The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has elected PSA Peugeot Citroën CEO Philippe Varin as its new president. Varin’s appointment to the role was made following an ACEA Board of Directors meeting on 6 December; he will lead the ACEA until the end of his mandate as CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën. The Board will announce Varin’s successor at that time.
Over 9,500 construction jobs will be supported in 2014 by more than £1.9 billion of investment in Britain’s roads, said Transport Minister Robert Goodwill announced.
The total investment in 209 schemes is £4.3 billion, £1.9 billion of which will be spent in 2014 alone – more than twice the amount spent in 2013.
Karlheinz Haupt (56) is now head of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Business Unit in Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division, effective 1 November 2013. He succeeds Friedrich Angerbauer (49) who has been appointed Head of Purchasing for the Chassis & Safety Division. The business unit is headquartered in Lindau, Germany.
Jorge Lorenzo’s victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi means the Yamaha Factory Racing rider has set up an intriguing final round in Valencia, where the championship leader, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez will seek to fend off Lorenzo’s challenge. Marquez finished second in Japan, limiting the extent to which Lorenzo could close the gap at the top; a similar finish in the last of three rounds held in both riders’ home nation would present Marquez with the title. Shinichi Yamashita, general manager of MotoGP supplier Bridgestone’s Motorsport Tyre Development Department, said he was happy with the performance of the manufacturer’s softer allocation this year, despite the lack of time to practice due to rain.
Steven J. Borick intends to retire as chief executive officer and president of Superior Industries International early next year, and the company’s board has commenced a search for his successor. Borick will relinquish these three roles at the US-based aluminium wheel manufacturer on 31 March 2014, however he will remain chairman and assist with the management transition.
At a meeting of the Pirelli & C. SpA Board of Directors on 21 October, Claudio Sposito and Paolo Fiorentino were co-opted as members to replace Vittorio Malacalza and Giulia Maria Ligresti, whose resignations from the board were announced on 10 May and 24 July respectively. The vacancy following the 16 October resignation of Carlo Salvatori remains open for the time being.
Pirelli & C. Spa has announced the resignation of Carlo Salvatori from the company’s Board of Directors. The company thanked Salvatori for his contribution, adding that he explained when resigning that it was “due to the recent increase in the number of his professional commitments.”
Erik Jonnaert has taken over as new Secretary General of the European automobile Manufacturers’ Association, following confirmation by the ACEA Board of Directors in September.
Effective from the 1 September Continental AG has merged its Suspension Systems and Chassis Electronics segments into the Electronic Brake Systems business unit from the Chassis Components unit, which has been dissolved as far as an organizational structure is concerned. In line with the move the Electronic Brake Systems unit has been renamed Vehicle Dynamics.
On 5 September, representatives from Kumho and leaders of Macon-Gibb County in the US state of Georgia jointly announced that an agreement has been reached that will allow the tyre maker’s Kumho Tire Georgia, Inc. unit to begin construction of its tyre plant. Kumho will initially invest around US$200 million to build the plant on a 150 acre site within the Sofkee Industrial Parklocated in Macon, Georgia. The plant will employ more than 300 people and mainly service the North American markets.
Continental has appointed Matthias Matic as its new Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit head, part of the Continental Chassis & Safety Division, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. Matic moves from his current position as Chassis Components Business Unit head on 1 September, succeeding Peter Laier who has assumed a position on the executive board of a German light manufacturer. “I’m looking forward to the new challenge. Hydraulic brake systems have proven their worth a million times over; they’re a key component of automotive safety. Friction brakes will continue to be an important topic for the foreseeable future”, said Matic.
The seat left vacant on Lanxess AG’s Supervisory Board by the recent death of Ulrich Middelmann has been filled by Claudia Nemat. Announcing Nemat’s appointment, which takes immediate effect, Board head Rolf Stomberg said “We welcome Claudia Nemat in her new role and look forward to working closely together with a well-renowned expert for the high-tech industry and corporate leadership.”
Titan International has announced the appointment of Peter McNitt, vice-chair of BMO Harris Bank, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
A total of 44 employees from Pirelli’s Burton upon Trent and Carlisle factories have been recognised for their ongoing commitment to premium tyre manufacturer Pirelli. Each year, Pirelli holds annual dinners to reward its employees who have worked with the company for a period of either 21, 30 or 40 years.
Germany-based agricultural and off-road tyre specialist Bohnenkamp AG has appointed Gregor Rüth its new chief executive. Rüth begins in this role on 1 August and is now working together with fellow board member Michael Rieken to ensure a smooth takeover.
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