Vredestein; Wider And Faster
The Dutch manufacturer has announced the introduction of a new Z and W-rated tyre later this year, aimed at sportscars and luxury cars.
Continue ReadingFocus Named ‘Car of the Year 2000’ In USA
Journalists at the Detroit Motor Show have voted the Ford Focus Car of the Year 2000. The Focus is produced in Germany, Spain and the USA.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres Record Figures
Nokian Tyres turnover last year reached 322.6 m Euro (28% higher than 1998) and an operating profit of 42.1 Euro (1998 32.2 m Euro). Profit before tax was 35.5 m Euro (1998 29.9 m Euro) and net profit 25.7 m Euro (1998 21.6 m Euro). The company invested 85.7 m Euro (1998 72.7 m Euro), this was mainly in production (30 m Euro). There was also expansion in retail equity with the purchase of the Finnish company ISKO.
Continue ReadingSava Tires Presents New “Effecta” Summer Tyre
Sava, the Slovenian tyre manufacturer – 60 p.c. owned by the Goodyear group since 1998 – presented the Effecta to the public for the first time in mid-March. This S/T summer tyre, developed in cooperation with its European group headquarters in Luxembourg, a non-directional successor to the Exact line, is to be introduced in the market in 28 sizes, from 135/80 R 12 68 T to 185/65 R 15 88 T, by June this year. More than 300 tyre traders in total from 35 countries, among them far-flung places like Iceland or Lebanon, had assembled in the idyllic holiday resort of Bled to see the new Sava product launched. The German contingent consisted of about 50 members of Team, which markets all segments (car, light truck, truck) of the Sava brand exclusively in Germany. The new tyre is the first new product development since Goodyear took over almost two years ago. It derives directly from the Luxembourg research and development centre and is thus destined to represent Goodyear state of the art technology. What this means and how the Effecta could support Sava raising brand awareness in Western Europe which is one of the tyre manufacturer’s most important aims can be read in the April issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Continue ReadingSandra Farmand Wins World Cup
Sandra Farmand has won the Snowboard World Cup. Farmand is the promotional star for the Pirelli Winter Snowsport winter tyre.
Continue ReadingCornelius Blanke Moves From Bridgestone To Wella
The PR Manager of Bridgestone/Firestone Germany, Cornelius Blanke, is leaving the company to join Wella AG (Darmstadt/Germany).
Continue ReadingJordan Stays With Bridgestone
Jordan has extended its contract with Bridgestone and hopes to become the tyre manufacturers number one partner. There are rumours that McLaren and Ferrari are leaning towards Michelin like Jaguar Racing, the BMW/Williams team and Toyota did before.
Continue ReadingPoor Start To 2000 For German Vehicle Registrations
The German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) reports that vehicle registrations in Germany dropped by 10 per cent in March and 8 per cent overall for the first quarter of this year. It is anticipated that the German vehicle market will remain weak for the time being and a decrease in domestic orders by 10 per cent is likely for the whole year. At the same time, exports are expected to rise by 6 per cent
Continue ReadingRisers And Fallers In May
Goodyear, Toyo and Cooper were the losers in mid May, although Toyo shares – like those of Pirelli – had increased in the beginning of the month. In the automotive industry, BMW, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen were the heaviest losers. But the shares of DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Honda and Toyota lost as well. DaimlerChrysler, Fiat and Volvo even fell to an all year low.
Continue ReadingStenhoj Buys Gemco
The assets of UK company Gemco Ltd have been purchased by Stenhoj, of Denmark. A new company, called Gemco 2000 Ltd. will begin trading. Gemco provides a range of garage equipment and services and Stenhoj was the companys biggest supplier. Stenhoj consists of 8 companies, 4 of which are foreign subsidiaries.
Continue ReadingAnother Automotive Supplier Joins Cosivint
Delphi Automotive Systems is to participate in Cosivint, the internet purchase network of General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler. According to the Wall Street Journal, six or seven other companies will join during this week.
Continue ReadingConsumers Do Not Fear Flat Tyres
According to a study, organised by Dunlop GmbH in Hanau, only 3% of 1,400 car drivers questioned are worried about flat tyres. 10% are more concerned about speeding and 37% say that reckless driving by others is far more dangerous.
Continue ReadingIs Continental Facing A Hostile Takeover Bid?
An article in the German magazine Wirtschaftswoche suggests that the Thyssen-Krupp group is planning a take-over bid for Continental. Whether or not this is the case, it throws up some interesting possibilities and our article analyses whether such a course of action is feasible and what it would mean to Continental. The article also examines what the effects would be on the European tyre market and how the big tyre manufacturers might react to such an eventuality. Should Thyssen-Krupp mount a successful bid, the chances are that it might decide that Continental’s tyre division is surplus to requirements. Given such a situation, the implications for companies such as Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli are enormous and the article explores the different scenarios that might arise from such a course of action and the defensive measures that the tyre giants might take. Is the Thyssen-Krupp bid a figment of the imagination, or an attempt to boost Continental’s share price? The article concludes that Continental is a tempting target for a takeover bid (by somebody) and that its recent strategy makes the group more defenceless than in the past.
Continue ReadingThird Blimp Crash Within A Year
In October last year the Goodyear blimp Spirit of Akron crashed in the Akron area. On August 10th a gust of wind damaged the gondola of the blimp Spirit of the South Pacific and on August the 20th the blimp Stars & Stripes crashed in Philadelphia. Nobody was hurt. Stars & Stripes, one of seven airships operated by the tyre manufacturer worldwide, will be rebuilt, says Goodyear. In the meantime, the company is examining other ways to fulfil its TV commitments, including hiring a blimp, helicopters and planes.
Continue ReadingAgain Price Increases for Rubber Blacks in Europe
Unprecedented crude oil and crude oil products have pushed production costs for carbon black ever higher.This, combined with the low value of the Euro have again led Degussa-Hüls AG to raise prices for rubber blacks to 40 Euro per metric ton. Prices effective from 15th November.
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