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Bosch Invests in US Test Track Upgrade

Bosch has invested approximately $8 million to renovate its vehicle test track in Flat Rock, Mich., to provide a state-of-the-art facility that will be used to test a variety of automotive technologies.

The renovation included repaving and expanding the surface size of the site’s Vehicle Dynamics Area, and reconfiguring the test facility to accommodate Bosch’s vehicle dynamics and foundation brake testing. Facility improvements include expansion of the pad size from 417,000 to 937,000 square feet; addition of a three-lane high bank curve; extension of the track loop from 3/4-mile to 1.4 miles; and the installation of a hydroplane surface.

15th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

CLEPA Elects New President

A unanimous vote at the annual general meeting of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) has seen Peter Tyroller elected its new president. He will commence his two-year term with the representative organisation on January 1, 2010, succeeding Giuliano Zucco.

Tyroller has been a member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH since 2006, where his responsibilities include original equipment sales, corporate marketing, and the automotive aftermarket.

13th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

EU Wheel Balancer/Tyre Changer Market Down 2.7%

Less than 42,000 tyre changers and wheel balancers were sold across the seven leading European markets in 2008. A new report by LEO-Impact Consulting GmbH found that market volumes in this part of the garage equipment sector varied from -4.9 per cent to +0.2 per cent in the seven markets surveyed (Germany, France, Italy, UK, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux), but were down 2.7 per cent on average compared with 2007. UK market volumes were the forth largest after Germany, France and Italy. According to the report, the most important players (in alphabetical order are: Cemb, Guilano, Nexion, Samio, Sican (Bosch), Snap-On and Werther. However, there are a lot of regional and a few overseas competitors.

10th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Datamonitor: UK Car Consumables and Accessories Sales Flat

Value growth in consumables and accessories fell from 2.4 percentage points in 2008, to nearly flat growth this year, according to research compiled by Datamonitor. The inference is that the value of distress purchases such as tyres and exhausts (in addition to big-ticket satnavs and stereos) is falling as consumers defer replacement and as total average mileage falls. The consumables and accessories (C&A) segment is said to account for the largest share of the European retail aftermarket in the UK (8.3 per cent).

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Newspaper: Schaeffler May Retain Under 20%

Schaeffler Group’s owners will end up with a fifth or less of the company in the event that creditor banks take control of the automotive supplier, according to Sueddeutsche Zeitung. The German newspaper added that the government doesn’t plan to grant aid to the company, without citing a source. Meanwhile competitor Bosch denied reports that it had been in talks to buy Schaeffler Group.

6th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Are You Ready For The Vehicles Of Tomorrow? Asks Philip Hodges

Philip Hodges is MD of Beissbarth UK and, in this article, he looks forward to the future facing vehicle servicing and repair technicians. Says Philip: It would be interesting to hear the comments and see the reaction of early pioneers of the Motor Car – Henry Ford, Rolls Royce, Auto Union, Benz and a host of others – who in their own way provided us with what is an everyday pleasure for some and for others a tool for every day means of transport and commerce.

All of these pioneers would, I expect, be amazed at the technology of today’s vehicles but also be speechless at the speed of the new developments which drivers of the future will take for granted.

24th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Appoints New Asia/Pacific Regional President

Automotive technology and services supplier the Bosch Group has announced that former vice president of Sales for the Bosch Independent Aftermarket West Europe & Mediterranean, Ken Ford, has been appointed to a new role as regional president for Asia/Pacific. Ford begins in his new position on April 1, 2009 and will be based in Singapore.

The new Asia/Pacific regional president began his career with Bosch in 2004 as the divisional director for Automotive Aftermarket Bosch UK and Ireland. His other previous roles have included general manager for the Aftermarket Western Europe and, most recently, vice president of Sales Western Europe & Mediterranean.

13th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Brityrex09 Doing ‘Buoyant Business’

Further details of September’s Brityrex exhibition in Manchester have been announced by ECI International. These include a series of new exhibitors who have signed-up for the UK industry’s only dedicated tyre trade event in 2009 and a workshop programme organised by show sponsor the NTDA. Brityrex09 will take place from the 22-24 September 2009 at Manchester Central, formerly known as G-Mex. The show is sponsored by the NTDA, who will stage its highly popular Annual Dinner and TAFF Awards presentation as part of the event, on the evening of 23 September.

Brityrex continues to attract exhibitors eager to buck the downturn by promoting their businesses to UK and international buyers. Among recent signings are Chinese tyre manufacturer Techking; leading electronics and diagnostics supplier Robert Bosch, who will share a 133 square metre stand space with workshop equipment specialist Beissbarth; Majorlift Hydraulics Equipment; Autogem Motor Concepts and Profil SP.J. Daly Tyres, the Irish tyre and alloy wheel wholesaler is another new exhibitor; the company is the exclusive distributor of the Kenda, Firenza and Infinity tyre brands in Ireland.

They join other big names from the aftermarket who have already committed to the show, including tyre manufacturers Toyo and Uniroyal Truck Tyres; major wholesalers in KRT and BITS; workshop equipment specialists Beissbarth, Haweka and Hofmann Megaplan; repair materials, tools and accessories supplier Apaseal; plus IT and software companies MAM and Team Systems.

According to ECI managing director Paul Farrant, aftermarket suppliers are taking a very positive view of the exhibition, refusing to let the economic downturn deter them: “There is certainly a feeling that the aftermarket is better equipped to ride out the recession than those automotive businesses involved in OE supply or new car sales,” he said. “The fact that many private motorists and businesses will be keeping their vehicles longer than normal means there will be extra replacement sales and servicing work which can insulate the sector from direct exposure to the worst effects of the slowdown. Brityrex will be a great place to do business for those companies who approach it with that sense of optimism,” added Mr Farrant.

With many tyre and fast-fit retailers involved in mechanical and MOT work the announcement of a joint workshop majoring on the business of MOT testing by the NTDA and the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) will be of significant interest to show visitors.
The NTDA has also linked up with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to run a working session on the subject of manual handling of tyres, which is regarded as a critical subject in terms of injury prevention and awareness among tyre retailers and wholesalers.

Paul Farrant explained further: “Brityrex is all about improving your business by meeting new customers and suppliers and picking up knowledge and information that can help in the workplace. That’s why these workshops will be so valuable to trade visitors; they will provide the latest information on important subjects in a short and snappy fashion at no cost to delegates.”

2nd February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Record Exhibitor Numbers Anticipated for Automechanika Shanghai

The world’s second largest Automechanika show opens in China on December 10 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. During the three exhibition days a record number of exhibitors are expected to showcase their products in the centre’s eight halls, an 80 per cent increase in exhibition space compared with 2007. Visitor numbers are also expected to exceed last year’s figure.

8th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Euro Car Parts Buys LSUK

Euro Car Parts has acquired the businesses of Pinco 1555 Ltd, otherwise known as LSUK. Euro Car Parts will take over all 53 LSUK Branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind. Chairman, Sukhpal Singh commented on the acquisition: “Euro Car Parts has proved its ability to grow organically in difficult times. The purchase of LSUK will further accelerate our expansion and support our quest to provide the ultimate in quality and service to the automotive aftermarket.”

He added: “Previous acquisitions by Euro Car Parts have shown our willingness to invest in the staff and fabric of companies, so as to bring them up to the same market-leading standards that have gained Euro Car Parts many awards for customer service throughout the industry.”

30th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Student’s Discovery Removes Zinc Oxide from Tyre Manufacturing

Research conducted by a South African PhD student could prove a boon to the global tyre industry. While working on his chemistry doctorate, Robert Bosch, 32, from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth discovered a means by which Zinc Oxide can be replaced as a catalyst in tyre manufacturing, a much sought after substitution.

The global tyre manufacturing industry uses 600,000 tonnes of highly toxic Zinc Oxide each year. The substance is poisonous to aquatic organisms and accumulates in the environment. The newly discovered chemical compound catalyst, Rubber Nano Products Liquid Activation (RNPX), is said to be environmentally friendly and only one third of the volume of Zinc Oxide is necessary to do the same job.

16th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti’s Rearguard Action Takes Shape

As an increasing number of voices speak out in favour of the proposed Conti/Schaeffler merger, Continental AG executives have called in a number of high profile investment banks to advise it on how best to defend its position. The most recent addition to this team is Deutsche Bank, which joins Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan as advisors.

The strategy behind the defensive manoeuvre appears to have two key objectives: to wrest complete control out of the clutches of the rapidly advancing Schaeffler; and to raise the suitor’s bid. Germany’s Handelsblatt reported that Conti chief executive, Manfred Wennemer told board members 89.74 euros per share (roughly 30% higher than the Schaeffler’s current 70.12 euros per share bid) is a ‘fair market price,’ for the tyre and automotive supplier. Other sources quote board members as saying 90 to 100 euros a share would be better. Could this be the target level the defence team will be seeking to achieve? And if so, how can Conti defend its position?

29th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch, Samsung to Form Hybrid Battery JV

Rising fuel costs have prepared fertile soil for hybrid vehicles to enter the motoring mainstream, and this in turn is creating an unprecedented demand for lithium-ion batteries, the fuel cell of choice for hybrids. To meet this anticipated surge in demand, Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. are establishing a development, manufacturing and sales joint venture. The new South Korea based company is to be named “SB LiMotive Co. Ltd.” and will start operations in September 2008.

Each company will hold a 50 per cent shareholding and be equally represented on the board of management and on the board of directors. The venture’s foundation is, adds Bosch, still subject to approval by antitrust authorities.

30th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Reaches Sensor Milestone

Bosch invented and started production of automotive oxygen sensors in 1976. Ten years after its launch in the US, Bosch celebrated delivery of the 10 millionth oxygen sensor. By 1993, production hit 50 million, and reached 250 million in 2001, said Bosch. Currently, Borsch said it produces some 5,000 oxygen sensors per hour worldwide.

“The importance of oxygen sensors will further increase in the future. Continued intensification of emission limits, tight installation space conditions, ever-increasing fuel prices and stricter requirements for metering accuracy and durability continuously drive further developments at Bosch,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, president of the gasoline systems division at Robert Bosch GmbH. (Tire Review/Akron)

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Expects ‘Positive Developments’ In 2008

The Bosch Group says its sales revenue rose by six per cent in its 2007 financial and calendar year to 46.3 billion euros. The firm says it hit its sales and earning targets and expects 2008 will bring ‘generally positive developments’ for its business despite a less favourable economic environment. Bosch says it will plan to spend 2.9 billion euros to expand its Asian activities over the next two years. In Germany the growth of its Abstatt engineering centre will create up to 800 new jobs.

16th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors