Deal Expected between Goodyear and Pacific Dunlop
Beleaguered Pacific Dunlop is expected to announce job cuts in a restructuring of its joint venture tyre division. It is also expected that Pacific Dunlop will announce plans to withdraw from the tyre venture, leaving Goodyear the controlling influence in the business. This comes as the group is about to release its latest profit figures which are expected to show a collapse in the performance of the tyre joint venture, Southern Pacific Tyres. Pacific Dunlop CEO, Tony Daniels, has so far declined to comment, other than to say that the JV partners were committed to manufacturing in Victoria, Australia.
Continue ReadingBig Orders For TRW
Automotive supplier TRW has received orders worth 900 million US-Dollars from Renault (for the Megane) and Fiat (for the Stilo), concerning the production of Electrically Assisted Steering systems (EAS) for this year and beyond. These new contracts bring TRWs volume for EAS-systems in 2001 up to 500 million US-Dollars. The steering-systems for Fiat will be developed in Birmingham and produced in Livorno (Italy). The steering system for Renault will be developed and manufactured in Pamplona (Spain).
Continue ReadingHow Far Will Pirelli Shares fall?
The engagement with Telecom Italia has become an expensive adventure for Pirelli. Because telecommunications have fallen from favour on the stock markets the shares are rated even worse than those of automotive companies and analysts do not agree with Pirellis change in strategy. Pirelli shares are in a deep fall. This just as the so much abused tyre division presents admissible figures in a very hard market.
Continue ReadingImproved Sales And Profit For Nokian
Nokian has released interim financial figures for the first nine months of this year. These show an increase in net sales of 7.4 per cent to 277.7 m Euro and an operating profit of 25.3 m Euro (11.9 m Euro for the same period last year). Net profit reached 9.1 m Euro (2.7 m in 2000). Nokians target for the year is to achieve a sales growth of around 10 per cent and improve on last years profitability.
Continue ReadingMulti-Brand Sales Organisation Of The Continental Group In Germany
From the beginning of the year, only one sales rep in each region will be selling all Continental group brands. The company believes that the benefit will be greater synergies for itself and for dealers; so said Jescow von Puttkamer, head of sales for passenger car replacement tyres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, in an interview with Neue Reifenzeitung. In Germany, the group has 60 sales reps on the road, selling passenger car tyres. Whether one rep for all brands is the correct decision or not, only time will tell. We remain pessimistic.
Continue ReadingVice President Materials Management For Goodyear
Mark D. Ponton (50) has been appointed vice president of materials management for Goodyear in the USA. The post entails looking after Goodyears initiatives in warehousing and distribution in North America.
Continue ReadingFast-Fit Operation For Asda Supermarkets?
In the UK, the Asda supermarket chain is said to be looking at the possibility of opening car fast-fit businesses. Asda is owned by Wal-Mart, which operates tyre and lube centres at its stores in the USA. An Asda spokesperson said that the company had no plans to launch tyre and lube in the UK at present, although the possibility is being evaluated.
Continue ReadingGloomy Outlook For Asian Auto Makers
A report from automotive consultants autopolis is predicting tough times ahead for most of Asias car markets this year, due to falling currencies, lower prices, declining exports and political uncertainty. The average fall is expected to be 7%, with markets outside Japan falling by more than 10%. For Japanese sales, a 4% decline is expected. Sales are expected to fall in most places, excluding China, with South Korean and Indian markets being particularly hard hit.
Continue ReadingTyrexpo Europe 2001 Preview
It is exhibition time once again in the UK, with Tyrexpo Europe 2001 being held in the Grand Hall at Olympia from March 14th to 16th. In terms of space, this is the largest-ever show in the events 23-year history. The exhibitor list underlines the shows growing internationalisation over recent years, with companies coming from (naturally, given the name of the show) western and eastern Europe, the USA and Canada and the Far East. Manufacturing tyres has become an increasingly global business, and so has wholesaling, with companies searching the globe for new sources of products and also for customers. Wholesalers are well represented at Tyrexpo. An industry not enjoying good times at the moment is that of retreading, especially for passenger car tyres. It is no surprise, therefore, that the number of retreaders taking space at the show is below that of previous events. However, the industry is not totally unrepresented, with machinery manufacturers and suppliers of consumables taking space. Two areas which are becoming more prominent are those of tyre recycling and internet trading. Legal moves such as the banning of tyres for landfill and the End of Life Vehicle Directive are concentrating industry minds on recycling, and there are tyre collectors and disposers among the exhibitors. Few doubt that the internet will have a growing effect on the tyre – and every other – business, and Tyrexpo Europe provides the opportunity for some of the companies offering internet trading to show what they can offer. Our preview gives a flavour of the variety of exhibitors by giving details of some of what is on show. TYRES & ACCESSORIES and our sister magazine NEUE REIFENZEITUNG, are sharing a stand and we look forward to seeing friends old and new.
Continue ReadingNew Motorcycle Tyre From Michelin
Michelin has launched the new Pilot Sport HPX (Horse Power Xtreme) motorcycle tyre to cope with the demands of todays more powerful bikes. The tread pattern is the same as the Pilot Sport, but the casing has been redesigned to cope with the higher speeds and weights of machines such as the Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa and the Kawasaki ZX12-R. The new tyre which was presented for the first time during the Intermot Munich at the end of last year is available in the following sizes: 120/70 ZR 17, 190/50 ZR 17 and 200/50 ZR 17.
Continue ReadingStart Of The Motorbike Season
Each year the motorcycle exhibition in Dortmund attracts many visitors, even though Munich has established a bigger show (every other year) for two-wheel fans in the meantime. More than 400 exhibitors took part in the 17th show from 28 February to 4 March and around 1,000 motorbikes could be seen in Dortmund. And on the tyre side? Only Dunlop presented a new tyre: the tyre manufacturer says that the D208 GP (front tyre 120/70 ZR 17, rear tyre 180/55 ZR 17) was developed based on experiences in motorsport. But apart from this, no more information was available. Dunlop couldn’t even tell NEUE REIFENZEITUNG a date for the official launch of the new product in Germany. And at all other tyre manufacturers‘ stands – Bridgestone, Cooper-Avon, Metzeler/Pirelli, Michelin – one could only see exactly the same product range as presented at Intermot last autumn – very disappointing so far. The only excitement for this year’s motorbike season will arise from the question if Bridgestone will be able to pass Metzeler and can climb to number one of the German market for motorbike tyres.
Continue ReadingE-Commerce – Confused? Who Wouldn’t Be?
The tyre industry is being swamped by companies trying to grab a piece of the e-commerce cake. Whether individuals like it or not, surviving in the tyre market in the future will depend upon access to technology, and the ability to buy and sell stock on-line. Who do you turn to? ContiContact? Tyreman? Cam Systems, Team Systems, who? Do you need Internet, or EDI? What are the legalities? The whole concept is confusing to the layman and the trader alike and the pace of change can be frightening to those who are not e-literate as they feel they may be left behind by increasingly-sophisticated customers. This series of articles looks at the potential, the hazards, the products, and throws in a healthy pinch of salt but still concludes that the future is electronic.
Continue ReadingNew Tyre Introduced by Cooper
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company introduces its newest addition to its line of tyres – the Lifeliner Touring SLE (Sport Luxury Edition). The product offers optimized tread compound to balance wear and wet/winter traction. It is equipped with optimized bead contour, as well, for a more uniform fit to the rim and an improved ride quality. Offset shoulder slots bvreak up tire pitch harmonics, allowing for a more quiet ride. The Touring SLE is offered in three separate speed ratings: T, H and V.
Continue ReadingNew 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.
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