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Dana Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

(Akron/Tire Review) Dana Corp and 40 of its subsidiary companies in the US filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy 3 March. The move, long expected by auto industry analysts, does not include Dana’s operations in Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico or Asia.

While under reorganisation, Dana secured $1.45 billion in debtor-in-possession financing to fund its continuing operations. The Toledo, Ohio-based firm employs 19,000 in the US and supplies axles, drive shafts, chassis and steering components, brakes and other components to a wide range of automakers, including troubled GM and Ford.

7th March 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Does Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?

During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.

On the one hand, all tyre manufacturers are interested in achieving good test results for their products. On the other hand, tyre features have to be optimised according to road realities. And this is exactly where Continental has detected a discrepancy: because of the introduction of new driver assist systems some test set-ups seem to be out-of-date and could therefore generate misleading results.

Driver assist systems like ABS, ESC and TCS are now common standard fitments, even on compact cars. They provide increased safety and intervene to correct driving errors. During tyre testing, however, ESC and TCS are switched off in order to test the tyres without the effects of those systems. But such test methods have now reached their limits – particularly when you consider that ESC cannot be switched off in some vehicles without interfering with the electronics. Transferability of the test results therefore also debatable because – depending on the vehicle manufacturer’s philosophy – driver assist systems have different performance parameters and so respond in different ways to different tyres grip characteristics. According to Dr Burkhard Wies from Continental, driver assist systems should also be switched on during tyre testing in the future. This would keep tyre tests in line with latest technological advances for both tyres and vehicles.

3rd February 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama HPT Launches Mangels Wheels

Yokohama’s UK distributor, Yokohama HPT, saw the Autosport Show as a great opportunity to launch Mangels Wheels. The addition of the Brazilian brand is designed to complement the company’s existing portfolio, which includes well-known names like TSW and MAK. The range includes designs for the growing performance road car and sport SUV segments. Yokohama HPT will exclusively distribute the new wheels in the UK.

18th January 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Sun Automatic Test Lane Gets VOSA Approval

The Sun VIC 3000 ATL Automatic Test Lane, from Snap-on Diagnostics, has been approved by VOSA for MoT testing.
Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics, said that the VIC 3000 ATL is available in Class IV and Class VII configurations and is one-man operated. He went on: “It is very easy to operate and uses a Windows-based software package that guides the operator through the testing procedure using icon driven command sequences for testing brakes, suspension and side slip. It offers rapid vehicle inspection diagnosis, is fast and accurate and also offers the possibility to integrate other Snap-on Diagnostic products into the Test Lane.”

16th January 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Corrupt Malaysian Dealers Selling Re-Grooved Tyres as Retreads

Confusion over the difference between retreads and re-grooved tyres means retreads may not be phased out of the Malaysian market after all. The news comes after Malaysian transport Ministry Secretary General Datuk Mohd Safaruddin raised the hackles of retreaders worldwide, by reportedly saying that the use of retreaded tyres would be phased out of his country. Digging deeper it appears that the combination of the dishonest sales of regrooved tyres as re-treads and some language confusion has clouded the issue.

9th January 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Malaysian Politician Calls for Retread Ban

In a move which is certain to raise the hackles of retreaders worldwide, Malaysian transport Ministry Secretary General Datuk Mohd Safaruddin has said that the use of retreaded tyres on all forms of vehicles in the country will be phased out.

20th December 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Does Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?

During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.

13th December 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Hi-Q Offers Winter Car Health Checks

Hi-Q, is offering free motoring health checks this winter in an effort avoid the kind of car problems that leave drivers out in the cold. With this winter forecast to be one of the coldest in over a decade, many more demands are going to be made of drivers and vehicles.

28th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapletons Offers Free Winter Checks

With some weather forecasters expecting a cold winter, Stapletons Tyre Services is urging motorists to ensure their vehicles and tyres are in tip-top condition to brave through the icy winter roads. Stapletons retail centres across the country are offering motorists a free winter check on their vehicles.

18th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

STS Opens New Fast Fit Centre

Stapletons Tyre Services has made a substantial investment in the relocation and improvement of its Watton branch. Motorist can now benefit from a brand new, dedicated fast fit and exhaust centre.

STS Holburn Tyre and Exhaust Centre in Watton was recently launched by ex-Norwich City FC Goalkeeper, Bryan Gunn. The centre, based at Brecklands Business Park, off Norwich Road hosted a family fun day in conjunction with the official launch, where motorists and families enjoyed competitions, give-aways and discounts on tyres and exhausts.

16th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Subsidiary Partners with Brembo in India

Kalyani Brakes Ltd, Bosch’s Indian subsidiary has set up a joint venture with Italian brake company Brembo. The two businesses are set to establish a 50:50 joint-venture company for the application engineering, production and sales of motorcycle brakes following an agreement signed on 17 October 2005.

25th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor Sells Off-Highway Brake Assets

(Akron/Tire Review) ArvinMeritor is selling the assets of its off-highway brake business to Carlisle Braking Products, owned by Carlisle Companies Inc. The business, which includes equipment and assets from manufacturing facilities in York, SC, and South Wales, UK, was sold for approximately $39 million.

According to Chip McClure, ArvinMeritor chairman, president and CEO, the sale of the company’s off-highway brakes operation is in line with ArvinMeritor’s strategy to focus on its Light and Commercial Vehicle Systems unit.

10th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa’s Workhorse Wheel

Alcoa has developed a new wheel for the Axor construction vehicle together with DaimlerChrysler. The new product does not have any hand holes and has been developed to protect the vehicle’s disc brakes from sand and gravel on the drive axle.

The “workhorse” wheel has the same load and mounting characteristics as a standard Alcoa wheel and will be on display at the DaimlerChrysler stand at the up and coming European Road Transport Sow in Amsterdam.

It is available in three sizes: 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00 and 22.5 x 11.75 and in a Diamond Brite finish.

22nd September 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Retreads – ‘A Dangerous Thing To Do’?

The South African retreading business obviously has some work to do judging by an article on health website, Health24.com. The article listed 21 supposedly hazardous activities under the subtitle “dangerous things no-one should ever do.” Among them were the usual suspects – leaving medication lying around within reach of toddlers; swimming in the sea when you have had too many; not keeping guns locked in a safe and unloaded.

Most would agree that these are all potentially dangerous activities. However, the list also included “driving with worn or retreaded tyres and not regularly checking your brakes.” Now, the industry would surely agree that driving on worn tyres is a bad idea and not checking your brakes is equally stupid, but running on retreads? What do you think about Health24’s comments and what can be done to improve public perceptions of retreaded tyres? E-mail info@77.237.250.82 to have your say.

13th September 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

GM Issues Large-Scale Pickup/SUV Recall

Following numerous complaints from pickup and SUV owners, General Motors Corp has issued a US recall for 804,000 of its Chevrolet and GMC branded vehicles. The complaints refer to a problem caused by corrosion from road salt gets in between the casing surface and the sensor of the manufacturer’s ABS system. The problem is reported to lead to false readings, causing the anti-lock brakes to activate at the wrong speeds, alarming drivers and making stopping difficult.

5th September 2005/by Tyrepress Editors