New Technology Tyre For Concorde From Michelin
Following the tragic Concorde crash last summer, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) approached tyre manufacturers to see if any research was on-going to improve the resistance of tyres to damage by foreign objects. In Paris, Michelin unveiled its response, the radial NZG. NZG, which stands for near zero growth is described as the latest innovation in radial technology. It uses a high-modulus reinforcement material which is lighter and offers higher damage resistance. The tyre was tested by running over a 30 cm blade both at taxiing and take-off speeds and the tyre suffered no damage.
Continue ReadingChanges At Tenneco Automotive
Richard J. Sloan (62), executive vice president and md of Tenneco Automotives European operations, is to retire in mid June. He will be succeeded by Hari N. Nair (41), senior vice president and md, Tenneco Automotive International Group. Nairs replacement is Timothy R. Donovan (45), senior vice president and general counsel.
Continue ReadingTerrible News For Continental In The US
According to an article in the Washington Post, the tyre General Ameri 550 s will be subject to more claims due to tread separations than Firestone. As well as General, some other brands are under the microscope on the NHTSA-list, and their identity has not yet been revealed. It is expected that further explanations will be issued this week. A spokesman for Continental denied the accusation and said the NHTSA statement would be misleading. Ford did not comment.
Continue ReadingPhilip J. Ringo To Head New Global E-Commerce Marketplace
RubberNetwork.com, LLC, a global electronic purchasing and procurement marketplace created by nine leading companies in the tire and rubber industry, has named Philip J. Ringo Chief Executive Officer and a Member of the companys Board of Managers.
Continue ReadingGM Picks Bridgestone/Firestone As Supplier Of The Year
Good news for Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. in North America. GM has chosen the tyre manufacturer once again as their tyre supplier of the year and underlined the quality and performance of these tyres.
Continue ReadingNew 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 ReadingShare Of Tyres In Pirelli Turnover Falling
In the first half of the year 2000, tyre business accounted for 40 per cent of Pirellis turnover, but this has now fallen to only 37 per cent, whereas cables/systems/communications increased to 63 per cent. There was an improvement in tyre business figures for the first six months, but this could not match the results of the other business units. The main reason was the economic problems in Turkey and America, which are very important markets for Pirelli.
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%.
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