Japan’s ‘best import’ car for 2004
The Maserati Quattroporte has won the “2004 Import Car of the Year” award, from the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Association (JAHFA). It achieved the award on its brand image, style, craftsmanship, value for money and for being the “ultimate choice for the car connoisseur.”
Continue ReadingCabot to Build Chinese Carbon Black Plant
Cabot Corporation has announced it will build a carbon black plant with joint venture partner Shanghai Coking and Chemical Company to build a carbon black plant in Tianjin, China. The first production unit is scheduled to begin production in early 2006, with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes. The company plans to expand the plant’s production capacity later the same year. We are pleased with this expansion of our partnership with Shanghai Coking and Chemical Company and to be working with the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area to build a world class carbon black facility. We have confidence that this expanded capacity will position us well to supply the growing China market, said William J Brady, executive vice president and general manager, Carbon Black.
Continue ReadingTargeting the Budget Alloy Market
Sherbrook is now supplying two new designs, from DJ Wheels, in an attempt to tighten its grip on the budget alloy wheel market. The DJ358 has six thick spokes, while the similar sized DJ357 has a more slender twin spoke design. The ‘entry-level’ products are aimed at the first time buyer of aftermarket alloys, explains the wheel manufacturer wholesaler. DJ Wheels’ products start at a price of £25 and so are targeted towards customers who can’t afford to pay the high prices of prestige brands.
Continue ReadingDucati to Switch to Bridgestone
Ducati’s MotoGP team has announced that it will change tyre suppliers next year. The team is leaving behind its long association with Michelin, “in order to seek advantages by being different.” As a consequence of the change, Ducati riders Loris Capirossi and Carlo Checa will use the same tyres as Suzuki and Kawaski. All the other major factory and satellite teams will use Michelin. “We have a great respect for Michelin, and a good relationship with them. They always gave us the best tires that were available. But they also supply all the best factory teams, and all the best riders. We decided after a lot of discussion that if we have different tires, then that will give us different opportunities for success. And we also believe that the Bridgestone tyres have already reached a high level, commented team manager, Livio Suppo.
Continue ReadingNew Centre Manager at STS Warrington
Stapleton’s Tyre Services’ Warrington centre has appointed a new centre manager. Mike Harrison arrived at the Manchester Road-based branch in August. He joined STS after 25 years with the brewers, Scottish and Newcastle, where he oversaw the business management, stock and audits of over 40 pubs. Mr Harrison, from Bolton, is aiming to use his experience and management expertise to great effect at the Warrington branch, which has been open for twelve months. “I was looking for an exciting challenge and have found it with STS. Our focus will be to continue to provide exemplary customer service, and gradually build up trade at this branch,” he said commenting on his new position. Mr Harrison, who is currently recruiting more staff for the Warrington branch, believes being competitive on price and building a strong reputation with the local community is key to the success of the business. “I’m already enjoying my role. STS is very strong in customer service which is essential in encouraging repeat business,” the new manager added.
Continue ReadingMaking Cash With Conti Shares
At the end of September, Dresdner Bank, a subsidiary of the German Allianz group, sold 3.5 million Continental shares at a unit price of 43.10 euros. This created a book profit totalling a “high two digit million-euro-amount,“ according to Allianz AG board member Helmut Perlet.
Continue ReadingWere Phoenix Shareholders too Hasty?
Shareholders who sold their Phoenix stock for 15 euros per share may be kicking themselves as continental is now offering 18.89 euros per share to shareholders who rejected the offer at the beginning of the year. On Friday share values were quoted as high as 20.70 euros.
Continue ReadingNational Tyres Works With Woman for Charity
Woman magazine, is to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign by running a competition in association with National Tyres and Autocare. The competition will five readers the opportunity to win a limited edition pink Smart car, worth £8000, and raise money for charity at the same time.
Continue ReadingDecisions in the World of Formula 1
With Formula one’s team submission deadline looming, the future of the Jaguar team hung in the balance. That was until today, when Austrian owned drinks company, Red Bull, stepped in and rescued Jaguar from motorsport extinction. The new Red Bull Racing team’s tyre choice remains unclear. At the same time as selling the Jaguar team, Ford has also sold engine manufacturer and Formula 1 supplier, Cosworth, to Mr Kevin Volkhoven, known for his associsiton with the Champcar series. Cosworth will supply Red Bull Racing with engines, while Minardi will receive identically constructed engines. Minardi however, will use old Cosworth engines for the first four races of next season. Jordan, a team that also had a question mark over which manufacturer would supply its engines, will now be supplied by Toyota.
Continue ReadingCitroën and Loeb Achieve Aussie Gold
Citroëns 2004 World Rally Championship winner, Sébastien Loeb achieved a record equalling 6th rally victory, in Australia this weekend, in what was the years final event. The original record, which was established by Loebs fellow Frenchman, Didier Auriol, has stood for 10 years. Sébastien took control of the Telstra Rally Australia, on day two of the three day event. With a total of 13 stage wins, more than double any other competitor, Sébastien Loeb and the Citroën team showed their determination to finish the season as they had started - at the top of the podium.
Continue ReadingCar Prices Fall
According to the What Car? Price Index, new car prices have not altered for the last four months. After rises during the first half of 2004, prices are now back to virtually the same as 2003 and the average new car is now 0.1 per cent cheaper than a year ago. The Index also reports that small cars are still leading the way. City cars are 2.8 per cent cheaper and supermini prices have fallen 1.7 per cent over the past year. Family cars are also down 0.1 per cent. The magazine reports that virtually every other class has become cheaper month-on-month. A large price fall was recorded in the plate-change month of September, when prices traditionally rise compared with the quiet month of August. What Car? reports that this year, prices fell, despite a “healthy demand” among private buyers that was only six per cent below that shown in the previous September.
Continue ReadingPlea for MOT Privatisation
A long-running civil strike in Northern Ireland, that began earlier this year, has had a “devastating effect on the industry,” say market representatives. The dispute has had adverse affects on the operations of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Northern Ireland (DVTA) which handles all MOTs and HGV tests and there is call to privatise all vehicle testing.
Continue ReadingToyo Prepares Small-Lot Production in US
Toyo Tire has released details of its US production plant, several weeks after laying the foundation stone for the Cartersville, Georgia, production facility. According to Deutsche Bank, the Japanese tyre manuafacturer is going to install a flexible, automated production system which is well suited for small-lot production. This is said to produce better quality products than conventional methods. The company calls the system its Advanced Tyre Operation Module or ATOM. Toyo Tire first announced this production system two years ago and developed the technology with support from Toyota Motor, running pilot production schemes in Japan. The new factory, Toyo’s first US tyre production facility, will cost $392 million and will create up to 900 jobs. The factory will have an annual capacity of two million passenger car and light truck tyres after construction is completed in 2006.
Continue ReadingYokohama’s Income Decreases
In its third quarter Yokohama Rubber saw net sales rise by 4.3 per cent to ¥189.7 billion. The company claims that this reflected “solid tyre sales overseas.” However, net income fell by a massive 51.6 per cent, to ¥719 million. The manufacturer claims that this was due to inventory losses and a loss on devaluation of securities investment. Operating income also declined by 6.3 per cent to ¥4.3 billion, and has been put down to the increase in prices of natural rubber and other raw materials. Yokohama is also citing higher logistics costs stemming from increased export volume and a jump in shipping charges to the decline in income.
Continue ReadingPirelli Announces Improved Figures and New Investments
Pirelli has released results for the first three quarters of 2004 showing a 262 million euro increase in group net income year-on-year. The results also show that its net financial position is -1.9 billion euros. At the same time Pirelli gave details of a Chinese joint venture, a Romanian steel cord plant and three new MIRS plants, together worth 400 million euros.
Continue Reading