Continental HSR1
Continental took the next step in developing their truck tyre strategy for the future when the company launched the HSR1 a regional traffic, steering axle truck tyre. The HSR1 development follows on from an ongoing market research campaign linked to technological development. This has identified the need for varying qualities in the tyres used for regional and long distance haulage – the HSR1 addresses those needs. The HSR1, as a steering axle tire, has been developed to offer two large gains in performance, the first in lower noise levels, the next in an increase treadwear performance, offering extended lifespan of the original tread by up to 40 per cent. Examples on show at the launch suggested that it could be possible to extend mileage by as much as 52 per cent over current expected performance of the HSR. The new generation of truck tyres also includes the HDR, a regional drive axle tyre, and the HTR trailer tyre. The HSR1 is part of a larger picture, in a move to offer a complete package to the haulier which not only offers better tyre performance, but greater economy though increased loads and potentially greater carrying capacity over an extended period. In an understanding of the importance of good quality casings to the retreader, especially given Continentals co-operation with Bandag, Continental has incorporated its patented tread groove into the HSR1 which helps prevent stones from becoming lodged in the tread, thus preserving the casing for potential retreading. However, there is much more involved in the launch of the HSR1 than just another tyre. The HSR1 launch has been used to highlight Continentals expectations for the future. We consider the impact of the latest technology on the future developments in Continentals truck tyre division.
Continue ReadingResearch And Development In The Tyre Business
Each year in spring the schedule of our editorial staff fills with new tyre launches. What is the reasoning behind the development of more and more new tyres? Is it because customers constantly demand new products? Do they really ask for two per cent more grip on wet roads or three per cent more safety on aquaplaning? Hardly. Many surveys show that customers do not care much about their tyres. Sometimes they do not even know the size of the tyre on their car never mind the correct tyre pressure. And although many customers make the decision which tyre to buy after consulting the test results published in the big German magazines, there is no such thing as a consumer pressure on the tyre manufacturers to develop new tyres. More often the industry itself maybe is disappointed with the test results and this might then be a motivation create new products. But indisputably, the greatest drive comes from the car manufacturers. They are constantly demanding higher performing tyres for ever higher performing cars. This is the reason why NEUE REIFENZEITUNG visited the research and development departments of several car and tyre manufacturers to get an impression how they are working together, and to follow up the route of a new tyre from the first sketches to the start of the production. Therefore we will focus on these details in an intermittent series starting in this issue with a very general introduction.
Continue ReadingContinental: Go West
Last year Continental did not perform as well as its managers expected: unprofitable commercial tyre division, failed ContiTech sale, heavy losses in the North American tyre business unit. Then, in September there were the changes at top management level: Dr. Stephan Kessel quit, Manfred Wennemer replaced him. He announced – immediately after assuming the responsibility – some wider restructuring measures. All parts of the company are under scrutiny, and there are no holy cows, he emphasised. Following this statement we heard the announcement of closures like the factories in Traiskirchen/Austria or in Herstal/Belgium. However, there has been a commitment to the commercial tyre business and to activities in North America, although the target is clear: a return back to profitability. New high mileage truck tyres like the HSR 1 (also featured in NEUE REIFENZEITUNG) are a first step in the commercial tyre business. With an increasing marketing budget and new tyres for the North American market, Dr. Ulrich Wellen, new President and CEO at Continental Tire North America since the beginning of this year, holds out hope for a turnaround in the USA too.
Continue ReadingAluminium Wheels Becoming Standard
The enthusiasm for aluminium wheels is diminishing. The golden years - mainly in the Eighties - of light alloy wheel are over - for the OE as well as in the aftermarket. Yet European original equipment demand for aluminium wheels is still growing. Year on year, by around about one million pieces. However, we have to accept that new materials and methods of production can make steel wheels as light as aluminium wheels. If the suppliers can make progress in styling and the car makers are forced to make smaller and middle class vehicles cheaper there might be a turnaround in the current trend. Some companies are in trouble. Even the worlds biggest wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz in America had to be rescued under Chapter 11. On the other hand, there are success stories from companies like Superior in North America or Borbet in Europe. Companies like BBS or OZ are still doing good business because they are not interested in volume but rather in selling exclusive (and expensive) wheels. The middle-price sector has been absorbed by the low-priced segment of high volume companies. The flame of the aluminium wheel business flickers weaker and weaker.
Continue ReadingVredestein Ultrac
Vredestein and Giugiaro have teamed up for a second time to produce a stylish ultra high performance car tyre - the Ultrac. This follows the success of the Giugiaro designed Sportrac, which encouraged Vredestein to ask the Italian design studio to work with them on their first venture into the UHP segment. The result is a variation on a theme, the now familiar extended deep vee tread pattern has been touched by natural influences and now follows a sweeping pattern taken from nature, using the veining of a leaf as inspiration. Many will wonder whether a tread pattern designed by a stylist is as effective as a tread pattern designed by a tyre technician, but by adopting the rule that form follows function, the result is a tyre which appears to perform as well as any of its UHP competitors. The real innovation though is in the compound and the building of the tyres. The Silica Silane compound turned the mixing process into a chemical reaction which had to be time and temperature controlled. Further, the tyre building required an accuracy offered only by new tyre building lines. Vredestein invested some 50 million Euro in production facilities for the Ultrac. It is a venture which leads the Dutch manufacturer into the burgeoning UHP sector, however, MD Rob Oudshoorn told NRZ, We dont consider this as a growth market, we see it as another opportunity to sell tyres.
Continue ReadingTire Pressure Control At CeBIT
IMST GmbH (Kamp-Lintfort/Germany) and Automotive Technology NOLEX AG (St. Motitz/Switzerland) claim its jointly developed Tire Pressure Control (TPC) system to be a highlight of its own booth at the CeBIT computer show in Hanover. According to IMST the system is the first equipment of this kind for passenger car and truck tyres with bi-directional communication. In contrast to the current systems this allows to read out directly the sensors inside the tyres, giving the opportunity to receive the actual pressure situation at a touch of a button – independently of automatic intervals. This new system is a one-antenna-only design, which can reduce the time needed for installation. Due to the special housing design with a variable docking to the valve the tyre module can – as IMST and NOLEX say – be used for every wheel form without mechanical adjustments. It is ready to operate world-wide by only small amendments. TPC also opens up the possibility to combine tyre pressure control with keyless entry with the pressure data transmitted to the remote control key when opening the car.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Employees Hold 22 Per Cent Of Stock
In conversation with analysts, Goodyear disclosed that it holds 35 million Goodyear shares in its 401 K Savings Plan, 20 million from salaried employees and 15 million from blue collar workers. This means that Goodyear employees hold 22 per cent of outstanding Goodyear stock. Some analysts, including those from Deutsche Bank, are sticking to their buy recommendation.
Continue Reading“I’m Not Bidding” – Tom Farmer
A report in a Scottish newspaper quotes Sir Tom Farmer (61) as saying that he is not going to bid for Kwik-Fit. The Glasgow Herald report follows an article in the financial newspaper Business AM, which suggested that Farmer had tabled a bid, backed by the Bank of Scotland. He denied this, saying: I am not going to bid and that has always been the case. But it seems that the more I say, the less people believe me. Ford are reported as having whittled down the number of bidders to six from 35 and the winner will be named in May.
Continue ReadingRound Two: Evans Versus Gibara
Some weeks ago, Akron Beacon Journal business columnist Diane Evans stressed the point that Goodyear bonds have become junk bonds. Who could ever have imagined that, she asked? In a letter to the editor, Gibara said that Evans seemed to criticise him constantly and, more importantly, not give the readers the full facts, which forced him to answer back in the name of all the good Goodyear associates. The issue rumbles on - the supervisory board has given Gibara a bonus of US$ 1.25 million, which Evans believes is not a good decision. Furthermore, it has become obvious that a power struggle is going on within the group, between the two highest-ranking managers.
Continue ReadingDr. Paolo Masera Back In Italy
Dr. Paolo Masera (60), who was MD for Pirelli in the UK for a short time and MD for Pirelli in Germany twice; the second time for only a few months, went to Brazil early in 2001. He now is back in Italy again to take over another leading position in Milan.
Continue ReadingGlobal Marketing Director For Goodyear
Jeanne B. Sherman (44) has been appointed as director, Global Marketing Services for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., reporting to Cathryn M. Fischer, vice president and chief marketing officer. Sherman has 20 years experience of marketing with several well-known brands, including Wilson golf balls, Cheetos snacks and Kraft foods.
Continue ReadingName Change To Be The New Marketing Craze?
A bizarre tyre story from Canada: four Canadians have legally changed their names from Dunlop to Dunlop-Tire in order to win a share of a $25,000 prize. The money was offered by Dunlop Tires and more than 100 people applied. Dunlop Tires carried out a survey, in which 42 per cent said that they thought that name-changing to brands will be a new marketing strategy. 37 per cent said they would change their name if paid sufficiently.
Continue Reading2001 Provisional Figures From Conti
Continental has released provisional figures for 2001. Sales increased by 11.1 per cent to 11.2 billion Euro (2000: 10.1 bn). The Automotive Services Division increased turnover by 31.8 per cent and the tyre divisions sales rose by 2.2 per cent. Good sales of passenger car tyres in Europe compensated for falling sales of commercial vehicle tyres and in the turnover of Continental Tire North America. A one-off restructuring cost of 468 million Euro adversely affected the 2001 figures and the end result is a deficit for the year of 258 million Euro, compared with a surplus for 2000 of 205 million Euro.
Continue ReadingShredded Firestones Put To Use
Firestone tyres recalled in the USA are being put to good use, with rubber crumb used as artificial turf. A Montreal-based company called FieldTurf is producing the artificial turf for the Lions new stadium at Ford Field, Dearborn. A spokesperson for FieldTurf said that it had been specified that the rubber crumb came exclusively from Firestone tyres, in line with Bill Fords stance on corporate environmental responsibility.
Continue ReadingFujikura Chips For Goodyear
Goodyear has named Japanese component specialist, Fujikura, as the preferred supplier of sensor chips for tyre pressure monitoring systems. The chips will be used in sensors developed by Goodyear and Siemens VDO.
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