Michelin Warns Of Truck Tyre VAT Fraud
Michelin has warned its customers and distributors in Europe to beware of truck tyres being offered at extraordinarily low prices. These are believed to be the result of VAT fraud and Michelin is working with customs authorities and police across Europe. Investigations have already identified organised criminal networks and, as a result, a number of VAT frauds have been broken up. Michelin is concerned at potential harm to its truck tyre image and to its distributor network and it asks customers to be aware of complicity should they make illegal purchases from these criminal networks.
Continue ReadingHeated arguments between Hanover and Traiskirchen
Trials, tribulations and shady deals have, in recent years, been the order of the day in the contacts between the Corporation’s management in Hanover and the Semperit GmbH subsidiary in Vienna. On the one hand, due mostly to the fighting spirit of a large part of the personnel, we had the image of a totally unruly company in Traiskirchen, and on the other hand the image of those at the top of the Corporation; not to be trusted any further than they could be thrown. Like the devil fears holy water, the Austrian associates fear the physicist Hubertus von Grünberg who, first as the Continental Corporation’s CEO and now as a sort of Supervisory Superintendent, is spending a lot of time making life impossible for the plant in Traiskirchen. As far as the Austrians are concerned, there can be no possible justification for these measures, and closure of the plant would be seen as a token of utter ingratitude, because Semperit Traiskirchen has amply rewarded the Corporation with returns on their previous investments. The question today is: can Traiskirchen be saved? The company offers employment to 1,500 associates, manufacturing products for a world market under pressure due to overcapacity. The bitter truth is this: the plant is no longer needed, however, the brand is, and so is the market. What they have not quite figured out yet, is how to lose the one and keep the others. Employees point to the closure, at the beginning of the eighties, of the Firestone Plant in Pratteln, Switzerland, which consequently reduced the then market leader to a mere also ran. The same fate will befall the Continental Corporation, is the suggestion in Vienna. But the reality may be quite different. At that time, Firestone had withdrawn from the market in the heat of its struggle for survival, tyres had to be ordered by the container load from the Spanish or French plant, the infrastructure had gone, and so had the distribution service. If lights go out in Traiskirchen today, the impact on the market may be close to zero. Austria will be in turmoil but once the telephones of the works council members have been cut, the interest of the public and the press will die down, and so will the interest of the politicians, who are trying to capitalise on the situation, pretending they are fighting to keep the jobs. It will be like in any obituary: fought, hoped and lost. Matters should be approached from a different angle: ranting and raving does not create new jobs.
Continue ReadingExpansion For Bridgestone In South Africa
South African company Bridgestone Firestone Maxiprest is expanding and forming a new organisation. The company is to acquire West Cape Bandag and merging four outlets of tyre distributor Prima bande to form Primax Tyres. The outlets will distribute the Maxiprest range of retreads and related tyre services. Maxiprest has 100 retail outlets and 20 retread factories across South Africa.
Continue ReadingHankook Becomes OE Supplier For Renault
The Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook is developing three tyre sizes for Renault. These are 155/65-14 and 165/70-14 reinforced for the Twingo and size 185/65-15 for the Kangoo. First deliveries will start at the end of next year. At present the major OE-suppliers to Renault are Michelin, Continental and Dunlop.
Continue ReadingNew Products From Michelin and Kleber
Michelin wants to underline its reputation for innovation concerning agricultural tyres with the presentation of three new tyres: MACHXBIB, XM 28 for tractors exceeding 180 horse power and the trailer tyre CARGOXBIB. The first one comes in two versions: an on-land version (650 mm wide) for transport and for work along the furrow and the in-land version (900 mm wide) with significantly reduced soil compaction and excellent traction performance. Highlight on the Kleber stand is the new FITKER a 70-series tyre that will be available in the two dimensions 480/70 R28 and 580/70 R38, and which replaces its predecessors, the Super 8L and 9L.
Continue Reading“ZE-512” By Falken
Successor to the ZE-502, which proved a major market success in Europe, Japanese tyre manufacturer introduces its new product, ZE-512, to the European market. The tyre shall set new standards in friction resistance, aquaplaning and handling on wet surfaces. The development of the ZE-512 focused on comfort-oriented, well-balanced properties. The two and one profile block and the side profiles 5-phase shifted random pitch variation minimise noise and maximise steering precision throughout the entire life of the tyre. The ZE 512 will appear in 41 dimensions.
Continue ReadingFord Jr.: Not Just For Sentimental Reasons
Two weeks ago William Bill Ford (44) played his part in the fall of Jacques Nasser and took on the responsibility for the company himself. Since then he has taken every opportunity to emphasise that he is very interested in repairing the ruined relationship between Ford and Firestone. Many newspapers stressed that his two great grandfathers were the founders of Ford and Firestone and his mother was born a Firestone. But sentimentality alone is not sufficient motivation. Almost single-handedly the now-resigned Ford boss Nasser ordered the additional recall of 12 million Firestone tyres that will burden the companys balance sheet with a figure in excess of two billion US-Dollars. This has been regarded as completely unnecessary by Firestone and the tyre manufacturer has rejected any responsibility for this act. After the US safety administration (NHTSA) and Firestone had agreed on a voluntary recall of some hundred thousand tyres, costing the tyre manufacturer a two-figure million Dollar amount of money, Firestone regards its attitude as justified. Ford wanted to present the bill to Bridgestone/Firestone at the right time. This may not be possible, in legal terms, the car producer might have no grounds against Firestone. It is possible that a voluntary agreement could provide a way not to lose the face in front of the shareholders. If Bridgestone/Firestone were to resume its old position as a key supplier, settlements to accounts could be presented in a plausible way, as has already happened for example in the case of General Motors and Volkswagen in the Lopez Affair.
Continue ReadingJoint Venture To Manufacture And Market Car Radials In China
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has announced that the Chinese Government has approved the establishment of a joint venture company in January 2002 to make and market radial car tyres in China. It is a jv between Yokohama, YHI Holdings (of Singapore) and Hangzhou Rubber, of China. Production will begin in April 2003, initially of 750,000 tyres a year. A second stage of investment will increase this figure up to 1.5 million tyres, depending on demand. Each stage will require an investment of $30 million.
Continue ReadingTop Executives Of Bridgestone/Ford Meet
According to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbum, the top executives of Bridgestone Corp. and Ford Motor Co. met in Honolulu last weekend in a move towards repairing the rift between the two companies over the recall of Firestone tyres on Ford Explorers. Bridgestone CEO Shigeo Watanabe met with Nick Scheele, Ford chief operating officer, a Bridgestone spokesman said, this being the first talk at senior management level between the two companies since their 100-year relationship was severed in May. The two companies agreed to further meetings, with John Lampe, CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., participating next time, although no timetable has yet been announced. Both Ford and Bridgestone want to resume their long-standing business relationship. The Japanese tyre manufacturer will, according to industry pundits, supply Bridgestone tyres at a special price in order to contribute to the costs incurred by Ford during its voluntary and hasty Firestone tyre recall.
Continue Reading“Ypsilon” by Continental
With the new Ypsilon tyre, which was shown for the first time at Agritechnica in Hanover, Continental is breaking into the 22.5 inch tyre sector. The Ypsilion combines all the benefits of implement and MPT radial tyres and is approved for speeds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph). Its all-round suitability means it can be fitted not only to trailed axles but also drive axles. In addition the new, revised Technical Manual comprising of over 100 pages has been published to coincide with Agritechnica. It contains a wealth of information about agricultural tyres, their tread patterns, tyre pressures and application conditions.
Continue ReadingWorse-Than-Expected Figures For Vredestein
Contrary to earlier forecasts, the Dutch Vredestein group has announced heavy losses for 2001. Sales and profitability on the German tyre market, which are very important factors in Vredesteins results, are under pressure.
Continue ReadingManagement Change At Goodyear Dunlop Europe
Henry Johnson, who was VP Goodyear Eastern Europe and then VP Goodyear Dunlop/Europe, has now been appointed Managing Director of the SBU (Sales Business Unit) Truck Tyres Europe. His successor is Arthur de Bok, who was previously with Procter and Gamble.
Continue ReadingBritish Supercar Fits Bridgestone 100 Per Cent
British supercar manufacturer Noble is to fit Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position tyres as 100 per cent OE to its new sports car, the M12 GTO. The car won Top Gear magazines 2001 Drivers Car Award and it delivers 310 brake horse power through a twin-turbo-charged 24 valve engine.
Continue ReadingRumours Regarding The Ford PAG Group
There is speculation in some business newspapers that Wolfgang Reitzle, boss of PAG (the luxury car segment), might leave his post. Reitzle is a close friend of Jacques Nasser, who recently had to quit his job as CEO of the Ford Group. It is said that the European luxury segment could become part of Ford Europe and lose its independence.
Continue ReadingNew Sizes for Vredestein
Dutch tyre manufacturer Vredestein is adding some new sizes to its existing product range, for example the dimension 350/60-16 12 PR TL to the Flotation+ profile. With the new Traxion+ sizes 420/70 R 28 and 520 R 38 it is also possible to choose extra wide tyres in the most popular horse power categories. Last but not least the Flotation Pro in 22.5 inches is now suitable for speeds up to 65 km/h. Additional sizes are also in preparation, such as 600/55 R 26.5, 700/50 R 26.5 and 800/40 R 26.5.
Continue Reading
