Industrial Service Strengthened
ATS Euromaster has launched a specialised industrial service that will allow customers to obtain almost any type of tyre, from wheelbarrows to forklifts to mobile cranes. Introduced in response to “customer demand”, the service will be available at 31 of its centres across the UK.
Continue ReadingMichelin Teams Dominate Opening F1 Race
Michelin supplied teams took all but one of the top eight places at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. The opening race of the season saw Giancarlo Fisichella’s Renault win at the chequered flag, followed by Rubens Barichello’s Bridgestone equipped Ferrari. Fisichella’s teammate, Fernando Alonso took the final podium position. In a further development, the Red Bull team’s drivers (David Coulthard and Christian Klein) took fourth and seventh place respectively. During the official press conference that followed the race, racewinner Giancarlo Fisichella told journalists: “Honestly because of the first part of the race I was a bit conservative on the tyres. I never pushed to the limit, only at the end when Rubens was catching me.” Its going to be a lot closer this year, but I do feel were going to be in with a shout all year, Renaults technical boss Pat Symonds also commented.
Continue Reading2005, Pirelli’s Year of Innovation
While exhibiting at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, Pirelli highlighted 2005 as “the year of innovation.” In the wake of strong business results (the company recently reported a 42 per cent increase in operating profit), Pirelli Tyres reports that it has begun 2005 with a strategy of expansion in some of the faster growing emerging markets plus North America, as well as extending its MIRS automated production process in the United Kingdom, Germany and the US. And that is not all. The company says that its research into tyres of the future will reach concrete conclusions in 2005. Pirelli goes on to explain that this year will see the start of a series of products that will “revolutionise the concept of the tyre, which will become a more active product that ever before, and will be able to communicate with the car and driver.”
Continue ReadingHi-Q Appoints New Marketing Manager
Hi-Q has appointed Nikki McCluney as its new marketing manager. She joins Birmingham-based Hi-Q from van maker LDV where she was marketing manager, responsible for retail and fleet marketing as well as the sponsorship of the LDV Vans Trophy football tournament. As part of Nikki’s role at Hi-Q, she will be responsible for all marketing initiatives covering marketing and public relations and will also lead the implementation of a new brand strategy later this year.
Continue ReadingMichelin Worries About Raw Material Prices
During last week’s Geneva Motor show Michelin is reported to have said that the situation surrounding raw materials is “very worrying” and rising prices will continue to place severe pressure on the company during 2005. “This year, the environment for raw materials remains tense, which is causing strong pressure on prices, and as a consequence on our costs,” said research and development director Didier Miraton in Geneva. “There is no situation of us having a shortage but the tension is very worrying,” he added. Michelin has decided to raise prices by an average of five per cent in Europe until July 2005 to offset increased raw material costs. Miraton said he expected the situation to continue as mobility needs in Asia would drive demand, stressing that there was “a need to find ways to make better use of raw materials”.
Continue ReadingFebruary Registrations Down
The UK’s February new car registrations are down 14,368 units or 15.7 per cent to 77,092. However the decrease was expected due to the twice-yearly plate change, reports the SMMT with February accounting for a mere 3.5 per cent of the annual market. Commenting on the figures, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said, February is traditionally a slow month as new car buyers and the motor industry prepare for the surge that accompanies the March plate change. After last years significant growth in the first quarter, we expect March registrations to fall by around six per cent. While this is lower than last years record total, it still represents a new car market in good shape.
Continue ReadingIf There’s an “R” in the Month!
“The atrocious road conditions of recent weeks has spawned some debate on the safety benefits of certain vehicles, centring on ultra strong safety shells, anti lock brakes and safety bags protecting every part of the drivers anatomy! However there does not seem to be any reference to the one component which largely dictates exactly where the vehicle is going - the tyres.” This was the recent comment of NTDA director, Richard Edy, in a statement concerning the UK’s current campaign for the introduction of ‘cold’ weather tyres.
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.
Continue ReadingLanxess Inaugrates New HQ
Lanxess, the Japanese subsidiary of the Leverkusen-based chemicals group, has inaugurated its new headquarters in Tokyo. Referring to the ceremony, Dr Martin Wienkenhöver, Lanxess board member, who is in charge of Asian business, said that Japan is “the most important market in Asia.” The company manufacturers solid rubber for automotive tyres in Japan and other countries.
Continue ReadingMajor CEOs Agree to Address Policy Issues
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has reported that 11 CEOs from tyre companies in Europe, Japan, South Korea and North America met in Geneva during the Geneva Motor Show to discuss common global policy issues faced by the industry. According to news published by Tire Review, the CEOs discussed environmental and health and safety matters, and reached a consensus on two major issues. The companies agreed to address industry policy issues of tyre materials and tyre wear particles. As part of that, they agreed to initiate independent research on these issues by establishing two project teams that will report back to the group. Participating in the discussions were the chief executives of Bridgestone Corp., Continental AG, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Hankook Tire Co., Kumho Tire Co., Groupe Michelin, Pirelli & Cie SpA, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., and Yokohama Rubber Co. The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Association of the Rubber Industry - BLIC, the Japanese Automotive Tire Manufacturers Association, the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association and the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Continue ReadingCTNA/Union Representation Vote Results Certified
America’s National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the results of a union representation vote at Continental Tire North America’s (CTNA) Mount Vernon, Illinois, plant. Tire Review reported the news following claims by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) union that the manufacturer interfered with the vote. The NLRB issued is decision, overruling the union’s claim on 23 February, but CTNA did not issue a statement about the results until 3 March.
Continue ReadingRoney Announces Higher Prices in Europe
Goodyear’s European president Michael Roney has announced price increases and further cost cutting measure designed to tackle increasing raw material prices. Speaking to German daily newspaper, Die Welt, Mr Roney said that the American tyre giant is bound to grow in the European market, where it turned over 4.3 billion euros last year. There is still a major potential for sales in Europe, the newspaper quotes Mr Roney as saying. On the US market there are many cheap tyre brands competing with premium products, whereas in Europe this is different, Goodyear’s European president continued: “The Europeans really focus on premium brand tyres and have strong bonds with these.” In addition, it is American customers that prefer all-season tyres when in Europe seasonal tyre business is very strong.
Continue ReadingMorgan Stanley Raises Conti Share Target Twice in Four Weeks
Morgan Stanley has raised its price target for Continental shares from 60 to 69 Euros, up 15 per cent. The announcement marks the second time that Morgan Stanley has increased the share target in four weeks. In February, the first increase saw the bank raise the goal from 52 to 60 euros. The analysts believe that this positive run will continue over the coming months and years. They expect earnings per share (EPS) to increase to 5.60 euros (14 per cent more than originally expected) in 2005, and up to 5.90 euros in 2006.
Continue ReadingFulda Tops Tyre Tests
Fulda’s high performance tyre, Attiro, has topped the medium/large car category in the recent Which? tyre tests.
Continue ReadingPoor’ US Roads Cost Drivers $52 billion Annually
The poor quality of American roads cost vehicle owners an extra $52 billion in annual repair, according to Market Analysis, a quarterly market research newsletter published by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). According to the Tire Review report, poor road conditions may also play a role in nearly 30 per cent of traffic fatalities, MEMA has found.
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