UK Car Production Slows While CV Production Grows
The SMMT is reporting that in the first 10 months of 2004 UK new car production has dropped one per cent, while production for export has risen 3.5 per cent in the same space of time. Octobers output in isolation reveals a decrease in production levels of 11.9 per cent, according to provisional data released by the office of national statistics. “Despite a dip in October car production, levels over the year to October show that we remain on a par with last year. UK automotive manufacturing has a bright future. SMMTs second annual issues survey of senior executives, to be published at the SMMT Annual Dinner, will show that we have much to be proud of. With the right skills in the workforce, an increase in R&D and a cautious approach to the introduction of new regulation by government, the industry has a very positive future,” commented SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan. At the same time the SMMT reports that commercial vehicle (CV) production went up 11.3 per cent in October and 14 per cent year-to-date. CV export production levels rose by 27.5 per cent over the year to October. Rolling 12 month totals to October show that production is up 25,228 units to 210,322. “The growth in commercial vehicle assembly remains robust. Over the most recent three months to October, production has risen 21.4 per cent, with 38.2 per cent for the export market. UK plants are keyed-in to a firm revival in demand for vans and trucks in the rest of the EC. Annual volume has now topped 210,000 units and with two months to go to complete the calendar year, it will probably nudge further ahead,” added Mr Macgowan.
Continue ReadingPirelli In Real Estate Business
Pirelli’s real estate business unit, UniCredito Italiano SpA and Morgan Stanley have founded a real estate joint venture. The partnership will manage real estate with a total value of more than a billion euros, UniCredito said on Friday. UniCredito will sell real estate worth 300 million euros to the joint venture, while Pirelli and Morgan Stanley will transfer 750 million euros of assets to the joint venture. Together the two companies will control 85 per cent of the shares. UniCredito will hold the remaining 15 per cent.
Continue ReadingMichelin Joins the TRA
Five more companies, including Michelin Tyres Plc, have joined the Tyre Recovery (TRA) association. This raises membership to a total of 25 companies. Commenting on the company’s association membership a Michelin spokesperson stated: “As members of the BRMA we are encouraged by the response of the Tyre Recovery Association and its members to the challenge of helping Government meet the EU Landfill Directive. Like a number of other BRMA companies we feel we must show more than just financial support and take an active role in the new body. Our own recycling volumes are considerable and will make a significant contribution to the overall audited figures of the group, as well as demonstrating our positive environmental credentials.” In addition to Michelin, Cardiff Recycling, Creigiau Tyres, Re-Tyre and Western Tyres joined the TRA.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Looks Forward to Next Season
As supplier to both champion and more run-of-the-mill teams, Bridgestone is in an unusual position. The Bridgestone shod Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello may be perpetually on the podium, but Jordan and Minardi ‘s drivers are a long way off. Michelin, on the other hand, seems to supply everybody in between including race contenders. Bridgestone’s, technical director, Hisao Suganuma, admitted to F1racing.net that only having Ferrari and Jordan and Minardi is disadvantage. “With the new regulations, we have to do a lot of testing. Next year we cannot change tyres in the race anymore, so we have to make a different type of tyre. We need to do a lot of long distance runs and that is difficult. Sauber went to our competitor Michelin, but we have to live with that.” Meanwhile, Ferrari has a new test driver in Marc Gené who previously worked for Williams and therefore with Michelin tyres. Mr Suganuma is keen to hear about some of Michelin’s secrets. “We really are looking forward to our chat. I am not sure if [Marc Gené] will tell us everything he knows about Michelin, but of course I am hoping he will,” Mr Suganuma told the website.
Continue ReadingEurope’s Evanescent Motorsport Culture
Motorsport isn’t just about speedy overtaking manoeuvres and exciting finishes. Instead a major part of its attraction is owed to the people that live for motorsports and who – if missing – would make the event that bit less interesting. Without doubt one of these people is Pierre Dupasquier. For 30 years the Michelin motorsport director has been generally regarded as the driving force behind the French tyre manufacturer’s involvement. In addition, he is one of the few who, although not a driver himself, is allowed to comment on races on TV. Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to meet the passionate 67 year old Frenchman and talk about the coming season. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingRecord Numbers for Deldo
Following last month’s reports of record sales, Deldo has released official figures, which it says are “even higher than expected.” In the month of October Deldo reports that it made a turnover of over 25,000,000 euros, selling 610,000 tyres as opposed to the 550,000 it originally estimated. The Belgian wholesaler says that the increased figures are a result of improved sales in its focused areas. These include winter and non-winter markets.
Continue ReadingInternational Exhibitors at ‘Tires & Rubber 2005’
The plans for next year’s “Tires & Rubber 2005” show in Moscow are currently running at full steam. The exhibition’s organisers expect there to be numerous exhibitors from Russia and abroad, showing their latest product innovations in tyres, wheels and retreading. Apart from domestic tyre manufacturers Sibur, Amtel, Tatneft and Matador-Omskshina many western companies are expected to exhibit and therefore help the show gain an ever more international reputation. The exhibition will be held from 1-4 February 2005, in Moscow’s Expocentr.
Continue ReadingKingsway Tyres helps Children in Need
Kingsway Tyres has helped raise more than £4,500 for Children in Need. The dealership worked with a local ASDA store and some television celebrities providing a day of fund-raising activity in Corby, Northamptonshire. The celebrities, including TV chef Rusty Lee and presenter Paul Ross, competed in a series of challenges ranging from leg waxing to competing for the best lap time in a motor racing simulator, provided by Kingsway Tyres’ parent company Bridgestone UK. “It was a very successful event,” said Bruce Cleghorn, area manager at Kingsway Tyres. “It felt good to aid the Children in Need cause, and everyone had a fun day out too. “Not only were the celebrities that took part in the event very generous to give up their time, but also the general public proved to be very charitable as more than £350 of the total collected was raised from photos with the car and rides on the simulator,” added Bruce. The tyre dealership, which has 16 outlets across the East Midlands and East Anglia, also brought a replica Ferrari Formula 1 car to the event, and members of the public were given the chance to have their photos taken with the impressive vehicle and also test their driving skills on the simulator in return for a charity donation.
Continue ReadingMichelin and Sauber Fit Together
Yesterday the Swiss Sauber team tested tyres from its new supplier, Michelin. Driver, Felipe Massa used last season’s C23 and obviously succeeded in finding a good balance between the tyres and wheel suspension, at the first attempt. Bridgestone tyres had previously been fitted to the model.
Continue ReadingBosch Releases AsiaSILVER Range
Bosch has released a new range of batteries, designed specifically for Asian cars and car-based LCVs. The new products belong to the company’s AsiaSILVER range and calcium-silver alloy technology. The battery manufacturer says it has designed the new 100 per cent maintenance-free AsiaSILVER range to meet the stringent Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and offer enhanced performance, durability, safety and functionality compared with more traditional JIS lead acid batteries. The 14 part numbers are said to provide coverage of almost all Japanese and Korean cars and van derivatives on sale in the UK. The AsiaSILVER range incorporates the same features of the Bosch Silver range, which has now been available in the UK aftermarket for the past 6 years. Power ratings range from 40A/h up to 95A/h, with the most powerful version vibration proof for use in 4x4 off-road vehicles. Bosch reports that AsiaSILVER has a 20 per cent longer service life than traditional JIS-type batteries and an 18-month shelf life.
Continue ReadingCall for Manufacturer Modifications
If every manufacturer made modifications to new cars at an estimated cost of £75 per car, the lives of 1,700 pedestrians and cyclists could be saved across Europe, according to the RAC Foundation.
Continue ReadingCapirossi and Checa Have Successful Bridgestone Debuts
Loris Capirossi and Carlo Checa have made successful debuts, testing tyres for Bridgestone. The riders were testing Japanese rubber after Ducati switched suppliers from Michelin to Bridgestone. Capirossi shone with best results followed by Checa. The Aprilia, Proton-KTM and Kawasaki were also testing in Jerez.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Names New Technology Director
Goodyear has appointed Jon Bellissimo as director of technology for the company’s commercial tyre systems. Mr Bellissimo previously served as director of global technology for Goodyear Engineered Products a position has held since August, 2000. The company says Mr Bellissimos experience in tyre modeling and composite science will contribute to expediting new technologies in medium truck tyres. “We plan to lead in smart truck tyres that use computer chips to improve tyre maintenance and increased miles to removal,” said Steve McClellan, Goodyears vice president commercial tyre systems, North America region. “Through Goodyear computer modeling, we are gaining product leadership in line haul and regional haul steer tyre application, line haul drive and urban steer position,” Mr McClellan added
Continue ReadingTrade Show Skills Centre
The CV and Automotive Trade Show is to support a major careers initiative through next years exhibition. The event will host a Skills Centre displaying a range of careers across the road transport and commercial vehicle industries. The scheme is intended to help cut skills shortages across the two related business sectors.
Continue ReadingVredestein to Increase Prices in Germany
The growing raw material prices have now also affected Vredestein’s price structure in Germany. Passenger car summer tyres, light truck tyres as well as all-season tyres will be 2.5 per cent more expensive from January onwards. The prices for agricultural tyres will be even increased by four per cent.
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