JK Tyre to invest in Chennai plant
At its board meeting on 24 October, the directors of JK Tyre & Industries Ltd approved a RS 14.3 billion (£144.5 million) expansion of its Chennai factory in eastern India.
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Dayco appoints Chris Showan technical manager
Aftermarket parts supplier Dayco has appointed Chris Showan as the company’s technical manager. Showan brings with him more than 25 years of aftermarket knowledge and experience from time at businesses such as Supra Automotive/Moprod, Quinton Hazell and latterly, Schaeffler Automotive.
UK car manufacturing rising – SMMT
The September report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders makes good reading for the UK car industry, as output has reached a level not seen since 2007-08. In the rolling 12 months since October 2012, the UK has manufactured more than 1.5 million, achieving a five-year high.
Carlisle sells tyre and wheel business
In July, Carlisle Companies announced it was seeking “strategic alternatives” for its Carlisle Transportation Products (CTP) business after it recorded a non-cash pre-tax loss of $100 million due to goodwill impairment during the second quarter of 2013. This strategic alternative turned out to be a divestment; this week the company said the tyre and wheel business has been purchased by American Industrial Partners for an enterprise value of US$375 million. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.
Europe launch for Conti’s REDI-Sensor
The ‘REDI-Sensor’ tyre pressure monitoring system marketed under Continental’s VDO brand has been sold in North America for the last three years, and the automotive supplier claims the product has enjoyed great success there. Now, with EU Regulation 523/2012 coming into effect in little over one year from now, the company is rolling out REDI-Sensor here in Europe. The multi-application TPMS sensor will be introduced into the European market in summer 2014.
Mitas bringing new CHO sizes to Agritechnica
Next month’s Agritechnica 2013 fair in Germany gives Mitas the opportunity to show off the latest additions to its range of CHO (cyclic harvesting operation) tyres intended for large combine harvesters. The company will present five new Mitas and Continental-brand CHO sizes.
MAM Software to launch Autopart eBay module
Early next year, MAM Software will release a new eBay module for its Autopart management software. The eBay module, which is currently undergoing initial testing, is intended to make it easier for Autopart users to add parts listings to the eBay marketplaces in the UK and Ireland.
Apollo signs on new creative partner
Following a multi-agency pitch process, Apollo Tyres has appointed The Brooklyn Brothers its global creative agency. The agency’s London office will service the account and help build the Apollo brand via print, electronic and digital mediums.
Continental Sumter plant ready for 2014 switch-on
Continental Tire the Americas’ new PCR to light truck tyre manufacturing plant in Sumter, South Carolina is nearing completion, having broken ground on the site in mid-2012.
Bologna Motor Show cancelled
The organisers of the Bologna Motor Show have announced that the 38th edition has been cancelled. According to GL events, the central reason was “the total lack of the car manufacturer,” which are of course absolutely key to the presentation of an automotive exhibition.
Dunlop tyre in line for green award
The Dunlop Sport BluResponse is a finalist in the ‘Green Steering Wheel 2013’, an annual competition held by leading car publication AutoBild in Germany.
Garage owner puts independents’ case to PM
The e-bulletin of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation quotes a story in the Oxford Mail, where Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron has been told of the need for regulation in the independent motoring trade by a businessman from his constituency.
Can B2B and B2C e-commerce be compared?
When it comes to B2B selling online, automotive organisations are struggling to provide the online buying experience that their customers have come to expect. That’s the view published in the 2013 E-commerce Report from Intershop, which also reveals that smartphone usage, social media and the so-called “consumerisation of IT” are driving up B2B customer expectations. The report’s advice? Automotive firms have to adapt to changing customer expectations, driven by trends such as smartphone usage and social media. But how can that be done? In addition to assimilating the research data, Tyres & Accessories asked Chris Barling, chairman on e-commerce system developer SellerDeck for his views.
Vredestein reaping benefit of merged Facebook presence
The various local Vredestein Facebook pages were recently merged into a single global account in order to give the company’s products better international exposure, and Vredestein reports gaining more than 10,000 fans within the space of four weeks as a result. The new global page can be found at www.facebook.com/Vredestein.
Bosch announces US distribution partnership
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions has entered into a US market distribution partnership with Myers Tire Supply. Under the agreement, Myers Tire Supply will carry the Bosch Wheel Service equipment range, including a full line of wheel balancers, tyre changers and brake lathes, through its national distribution network.
