, commercial business unit, headquartered in Birmingham, West Midlands. Mr Powell joins the UK organisation from his current position as sales director, Truck Tyres Europe. The new commercial business unit director will be responsible for the truck and bus tyre business, including the development of the TruckForce service network in the UK. Mr Powell’s predecessor, Wim Reijmerink, left the organisation to pursue other interests, the company said. Richard Johnson, managing director, UK Operations stated: “Across Europe, Clive has played a major role in driving the development of our ‘best in class’ support services such as FleetOnlineSolutions, RoadsideAssistanceServices and TruckForce. We are confident that Clive can accelerate the successful implementation of these services in the UK to reaffirm our leading position in the truck and bus tyre market.”
Continue ReadingContinental’s Tsunami Pledge Goes to Homeless and Fishermen
The $500,000 pledged by Continental AG to the victims of the tsunami in Asia will go mainly to the benefit of the homeless and fishermen, a company statement explains. A large share of the funds will be put to use in Malaysia, where the automotive supplier also has two tyre plants. Indonesia and Sri Lanka will also receive aid.
Continue ReadingPolyurethane Tyre Passes the Test
Amerityre has completed another phase of high-speed testing with its “zero-pressure” polyurethane tyre. The tests were done in compliance with FMVSS 129, the safety standard governing the testing of non-pneumatic car tyres. “We are extremely encouraged by the results of the high speed testing, said Richard Steinke, Amerityre’s president and CEO. Our polyurethane compound, once again, shows it can run cool under heavy loads without breaking down.” Additional tests will be performed within the next few weeks.
Continue ReadingMegamount 801 Caters for Run-Flats
Hofmann Megaplan, has introduced the megamount 801 Super Automatic. The tyre changer is aimed at the specialist tyre fitting sector, with companies including Elite.Com, Rochford Tyres and Jeff Fowkes Wheels all having invested in the technology.
Continue ReadingDebica’s 4Q Net Profits Plummet 98 per cent
Debica SA’s net profits went into freefall in the fourth quarter of 2004, falling 98.14 per cent. According to a Dow Jones report, the company, 59.9 per cent of which is owned by Goodyear, recorded operating profits of 1.1 million euros in the period ended 31 December 2004. This compares with 8.1 million euros the same time the previous year (down 86.42 per cent). Net profits were hit the hardest falling 98.14 per cent from 8.3 million euros in the last quarter of 2004 to only 154,653 euros in 2004. Quarterly sales were the least affected, falling 4.76 per cent from 79.9 million euros in the final quarter 2003 to 76.9 million in 2004. The end of year profit crash also impacted the total year figures. Although the company’s sales grew 8.54 per cent in 2004, from 360.9 million euros in 2003 to 332.5 million in 2004. Operation profit and net profits fell 4.49 per cent and 13.48 per cent respectively.
Continue ReadingMichelin Boosts Earthmover Tyre Production
Groupe Michelin has announced that it will increase earthmover tyre production capacity in both its Lexington, South Carolina, and Vitoria, Spain, plants. The capacity boost results from “unprecedented growth of the surface mining industry worldwide,” according to Michelin. The expansion plans complete production enhancements started by the manufacturer in 2003 and 2004.
Continue ReadingGoodyear’s Year Ahead in Poland
Goodyear is expecting Eastern European business to flourish this year, due to an increase of around 670,000 in Poland’s vehicle numbers, reports the Warsaw Business Journal.
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