Beissbarth Tops Industry Poll
The latest industry poll of the ‘hot 100’ automotive groups reveals that 60 per cent of the top firms are supplied by Beissbarth UK .
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Does Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?
Product NewsDuring the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.
Good News for Indian Car Makers
Product News(India/Rubber Asia) A customer satisfaction study conducted in 21 Indian cities has found a progressive reduction in car ownership cycle time (OCT) from an average of 61 months in 2002 to 53 months in 2005. However, the decline in OCT applied more to small and mid-size car models.
Remy Brake Caliper Catalogue
Product NewsRemy Automotive has introduced a new brake caliper catalogue which it claims offers the best range coverage in the UK market. The catalogue adds a further 206 part references to the range, increasing the overall offering to more than 2,500 part numbers.
Remy Automotive is one of the largest brake caliper remanufacturers in Europe and claims a 15 per cent share of the UK brake caliper market. Growth of remanufactured callipers is estimated at five per cent a year and they account for 75 per cent of the UK market, compared with 40 per cent a decade ago.
Hayes Lemmerz 3Q Sales Up 11 per cent
Product NewsHayes Lemmerz International, Inc today reported that sales for the fiscal third quarter ended 31 October 2005, rose 11 per cent to $604.0 million from $545.9 million for the same period last year. However Hayes Lemmerz reported net losses of $13.3 million, compared with $5.3 million in the same period last year, and issued revised guidance for 2005.
Hi-Q Leads in RunOnFlat Training
Product NewsHi-Q is leading the way on RunOnFlat tyre technology thanks to an intensive training programme for its fitters. A total of 131 nationwide stores have been put through a special Goodyear RunOnFlat training programme.
Car Battery Maintenance: To Water or Not To Water?
Product NewsIn millions of vehicles, lead-acid batteries start people on billions of journeys every day. Yet as car engines become more complex and the technology of automotive batteries advances, motorists seem to be confused about the proper maintenance of the batteries under their hoods. The article, “Auto Batteries: Some Go the Distance” in the November 2005 issue of Consumer Reports, clouds the issue further, a trade association of battery manufacturers said today.
First Prize for Omitec in Las Vegas
Product NewsOmitec has been awarded 1st prize at the prestigious AAPEX Automotive Show in Las Vegas for its latest product, OmiSonic, in the “Fix it Right First Time” section.
The OmiSonic is a hand-held tester that uses ultrasound technology to identify a wide range of vehicle-related problems. These include finding leaks in door and window seals, deteriorating bearings before significant damage is caused, electrical arcing, and leaks in air conditioning, air braking and EVAP systems.
Block Exemption Drives Factoring Increase
Product NewsAll-makes parts supplier Motaquip suggests that more independent garages are setting up motor factor operations to support their core business and the driving force behind this trend is the changes in Block Exemption.
Motaquip says that new business start-up enquiries to its Partnership Programme from garage owners have more than doubled as garages are looking to enter the parts distribution chain. This contrasts with 2003, when only one in 10 of Motaquip’s enquiries came from independent garage owners. Block Exemption has been cited as the major contributory factor in this growth, which has left many garages needing a good source of quality parts.
Continental Automotive Systems Expands in Asia
Product NewsContinental Automotive Systems is opening its new headquarters in Shanghai China today, and has announced plans to build a new technology centre in Yokohama, Japan creating 250 new engineer positions.
By the year 2010, the Automotive supplier intends to generate at least 50 per cent of its new sales through agreements with non-European automobile manufacturers. It wants to double sales in Asia and is therefore intensifying its presence to strengthen its
position in this growth market.
Tyre Cord Business Thrives
Product NewsAccording to market research conducted by steel manufacturer Corus, the automotive industry is demanding premium quality steel at an unprecedented rate. Much of this demand comes from the Far East and Central and Eastern Europe, where tyre production is increasing at a rapid pace. In China alone, consumption of steel tyre cord has increased by 30 per cent a year since 2001. This year, the market is expected to grow to more than 300,000 tonnes. In response Corus has invested £14 million in rod mill enhancements to boost its ability to produce, handle and distribute these premium steels.
Maywood Adds New Lift
Product NewsMaywood Equipment Group has added a valuable new lift to it’s comprehensive range of electro-hydraulic models. The EHL 3600 has a 3.6-tonne capacity and is suitable for all cars and light commercial vehicles such as the Ford Transit. The lift comes in either single or three phase and has a lifting pad height of 95 millimetres. It also important safety features including: Mechanically operated safety locking mechanism; electronically controlled safety mechanism; load limiting hydraulic valve; manual lowering facility.
There is also the option of high lift pads for light commercial vehicles. This lift is the higher rated version of the well-known EHL 3000, which is already a top seller for Maywood. Maywood markets all its lifts through key distributors such as Unipart Automotive (Partco and Brown Brothers) and The Independent Factors Association.
Indian Tyres to Sport ISI Mark?
Product NewsThe Indian Ministry of Consumer affairs, Food & Public Distribution is considering branding automotive tyres with the “ISI” mark. The move is expected to be implemented from 1 April next year. While tyre manufacturers are reported to have welcomed this move, the Society of India Automobile Manufacturers Association (SIAM) has raised objections.
Unipart Offers Diagnostics Deal
NewsUnipart Automotive has teamed up with Omitec to offer garages a 5 year “all inclusive” modular integrated diagnostics solution. According to the company, the deal has no hidden costs and allows garages to invest cost-effectively in a lucrative area of vehicle repair work.
Tweel Takes Wins Popular Science Award
Premium, Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Groupe Michelin’s Tweel, the non-pneumatic tyre and wheel assembly that debuted at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year, has been named one of the “100 Most Innovative Products of the Year” by Popular Science magazine.
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