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Tyrexpo Asia 2007 ‘Comes of Age’

Increased visitor numbers representing a wider variety of countries and greater numbers of exhibitors taking extra floor space, were the top-line highlights that contributed to a record-breaking sixth Tyrexpo Asia exhibition at the Singapore Expo Centre recently (11-13 September 2007). Figures released by show organiser ECI International confirm that visitor numbers increased by 9 per cent compared to the last event in 2005, with a total of 3,219 people visiting the show from 88 countries. The growing international importance of the exhibition was emphasised by the fact in 2005 only 73 countries were represented by visitors.

Substantial increases were also recorded in terms of the support and commitment from exhibitors. 125 exhibitor stands were booked at the 2007 event compared with 95 in 2005. Meanwhile, the number of exhibitor passes registered rose by as much as 38 per cent, from 535 to 739, while the total exhibition area booked was up by a quarter at 6,500 sq. m, compared to 5,200 sq.m last time.

26th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tire Review Names New Managing Editor

(Akron/Tire Review) Veteran reporter Denise Koeth has joined the staff of Tire Review as its new managing editor.

25th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Name Change For Varta In UK

VB Automotive Batteries Ltd. is the UK subsidiary for the Varta brand of Johnson Controls, the world’s largest automotive battery manufacturer, with over 1,000 locations worldwide. Effective 1st October 2007, VB Automotive Batteries Ltd. will change its name to Johnson Controls Batteries Limited.

25th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Omitec Software

Omitec, the diagnostics equipment manufacturer, has released Version 13 Software of its OmiScan (handset based) and OmiPro (PC Based) scan tools. Version 13 features software application updates to: Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, MG Rover, Peugeot, Renault, Vauxhall as well as intensive application additions to BMW.

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kuani Air Tools Make Sales Impact

Rema Tip Top UK Ltd are working with K-Tools International Limited to supply the UK and Irish automotive market with a superb array of impact tools from Taiwanese manufacturer Kuani.

Cliff Jones, Rema Tip Top UK Ltd, stated: “It is this emphasis on quality and affordability which our well informed customers recognise. Continued and repeat purchasing of this brand, allied to the fact that this is one of our fastest moving lines bears complete testament to the success of the Kuani tools and the excellent support of our business colleagues, K-Tools International Limited.”

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Fuel Prices Drive Increase in DIY Activity

(Akron/Tire Review) According to new research from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), DIY activity actually increased last year, a shift that AASA said may have been driven by rising fuel costs.

“Fuel price increases in 2006 may have strained personal budgets, so consumers’ search for savings in other portions of car ownership is a logical reaction,” said Frank Hampshire, AASA’s senior director of market research. “Consumers looking for ways to cut repair costs may have performed their own maintenance, while those looking to improve fuel economy may have purchased products related to that end.”

The study showed that in 2006, 52.9 per cent of vehicle owners performed light DIY on their vehicles, compared to 40.0 per cent in 2005. Medium DIY efforts increased to 29.4 per cent in 2006 from 27.9 per cent in 2005, and heavy DIY rose to 25.6 per cent in 2006 from 25.0 per cent in 2005.

21st September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Factory Produces 50 Millionth Tyre

The 50 millionth tyre has rolled off the production line at Continental’s Timisoara tyre plant. The Romanian factory manufactures tyres in 13”, 14”, 15” and 16” rim sizes for the European replacement market as well as for a wide range of manufacturers in the automotive industry. The factory opened in October 2000, stretching across 165.000 m² and now employs 1100 people. Timisoara manufactures more than 40,000 tyres a day. Production volume has grown from 1.2 million tyres in 2001 to more than 10 million tyres in 2006.

As part of Continental’s focus on environmentally friendly tyres and production, Timisoara is the only manufacturing plant in Romania to be accepted onto the European Registry of Environmental Protection in Brussels. The factory is also equipped with a modern environmentally friendly boiler house where methane gas fuelled boilers transform water into industrial steam for the tyre production process.

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Fleets Increasingly Switching to Non-Franchised Servicing

With a new report rating customer care at franchised dealers at just 6.3 out of 10; it is no surprise that 39 per cent of companies are switching to non-franchised dealers for routine servicing.

The 2007 Business Car Perceptions Report by business and management consultants BearingPoint suggests that the traditional franchised dealer network, which car manufacturers depend on as their key channel to market, is under strain as a result of a growing fall-off in aftersales business. reveals that fleet servicing business, which provides an important source of revenues for car manufacturers and franchised dealers alike, is being lost to non-franchised dealers.

The research, which was conducted by Professor Peter Cooke, the recently appointed Professor of Automotive Management at the University of Buckingham, in association with BearingPoint, shows that almost two-fifths (39 per cent) of companies already use non-franchised dealers for routine servicing. This number is set to grow, as nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of those respondents still using franchised dealers expect to switch to non-franchised dealers in the future.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kevin Peck Appointed Managing Director of Viking International

Kevin Peck has been appointed as Managing Director for tyre, exhaust and battery wholesaler, Viking International. Having taken on the role of Sales Director earlier in the year, Kevin was promoted to the position of Managing Director after just six months in post.

“It’s been a busy six months with unprecedented sales growth” Kevin commented. “I look forward to the challenges my new position as MD will bring including continued improvements to our operations function and ongoing monitoring of customer satisfaction levels to ensure we continually provide the very best levels of service.”

17th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Sells Stake in Chalco for $2 Billion

(Akron/Tire Review) Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. sold its nearly 7 per cent stake in Chalco, China’s largest aluminum maker, for $2 billion. Alcoa said it would continue to invest in the aluminum industry in China, where it currently manufactures foil, fasteners, automotive components and other products. Alcoa said its initial investment in Chalco was less than $200 million.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SmarTire Sues TPMS Makers Over Patent Dispute

(Akron/Tire Review) British Columbia-based TPMS maker SmarTire Systems Inc. has filed suit in U.S. District Court against Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. and Schrader-Bridgeport International, claiming the two companies infringed on one of its TPMS patents. Specifically, Smart Tire’s claim in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleges infringement of its U.S. Patent No. 5,231,872, entitled “Tire Monitoring Apparatus and Method.” No other details on the action were available.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Top in US OE Tyre Satisfaction Across All 4 Segments

Michelin ranks highest in customer satisfaction among original equipment (OE) tyre manufacturers in all four segments examined, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study. Bridgestone was rated average or below average in every survey, coming last in the sport/luxury research where Bridgestone may have expected to have been strongest.

The study measures overall customer satisfaction with their original equipment tyres in four segments: luxury/sport; mass-market/non-luxury; pickup/full-size van; and SUV. Within each segment, five key factors are examined to measure customer satisfaction. They are: wearability, appearance, traction, ride and handling. Rankings are based on owner experiences with their tyres during the first year of ownership.

Michelin ranks highest and well above the industry average in each segment and performs particularly well in all segments on all five factors. Additionally, the 2007 study marks the fourth consecutive time Michelin ranks highest in the luxury sport and SUV segments, and the third consecutive time within the pickup/full-size van segment.

13th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Walkinshaw Junior Gets To Grips With Westfield

The Walkinshaw name will need little introduction to any motorsport fan. Tom Walkinshaw has had a glittering career in saloon, touring and sports car racing as both a driver and constructor. Now it’s the turn of son, Fergus Walkinshaw to take the motorsport limelight. The 16 year old is already enjoying a competitive season in the Ginetta Junior racing series, but as part of his driver training recently spent a day with stunt legend Terry Grant learning the art of car-control in a Toyo T-1R equipped Westfield.

13th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Names Chief Procurement Officer

(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. hired Mark Purtilar as its new chief procurement officer, replacing Gary Miller, who is retiring after 40 years with Goodyear. Purtilar comes to Goodyear from ArvinMeritor Automotive Inc., where he served in a similar post.

12th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti: Siemens VDO Consolidation “Ensures Top Position”

By purchasing Siemens VDO, Continental AG, Hanover, will profit from key automotive industry trends to a greater degree in the future, the company said in a recent statement. “The perspectives for the industry as shown at the IAA 2007 clearly confirm our view that the prevailing topics in the years to come will be safety, climate protection, and infotainment. With the consolidated innovative prowess and the extensive product portfolio of Continental and Siemens VDO, we feel we are excellently positioned as a systems specialist,” said Manfred Wennemer, chairman of the Continental Executive Board, at the International Motor Show on Wednesday in Frankfurt/Main.

12th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors