A Question Of Statistics: Influence Of Tyre Pressure On Traffic Safety
Three percent of all traffic accidents in Germany occur due to technical defects on the cars, more than half of which are tyre defects; in total round about two percent of all accidents are due to the tyres. This figure seems to be reassuring, but they apply only to accidents caused directly and undoubtedly from the tyres – for example a puncture. The question what was the reason for the puncture? – maybe a long-term inner defect – is never asked. In the common statistics no hint is given on the influence of reduced tyre pressure on traffic safety. Nobody can give information about how many accidents happened because of faulty steering or below-standard characteristics in bends or hydroplaning safety. Also accidents involving stationary vehicles parked on the street are not counted in the statistics. Collisions with objects on the roads are mentioned, but the objects are not specified. Very often these objects are tyres or parts of tyres, which can be a very dangerous obstacle – especially when the objects are truck tyres. For the statistics regarding accidents caused by faulty tyres it is still correct what was mentioned in an analysis in 1985 – and it sounds ironical: one result of the report is that it is not possible to make concrete declarations about the reasons for accidents. All we know is that low pressure in the tyres has an influence on the number of accidents – but nobody can say how much.
Continue ReadingReturn To Number One Ranking For Bridgestone
Figures published by US journal Rubber & Plastics News for the year 2000 show Bridgestone back at the number one position for global tyre companies, with tyre sales of almost 14 billion US Dollars.
Continue ReadingIntelligent Tyre From Siemens And Conti
It is reported that the German company Siemens has developed an intelligent tyre in collaboration with Continental. The tyre incorporates small sensors that can give advance warning of wear, low pressure or imminent sudden deflation. They can also detect on-road hazards such as black ice and can help to keep the car under safe control in these conditions. In addition to the sensor technology, the tyres will be more fuel efficient and last longer. Testing in extreme conditions is currently being carried out and Siemens says that the tyres should be on the market in 2001. Not so, is the reaction of those close to the market, saying that there is no way that the tyre could be produced as a range this year. Nobody from Continental was available to comment.
Continue ReadingCut In Earnings Forecast By Bridgestone
In Tokyo, the Bridgestone Corporation has slashed its earnings forecast for the year by 81%. The revised forecast is US$ 116 million, down from the August estimate of US$ 596.6 million. Bridgestone also said that it would take a US$ 750 million charge to cover the costs of the recall and possible lawsuits; more than double the original charge estimate of US$ 350 million.
Continue Reading405 More Jobs To Go At Tenneco Automotive
Back in October, Tenneco Automotive announced that 285 jobs were to be cut in the USA, as part of a plan to reduce salaried staff by 700 by the end of this year. The company has announced another 405 salaried job losses worldwide, blamed on the state of the global automotive aftermarket and reduced vehicle production in the USA.
Continue ReadingDelphi Finish Year On A Positive Note
Delphi, the global automotive systems supplier reports a positive year, despite disappointing fourth quarter results due to the sharp drop in fourth quarter vehicle volumes and resultant decline in revenues. Although annual sales are down, net income has increased by $11 million to $1.1 billion. This concludes a good first year for Delphi as an independent,publicly owned company
Continue ReadingSoftware For The Tyre Trade
Despite all the joint-ventures, take-overs and mergers within the tyre industry, the number of tyre brands, types and dimensions offered by tyre trade is continually rising. As customers demands are increasing too, it is no longer an easy task to sell black round rubber tyres. Additional services, covering car service as well, are required more than ever before. Where the tyre trade could easily lose track, simple computer software could solve the problem. However, we have realised several times, especially within our series of visits to tyre trade sites – and recently at a shop in Dortmund – that there are still some dinosaurs among the dealers who prefer file-card boxes, lists, card indices and similar things to computer files, not only for placing an order for a potential customer but for stocktaking. This is not automatically a disadvantage, but it raises the question if it is an exception or, if on principle EDP is not as accepted in the tyre business as in other business sectors. Within the tyre trade EDP goes without question so say the software producers, while developing new challenges such as integrating internet and e-commerce into their programmes. In interviews with some suppliers, NEUE REIFENZEITUNG has been looking into this and other trends concerning EDP and the tyre trade.
Continue ReadingUncertainties Stop Michelin’s Plans For India
Reduced profits in the Indian tyre market and an uncertainty about acceptance of radial truck and bus tyres has forced Michelin to take stock of its plans for the continent. Plans for a $115m plant at Maharashta have been put on hold. In the meantime Michelin is testing the market with imported radials before making a final decision.
Continue ReadingPossible Recall Of All BFS Tyres Manufactured At Decatur Plant?
Lawyers in the USA are calling for the recall of all Firestone tyres made at tbe Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) facility in Decatur, Illinois and not just the 15 inch ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tyres recalled last August.
Continue ReadingFocus On Earthmover Tyres
The worlds most important exhibition for equipment in the building, construction, mining and quarrying industries is Bauma, which was held in the beginning of April in Munich. On 2000 stands many vehicles from this segment were exhibited – equipped with very specialised tyres. Not all the tyre manufacturers are involved in this segment, for which the abbreviation EM is common, standing for earthmover tyres. The most important producers of EM tyres are Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear and Dunlop who showed sections of their current programs on their own stands. Some other tyre brands were fitted on the machines featured on the stands of vehicle manufacturers, but the four above-mentioned brands dominate the market. One trend in earthmover tyres is radialisation, but cross ply tyres are still in use. Low profile tyres and low-pressure technology are the most modern developments. The specialised tyre manufacturers want to be able to equip virtually every construction and mining machine, from skid-steer and compact loaders to the biggest trucks, to provide the customers with economic solutions and optimum efficiency.
Continue ReadingInvestment And New Jobs For Continental Teves Factory
Over the next five years, Continental will invest just over $51 million in its Continental Teves brake factory, located at Jicin in the Czech Republic. The investment will mean that the factory is amongst Europes largest brake system manufacturers and will mean another 670 jobs to the 900 already employed at the plant.
Continue ReadingCo-operation Between Bandag and Continental
European Bandag licensees will retread Continental truck tyres using the latters tread patterns, using Bandags Cold Retreading Process. The tyres will be distributed through the Continental dealer network as well as by Bandag licensees. The initial volume will be around 60,000, rising to 180,000 pieces per year. The agreement does not include any financial links, nor does it include the hot retreading process which Continental operates with other producers in Europe under the Contire brand.
Continue ReadingWheels Division Of ArvinMeritor Honored
ArvinMeritor Wheels Division announced at its plant expansion ceremony in San Luis Potosi (Mexico) that it was named General Motors Supplier of the Year for its superior performance in quality, service, technology and price. The award was given during ceremonies Saturday, April 28 at the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. This marks the 9th consecutive year the division has been honored with this prestigious award.
Continue ReadingTrust in Michelin Shares
Deutsche Bank AG sees potential in Michelin shares, which lost about 10 % at the stock exchange last week, and they recommend these as a buy. On the one hand analysts foresee cheaper raw material prices and on the other hand they believe that, as Michelin is focussing on the high end of the market, the company will be the winner because American consumers are making a flight to quality after the recall of Firestone tyres.
Continue ReadingHow Easy Is It To Buy On-Line?
The Internet, we are told, will revolutionise our working and private lives. Many companies trumpet the fact that they have websites, but what happens if you want to purchase a tyre over the Internet? Our article sets out to do just that, with mixed results. Some companies were easier to find than others, while the ease of ordering tyres on-line varied considerably. Some of our findings might surprise you.
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