Independent testing conducted in Quebec, Canada has found Continental’s HDL Eco Plus drive tyre to deliver up to 2.4 per cent superior fuel economy versus its test competitors. The test used a controlled evaluation tool based on the Society of Automotive Engineers J1321 test method, reports Conti, however the tyre maker has not disclosed which competitor products were evaluated.
Chris Wakley, founding executive director at Automotive PR, has received a special award from TyreSafe recognising his contribution to tyre safety over the past 15 years. It is only the third time that the award has been conferred. Wakley handled media relations for the Tyre Industry Council since its inception which latterly became TyreSafe. The organisation is the UK’s leading tyre safety body.
The TyreSafe Award was presented by Rob Beddis, chairman of TyreSafe “in recognition of the outstanding contribution to tyre safety”. According to Beddis: “Chris was responsible for developing a very successful series of tyre safety campaigns ranging from regional roadside tyre checks arranged with practically all UK police forces, to tyre safety weeks in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England.”
UK Batteries, the driving force behind the Platinum brand, has unveiled a new catalogue that details its most comprehensive range of applications to date. The 2009 Platinum Batteries catalogue has been collated by experienced product manager, Keith Rudd, and contains a comprehensive application list for a market-leading automotive product range that covers cars, light vans and commercial vehicles. The catalogue is available in three formats: on the www.ukbatteries.co.uk website, in paper form and also on a CD.
Porsche has denied speculation that it may be interested in buying a stake Continental AG, after an earlier news agency report intimated that Schaeffler Group (Conti’s owner in waiting) may team up with another partner to buy all of Continental. “There is definitely nothing to this,” a Porsche spokesman told Reuters. In the months since Schaeffler bid 75 euros a share for a 49 per cent stockholding in Continental, speculation has linked most premium tyre manufacturers and a collection of investment banks with the tyre and automotive supplier.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has expressed its disappointment at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services’ (S&P) decision to place the tyremaker’s credit ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications. The company was one of more than a dozen automotive industry-related firms to be added to the list due to their significant exposure to automakers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
“We’re disappointed in Standard & Poor’s action,” said Darren R. Wells, Goodyear’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “There are fundamental differences between our business and the companies whose businesses are heavily tied to the Michigan-based auto manufacturers.
Kumho Tire representatives have confirmed that the company has “extended the timetable” for completion of its plant in Bibb County, Georgia plant. Company representatives added that Kumho is still committed to this project, which will help it “better serve customers in North America.” No revised deadline has yet been issued.
“Our strategy is to remain flexible to changes in market demand and allocate production resources accordingly. Kumho will continue to closely watch the North American automotive market to help us effectively compete. Kumho Tires will keep all of our stakeholders up to date with the latest information available on this plant,” Kumho representatives told Tyres & Accessories.
In the first nine months of 2008 the Beru Group posted revenue of 324.2 million euros, a decrease of 2.2 per cent of the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit from ordinary activities (EBIT) amounted 18.8 million euros, equivalent to an EBIT margin of 5.8 per cent. In 2007 this figure and margin were 34.2 million euros and 10.3 per cent respectively. This includes one-time special items, which reduced EBIT by approximately EUR 9.8 million. Excluding those special items, adjusted EBIT amounted to EUR 28.6 million, equivalent to an adjusted margin of 8.8 per cent per cent.
China Automotive Systems, a power steering components and systems supplier in China, has its first purchase order for power steering gears from a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in North America, says Aftermarket News. This first purchase order is part of a larger agreement to supply power steering gears to this automotive manufacturer.
This agreement represents a major milestone for the company, said CEO Qizhou Wu, as it is the first contract for China Automotive Systems in the North American original equipment manufacturer market. These power steering gears are intended for one model of a well-known automobile brand, according to the company.
Alcoa is promoting the stay-clean qualities of its Dura-Bright wheels. Penetrating the wheel itself, the unique Dura-Bright technology is designed not to crack, peel or corrode. Dura-Bright has also been used in Alcoa’s commercial vehicle range of wheels for some time.
“It was clear that consumers required a new wheel solution that is durable while retaining a high quality, innovative appearance,” explains Mike Parnell, vice president and general manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels. “By being easy to clean and staying clean longer, Dura-Bright technology wheels enhance a vehicle’s appearance allowing Audi A6 [a key OE fitment] owners to enjoy their vehicle while lowering maintenance efforts.”
Subaru has chosen Dunlop for OE supplier to its 2008 Impreza WRX STi. The car will use the tyre maker’s SP Sport 01 in the size 235/45R17 94W.
Frédéric Schilling, brand director of Dunlop Europe, Middle East and Africa was pleased with Subaru’s decision: “Dunlop, with its long motorsport heritage and experience, is the ideal fitment for the Subaru Impreza WRX STI which is built upon a successful rally car heritage. The STI is more than a car, it’s a culture. From the very beginning the Dunlop SP Sport 01 has been developed with leading partners in the automotive industry to comply with the very latest vehicle design and construction. And, last but not least, its development draws on many Dunlop motorsport successes,” he continued.
As a member of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) programme, Bridgestone’s BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) was honoured recently at the WasteWise & NPEP Conference for recycling some 145,000 kilograms of lead from lead wheel weights in 2007.
In addition to its ongoing efforts to further reduce the impact of lead on the environment, BFRC launched a US-wide environmental initiative in January 2008 to install non-toxic steel wheel weights instead of lead weights in its customers’ vehicles. BFRC, a member of the Bridgestone Americas (BSA) family, was the first of the major chains in the automotive repair industry to make the switch to steel wheel weights in this market. All of BFRC’s approximately 2,000 US automotive service store locations are switching to more ecologically sensitive, non-toxic steel weights, replacing millions of lead wheel weights each year.
Cooper has announced its arrival on the fuel efficiency scene at one of the world’s premier automotive specialty products trade event, SEMA. The company has debuted the Cooper GFE, the company’s first low-rolling resistance touring tyre. Cooper states that it is “dedicated to developing technology and fuel saving benefits.”
The GFE has been designed to provide Greater Fuel Efficiency (as its initials imply), and reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life or traction. The company says that the tyre, through its enhanced polymer system, silica tread compound and the company’s own mixing technology, will provide exceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride.
Logistics provider DHL is introducing across Europe a new patented solution for transporting tyres to market. The company calls the product ‘DHL Tyrebox’ and reports it is a convenient, cost saving and environmentally friendly method of packaging. The Tyrebox, says DHL, offers a unique solution to the conventional challenge of transporting tyres, turning them from a non-conveyable shipment into a conveyable one, allowing tyres to be easily stacked together and delivered flat-packed.
The desire for a squeaky clean, lustrous set of tyres nearly claimed the life of a 48 year old US man on October 30. Hummer driver Merle C. Sorenson from Washington State was enjoying an evening with four buddies when the urge to ‘clean the rubber’ struck. What occurred next is, so they say, not something you should try at home.
India’s Commerce Department has, according to national media, commenced an investigation into alleged dumping of Chinese and Thai made truck and bus radials in the Indian market. The decision to launch this investigation follows a complaint lodged by national tyre industry representative body, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).
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