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JV Formed for Shock Absorber Supply in Europe

ArvinMeritor and TRW Automotive have laid out plans to form a joint venture for the distribution of aftermarket shock absorbers in Europe, with the planned operation covering all light vehicle shock absorbers both companies’ produce for the region. Operation and distribution through the joint venture is planned to commence in January.

TRW’s vice president for aftermarket in Europe and Asia Pacific, François Augnet, said in a statement that “by combining the strengths of ArvinMeritor’s engineering and manufacturing competencies and the Gabriel brand name with TRW’s extensive sales and distribution network, we are confident that we can roll out successful shock absorber programs for the European independent aftermarket.”

17th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Launches Licensed Product Kiosk at Retail Stores

Using its network of retail stores as a licensing proving ground, Goodyear Tire & Rubber has begun the installation of free-standing, licensed product kiosks at 65 Goodyear Auto Service Centers and 118 Just Tires locations across the United States. The Goodyear kiosk is a metal structure with flexible shelving to allow for multiple configurations depending on product mix. Initial installation is scheduled to take place between October 15 and the end of October and is, according to Goodyear’s manager of licensed products Bob Paciulan, part of a broader future retail distribution plan for its licensed products.

“The more than 60 licensees that currently produce products carrying the Goodyear name realise how valuable our retail network is for showcasing their products with the compelling Goodyear nameplate,” said Paciulan. “This is the first time that Goodyear licensed products are being offered at Goodyear retail locations and we hope that this direction encourages additional licensing agreements with companies that produce high-quality merchandise and want to tap into our consumer distribution capability.” The new kiosks will offer 22 distinctive products ranging from air compressors to floor mats and air pressure gauges, produced by licensees and carrying the Goodyear name. Product prices range from US$2 to $40.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Signs Tyre Sector Research Agreement

On October 15 Pirelli and the Politecnico di Torino, an institute specialising in engineering and related disciplines, signed a five-year framework agreement for joint research in the tyre sector. The agreement will see the Politecnico’s research infrastructure utilised and will have the aim of further developing manufacturing processes and products derived from Pirelli technology.

In the realm of processes, in particular, the research team will work on the future generation of MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System), the robotised manufacturing system patented by Pirelli, and of the CCM (Continuous Compound Mixing) method that allows for a continuous production of mixes. On the products front, Pirelli and Politecnico di Torino will focus on development of the Cyber Tyre, an “intelligent” tyre able to “dialogue” with the vehicle, thereby permitting greater road safety.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

European Associations Launch Right to Repair Campaign

Automotive aftermarket and motorist representatives have today launched the Right to Repair Campaign at Equip’Auto 2007 to safeguard consumer choice and effective competition in the market for vehicle replacement parts, tools and equipment, servicing and repair.

“Vehicles are more and more becoming “computers on wheels”, stated Campaign spokesperson Sylvia Gotzen. “While technological innovations provide better emissions control as well as more safety and comfort, they have made it increasingly challenging to service or repair a vehicle. Fair and full access for independent market operators to technical information, multi-brand diagnostic tools as well as test equipment, replacement parts and training is therefore more than ever crucial to be able to provide European motorists with the quality service and parts they deserve in the aftermarket care of their vehicles”, she explained.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lamborghini Selects Beru for TPMS

Automotive engineering specialists Beru F1 Systems has announced that it is supplying its award-winning digital tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) DigiTyre to Lamborghini for the Gallardo and Murciélago platforms. The safety feature, developed using Beru F1 Systems’ extensive motorsport experience, is standard fit on US Gallardo and Murciélago models to comply with the TREAD act. (The TREAD act makes it mandatory for passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the USA to be fitted with a pressure monitoring system).

Specialist and niche vehicle manufacturers rightly demand robust and integrated solutions,” says BERU F1 Systems’ managing director John Bailey. “The higher speeds, higher cornering forces and demands experienced by performance cars rule out many solutions currently available. Our system is robust, light yet still retains all the integration features such as end of line testing and dealer diagnostics that OEMs require.”

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Close Credit Facility for Siemens VDO Purchase

Continental AG is closing the syndication of a €13.5 billion loan package, supported by a consortium of international banks. The credit facility will provide the long-term financing for its purchase of the Siemens VDO Automotive unit. Despite what Conti calls ‘challenging conditions in the financial markets’, the transaction was well received and will be healthily oversubscribed. Continental further adds that a total of 39 banks are participating in the financing, which has been led by Citi and Goldman Sachs.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

European Commission sets Deadline for VDO Purchase Inquiry

The European Commission has announced that its inquiry deadline for Continental AG’s proposed 11.4 billion euro acquisition of the VDO Automotive Division from Siemens has been set for November 15. No further details were given at the time.

12th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BEN to Host Evening Reception at St James’s Palace

BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity, will be holding a private Evening Reception, at St James’s Palace, on Wednesday 14 November from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Gerard Barclay, chief executive at BEN said, “BEN has been privileged over the past 40 years to have Princess Alexandra as its patron and we are delighted that Her Royal Highness is be able to celebrate this auspicious occasion with us”.

Champagne and canapés will be served in the magnificent Queen Anne Room and guests will have the unique opportunity to tour the State Apartments.

Built largely between 1531 and 1535, St James’s Palace was a residence of kings and queens of England for over 300 years. It remains the official residence of the Sovereign, although, since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, the Sovereign has lived at Buckingham Palace. The Palace was built by Henry VIII on the site of the Hospital of St James, Westminster. Much survives of the red-brick building erected by Henry VIII, including the Chapel Royal, the gatehouse, some turrets and two surviving Tudor rooms in the State Apartments.

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese Carmakers Flocking to Detroit Show

(Akron/Tire Review) The North American International Auto Show in Detroit will take on more of an international flavor in 2008 as five Chinese automotive companies – including four automakers – plan displays there.

While no Chinese car companies are ready to sell products in North America as yet, Geely International Corp., Changfeng Motor Group, China America Cooperative Automotive Inc. (Chamco), BYD Auto Co. and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design Co. will all have booth space at the event.

The NAIAS will be open to the public from January 19-27.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sibur’s Yaroslavl Plant Granted International Certification

Sibur Russian Tyres’ Yaroslavl Tyre Plant has been awarded ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification. The attainment of this independent certification, which specifies the quality system requirements for the design, development, production, installation and servicing of automotive related products, will permit the factory to participate in the submission of tenders for the supply of original equipment tyres to international vehicle manufacturers.

3rd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pneu-Logic Signs Supply Agreement with Rema Tip Top

Pneu-Logic, the UK based tyre division of Advanced ID Corporation, has entered into a strategic supply agreement with Rema Tip Top, the world’s largest supplier of tyre maintenance products and equipment, as a global reseller of Pneu-Logic’s line of technology products.

The Pneu-Logic technology has been selected to form a cornerstone of the newly formed Diagnostic Solutions Group within Rema Tip Top’s automotive division. The first products to be commercially launched from this collaboration are Fleet Inspector PRO and Fleet Inspector BASIC. These solutions are aimed at providing a wide range of customers with leading edge technology for fleet and tyre management.

Matthias Rolinski, sales and marketing director for Rema Tip Top, said, “Rema Tip Top always provides the best benefits for its customers. As part of our added-value-chain, we have recognised that the Advanced ID Pneu-Logic Fleet Management System represents a high quality solution that enables a premium application for tyre inspection and maintenance. The products will be available by the end of October, which follows an introduction that received very favourable reviews at the company’s in-house show at our Munich headquarters earlier this month.”

1st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Racing, Aftermarket Pioneer Wally Parks Dies

(Akron/Tire Review) NHRA founder Wally Parks died last week at the age of 94. “Today is a sad day in the world of NHRA and the sport of drag racing,” said Tom Compton, NHRA president. “Words simply can’t describe the immeasurable impact Wally has had on the sport he created and the millions of people’s lives he touched along the way. The name Wally Parks is synonymous with drag racing, and his vision and direction will guide NHRA for years to come. Everyone in drag racing, and the industries formed to service the sport, will forever be indebted to Wally, his vision, his focus and his desire to create, build and grow NHRA.”

Parks founded NHRA in 1951, and played a pivotal role in the establishment of an entire industry devoted to the automotive aftermarket parts and accessories.

1st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Beru Makes Full-Year Target Adjustment

German automotive supplier Beru reports that, as a result of what it refers to as the current “difficult” situation in the motor industry, the company now assumes it will achieve operating profit (EBIT) of between 44 million and 47 million euros in full-year 2007. This represents a slight downward correction of the company’s most recently published earnings guidance. The reduction is attributed to the ongoing decrease in unit sales in the high-margin aftermarket business. Furthermore, in response to demands from vehicle manufacturers, Beru has been forced to grant price reductions it says exceed the effects of its own internal cost-cutting activities.

Beru’s executive board maintains its goal of increasing sales revenues by a low single-digit percentage this year.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Gajah Tunggal Considering Share Issue

PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk is considering raising some funds through a rights issue next year. According to a senior executive said, quoted by the Reuters news agency, Indonesia’s Gajah Tunggal wants to reduce its debt-to-equity ratio to 1.0, from 1.6. According to director Catharina Widjaja the rights issue is not expected to be too large. “We are reviewing an option for a rights issue, possibly next year. The funds would be used to lower our debt ratio. For any corporate actions and capital expenditure, we still have the money from our latest bond issue,” Widjaja told reporters.

27th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Presents Interior Motives Award

For a second successive year, Bridgestone has sponsored the ‘Best Safety Innovation’ category in an annual competition organised by Interior Motives magazine for automotive design students from around the world. Short-listed entries were unveiled at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2007 ceremony in Frankfurt’s Cocoon Club on 12 September, held in conjunction with the IAA 2007 international motor show.

The event began with an exhibition, where an audience of design industry VIPs and the press were able to view student designs and prototypes for the first time and meet the finalists themselves. The winners, selected by an international panel of industrial design judges, were then announced under ten design categories.

27th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors