First Ferrari President’s Prize Awarded To Bridgestone
Bridgestone became the first winner of Ferraris Presidents Prize, one of only two to be awarded to suppliers of Ferrari and Maserati, marking excellence and innovation. Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo presented the award to Shoshi Arakawa, president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Europe at a ceremony at Ferrari HQ. Also present was EC president Romano Prodi. The award was in recognition of Bridgestones role in helping Ferrari to the F1 Constructors and Drivers championships and for tyre development for Gran Turismo cars.
Continue ReadingAre SUVs Safe Enough?
For month there has been bad publicity for the Ford Explorer because of spectacular rollovers. Now the US-Association NHTSA has asked DaimlerChrysler to supply information regarding the Grand Cherokee Jeep, built between 1995 and 1999. The NHTSA knows of more than 100 accidents, with injuries and one reported death. It is said that the automatic gears are not working properly. Quality problems of this sort have already led to the result that European and Japanese manufacturers of SUVs have significantly increased market share during the first half this year.
Continue ReadingJittery Ford Drop General Ameri*550 AS
Ford has reacted quickly to the NHTSA defect investigation into the General Ameri* 550 by dropping the brand from its replacement campaign. The General Ameri*550 was one of the brands being used to replace the recalled Firestone Wilderness ATs which have been deemed unsafe by Ford. However, Ford stated that the tyre was performing well on the F-series pick up, where it is fitted as original equipment.
Continue ReadingReturn To Indy Racing For Goodyear?
There are reports that Goodyear is planning to return to the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis 500 as the sole tyre supplier for the 2003 season. An earlier return is not possible, as Bridgestone/Firestone has an exclusive agreement until 2002.Goodyear has supplied tyres to the IRL in the past, but ceased in 1999.
Continue ReadingTire Inflation System For Truck Trailers From ArvinMeritor
ArvinMeritor has announced that the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) has been selected by Great Dane Trailers as standard equipment on the companys Classic Refrigerated Van Lines. Great Dane is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of refrigerated trailers.
Continue ReadingOE Success For Hankook
Ford has chosen Hankook as the single supplier of tyres for the F-150 pick-up in the USA. The tyre sizes are 235/70R17 and 235/75R17. The first shipments will start in a few months and expected volume is to be around 600,000 tyres. Hankook is also hoping to win an OE order from Volkswagen: The possible tyre size could be 205/45R16 to be offered as an option by Volkswagen.
Continue ReadingA 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 ReadingFord Considering Legal Moves Against Bridgestone
On the day when Ford is expected to announce a cut in dividend, there are press reports that the car manufacturer is contemplating legal action against Bridgestone for compensation of costs associated with the recall of tyres instigated by Ford. It is suggested that Ford has been involved in negotiations on this subject with Bridgestone in Japan, bypassing the companys US subsidiary.
Continue ReadingWinter-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 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 ReadingUK Relaunch For Kelly At Tyrexpo Europe
The Kelly brand is to be relaunched at the Tyrexpo Europe exhibition in the UK in March. Director of Kelly Europe, Chris Kisby, says that the relaunch will give Kelly a powerful presence in the price shopper market segment and a clearer identity in relation to the other group brands, Goodyear and Fulda. New products to extend the range will also be introduced at the show.
Continue ReadingEU Distribution Centre Of Hankook Officially Opened
Hankook Tires has recently completed the construction of its new European Distribution Centre at Rotterdam, enabling the tyre manufacturer to improve its service to customers throughout Europe. The EDC – a 10 million Euro investment – was officially opened on 7th March.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Spread Safety Web
Bridgestone Firestone Inc. has launched a web-site dedicated to tire safety offering consumers the opportunity to sign up to an e-mail notification service to remind them to check their tyre pressures. According to Michael Fluck, e-business and Internet manager for Bridgestone Firestone, Many cars have longer service intervals than their predecessors. consequentially, tyre inflation levels may not be checked often enough. an e-mail reminder that its time to do so may reinforce the importance of doing this check.
Continue ReadingContinental Buys 60 Per Cent of Temic
Continental has announced that it has bought 60 per cent of auto components manufacturer Temic, subject to regulatory approval. Conti paid DaimlerChrysler (DCX) between 623 and 633 million Euro – the exact price is dependent on when the tyre manufacturer decides to acquire the remaining 40 per cent. Until that time, DCX will retain the 40 per cent shareholding. Last year Temic turned over 1.1 bn Euro and the company employs 5,800.
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