automotive Archives - Page 51 of 143 - Tyrepress

Posts

Research Tips 8.21% Growth in India Until 2013

India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association has predicted tyre consumption in the subcontinent will grow by five to six per cent in the coming months, yet information collated by Indian based business research firm CARE Research indicates that growth may reach a slightly higher rate. According to the company’s research, India’s tyre industry is expected to grow at 6.81 per cent in the 2010 financial year and at a compound annual growth rate of 8.21 per cent until the 2013 financial year.

27th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ATMA Director General: 5-6% Rise in India Tyre Consumption

With India’s auto sales back on the rise in September year-on-year comparisons, Rajiv Budhraja, director general of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, told the Press Trust of India that tyre consumption will follow “by five to six per cent in the next six to eight months”. The increase in auto sales has risen by 17.1 per cent overall in September 2009 compared with the month in 2008, while the rise was particularly felt in the passenger car segment, where that increase topped 20 per cent (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers figures).

26th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Encircle Offers Servicing Price Data

Encircle Marketing recently added automotive aftermarket servicing & MOT data to its pool of research. According to company representatives, the company now offers: robust and actionable analysis by each of the key vehicle classification segments (A-E + MPV/ SUV); head to head level analysis of relative cost elements attached to servicing/MOT; and an examination of regional variations. The project will issue monthly data from January 2010, when the company will start conducting a monthly monitor across all key channels in the market. Headline figures are to include individual quotes for a first major service (three year old vehicle), price for an MOT, various service elements provided as part of a service (free courtesy car/valet service) and promotional offers.

23rd October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

DuPont Introduces Stronger, Lighter Kevlar

It’s been used as a reinforcement material in tyres for more than four decades, and now Kevlar has been tweaked to give it extra oomph. DuPont has introduced what it calls its DuPont Kevlar Advanced Performance (Kevlar AP) range of fibres – products that, despite a lighter weight, offer 15 per cent more strength than standard Kevlar fibres. The first cab off the rank in the new line-up is Kevlar K29 AP.

23rd October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Former HiQ Boss Joins Paragon’s Senior Management Team

Paragon Group has appointed former HiQ retail director, Neil Burrows as business development director. Burrows left HiQ in September 2008 after a failed management buyout attempt.

Burrow’s new role will reportedly include taking overall responsibility for all account management and client relations. According to the company, its creation reflects Paragon’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement of the service offered to all clients across its three businesses – Paragon Automotive, Paragon Fleet Solutions and Paragon Remarketing. Neil Burrows will also take responsibility for delivering a coordinated marketing, new business and corporate communications strategy for the group.

21st October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Aufine Presents an Extended Truck Tyre Range

International News, News

Ever since the Aufine Group owned factory in Dongying, Shandong Province entered operation in 1986, it has specialised in truck tyres. Nevertheless, the company has considered broadening its range. As general manager David Sun explained during the CITExpo exhibition, Aufine – whose name was chosen due to its phonic similarity to the words “all fine” – has recently mulled over the idea of a passenger car tyre factory. According to Sun, Aufine calculates an RMB 700 million investment (£63.6 million) is required to establish a planned factory capable of producing five million passenger car tyres per year. These plans, admittedly, have been laid on ice indefinitely due to the global recession. If and when the Aufine Group finally presses ahead is a decision heavily dependent upon the future development of global markets, not least the US market. Should the decision be made to press ahead with the new factory, the company’s aim is to produce “high quality tyres in China,” David Sun emphasises.

16th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Government Aid to Secure Vauxhall Jobs

The UK automotive industry gained a boost on October 13 when Lord Mandelson’s persuaded Vauxhall’s new owner to back down on redundancy plans that could have cost 5,000 workers their jobs. Magna International made a commitment to the long-term future of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and Luton plants in exchange for concessions including a two-year salary freeze. Mandelson will now commence final talks with the German Government over how much Britain will contribute to the £4.1 billion state loan the Germans have committed to back the Canadian company’s takeover of General Motors Europe.

14th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Superior’s Turner Calls it Quits

Wheel supplier Superior Industries has announced the resignation of chief financial officer Erika Turner. In the short term her shoes will be filled by Emil “Bud” Fanelli, who has served as the company’s vice president and corporate controller since 1997. Superior Industries has begun the quest to bring a new CFO into the fold.

13th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever Group 109th in Sunday Times Top Track 250

Continued growth at Micheldever Group means the group has jumped to 109th place in the prestigious Sunday Times Top Track 250 list of the most successful mid-market companies. In the past two years the group has jumped by almost 100 places in the Sunday Times list with group sales reaching £259.3 million, up 16 per cent over the previous year. Annual turnover for 2009/10 is forecast to be over £283 million.

The league table, which is co-sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, ranks Britain’s biggest mid-market private companies by their latest sales figures, which range from £592 million to £153 million. In addition to retailers in the automotive business, companies span a wide range of industries from construction to IT and property. Micheldever Group is the only tyre industry player to be placed in this illustrious listing.

Commenting on the group’s performance Paul Fox chief executive said: “We are absolutely delighted to have accelerated up the Sunday Times Top Track 250 list. It is a reflection of the tremendous hard work of our dedicated team of people here at Micheldever set against a very difficult and challenging market. The investment we have made in warehousing, new retail outlets together with systems and procedures have put us at the top of the tyre distribution business.”

12th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Johnson Controls Targets Bangers with ‘Black Dynamic’ Battery

Many of us have been strapped for cash at some time or another, and the recession has left large numbers of people financially smarting throughout the UK. Despite the extended scrappage scheme, more drivers have been prompted to hang onto their cars for longer periods of time. Johnson Controls is catering to this growth market with its Varta-branded Black Dynamic battery, and will begin shipping this product to independent workshops and repairers this autumn.

12th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Former BEN Head Parachuting For Charity

Former BEN chief executive Geoffrey Atkinson OBE and his wife Tina are preparing to skydive 15,000 feet on 17 October to raise money for the UK automotive industry charity he used to head up. Geoffrey and Tina, who, as Tina Steele, was formerly BEN’s fundraising director, have already raised almost £10,000 and are well on their way to their £15,000 target.

8th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BF Srl Launches New Website

At the beginning of September BF Srl introduced customers to its new website: www.bfwheelweight.com. The site was recently upgraded to offer all visitors an easy way of identifying the product they are looking for. “With a few clicks you can gain access to the whole range,” company representatives told Tyres & Accessories.

The system is updated directly from the BF’s head office, advising all customers of the latest news relating to the company and the automotive field. A new page dedicated to the technical department, is designed to meet particular customer requirements.

5th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Viking International Making Operational Improvements

Viking International says that it has made a number of positive developments over the last year to streamline efficiency and improve customer service. Kevin Parker was appointed as Group managing director at the start of the year, and has been entrusted with heading the Viking brand as well as retaining responsibility for sister company, National Fleet. Parker believes that the companies have the potential to deliver a fruitful collaborative effort, providing an increased service offering to customers, from wholesale tyres and automotive parts, right the way though to fleet solutions for its dealers.

5th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ACEA Urges EU to Re-Write ‘Bad’ South Korean Free Trade Agreement

European carmaker’s association ACEA has written an open letter to the European Commission urging it to reassess the conditions of the forthcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea. According to the ACEA, the FTA will “have a significant impact on jobs and competitiveness in the EU economy and rushing into signing a bad agreement is wrong.” ACEA reported that the trade commissioner intends to initial the FTA in October.

30th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TSI/SSG Buys Amerac

Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Co., Inc. (TSI/SSG) has bought all inventory, trademarks, equipment and manufacturing rights of Amermac, Inc. of Ellaville, Georgia. Not details of the price have been released. Amermac, Inc. is a leader in tyre vibration equipment and is known in the automotive trucking industry and the motorsport world. President, Wes Sprunk, said the company is committed to providing superior service to all Amermac customers and is looking forward to building lasting relationships with them. The entire Amermac line of tyre vibration equipment will continue to be supported and all service parts will be available through TSI/SSG.

30th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors