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BMW in North America is in the process of recalling around 1,300 of its 2002 5-series cars with standard suspension and fitted with ContiTouringContact CH95 EcoPlus tyres, 225/65R16 95H, with DOT Codes 4001, 4101, and 4201. The outer sidewall surface of the tyres could have been damaged by a sharp object and the cars are being recalled as a precautionary measure. Dealers will replace the damaged tyres free of charge.
Bandag has announced consolidated net earnings of $17.4 million for the quarter ending 31st December 2001, bringing total net consolidated earnings for the year to $43.8 million, or $2.12 per diluted share on sales of $964.9 million. This compares to 200 net earnings of £60.3 million on sales of $996.1 million. Martin Carver, Bandag’s CEO stated that strong results in the last quarter were offset by performance in offshore operations. He noted that offshore operations continued to experience difficult economic conditions and strong competitive pressures.
Tyre wholesalers, R.H. Claydon today announced a new series of additions to their Supreme brand of agricultural and industrial tyres. The company’s business development manager, Dick Anderson said, “we do not consider our Supreme range to be classified within the budget sector. It is a brand that delivers quality at an economical price”.
Whilst the fight for victory between the car drivers was exciting right into the final stage of the Paris Dakar rally (the winner was Hiroshi Masuoka, second place went to Jutta Kleinschmidt). The tyre supplier to Mitsubishi was not to be beaten – the first eight vehicles were fitted with BF Goodrich tyres.
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has announced that the Chinese Government has approved the establishment of a joint venture company in January 2002 to make and market radial car tyres in China. It is a jv between Yokohama, YHI Holdings (of Singapore) and Hangzhou Rubber, of China. Production will begin in April 2003, initially of 750,000 tyres a year. A second stage of investment will increase this figure up to 1.5 million tyres, depending on demand. Each stage will require an investment of $30 million.
In the USA, Titan tyres and wheels will be available from any of the thousands of Case New Holland dealers. CNH is the second largest North American company in farm equipment sales. Titan’s aim is to generate an additional $100 million of business over the next few years and the offer may be extended to other equipment dealers.
Hayes Lemmerz, the wheel manufacturer that has been undergoing difficult times recently, has filed for restructuring under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The company is at pains to point out that it has not “gone bankrupt”, neither is it going out of business and that Chapter 11 is a court-supervised restructuring proceeding, not a liquidation proceeding. It also applies only to Hayes Lemmerz’s own operations in the USA and that operations outside the country (except for one plant in Mexico) and joint ventures are not included. Declining market conditions and excessive debt were blamed for the action. Hayes Lemmerz shares fell to 52 cents at the news.
It has become a tradition that the tyre producer Continental invites the press to a “Santa Claus Event” around the 6th of December each year, presenting a certain topic/issue about the market. Whereas the group had been international for a couple of years, Conti returned to the original concept of an only German speaking group in 2001. Last year’s topic was the development and construction of 4×4 winter tyres and the problems this presents in addressing the contradictions in the expectations of performance. In addition, an optimisation of existing test methods of 4×4 tyres off the road was discussed with the journalists. The event took place in the Scottish Highlands. One outcome: Tyre suggestions for 4×4 cars can only ever be just a compromise – even if on a high level. The tyre has to perform well off the road and on the road. Safety aspects have to be taken into consideration as well: braking, handling and high speed performance have to be convincing as well. In addition there is the strong goal-conflict between driving performance and rollover danger. To put it in a nutshell: The ideal tyre that fits perfectly on every SUV for every use does not exist. This statement is as true as it is simple – and was demonstrated to the journalists’ group in the Highlands. The cars (Land Rover and M-Class) that had been equipped with Continental’s “4x4WinterContact” had to capitulate very soon in the muddy ground, because the tyres have been developed for different ground conditions. What makes it even more difficult for tyre producers is the fact, that there are insufficient testing standards for tyres on 4×4 cars. Tests are made either by the car industry of by the car magazines. Uniform procedures have not been developed yet. There can only be recommendations for the best case scenario.
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.
Ford has announced that it will replace up to 13 million Firestone tyres fitted to Ford Explorer SUVs. This is double the number of tyres recalled last year and the cost to Ford will be around $3 billion, with the exercise taking nine months. It was this decision which precipitated the announcement from Bridgestone/Firestone that it would sever all ties with Ford; an announcement which caused Bridgestone shares in Tokyo to fall by over 9 per cent.
In the US, Goodyear says that it will reduce tyre production this month and next, due to weak demand for new cars and trucks. Cuts will be made across the board with no layoffs or shutdowns planned. The reduction follows a second quarter cut in production of six million tyres, despite increased demand as a result of the Firestone recall. Shares in Goodyear fell 20 cents at the news.
In January, two men pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates court to charges relating to the illegal dumping of scrap tyres in a case brought by the Environment Agency. The two men were fined a total of £12,250 and ordered to pay costs of £5,500.
Truck Racing at Nürburgring is traditionally a highlight of the racing season in Race- and Super Race-series for big trucks. Once again, 200,000 visitors came to see the competitions combined with a big entertainment programme. The smell of diesel and rubber, lots of sausages and beer, country music and a little bit of Western romance – these are the basic ingredients of this three-day-long fun and sports event. The important tyre manufacturers like Goodyear, Fulda and Pirelli were there too and used this occasion to communicate with their customers in an atmosphere much more relaxed than normal. The only tyre supplier for Truck Racing, Continental, had invited almost 2,000 guests for the races. For twelve years the German tyre manufacturer has supported European truck sport. And the involvement means more than just supplying the tyres. Technical support on the race tracks, mounting and professional advice are also part of the programme of sponsoring different teams. Since 1991 all teams of the Super Race-class have driven exclusively on Continental. With up to three trucks weighing 30 tons, the Continental service team accompanies the competitions all over Europe. Two service vehicles have space for 200 truck tyres each – enough to satisfy the needs of all the teams for a complete race weekend. Besides the enthusiasm for motor-sports Continental’s involvement has other practical reasons. Firstly, all target groups from the original equipment sector to the end user can be reached. And secondly, the racing itself provides concrete proof of the high performance and resistance of Continental’s truck tyres.
Consumer demand for run-flat tyres is at an all-time high. In the U.S., for example, a recent study found that nearly seven out of eight consumers place run-flat tyres at the top of their list of features desired on new automobiles. Therefore it is expected that the demand for run-flats will increase within the next few years. This is one of the reasons why Pirelli has developed such a tyre on its own, regardless of the fact that the company is working together with Goodyear and Sumitomo on Michelin’s PAX system. But the launch of the new tyre – called “Eufori@” – was not the only premiere for Pirelli: this run-flat is also the first tyre manufactured using the Italians’ MIRS technology. In size 205/45 R17, the “Eufori@” is original equipment on the new Mini Cooper S, shown at the Tokyo Motorshow at the same time. The name of the tyre, which will of course also be available for the replacement market and in the additional size 225/45 R17, was chosen from more than 20,000 suggestions made during an internet campaign at the end of last year. “We expect that in three years run-flats will account for about 10 % of the high performance tyre market”, explains Francesco Gori, Senior Vice President Market Development Unit at Pirelli. “Other car manufacturers who are interested to use Eufori@ as original equipment are BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and VW/Audi”, adds Maurizio Boiocchi, responsible for research and development at Pirelli Reifenwerke. From remarks such as these, one gets the impression that run-flats will become standard equipment on cars much faster than did other features, such as ABS.
The Automotive Industry Action Group – Radio Frequency Identification – Tire and Wheel Work Group, has developed a two stage standard for labelling of OE tyres, allowing tracking from cradle to grave. The first stage is a simple label and RFID tag. The second stage will be the approval of an RFID read write chip inserted in the tyre at the point of manufacture. The AIAG will be carrying out evaluation and testing of suitable systems later in the year. (For further information on smart tyre technology see the July 2001 issue of TYRES & ACCESSORIES.
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