Michelin To Enter Formula 1
Speculations have come to an end: Michelin will participate in Formula 1 racing from the 2001 season. Initially, the company will supply tyres to the BMW/Williams team and, at some time before 2003, Michelin will team up with Team Toyota, who confirmed their entry into the sport earlier this week. Michelin has competed in F1 before, from 1977 to 1984, winning three Drivers and two Constructors titles. The reason for entering the sport now is to increase world-wide recognition for the Michelin brand.
Continue ReadingVredestein Offers Sportrac As A ‘Collector’s Item’
With a limited production of only 2,000 units in the single size 205/55 R16, Vredestein is offering a Millennium Edition of the Sportrac with a specially-produced sidewall. It is anticipated that the tyre will become a collectors item.
Continue ReadingViborg Gets Take-over OK
The Viborg Group/Dorana has been given the go-ahead to take over Gummi Mayer by the European Competition Authorities.
Continue ReadingFormer Pepsico Manager Joins Goodyear
Eric A. Berg (37) - a former Pepsico Manager - has joined Goodyear as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Berg will be responsible for Goodyears future success in E-Commerce.
Continue ReadingRMA Takes Over BIPAVER Retreading Administration
At a recent BIPAVER meeting, it was agreed that the UKs Retread Manufacturers Association should take over the administration of the retreading section of BIPAVER. Said an RMA spokesman: We recognised a need for consistent representation, particularly in what is proving to be a very difficult time for the retreading industry. To form two separate divisions under the BIPAVER umbrella seemed to be both logical and sensible.
Continue ReadingNew Managing Director For Goodyear UK
It has been announced that Mr S McDonald has been appointed Managing Director of Goodyear UK, with additional responsibilities for the Goodyear/Dunlop integration in the UK. This appointment is part of an extensive series of strategic management changes within the companys European Union organisation, all of which, will take immediate effect.
Continue ReadingMeritor Automotive Expands Wheel Plant in Mexico
Meritor Automotive, a subsidiary of the Rockwell group, has announced the expansion of production at its wheel plant in San Luis Potosi (Mexico) to two million units annually. The expansion is necessary because of increased demand in the North American OE market for light truck and pick-up wheels and includes the completion of assembly facilities. A major consumer is Daimler Chrysler (Dodge Ram).
Continue ReadingIntegration At Goodyear Austria
The Austrian Dunlop and Goodyear companies have been integrated into the new Goodyear Dunlop Tires Austria company, which is under 100 p.c. ownership of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V. located in Brussels.
Continue ReadingFlagship Brands From Cooper-Avon At Reifen 2000
Cooper-Avon Tyres Limited will be exhibiting a number of flagship products from both its Avon and Cooper brands at the Reifen 2000 international exhibition in Essen, Germany from 20-23 June. For the motorcycle market the company will be unveiling for the first time the Azaro with Avons variable belt density (VBD) technology. Furthermore two new winter tyres – CR75 and CR85 – will make their debuts at the show as well as the new 4x4 tyre named Ranger H.
Continue ReadingFixed Prices For Fast Fit At Renault
Renault has introduced a fast-fit and system check for cars three years and older. The check includes tyres and shock absorbers and will be extended to other Renault models shortly.
Continue Reading“Snowprox S950” – Toyo’s New Winter Tyre
In the autumn Snowprox S950 will be available in 55/50/45/40-series. According to Toyo, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in Germany this year, the new winter tyre has (compared with its predecessor M+S 920) improved its performance dramatically.
Continue ReadingJoint Takeover Of Daewoo By Hyundai And DaimlerChrysler?
A spokesman for Hyundai said on 12th June that the company is considering a takeover of Daewoo, together with DaimlerChrysler
Continue ReadingJoint Venture Between Bridgestone And Japanese Partners
Bridgestone (tyres), Akebono (brakes) and Kayaba Ind. (shock absorbers) last week announced a joint venture to develop modules which include the above three products.
Continue ReadingLatest Truck Initiatives From Michelin
In June, Michelin UK appointed Thierry Martin as Commercial Director – Truck and, in an exclusive interview with TYRES & ACCESSORIES, he spelled out the latest efforts of Michelin to woo customers in the competitive truck tyre market. The emphasis has switched from merely supplying product to providing a comprehensive service for customers. A good example is the Michelin Euro Assist breakdown programme, where customers with tyre problems in any of 17 countries across Europe can dial one number for 24-hour help. Today’s service advisors aim to significantly cut costs for customers across the total package and double digit savings are not uncommon. Michelin’s technical advisors monitor maintenance and diagnose problems in order that the customer gets optimum usage from his tyres. Of course, in a fixed-price contract, increasing tyre life benefits the manufacturer too. The importance of the service element was underlined when Michelin won the contract to supply tyres to Transamerica Trailer Leasing (which has 21,000 trailers in its European fleet) for the next five years. The clinching argument was not the price, but the availability of service and back-up across Europe. Michelin has extended its Michelin Business Advantage (MBA) scheme, originally aimed at car tyre customers, to truck tyre buyers. MBA is a scheme whereby independent customers and Michelin sit down together to discuss how they can work together to improve the service on offer to customers, thereby benefiting all three parties. This leads to what Thierry Martin describes as a win, win, win situation.
Continue ReadingFord Award For Hankook
The Ford Motor Company in Dearborn has bestowed its Q1 award on Hankooks tyre plant in Taejon, which produces light truck tyres for Ford. The factory is located 130 km south of Seoul and produces 65,000 passenger car and light truck tyres daily.
Continue Reading
