New Managing Director For TecCom
TecCom (Munich), an internet wholesale platform for automotive accessories, has a new Managing Director. Jürgen Buchert (44) has worked as Sales Director for Western and Eastern Europe in the automotive aftermarket division of Bosch for the past five years. At the moment 21 European automotive part manufacturers – among them tyre producer Continental – support TecCom.
Continue ReadingNon-Rubber Tyres From Goodyear In Three Years?
A partnership has been formed in the US between Goodyear and Nevada-based Amerityre to manufacture polyurethane tyres, which Goodyear says could be on the market in three to four years. Amerityre already produces urethane tyres for bicycles, lawn and garden equipment and has produced four sets of prototypes, which it has fitted to pick-ups and other vehicles. CEO Richard Steinke says that the tyres have been driven for 2,000 miles with 30 holes in each tyre. Rick Vannan, Goodyear director of advance product and process technology, says that any product will require two years of internal testing and, if urethane replaced rubber completely, 10-15 years to convert factories.
Continue ReadingExtended Payments Agreement With Viborg Group
Medium-size dealers and companies are complaining that the biggest European tyre equity Viborg Group is forcing companies who are delivering to give them 90 to 120 days for payments. If suppliers refuse to do so, they will be immediately dropped from the suppliers list. Viborg is known as the company which is asking for the cheapest price from all competitors and, in addition, for an extra fee of 10%. The Michelin group is the number one supplier for Viborg in Germany probably followed by Pirelli whereas, the Continental-group and the Bridgestone-group do not sell too many tyres to the retail chain.
Continue ReadingAVS Decibel From Yokohama
Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama presents, as a highlight, its new tyre, the AVS decibel, which will be distinctive due to its smooth running – even at high speeds and after thousands of kilometres. It will unite athletic driving with pleasantly quiet running noise, as well as providing dynamic performance and stability. The market launch is planned for 2002. The AVS decibel will replace its predecessor, the AVS TW.
Continue ReadingMagneti Marelli To Close UK Aftermarket Operation
Following a review of its UK activities, Magneti Marelli has announced that its UK aftermarket operation will close on December 31st. This comes as a result of weak demand within the UK replacement parts market. Business managers will work with customers up until then to assist in areas such as alternative product sourcing. Selected products, such as the aftermarket lighting programme, will continue for key accounts, supplied through the central warehouse in Milan. Magneti Marellis other aftermarket businesses in Europe are unaffected.
Continue ReadingConsumers Association Condemns Fast Fits
A report in the magazine Which? – published by the UK Consumers Association (CA) – has accused fast-fits of recommending unnecessary work in almost a quarter of cases. The CA took a test car to 93 depots, belonging to seven of the UKs largest fast-fit chains, and says that 23, split across all seven chains, recommended unnecessary work. In response, one of the companies involved – Kwik-Fit – says that it has not been given detailed information by the CA but, on behalf of all the companies involved, it takes exception to the implication that so many in the trade would intentionally mislead the customer.
Continue ReadingPositive Signs For Goodyear?
In discussions with analysts from the DB Group, Goodyear management expressed optimism that it might achieve a larger slice of OE business from the Detroit car manufacturers, at the expense of Firestone. Goodyear said it had received an order from Ford for 1.8 million tyres and is hoping for another big order from General Motors. Spokesmen from Goodyear said that they would resist Chryslers request for price reductions in order to overcome the difficult situation at Chrysler. At the end of January, many contracts between Firestone and its dealers expire and Goodyear is confident of winning over many of these dealers. On the other hand, Goodyear admits that the medium and heavy truck business will remain difficult during 2001. All in all, the analysts see more positives than negative risks at the moment, but they did not recommend Goodyear shares.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to Stop Bandwagon
Bridgestone Firestone lawyers have made attempts in a pre-trial hearing in Indianapolis, to limit the number of legal suits being filed against the company. Whilst the consumers attorneys sought to expand the recall, Firestone lawyers asked for the dismissal of some 80 claims where the claimant had suffered no fiscal or physical harm, therefore leaving nothing to be remedied at law. If successful in having these claims dismissed, this would reduce the cases against the firm by 40%. The hearing continues in March.
Continue ReadingReshuffle At Cooper-Avon
Cooper-Avon Tyres has reshuffled many of its management team. André Korynevsky – responsible until now for retreading materials – has been appointed European Sales Director, liaising with the companys offices in Germany, France and Switzerland. He will continue to manage the retread materials business. Phil Caris is the new European Sales & Marketing Director with responsibility for multi-brand strategies, coordinating global product management. As European Major Accounts Director, Steve Cundy will head a team of three, which will service the business with European retail chains, marketing Avon house and private brands, as well as developing fleet business.
Continue ReadingAcquisition Of “Advanced Brake Technology” By Delphi
Delphi Automotive Systems has bought Federal Moguls Advanced Disc System brake technology. ADS features a simplified design offering better performance through an assembly using fewer components which ultimately may speed brake by wire technology and remove the need for booster equipment in brake assemblies. ADS can reduce the mass of the brake assembly by up to 25%.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Spread Safety Web
Bridgestone Firestone Inc. has launched a web-site dedicated to tire safety offering consumers the opportunity to sign up to an e-mail notification service to remind them to check their tyre pressures. According to Michael Fluck, e-business and Internet manager for Bridgestone Firestone, Many cars have longer service intervals than their predecessors. consequentially, tyre inflation levels may not be checked often enough. an e-mail reminder that its time to do so may reinforce the importance of doing this check.
Continue ReadingTest Centre To Close, Says Smithers
Smithers Scientific Services, the research and consulting firm, has announced that it will close its tyre and automotive testing complex at Pecos, Texas, due to lack of demand. 31 staff are affected and will be offered equivalent jobs at other facilities. The closure comes despite attempts to broaden the client base. The 5,800 acre facility, which Smithers bought from Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire in 1987, will be put up for sale.
Continue ReadingReshuffle at Goodyear
Goodyear has announced a reshuffle at its European businesses. Sylvain G. Valensi, the outgoing president of the European Union business unit, will be on special assignment, reporting directly to Robert Keegan, Goodyears president and COE. Valensi will be replaced by Michael J. Roney, who transfers from the Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle East Business Unit. Roney is in turn replaced by Jarro F. Kaplan, who previously held the post of managing director for Goodyear UK, and latterly of Goodyear Germany. Both Roney and Kaplan will report directly to Robert Keegan.
Continue ReadingO.E. Aims of Michelin
Michelin wants to capture half of the global O.E. market for high performance tyres. To help achieve this the company is counting on its C3M automated manufacturing system, now in place at seven plants around the world.
Continue ReadingStrike At Cord Manufacturer Affects Korean Manufacturers
The largest supplier of tyre cord in Korea, Hyosung Corporation, is currently suffering a strike. The countrys three tyre manufacturers, Hankook, Kumho and Nexen, have all expressed concern if the strike is prolonged. To obtain sufficient supplies of tyre reinforcing materials, the companies have been talking to Kolon Industries, the second largest supplier of these materials, and are also investigating the possibility of sourcing outside Korea.
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