Chrysler Boss Warns Auotmotive Suppliers to Adapt or Die
During a speech given at the Auto Tech 2004 conference Chrysler CEO, Dieter Zetsche told 1000 executives that “it’s adapt or die” for automotive suppliers.
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Continental and Renault Share Prices Boom
Product NewsContinental’s shares prices reached historically high levels last week. The influential automotive supplier’s impressive share prices are attributed to the company’s strong first half earnings, which have increased 46 per cent at the operating level.
At the same time French car manufacturer, Renault, has achieved a similarly impressive share price. According to analysts, the results are due to the car manufacturer’s Megane II and the recently launched Modus model.
Japanese Auto Sales
Product NewsGlobal Automotive Daily has published the Japanese auto sales for August, stating that a 2.1 per cent increase in vehicle sales has ended the market’s six month consecutive decline. Mini vehicle sales were also up by 2.6 per cent which continued nine months of growth. Analysts say that the vehicle recovery is mainly due to a low of comparison base, as August 2003 was down by 2.6 per cent, and growth of the big players like Toyota and Honda.
Continental Confirms Board Member Start Date
Product NewsA month after Continental announced that Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann was being recommended to the board, the international automotive supplier has confirmed that Dr Neumann will begin his new role on 1 October. In this position Dr Neumann will head up Continental Automotive Systems. Dr Neumann had previously been head of the electrics and electronics unit of the VW group of brands, where he had group-wide responsibility for electronic modules.
Home Market Dwindles for BBS
Product NewsBBS has released its consolidated first-half sales figures, which hold steady at 89.6 million euros. Growth outside Germany has seen the sales increase from the previous year’s figure of 89.4 million euros. However, due to dwindling business inside Germany EBT amounted to a mere 1.9 million euros.
In Germany, business volumes fell 3.4 per cent from 50.2 million euros to 48.5 million euros. Outside Germany, the wheel manufacturer boosted sales by 4.9 per cent from 39.2 million euros to 41.1 million euros. As a result, its share of sales outside Germany rose from 43.8 per cent to 45.9 per cent of its total sales.
Titan Support the US Military
Product NewsThe Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Tian International, has been awarded two multi-year contracts by TACOM (Tank Automotive Command). Together the contracts total an estimated value of $40 million and cover the US Army’s anticipated requirements for tyres used on 2.5 and five ton military trucks, for the next five years.
“We are proud to continue our tradition of supplying products to support the US military and are appreciative of the confidence placed in Titan,” stated Maurice Taylor Jr, Titan president and CEO. “This is further evidence of Titan’s recognised expertise in the off-highway sector.”
Batteries for All Applications
NewsThe Delphi Corporation is one of the world’s leading technology companies, with substantial business in the automotive and transportation industries as well as other high-technology sectors, such as telecommunications and computers. Its world headquarters are at Troy, Michigan and the corporation has regional headquarters in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. The global workforce numbers 188,000 and Delphi operates 53 customer service centres and 32 technical centres, has 167 manufacturing facilities and 42 joint ventures. Sales in 2002 were $27.4 billion (£14.8 billion)
By any standards, Delphi is a big company, so it is not surprising that its involvement in the battery business is on a large scale, with manufacturing carried out at eleven factories worldwide and a product range that covers 98 per cent of the vehicle parc. Delphi is active in both the aftermarket and in original equipment sales, where it supplies many leading manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Japan – a recent success was the winning of a contract to supply batteries worth $22 million for the Renault Megane II, Scenic II and Clio.
In Europe, battery production is at a factory in Sarreguemines, France. The plant was built in 1980 and covers 35,000 square metres on 18 hectares of land. It is certified QS 9000 and VDA (quality), OHSAS 18001 (safety) and ISO 14001 and EMAS II (environment) and production this year will top 5.4 million batteries. Worldwide, Delphi produces more than 30 million batteries.
Self-Inflating Tyres
Product NewsAt Automechanika, SKF will be presenting a so-called ‘air wheel bearing’ through which air-pressure can be filled into the tyre. The bearings are used within the Tire Intelligent Pressure Management (TIPM) system, which was developed under the leadership of Michelin. TRW Automotive and WABCO are involved in this tyre pressure control improvement project.
Continental makes Rainer Strang responsible for ‘Public Relations Tyres’
Product NewsRainer Strang has been appointed to strengthen the PR team of the Continental AG’s two tyre divisions. He will is expected to begin his new position on 1 October, but will definitely start by 1 November 2004. Mr Strang succeeds Markus Burgdorf, who left the company in spring in order to work independently of the company. “I am looking forward to the vocational challenges in one of the most successful automotive industry suppliers in the world,“ comments Strang on his move to Hanover.
Yokohama Results for First Quarter
Product NewsThe Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. yesterday announced its consolidated results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2004. During the quarter, net sales increased 7.5% to 91,072 million yen, operating income 11.8% to 3,287 million yen, ordinary income 34.5% to 2,856 million yen, and net income 59.3% to 986 million yen.
USWA Give Michelin 11 August Strike Deadline
Product NewsThe leadership of American automotive manufacturing workers, United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have given Michelin North America Incorporated until Wednesday to negotiate a new labour contract.
New Honda Odyssey will use PAX tyres
Product NewsA recent issue of Automotive News has reported that the 2005 Honda Odyssey will use Michelin PAX run flat tyres. It is not yet known whether run flat tyres will be fitted as standard or will only be used on the higher end EX and Touring models. At the same time, it is reported that Toyota Sienna minivans are using Bridgestone’s rival RFT system.
Continental Results Show 21.4 per cent Growth
Product NewsContinental AG have released results which show substantially growth for the second consecutive quarter.
The international automotive supplier increased its first-half consolidated sales 9.0 percent from 5,646.8 million euros (£3724.18) to 6,157.4 million euros (£4060.93), including the costs of exchange rates and consolidation charges.
GEA Represented on the CVS and ATS Committee
Product NewsThe Garage Equipment Association will now be represented in both the Automotive Trade Show and Commercial Vehicle Show Committee.
It has nominated Walt Koloska, sales and marketing director, of the Crypton Technology Group, a member of the GEA, to represent it on the committee.
Cooper Saiyang – a new joint venture
Product NewsCooper Tire & Rubber’s operating group, Cooper-Standard Automotive, has created a joint venture company with Chinese manufacturer Saiyang Sealing Products. Together the companies will sell automobile sealing systems under the name Cooper Saiyang Wuhu Automotive.
