(Akron/Tire Review) According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), aluminium prices are increasing dramatically and will be nearly double those of 2002 by the end of this year if 2005 price growth repeats. Based on annual averages, mean daily price volatility has increased from 2.31 per cent in 2002 to 6.93 per cent in 2005.
In the USA, Hayes Lemmerz is to close its cast aluminium wheel factory at Huntington, Indiana by the end of its financial year’s second quarter. Closure of the plant, which employs 185 people, is part of Hayes Lemmerz’s on-going programme of rationalisation.
Superior Industries International, Inc has announced that it has awarded new contracts from General Motors to supply large-diameter aluminum wheels for passenger vehicles and SUVs. The programmes are said to represent a combination of new and replacement business.
Cleaning solutions specialist, Nilco, is targeting its new Stainless Steel cleaner at the UK automotive aftermarket. The product is said to clean and polishes in one easy application and gives an excellent performance on stainless steel, chrome, aluminium and laminates.
Fourth quarter financial figures from wheel manufacturer Accuride were “somewhat disappointing,” according to Deutsche Bank pundits. Sales were up two per cent, against an expected 11 per cent. Lower volumes and high aluminium prices were cited as the reasons. The analysts are lowering their estimates for 2006 for Accuride, but are maintaining their “Hold” rating.
Bridgestone Potenza tyres will be original equipment on Mazda’s redesigned 2006 MX-5 Miata. Bridgestone will supply the roadsters with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT Run-Flat tires and will offer its Blizzak winter run-flat tyres as aftermarket replacements for the model. Bridgestone has been supplying tyres to Mazda since it brought the Miata to market in the United States in 1990. The redesigned MX-5 Miata features a larger interior and exterior and a new 2.0-litre DOHC aluminium 4-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower.
Amcast Industrial Corp has again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy three months after emerging from an earlier filing, according to court documents. Previously the company had filed for bankruptcy in November 2004 before clearing this status in August.
Accuride Corporation recently announced that it has appointed Richard (Rick) Klein as vice president/general manager Accuride Aluminium Wheels. Klein has served as Accuride’s director of operations based at the companies Erie plant since early 2004.
Amcast Corp, the former owner of Italian wheel manufacturer Speedline, is looking forward to achieving economic recovery soon. At the same time Speedlines new owners proved they too are looking forward to a bright future by investing 25 million euros in the modernisation and automisation of Speedline’s production facilities, with a similar amount scheduled for this year.
Amcast sold the European wheel business to Aluminium parts manufacturer Mazzucconi-Gruppe pm 17 March 2003, after it entered Chapter 11 status and had to sell-off some of its assets. Amcast continues to run two wheel factories in the US.
Accuride Corp. (Evansville/Indiana) has appointed Robert (Bob) Nida to Senior Vice President/Operations for steel and aluminium wheels, Gunite Corporation and Brillion Iron Works. The company also appointed Craig Kessler to serve as Accuride’s Corporate Vice President/Forward Process Engineering and Quality Systems.
Italian wheel producer MAK has launched the Matrix5 Mirror. The wheel’s new sporty design is characterised by the unusual colour of the spokes; a diamond finishing touch.
Aimed at young drivers that want to accessorise their cars the wheel will be available in two sizes 8J17 and 8J18 in September.
MAK produces its wheels through a casting system with a sliding mould. Its products are made with aluminium light alloy, which weighs 20 per cent less than any similar product says the company.
Motor Wheel Service Group launched a full range of forged alloy wheels at the recent Commercial Vehicle/Automotive Trade Show. According to the company, the new forged alloy wheels are exclusive to the MWS Group and will increase the range of wheels already stocked by the company. MWS is remaining tight lipped about which company is responsible and where the new wheels are being produced, but was keen to point out that the MWS forged alloy range will include both polished and machine-finished wheels and will be available through the company’s MWS Wheel Systems (OEM source) and MWS Aftermarket divisions.
Despite tough conditions overall, in 2004 BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG increased consolidated sales by 1.2 per cent to 190.4 million euros. This rise was exclusively driven by business outside Germany, which expanded 4.3 per cent from 94.6 million euros to 98.6 million euros. Consolidated EBIT fell from 10.5 million euros to 7.2 million, while consolidated net income for the year decreased from 4.4 million to 1.0 million euros.
Automotive interior show, INTERauto has announced that it will be hosting a programme of free seminars for visitors at this year’s event.
The exhibition, to be held in Cologne on 3-5 November, will be the 7th show organised by Turret RAI plc. The company describes the show as “the place for automotive interior manufacturers to meet and showcase current ideas and products in all aspects of the industry.”
Renault has produced a concept car, which could be seen as precursor to a Laguna Coupé. The “Fluence” uses 22 inch (245-710 R560) Michelin PAX tyres. The tyres fit to wheels produced by aluminium cast wheel producer, Montupet that feature spokes designed to reduce air resistance.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
