Tenneco Automotive has launched a new monotube shock absorber which features a Monotube Blow Off (MTBO) valve at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany (IAA) last week. The new Ford Focus ST, which will be introduced in Europe later this year, will include shocks featuring the new MTBO valve.
A new European Tuning Association has been founded. VATZ (Verband Automobil Tuning/Zubehör – association of automotive tuning/accessories) held its inaugural meeting on the 15th September in Frankfurt. The association will have the task of representing the interests of the entire tuning industry, especially with regard to the legislative bodies, on a national level and international level. As a trade association, VATZ aims to represent the entire spectrum of European tuning providers.
Amerityre has completed the developmental phase of its non-pneumatic spare passenger car tyre and is now producing prototypes for the automotive industry to test and evaluate.
The tyres passed FMVSS testing standards and can carry loads up to 2,000 lbs per tyre.
ArvinMeritor, Inc announced today that it plans to move the shock and strut portion of its manufacturing operations from the Chickasha, Oklahoma, US facility to its plant in Queretaro, Mexico.
Continental AG is mulling over the possibility of a stock split after its shares grew more than fivefold since the spring of 2003, according to an article published in Die Welt, citing chief executive Manfred Wennemer.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK has relocated its UK Head Office to a new 61,080 sq. ft. complex at Burntwood in Warwickshire.
Michelin has appointed Cape Town based Stingray as official licensee in Southern Africa to distribute its stylish new range of high-performance automotive accessories.
The new products have been created to the highest technical specification, combining innovative features with ease of use and stylish design.
Continental expects its profitability will be assisted by improvements at its truck tyre business and demand for electronic car parts. , Furthermore, the automotive part supplier, the third-best performer on Germany’s DAX share index this year, expects to improve earnings and is said to be considering its options in emerging markets like India and China.
TRW Automotive Goodyear Tire & Rubber have jointly developed a new system that is designed to automatically adjust the performance parameters of a vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) system based on the dimensions and other characteristics of the vehicle’s tyres.
Newly released data produced by JD Power and Associated, ranks Michelin as the best OE tyre supplier in terms of US customer satisfaction. The study is based on responses from more than 32,000 new-vehicle owners who purchased a vehicle between 2003 and 2004. Overall satisfaction of OE tyres is based on performance in five factors: wearability, appearance, traction, ride and handling.
Michelin achieves the highest OE tyre satisfaction index score in each of the four segments included in the study: luxury/sport; mass-market/non-luxury; pickup/full-size van; and SUV. Michelin leads all four segments in the five factors contributing to customer satisfaction. However, Michelin-owned BFGoodrich did not fare so well, coming bottom in the luxury sport segment and receiving mediocre marks in the mass-market report.
Snap-on Diagnostics has announced a five year “Peace of Mind” plan for its Sun DGA 2500 Combi MoT-approved gas and smoke diagnostic emissions analyser.
Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics, said that the plan was introduced as a result of the company’s 40 years’ experience in the UK automotive aftermarket and its constant communication with its customers.
He says: “Customers will be able to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their Sun DGA 2500 Combi is protected with a five year parts and labour warranty, five years’ VOSA vehicle limits software updates plus five years’ calibrations, supported by our own UKAS accredited Field Technicians.”
The plan is available at a typical weekly cost of just over £40.
International Automotive Distributors Limited (IAD) has acquired the ADS business unit of Unipart Automotive.
Trading as Maccess, the company currently has 14 locations across the UK and will gain a further five sites from ADS. This coordination of resources has been done to improve product availability and offer, as well as delivery service levels to customers of both businesses.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK Ltd. has appointed Michael Flensborg (43) as Country Manager for the UK and Ireland. He succeeds Managing Director Tim Rahill, who left the company at the end of August.
Danish-born Mr. Flensborg joins the UK operation from the Remy Automotive European sales team, where he has been responsible for the development of the Scandinavian and Baltic markets for the past six years, plus the recent successful launch of Remy into the Russian market.
As the automotive accessories industry grows and assumes even greater importance in both the U.S. and world markets, several automakers have made commitments to participate in the SEMA Show scheduled for November 1-4, 2005, in Las Vegas.
The event will be especially significant as 14 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands – the highest number of OEM participants in SEMA Show history – will join with their partners in the specialty auto parts industry. In addition to OEM vehicle displays, the participating automakers will give SEMA members unparalleled access to technical data and a hands-on look at the vehicles that provide the basis for SEMA members’ products
Corporate image and brand awareness have always been regarded as important by those involved in marketing. In the fiercely competitive automotive industry getting potential customers to instantly recognise a company’s products and services is a key factor to securing more business.
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.
