Bridgestone Links Up With French Antivibration Specialist
Bridgestone has announced the formation of a strategic alliance in antivibration automotive components with Paulstra, the automotive antivibration sector of Hutchinson, a subsidiary of TotalFina in France. The objective of the alliance is for both companies to jointly develop new antivibration products at both the companies manufacturing plants around the world.
Continue ReadingMichelin Out Of The CAC 40?
There is speculation among analysts that Michelin and Valeo could be dropped from the CAC 40. Continental has been ousted from the DAX Index and Goodyear from the Dow Jones Index recently.
Continue ReadingWOCO Michelin AVS
Michelin AVS (49%) and WOCO AVS (51%) have founded a joint-venture group for cooperation in the field of car vibrations. The combined turnover of the new company is around 250m Euro.
Continue ReadingBridgestone/Firestone Price Increases
Similar to other tyre manufacturers, on 1st January 2000 Bridgestone/Firestone officially announced price increases of 3% for passenger car tyres and 2% for commercial tyres. The effects of this increase are now visible in the German replacement market.
Continue Reading“Product Range 2000” of Marangoni
At the beginning of April Marangoni, the Italian tyre manufacturer, broadened its tyre range in the high-performance sector by seven new sizes within the product programme 2000. Top of the summer tyre series is the Zeta ESC, a low-profile tyre with a directional tread pattern approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, which had five new 17-inch sizes added. Two more sizes were introduced to the second product line, Heron, making a total of 25 sizes in aspect ratios 65, 60, 55 and 50 and speed indices from H to W. On the occasion of these new introductions Marangoni invited the European trade press to Rapallo on the Italian Riviera, where questions were answered not only about the latest additions but also about the past, present and future of Marangoni Tyre S.p.A. When all is said and done, Marangoni is a kind of outsider in tyre production matters, hoping to raise the degree of international awareness and acceptance by its presentation. The production of new tyres (the Marangoni and Stunner brands) for cars, trucks and small transporters is one of the business units of Marangoni Holding, best known for its divisions Marangoni Tread (production of materials and technology for retreading) and Marangoni Pneumatici (retreaded tyres),which last year generated a turnover of 400 billion lire. The Marangoni Tyre share of the consolidated annual turnover of the group of companies is a quarter, according to Andrea Vassura, managing director and board member of Marangoni Tyre S.p.A.
Continue ReadingBridgestone OE Success At Ferrari
The Bridgestone Potenza S-02 is the oe tyre for the new Ferrari 360 Modena. The sizes are 215/40 ZR 18 (front) and 275/40 ZR 18 (rear).
Continue ReadingRecord Results For Hayes Lemmerz
Hayes Lemmerz, the worlds leading supplier of wheels, has announced record 1999 fourth quarter and full year figures in both earnings and sales. The strong expansion of the wheel business (especially aluminium wheels) and the acquisition of CMI are the main reasons for the good results. Hayes Lemmerz also announced the contract for its sixth wheel/tire assembly facility: for BMW in Munich.
Continue ReadingNo Re-arrangement Of Continental/Michelin JV
Continental spokesman Peter Schwerdtmann has denied reports that Continental and Michelin are planning to re-arrange or discontinue their two-year-old joint venture which includes combined purchasing of raw materials and Michelins share of Barum. The teamwork between both companies is excellent, he said, and the joint venture will continue. Terms to form the basis of a new settlement would have caused problems because of the brand rights for Uniroyal, owned by Michelin, but produced in Europe by Continental, under licence.
Continue ReadingGoodyear File Impressive First Quarter Figures For 2000
Following an increase in turnover from US$ 3 billion to US$ 3.5 billion, which incorporates US$ 577 from acquired Dunlop activities, Goodyear has reported a net income of US$ 63.6 million for the first quarter of 2000. The company sold 54.8 million tyres during this period, which is 9.1million more than in the corresponding quarter last year. 8.9 million of this total were manufactured by Dunlop. And as result of this quite impressive report anticipated by the market Goodyear shares have recovered recently.
Continue ReadingJose Ignacio Lopez Charged With Industrial Espionage
Jose Ignacio Lopez, who joined Volkswagen from General Motors in 1993 and was forced to leave three years later, is facing charges in the USA of industrial espionage. Lopez was involved in a car accident in 1998 in which he sustained serious head and brain damage. It is unlikely that Spain will agree to his extradition to the USA to stand trial.
Continue ReadingMIRS Tyres Produced In Milan
The first production line utilising MIRS technology (Modular Integrated Robotized System), was unveiled by Pirelli chief Marco Tronchetti Provera at an international press conference on 11 July at the companys Bicocca factory. The MIRS process is managed entirely on-line. In the next three years, four more MIRS plants will be opened in Germany, the UK, the USA and the Far East, representing an investment of 500 million Euro (excluding building and servicing costs). Total production capacity will be 10 million HP and UHP tyres a year.
Continue ReadingCooper 4×4 Tyre To Be Made In UK
The Cooper Discoverer Sport HP – a 4x4 tyre designed specifically for roads in Europe – is to be manufactured at Cooper-Avons factory at Melksham in the UK.
Continue ReadingForward Strategy From Hayes Lemmerz
Hayes Lemmerz International is going to acquire the Schenk foundry in Germany in order to expand its suspension presence in Europe. Klaus Jünger, President European Chassis Components Group said that this is an excellent base for our expansion in Europe. Major customers of Schenk are Audi, BMW, Opel and Porsche.
Continue Reading“The Leading Edge” Award For Ronal From Volkswagen Group
Light alloy wheel supplier Ronal has been honoured by the Volkswagen Group with the Corporate Supplier Award The Leading Edge. Ronal is a supplier of the car brands VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda and has also received new development orders for the prestigious Bentley brand.
Continue ReadingTyre Recall Extended To Venezuela
Bridgestone/Firestone has announced that it is to recall 62,000 tyres sold in the Venezuelan market at an estimated cost of US$ 6.4 m. The tyres have been linked with 60 deaths in the country. The consumer protection agency is recommending investigation into charges of possible criminal negligence against Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone, plus a number of civil law suits are planned.
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