China Tire Holdings Claim Is Dismissed
The Eastern Division of the Ohio District Court has rejected all claims by China Tire Holdings against Goodyear.
Continue ReadingAlchemy Pulls Out Of Rover Deal
This morning the venture capitalist company Alchemy Partners pulled out of talks with BMW to buy the Rover Group, including the Longbridge plant. The deal was expected to be successfully concluded today. BMW has allowed one month for another buyer to come forward or the Longbridge plant will be shut down.
Continue ReadingCompetition Authorities Approved Nokian’s Purchase Of Retail Chain
Competition authorities have approved the purchase of Rengsmestarit-Kumi-Helenius Group. Nokian bought the retail chain with 31 outlets and a turnover of 34 Million Euros in March 2000.
Continue ReadingColoured Tyres From BFGoodrich Via Internet
In the USA it is possible to order coloured BFGoodrich High Performance tyres via the internet.
Continue ReadingKenji Shibata Retires
Kenji Shibata (61), President and Chairman of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS) in North America, retired effective June 30, 2000. Corporate duties of the office of President will be assumed by Masatoshi Ono, Chairman and CEO of BFS.
Continue ReadingHigh Performance Growth Predicted By Michelin
Michelin recently described the V/Z sector as the most dynamic sector in todays market, increasing by the rate of 15% per year in Europe and growing five times faster than the overall market. By 2003, Michelin estimates that 35.7 million tyres will be sold in this sector, accounting for almost one quarter of the replacement tyre market.
Continue ReadingNew Sales And Marketing Director At TWS Rotatec GmbH
As Sales And Marketing Director at Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) Rotatec GmbH & Co. KG, Oliver Gehlker has been responsible for the German market since 3rd July. According to TWS, Gehlker, who is 33 years old, is very experienced in the tyre business. Before he signed up to his new job, he held different positions in the tyre industry and retail sector.
Continue ReadingThe Merry-Go-Round At Goodyear North America Goes On Again
Bill Sharp (59) has retired suddenly on July 14th after 36 years of Service for the tyre maker. His successor, John C. Polhemus (56) used to be President of Goodyears Latin America region. Marco Molinari, currently Vice President Marketing and Sales North America, becomes Vice President Global Marketing Projects. Jim Vogel, currently Director Corporate Accounts North American Tire, becomes Vice President Marketing and Corporate Accounts for North America.
Continue ReadingFurther Step For RubberNetwork.com?
The six tyre manufacturers making up RubberNetwork.com have signed a memorandum of association; a further step in creating the global electronic purchasing marketplace for tyres and rubber, which is on track to be up and running by the year end. The six members are: Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli and Sumitomo Rubber industries. On the other hand, Bridgestone has left the project. Asked for the reason by NEUE REIFENZEITUNG magazine, Bridgestone Firestone Europe said that a closer examination indicated that the relationship between costs and savings was not as beneficial as was first expected.
Continue ReadingPrice Increase From Pirelli Germany
Pirelli has announced a price increase for commercial tyres of 2.5%, effective 1st September 2000. A company statement attributed this to the increasing costs of raw material.
Continue ReadingSales Of Cars In Asia To Fall Next Year
Despite the recovery in vehicle sales in Asia over the past two years, analysts are predicting a slowdown in sales in parts of the region, notably South Korea. The Asian car market is expected to fall by 3% next year, with little sign of recovery in 2002.
Continue ReadingToday “Only” A Tyre, Tomorrow A Measurement Tool?
The automotive business is moving more and more towards an intelligent chassis control or a total chassis management. In this scenario tyres are playing a role of growing importance. Today consumers and tyre manufacturers still focus on comfort, rolling resistance, handling etc. But what about tomorrow? Electronic sensors within the tyre will be able to supply additional information to the driver or to systems like ESP. For 20 years, the interaction between road and tyres has been studied at the University of Darmstadt and has for example led to the so-called Darmstädter Tyre Sensor or a special trailer for measurements concerning tyre noise emission. But in mid October – after events in 1996 and 1998 – this was also the place where the third Reifenkolloquium was held for international experts to discuss topics related to research and development in the tyre, wheel and related businesses. About 90 attendees were at the event this year. After an introductory speech entitled The Tyre – Key Component For Driving Dynamics And Steering another twelve lecturers followed. Divided into four sections Tyre/Road Noise, Tyre Evaluation/Test, Models & Simulation and Sensors & Road Parameter Evaluation they reported the recent results of their studies. Some of these, which are not too technical, are summarised in the November issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Continue ReadingRecall Burdens Ford Results
Ford Motor Company has suffered a reduced profit of 888 million US-$ in the third quarter, compared to the same period for 1999 (959 m). Ford Chairman Jacques Nasser attributes the results to the Firestone recall. To provide good tyres to Ford customers is more important than realising short term profits.
Continue ReadingMAHA Acquires Slift
The German supplier of various items of equipment for the tyre shop, MAHA (Maschinenbau Haldenwang), has acquired lifting platform specialist Slift. With this acquisition, MAHA staff numbers increase to 1,000.
Continue ReadingPolish Opening For Kwik-Fit
In two weeks time, Kwik-Fit will open its first fast-fit centre in Warsaw, Poland. Another six, purpose-built centres are scheduled to be opened in Poland in the near future.
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