Hannover-based Continental AG is a leading automotive supplier and – according to the company – is “the choice of leading car manufacturers, offering award-winning tyres that deliver responsive braking in all weather conditions.”
Former Nokian Heavy Tyres marketing manager Perttu Mäkinen has been appointed by Mitas as its country manager for the Nordic region. Mäkinen will operate from the Mitas a.s. headquarters in Tampere, Finland, and his responsibilities will include sales and marketing for Mitas and Continental agricultural and other off-road tyres in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
Finding a job at Continental just became easier for people on the go – the tyre and automotive supplier has released an Apple-compatible career app, and it shares that an Android version is currently in development. Conti says the app can help potential employees “conveniently find a dream job with the international automotive supplier.”
In 2011 Continental engaged with Innoware, a software and web applications firm, to develop a bespoke online competitor-analysis pricing tool. The aim was to automate reporting across the UK, mainland Europe and South Africa. According to the company, pre-set reports and complex calculations are created in seconds for all key retail outlets, providing views at local, regional, and country level.
Plans to implement a tyre recycling plan in South Africa have once again hit a sizable pothole. Only weeks after a challenge to the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) scheme was dismissed by the Gauteng North High Court, an application submitted by South Africa’s Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) has put it once again on hold pending further review.
Continental AG is to rename its industrial tyres business unit as “Commercial Specialty Tires” (CST). According to the company, the changeover process started in October 2012 and will be finalized by January 2013. Continental reports that the move is part of a global strategy and “paves the ground for future growth in the segment of commercial tyres.”
18 top General Tire dealers from the UK recently visited the SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas as invited delegates of Micheldever Tyres, the UK distributor of General Tire.
The trip was hosted by Amelia Lion, MTS marketing manager house brands and Alan Baldwin, MTS wholesale director, who commented: “After distributing quite a few million 4×4 tyres in the UK market over the past years, visiting SEMA, the home of 4×4, was long overdue.”
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that its ADVAN Sport V105 MO tyres are original equipment for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. According to the company, the CLS Shooting Brake will feature two Yokohama tyre sizes – 255/40R18 99Y, and 285/35R18 97Y (only for the rear).
The ADVAN Sport V105 MO was developed jointly by Yokohama Rubber and Daimler, with the MO mark on the side of each tyre signifying approval by Daimler. Improved performance on wet and dry surfaces and braking has been priotised along. Quiet ride and a high level of comfort have been finely balanced.
Continental, in collaboration with Safe Kids China, has launched the Youth Safe-Driving Program 2012/2013 at Tongji University in Shanghai.
Under the motto, "Be a Responsible Young Driver", the two-year program aims to enhance road safety awareness and promote safe driving behaviour among young drivers as well as reduce road injuries. Representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Automotive Studies School at Tongji University joined student ambassadors at the opening ceremony.
Continental has introduced the ContiClassicAttack; a new radial tyre that has been designed to revitalise the handling, stability, grip and safety performance of classic motorcycles. It is the only radial tyre in this category, says Continental and enables riders to eliminate many of the performance compromises of older bias-ply (aka cross-ply or diagonal) tyre designs.
Recent rises in fuel costs may hit the revenues of tyre, brakes and automotive spares suppliers, according to Moody's Investors Service comments published today (7 November 2012). According to the report, the potential loss of revenue is “credit negative” for rated automotive spare parts suppliers.
The biggest downside risk from a 5 per cent aftermarket contraction in Europe is seen at brake manufacturer TMD friction, which could feel a 3 per cent hit to its revenues in this scenario and Michelin which is expected to see revenues drop 1.8 per cent if this were to happen. However it is not just an aftermarket problem, Moody's expects that higher fuel prices could also affect suppliers that focus on automotive manufacturers.
Writing in The Times on November 1st, Simon de Bruxelles says: "Nearly half of all new cars now come without a spare tyre, putting unprecedented pressure on breakdown companies called out to deal with punctures, according to a survey.
"MINI, Volvo and SKODA have abandoned the spare altogether, and other manufacturers, such as Audi, fit them only to certain models. Where a spare is fitted, it is likely to be a thin ‘space saver' that can get the vehicle to the nearest garage but is not suitable for normal driving."
While financial analysts were not more than satisfied with what they characterised as an “in-line” set of third quarter financial results from Continental AG, a spell of cold weather could be just the tonic for the German tyre maker which is strong in winter tyre sales.
Continental has launched a new winter tyre for coaches, the Scandinavia HSW 2 Coach, saying that an increasing number of transport companies are now using its latest seasonal heavy commercial vehicle products. In several European countries, the use of winter tyres on trucks is a legal requirement with, in some cases, a minimum tread depth requirement of 6mm.
Continental is introducing a 385/65R22.5 version of its Generation 2+ steer axle tyre, making the HSL 2+ front axle tyre now available in 11 different sizes. The range includes four XL versions of the long distance tyre for front axle loads of up to eight tonnes. Conti says this is in recognition of the increasing load on the front axle for vehicles with heavier drive trains to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.
Following Delticom’s announcement of a profit warning, financial analysts have issued a warning of their own – Delticom AG could now witness market watchers slash their 2012 earnings estimates for the company by around 30 per cent.
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