(Akron/Tire Review) The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BNAT) is now recommending a maximum life span for passenger vehicle tyres – 10 years. This is a clear break from other US tyre companies, which have fought state and federal attempts to mandate a specific life span and/or require “born on” dates on tyre sidewalls.
North Eastern Tyres and Exhausts’, North Tyneside branch has received a prestigious Michelin award, as part of the manufacturer’s prestigious accreditation scheme. According to the manufacturer, the standard certifies high quality premises, expert staff and exemplary customer service.
NETE is the first centre in the North of England and one of just sixteen centres to have achieved this level anywhere in the UK. According to the company, the Michelin accreditation programme is designed to raise the standards of the tyre distribution industry in the same way that the famous Michelin Guide has done for restaurants and hotels over the past 100 years.
When Tyres & Accessories exclusively reported on the launch of the Michelin accreditation scheme back in February, programme development manager Jonathan Brett said he expected between 50 and 100 branches to be on board by the end of the first year. As that timeframe draws to a close Mr Brett explained that he is pleased with the programme’s development.
“It has gone really well. There is signage on about 16 depots, but this is fast moving and could change by next week. Fifty more are involved in the accreditation process.” Perhaps the scheme won’t reach the 100-mark that Mr Brett had hoped for this year, but in his words, the introduction of a new scheme was “never going to be a sprint, but a marathon.
Two New York law firms have filed class-action lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co alleging the two companies sold “defective tyres” to certain buyers of Toyota Sienna minivans.
The suit filed on behalf of Stanley Monk and other buyers of the Sienna, claims “run-flat” tyres produced by Goodyear under the company’s Dunlop brand wear out after approximately 10,000 miles of use, said attorney Roger Bernstein. According to a Dow Jones report, he said the Dunlop tyres need to be replaced on a annual basis, which apparently means they are “defective.”
International automotive supplier Continental AG has once again lifted sales and earnings, with sales rising considerably by a two-digit figure thanks to the successful integration of Phoenix AG. “In the first three quarters, we have already outperformed the full-year figures for 2004 – for net income before taxes and interest as well as profit. In addition to the excellent operational performance, this is also a result of one-off effects,” said executive board chairman Manfred Wennemer on Wednesday in Hanover. “There is no indication that this trend will change in the fourth quarter, so we will top our record figures from last year, even when the one-off effects are not taken into consideration.”
Mahle Filter Systems UK has opened a new, purpose-built warehouse at Salisbury, doubling its storage capacity for automotive filters and engine components to 40,000 square feet. Investment in the new building was £2.5 million and it is equipped with the latest stock picking and handling systems. Products under storage include Mahle and Knecht oil, air, fuel and cabin filters and the range of Mahle Original engine components. Mahle says that the new facility will enable the company to meet its new business development strategy and to accommodate the expanding range of products for the UK and Irish aftermarkets.
Hayes Lemmerz International has appointed John Stephenson as vice president of the Steel Wheel Operations for the company’s International Wheel Group, effective immediately. Mr. Stephenson will report directly to International Wheel Group President Fred Bentley. Mr Stephenson will have responsibility for the company’s International Steel Wheel businesses with operations in Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, and India.
Kumho UK has appointed Matt Smith as its new business development manager.
The new recruit brings with him 10 years of experience in the tyre and automotive sector and joins Kumho from Wagon Automotive where he held the position of BDM for European OEMs and 1st tier accounts. Prior to that he spent eight years with Goodyear in various technical and sales positions.
Delphi’s service and aftermarket training centre has been selected by one of the UK’s leading vehicle repair networks, Nationwide Autocentres (NWAC), to train young apprentices aged between 16 and 24 attending its new technician accreditation programmes.
Each course lasts three years and, over this period, the first pilot group of 53 students from 120 NWAC in the Midlands will receive a total of 18 weeks hands-on training. In addition to becoming familiar with diagnostic techniques, Delphi has designed a bespoke outward bounds programme to encourage team building, trust and leadership skills which are seen as equally important to overall personal development.
Dunlop’s treadheads are to return to the SEMA show, with 200 buzz cuts expected to take place at the event. The manufacturer reports that Chicago barber, Nate “Scissorhands” Hoops, is sharpening his haircutting tools, and Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread designs are dancing in the heads of the throngs visiting the automotive aftermarket show. Hoops is expected to reach a clipping rate of 50 heads-per-day clip.
Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said: “Dunlop’s booth is all about performance – from sleek treadheads to sideways drifting cars to the annual ‘Maxxed Out’ Awards. There also will be plenty of surprises. Because the SEMA Show emphasises tuner-style automotive accessories, the venue is a perfect fit for Dunlop.”
Supply Direct, the sales division of Equipment Services has celebrated its first anniversary by holding an open night to thank its customers for their help. The open night offered discounts on all brands with live demonstrations in the company’s fully functional showroom including their brand new Automated Test Lane.
Continental AG is considering whether it should buy some assets from Delphi. CEO, Manfred Wennemer told the Financial Times Deutschland that the company and others were looking to see if Delphi would see off some of its assets. “This is a chance for everyone — also for Continental. We have to see what they want to or must sell off,” the newspaper quoted Wennemer as sayding. Wennemer did not say what parts of Delphi Continental would be interested in, but he ruled out any purchases that would take the automotive supplier into any new areas.
The new Automotive Trade Show website has gone live at www.atshow.com. Visitors will be able to book entry tickets and plan their visit to the show. They will also be able to research exhibitors and details of their exhibits through the A-Z listings and product locator.
Continental AG is planning to spend between £22 million and £27 million on equipment and machinery at its plants in Malaysia, the company’s director of marketing and sales for passenger car replacement Europe Jurgen Schmidt told the Malaysia Star newspaper.
Newcastle is home to one of the top six Michelin accredited tyre centres in the UK, the manufacturer has announced. North East Tyre and Exhausts’ new centre on the Silverlink Business Park, Wallsend, North Tyneside has just received Michelin accreditation, a standard which certifies high quality premises, expert staff and exemplary customer service.
Hankook Tire Co, says it will select a new site for its proposed European plant by November, and is aiming to break ground next spring. According to Asian news sources, Hankook’s chief executive Cho Choong-hwan reiterated the plan to begin European production in 2007 during his speech at an international automotive industry forum, stressing the strategic importance of the European market.
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