Jean Pierre Dolait has been appointed as Vice President Sales and Marketing, Aftermarket Tenneco Automotive ( Monroe brand suspension products and Walker exhaust systems). Previously at Valeo, Dolait reports to Tenneco’s General Manager, Aftermarket, Don Miller.
TecCom (Munich), an internet wholesale platform for automotive accessories, has a new Managing Director. Jürgen Buchert (44) has worked as Sales Director for Western and Eastern Europe in the automotive aftermarket division of Bosch for the past five years. At the moment 21 European automotive part manufacturers – among them tyre producer Continental – support TecCom.
Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian is expanding its range of forest tyres with the new “Forest King E”, which is designed to meet the demands of the OE- and aftermarket segments. The tyre has been developed for forest machinery up to a maximum weight of 14 tons and is available in sizes 700/45-22.5, 600/55 -26.5 and 700/50-26.5. For heavier machines, Nokian manufactures the new “PR-20”-tyres, which are available in sizes 600/55-26.5 and 700/50-26.5.
“Ronal is back in the aftermarket” is the current message of the leading European aluminium wheel producer Ronal (Germany), who concentrated on oe business during recent years. With a complete program, availability and optimised market service, Ronal wants to return to its former strong position in the aftermarket.
September sales figures for the Ford Explorer – the vehicle at the centre of the Firestone tyre recall – were higher than for the same month last year at 37,510 (37,119). Ford expects sales to drop over the next few months, due in part to the company ceasing vehicle manufacture temporarily in order to make more tyres available to the aftermarket.
Italian brand Melber had to leave the German aftermarket for alloy wheels last year. In co-operation with Euro Consulting and sales manager Josef Holder the company is now planning a relaunch of the brand in the German market.
Speedline is a well-known producer of light alloy wheels for original equipment. However, the Italians want to improve their position in the aftermarket and thus a sales company has been formed for Germany in Ravensburg: SL Corse.
Never before so many winter tyres were sold in Germany. The dealers association BRV estimated 17 million units (= +15.3%) for 1999. Also the aftermarket in summer tyres was in plus (+0.9%) with 23 million in total.
Werner Flebbe has been made responsible for Continental’s entire agricultural tyre business. Marketing and sales worldwide will be managed by Thorsten Bublitz and OE business worldwide by Fritz Reupert. Reupert’s successor for aftermarket business is Rainer Lüpkes.
Aged only 40, Pascal Hoffmann, responsible for truck tyre aftermarket business in Germany, has died unexpectedly. From 1995 until 1997 Hoffmann headed Michelin Austria, he joined the French tyre maker in 1986.
On 11th November, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced a new tyre exhibition for the UK. The show (as yet unnamed) will run alongside the Automotive Trade Show at Birmingham’s NEC between 29th April and 2nd May, 2001. The SMMT says that it makes good business sense for tyres to be a part of an aftermarket exhibition.
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