Announcement Secures Future Of Nissan Plant In UK
Nissan has made the decision to build its new Micra model at its Sunderland, UK, factory, rather than France, following approval of a 40 million Pound grant. The news is expected to secure 500 jobs at the plant and has been welcomed by the Government as evidence of Nissans long-term commitment to the north east. It is thought that Nissan will demand that, in the future, more of its component suppliers for cars made at Sunderland submit invoices in Euro rather than Sterling.
Continue ReadingScottish Winter Tyre Safety Campaign Results
The annual tyre safety campaign in Scotland moved from October to December last year. A four day clinic programme held in supermarket car parks revealed that 20% of motorists had tyres with tread below 1.6mm. The clinic programme was followed by a week of police enforcement on the roads, which showed an illegal tyre level of 14.4% – almost exactly matching the UK average of 14%.
Continue ReadingNew Flagship Tyre From Bridgestone
At the Geneva motor show, Bridgestone unveiled the Potenza S-03 Pole Position; its new flagship tyre for the super sports passenger car segment. Bridgestone says that the new tyre incorporates technology developed in the F1 arena. It replaces the S-02 series and will be on sale from April.
Continue ReadingCar Sales In Western Europe To Fall
Automotive consulting firm Autopolis has produced a report which predicts that the western European car market is going through a decline at the moment. 1999 was a record year, with 15.1 million vehicles being sold, but last year the market dropped by 2% and Autopolis says that the fall will continue this year and next, with sales dropping to 13.4 million cars – a decline of 11% in three years.
Continue ReadingDirector Of Global Infrastructure For Goodyear
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has appointed Steve Buckus as director of global infrastructure. In his new role he will head up the companys IT group and lead efforts to globally integrate Goodyears IT infrastructure. Buckus has 20 years experience in the IT infrastructure field, and his previous post was as director, distributed systems for FedEx Services.
Continue ReadingNew Brake Venture Plans For Future
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Denso Corporation, Aisin Seiki and Toyota have announced a joint venture to share technology in a brake development and sales operation. Aisin Seiko will hold 40% of share, each of the other contributors taking 20% each. The new products will address requirements of ABS, Vehicle Stability Control, and the need for regenerative brake systems in hybrid and electric vehicles. Operations are due to begin in October 2001 with a sales target of 250 billion yen in 2005.
Continue ReadingRomanian Acquisition For Michelin
Nomura International, which holds a substantial equity stake in Romanian tyre manufacturer Tofan, has announced the sale of parts of the company to Michelin. The French company has bought the Victoria car tyre plant, the Silvania truck tyre factory, a retreading unit, a number of warehouses and the Tofan-owned distribution network. The purchase price was not revealed but a number of tyre manufacturers are said to have been interested. Tofan will continue to manufacture agricultural and implement (brand name: Danubiana) tyres and this business will be expanded, says Nomura, which remains a significant shareholder.
Continue ReadingImproved Goodyear Run-flat Tires For Lexus OE
New lighter-weight run-flat tyres from Goodyear can be fitted as a $400 option on the 2002 Lexus SC 430 luxury performance car. Goodyears new Eagle F1 GS-D EMT run-flat tyre, in size 245/40ZR18, is able to run up to 100 miles at 55 mph with zero inflation pressure.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop – 100 Partners Have Joined Since Its Foundation Two Years Ago
Barely two years ago, Bridgestone/Firestone Deutschland GmbH introduced the First Stop System to the German market with the intention of inviting tyre dealers to join this new form of cooperation. Since then, 100 dealers have already joined this system in Germany. And with more than 1,000 partners all over Europe, the system has spread across 16 countries, so far. In Germany, Prignitzer Falas GmbH in Pritzwalk (Brandenburg) is First Stop partner N° 100. With 24 employees serving customers’ needs, this shop is not only successful in selling tyres, but it also deals with passenger cars, agricultural and industrial machinery, as well as selling and renting trailers. Moreover, a driving school is also included. Passenger cars, trucks and tractors each contribute one third of the turnover. This company has been a Bridgestone/Firestone customer since 1993. The First Stop idea is very simple: enhancing their line by the house brand First Stop, Bridgestone/Firestone grants exclusive selling rights for this economically-priced tyre to its partners. Thus, both the summer tyre FST 2000 and the winter tyre First Stop Winter were born. Furthermore, the First Stop package also includes a uniform image and individual training programmes, covering technical and business know-how. Dealers who opt for cooperation will be furnished with substantial marketing support, which covers the complete advertising and POS segment, as well as training programmes. As their commitment to the tyre manufacturer, First Stop partners promise to always use up-to-date equipment to cope with the latest tyre technology, to join training programmes regularly and to always offer a proficient and friendly complete service for customers.
Continue ReadingQuestions Raised Over Explorer Ad Campaign
Under pressure in Venezuela, Ford has produced an advertisement listing statistics that show that the Explorer compares favourably in safety terms with other SUVs. Although no competitive vehicles are mentioned by name in the advert, both Daimler/Chrysler and GM (Venezuela) have objected to it and are casting doubts on the accuracy of the figures.
Continue ReadingDeutsche Bank Recommends Michelin Shares As A “Buy”
Despite the difficult environment which is not likely to lead to improvements in the coming half year Deutsche Bank is recommending Michelin shares as a Buy. The analysts believe that the focus on high performance tyres will pay off and they believe also that, due to the anticipated sale of the Pirelli truck division, competition will be lower in the future for Michelin, which is very strong in that market.
Continue ReadingNew presidents For Goodyear Chemical And Engineered Products
Tim Toppen, former president of Goodyear Chemical, has been named as president, Goodyear Engineered Products. This follows the sudden death of Tave Mallamaci, president of GEP since August last year. Toppen has been with Goodyear since 1978. His replacement as president of Goodyear Chemical is Jonathan Rich, who was director of chemical R&D, and who joined the tyre company last September. Both moves are effective immediately.
Continue ReadingSpokesman Required At Goodyear
Goodyear vice-president of global communications, John Perduyn, is to retire at 62 at the end of this year. The company has engaged Korn/Ferry International to search for a replacement spokesman. Internal candidates will be considered for the post which handles a wide range of tasks, from advising senior executives on how to communicate their messages to operating the Goodyear Blimp, not forgetting dealing with the media.
Continue ReadingVietnamese Truck Tyre Production Begins at Casumina
The Vietnamese Southern Rubber Company has begun production of truck tyres on a new production facility using Japanese technology. The first week’s production in August totalled 1,000 tyres. The quality of the tyres produced is claimed to equal that of imported tyres from Korea and India. The Vietnamese tyres are 25 per cent cheaper than the imported brands. Production will build to around 10,000 tyres per month, going some way to alleviating the shortfall in supply of tyres. The country needs 500,000 tyres every year but currently supply is limited to 200,000 units.
Continue Reading890 To Go At Pacific Dunlop
As part of its major restructuring, Pacific Dunlop is to close two Victoria-based tyre plants in Australia. The move is aimed at ensuring the future of South Pacific Tyres and will result in 890 job losses – 820 at the factories and 70 in management and back-office positions. Olympic Tyres Ltd has confirmed that it has secured continuous supply of Olympic Tyres, supplied by South Pacific Tyres. Olympic distribute SPTs agricultural, off road and construction tyres throughout the UK and much of Europe.
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