EnTire Solutions has been named as the Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) supplier for Toyota’s 2007 model Sienna. The joint venture company formed by Michelin and TRW Automotive launched its first OE TPM system in 2004 on the US market Acura MDX, and currently also supplies TPM systems to Honda, Hyundai, Fiat and Kia.
Canadian TPMS specialist SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that its revenue for the first quarter of the 2007 fiscal year has increased by 44% to $851,770 (£436,476), up from $592,866 (£303,805) in the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year. At the same time net loss for the quarter decreased to $5.3 million (£2.7 million), or $0,02 per share, for the fiscal year’s first quarter, down from $17.8 million (£9.1 million) or $0.06 a year earlier.
A recent survey from Norbar Torque Tools has revealed a worrying lack of awareness of the importance of properly maintaining torque-controlled tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers, with 24 per cent of respondents admitting that they never calibrated their torque tools.
The distribution and retail subsidiary of Amtel-Vredestein, AV-TO, has announced the opening of its new showpiece, a tyre and automotive service centre in Moscow. The openings signals the final step in the company’s 14 month re-branding of its retail network.
Last year, IMI the maker of truck balancing powder, Equal, launched a product aimed at the passenger car market. XactBalance, distributed in the UK by Rema-Tip Top, is a new style of dynamic balancing weight and is aimed at premium level fitments.
Replacement demand is currently the most important driver in the European mechanical testing and material handling equipment market. Products from established manufacturers are increasingly being replaced by novel offerings from new participants, driving competition and volume sales, according to Frost & Sullivan.
The research firm said the European mechanical testing and material handling equipment market earned revenues of 566.8 million euros in 2005 and estimates this will reach 725.73 million in 2012. “As customers attempt to constantly update and equip themselves with the latest technologies, they are no longer willing to limit themselves to traditional manufacturers,” said F&S senior research analyst Benny Daniel. “End consumers are signing contracts with manufacturers with these competencies, generating fresh demand for garage equipment as a result.”
The Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF) has urged the entire automotive aftermarket industry to support the Kitemark for Garage Services. In a stark message to the ADF’s membership of leading aftermarket suppliers and distributors at the organisation’s Annual Dinner, President Alan Seal warned against the possible threat of government legislation facing garages, favouring the BSI‘s Kitemark for Garage Services as the only route for effective self-regulation.
Wheel and automotive parts manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. has reported a third quarter loss of US$59.6 million, up from US$13.3 million a year earlier. The company has been quick to point out, however, that this figure includes the sum of US$39 million paid as an asset impairment charge for their suspension facilities in Indiana and Michigan. Third quarter sales for the company were also down 2.4 per cent to US$589.5 million.
An investor involved in takeover negotiations with Continental earlier this year (Philipp Schoeller of General Capital Group) has denied he has any interest in pursuing the plans again. “The project is dead,” GCG co-founder Philipp Schoeller told Reuters, adding: “a resurrection of the project lacks any practical basis”. Continental’s share price rose 2.56 per cent following an earlier WirtschaftsWoche report that suggested Schoeller might again try for a takeover. Schoeller called his remarks to the German business magazine “purely hypothetical”.
UK-based PCL has launched a brand new Air Treatment range. The new extended range of 1/4 and 1/2 port products includes Filters, Regulators, Lubricators (FRLs) and combination units, all featuring higher pressure rates. All products are European-manufactured and CE-marked and are ideal for the light industrial and automotive re-finish markets. The additional items compliment the existing PCL line, starting with economy options right up to the professional Parker Modulfex range.
Shock absorber manufacturer KYB has mounted a campaign to find the UK’s ‘most shocking’ road. It sounds like a bit of fun, but it has a serious point, as KYB is keen to draw public attention to the state of Britain’s roads and the damage being inflicted on the nation’s vehicles. Many roads are full of potholes and often have cracked tarmac and excessive traffic calming measures – speed humps especially are a major cause for complaint, particularly from drivers of low slung or heavy vehicles. Other hazards such as sunken or upstanding manhole covers also pose a threat to road users.
Teco Srl is a leading manufacturer of hand truck tyre changers, electronic wheel balancers and pneumatic platform lifts. Based in Correggio, Italy, Teco is a relatively young company, but is already well-known in its field. The company began life in 1985, albeit under a different name, and at that time specialised in the production of components for automotive equipment. However the company’s management had other ambitions. They wanted to introduce a new line of machinery to trade, a line that was completely designed and manufactured in-house.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) of China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Beijing to promote dialogue and collaboration between the North American and Chinese automotive industries in the areas of technology, management and standards development, AIAG said.
The agreement establishes a foundation for both associations to work together in support of their members’ needs for standardised processes in quality, materials management, logistics and e-commerce, the statement added. The MOU will initially focus on channels of communications for sharing information between AIAG and China’s SAE.
Autodiagnos Limited, manufacturers of one of the leading automotive diagnostic tools has announced a major re-organisation programme designed, which the company says is designed to enhance customer focus and synergy in domestic and global markets. Dave Rushton, a Chartered Engineer, has been appointed director and general manager of the company. Rushton brings over 15 years experience in the Automotive Diagnostics business, previously working with other leading diagnostics companies and recently as Operations Director at Autodiagnos.
Mark Wright has joined the company to head up UK Sales and Marketing. Wright has 10 years of experience in sales and distribution of automotive tools and equipment and will focus on the development and support of customers in the home markets.
Seasonal demands for replacement car batteries show no signs of diminishing, says battery expert Varta. In fact, despite new automotive technology and sophisticated control systems, the number of breakdowns caused by electronic malfunction has increased by 20 per cent over the past two decades. An evaluation of 1.9 million breakdowns handled by the German ADAC motoring organization in 2004 revealed that electronic-derived breakdowns account for 36 per cent of all call-outs.
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.
