Winter-Workshop 2000 With Michelin
At the end of November Michelin invited motor journalists to a so-called Winter Workshop at the Arctic Driving Centre near Rovaniemi (Finland). The main topic of the event was of course the capabilities of winter tyres. Despite the very mild climate at the end of last year the tyre industry expects that with 18.4 million winter tyres, sales will reach a new record this season in Germany: Based on this Michelin says that customers will spend some three million DM for new tyres and service. As well as such basic market data, the Winter Workshop gave those present the chance to check out the advantages of modern winter tyres. To illustrate this the tyre manufacturer had prepared four different sections, focusing on influences on winter performance such as the tread depth, the age of the tyre and the tyre speed index and dimension. All in all, 24 combinations were tested and more than 50 journalists driving the test cars led to a great number of – sometimes astonishing – results, and the data allowed the establishment of average values for each section. Michelin says that the results of the workshop will have a bearing on future developments and the criteria for choosing the right tyre. Learn more about this in the January edition of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Continue ReadingAircraft Tyre Production Resumes At Goodyear Sao Paulo Factory
Increased demand in Latin America has prompted Goodyear to resume production of aircraft tyres at its factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Manufacture of these tyres began in 1943 and was stopped in 1992. The biggest customer is Brazilian aeroplane maker Embraer; the fourth largest in the world, and which is currently constructing a new factory in Brazil. 30 per cent of the Sao Paulo aircraft tyres will be for the Brazilian market, with the remaining 70 per cent exported to North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. Goodyear claims to be the world leader in aircraft tyre manufacturing.
Continue ReadingDiesel Cars To Take 35 Per Cent Of Market
A report from Frost & Sullivan predicts that diesel engines in cars will become ever-smaller. By the end of 2002, these mini-diesels will make up 35 per cent of the western European car market, with engine capacities starting at 600cc.
Continue ReadingRestructuring Plan For Chrysler Next Month May Close Factories
Next month, DaimlerChrysler is expected to reveal a restructuring plan for its Chrysler subsidiary. Industry commentators are speculating that the plan could involve job losses of up to 20,000, both blue and white collar jobs, and closure of as many as six factories over an unspecified period of time.
Continue ReadingRacing fever in Germany now – Michelin Goes Formula One
Members of the German buying association of free tyre dealers EFR met for their annual meeting at the former Expo exhibition centre. Doors were closed when they reviewed the past year and analysed the weak points, as well as when they tried to set the agenda for the year 2001. No doubt EFR is known on the market as a Michelin buying association, which, regarded from the opposite side, is as wrong as if FRI were to be called a Goodyear buying association. But this is the wrong place to discuss both sides differences. In fact, EFR is representing a group with a very friendly relationship towards Michelin and therefore selling their products as a priority. And of course Michelin itself is doing everything to satisfy the EFR dealers demands, as with more than 300 specialised tyre dealers they form a solid distribution basis for their products. After being in low gear for several years, Michelin has had a brilliant start to the new millennium, while profiting from the seeds they have been sowing for the past two or three years. However, until recently, with their first brand the French have steadily been losing market shares all over Europe and most of all in Germany – although no loss of quantity and admittedly from a high ranking – now they are ready for the battle with the competition in their home market Europe, more than ever. As Michelin wants to win the race, Patrice Kéfalas could not miss a favourable opportunity: Michelin goes Formula One was the message that he announced in front of the EFR tyre dealers. Hence, the race is on at all levels. With Michelin tyres Patrice Kéfalas does not only want to win for merely for the sake of being the winner, he also wants to realise an image profit, which should end up in either greater quantities or better selling prices too between industry and trade or trade and consumer, or even both.
Continue ReadingSouth African Tyre Industry Tackles Scrap Tyre Problem
In South Africa, the tyre industry has established a non-profit-making company, SA Tyre Recycling Process, to collect scrap tyres. This scrap will be made available to organisations for recycling and tyre-derived fuel. Etienne Human, the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference director, said that the project would reduce the countrys growing scrap tyre problem and benefit the environment. The new company will deal only with new scrap arisings and the industry is looking towards international organisations to fund the removal of existing stockpiles of scrap tyres.
Continue Reading“Snowprox S950”: Toyo’s New Winter Tyre
At the beginning of April the presentation of Toyos new winter tyre, Snowprox S950, took place in Rovaniemi, Finland. The new product was already introduced to the market at the end of last year. The S950 covers the 55- up to the 40-series and has been released in 15 dimensions (from 185/55 R 15 up to 215/40 R 16). For the coming winter season five additional sizes in the 17-inch-sector and with a V speed index are planned.
Continue ReadingA “Near Death Experience” – Simex Europe
Simex Europe has been in existence since 1988, gradually increasing the size of its Monza range of car tyres and steadily increasing sales volumes. Then, in August last year, disaster struck when the Montinex group went into Administrative Receivership, as the group was Simexs biggest customer, accounting for 60% of its turnover. With most of its eggs in one basket, it was, according to MD Raof Daud, a near death experience for the company. Simex fought back by going into car tyre distribution and growing its dealer network, and the come-back has been long and hard, with the company poised to be back in the black for the first time since the crisis. An exciting time for a new man to come in to take charge – Mr. A. K. Lee has recently taken over as General Manager, as Raof Daud has moved to another company within the Sime Darby group after nine years as MD of Simex.
Continue ReadingWilliams-BMW Successful Because Of Michelin Tyres
Formula 1 Champion Michael Schumacher believes that the secret of the Williams-BMW team lies in the Michelin tyres. Michelin seems to have done a good job so that Williams-BMW has become competitive, the Ferrari driver told La Gazzetta dello Sport, during team testing in Mugello. I would have thought that Bridgestones advantage would have lasted longer, said the German, who has Bridgestone tyres on his Ferrari, whereas brother Ralf uses Michelin tyres on the Williams-BMW.
Continue ReadingRio De Janeiro To Get Second Michelin Plant
The governor of Rio de Janeiro has announced the intention of Michelin to open a second tyre plant in the city. The new plant will complement and duplicate the existing 1.5 million production facility. The new facility is required to meet demand for Michelin tyres in South America, the Caribbean and Cuba.
Continue ReadingMotor Manufacturers Step Back From Firestone
General Motors, which currently uses Firestone tyres as OE equipment on some 14 different models will be changing some cars and trucks to other Bridgestone brands this summer. Nissan will be dropping Firestone from its US Altima saloon when it relaunches in September. Both manufacturers stressed that the tyres they use were not connected with the Ford/Firestone recall troubles. However, GMs Terry Rhadigan says, We want our customers to have peace of mind.
Continue ReadingRollercoaster Ride Continues For Bridgestone Shares
It is hard to keep pace with the price of Bridgestone shares as they yo-yo up and down. Following a fall when the company announced the closure of the Decatur factory, the shares have risen by 0.77 per cent, outperforming the Stock Market. Japanese analysts believe that the factory closure and associated cost savings are a positive step.
Continue ReadingAutoExpress Award For Conti Tyre
The ContiPremiumContact has been named as best tyre in the Product Honours Awards from UK motoring magazine AutoExpress. Judging criteria included wet and dry handling, aquaplaning, braking and fuel economy.
Continue ReadingWhat Plans For Pirelli Tyres?
During a press conference held in Milan, Pirelli boss Tronchetti Provera did not give much away and remained vague. The companys strategy will focus more on high technology and telecommunications in the future, but Tronchetti Provera stressed that he could not be more precise until he has made up his mind and seen all there is to see in Telecom Italiana. He said that he would focus on debt reductions as quickly as possible. Some parts of Pirelli are now for sale; a small part of the cables and the truck tyre division, for which Pirelli hopes to collect around 2 billion Euro. The passenger car and motorbike tyre division is not for sale. There are rumours that Pirelli is in talks with Michelin and Bridgestone. Of the two remaining major manufacturers, Continental may not have the money, as the group is already planning other take-overs, and Goodyear already has sufficient production capacity.
Continue ReadingSteel Wheel Contract For Hayes Lemmerz
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has entered into a long-term contract with Skoda to supply steel wheels for the all-new Skoda Felicia. The wheels are currently being produced at the Companys European manufacturing facilities, in Manresa, Spain and Ostrava, Czech Republic.
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