Goodyear declares quarterly dividend
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has declared a quarterly dividend of 73.44 cents per share of mandatory convertible preferred stock. The payout represents an annual rate of $2.9375 per share.
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.”
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Female participation in tyre R&D increasing, says Conti
NewsOn 1 March eleven graduates commenced Continental’s Explore Tires Research & Development trainee programme, and the German tyre maker has noted that – for the first time ever – female inductees outnumber their male counterparts; for 2012, the new intake of tyre research and development trainees includes six women and five men. Conti says that the proportion of women accepted for training in the research, development, production and marketing of tyres has been increasing over a number of years.
Tyre test praise, official launch for Bridgestone Turanza T001
NewsThe comparative tests conducted by German publications carry a lot of weight within the European tyre industry, and therefore manufacturers are keen to spread the word when their products are evaluated favourably. Motorwelt, the magazine distributed to all members of the motoring organisation ADAC, evaluated two sizes of summer passenger car tyre and one 4×4 tyre in its March 2012 edition. Apollo Tyres has already shared news of its 3G Maxx’s performance in the 165/70 R14T class; now Bridgestone reports a strong finish for its Turanza T001 in the size 205/55 R16V category.
Continental to take over ContiTread sales in April
NewsAs of April 2012, Continental and Marangoni Group will hand over the promotion and sales of ContiTread pre-cure treads to Continental Tyre Group Ltd in the UK and Ireland. Commenting on this move, commercial marketing manager Tracey Hyem said “the addition of ContiTread to our core sales offering, further underlines Continental's commitment to the ContiLifeCycle concept. Customers will now have one contact for all elements of ContiLifeCycle, and can rely on comprehensive advice to help reduce costs through better fuel consumption and longer tyre life.”
Analysts: Conti profits beat projections
Career TracksContinental’s fourth quarter adjusted pre-tax profits of 815 million euros (announced yesterday, 1 March) was 5 per cent ahead of the consensus of projections compiled by various financial analysts. At the same time the company’s fourth quarter sales of 7.7 billion were some 2 per cent higher. According to an investor’s note published by Morgan Stanley following the publication of the Continental’s financials, the company’ s margin of 10.3 per cent also came higher than consensus estimates at 10 per cent.
Conti growth ‘sets new records’
Company NewsContinental Corporation says its 2011 sales, operating results and net income results “set new records.” Reporting at the company’s annual financial press conference on 1 March, l CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart said in 2011 Continental “grew nearly twice as much as the relevant markets in almost all business areas and generated a sales increase of 17 per cent to 30.5 billion euros. At the same time, our operating result (EBIT) increased twice as fast as sales to approximately 2.6 billion euros. We significantly improved our EBIT margin from 7.4 per cent in the previous year to 8.5 per cent. For the first time since 2006, all divisions were in the black again despite of the acquisition-related write-downs that will continue up to and including 2014.” He further reported adjusted EBIT (adjusted in particular for acquisition-related write-downs and special effects) of “a good 3 billion euros” and a margin of 10.1 per cent, figures exceeding the forecast issued at the start of 2010.
Cambrian launches latest price catalogue
NewsThe UK’s largest motorcycle and scooter tyre wholesaler, Cambrian Tyres, has just released its 2012 price catalogue – a whopping 192 page tome that list the full ranges available from Avon, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Metzeler, Michelin and Pirelli, as well as a full selection of inner tubes and accessories. Completely re-written for 2012, the price list also features an enlarged fitment guide to aid dealers in selecting the correct size tyres for almost 2,500 different motorcycles.
Continental opens China winter test centre
NewsThe official opening of Continental’s new winter test centre in China’s Heilongjiang Province was held on 23 February. The Heihe-based facility, operated by the company’s Chassis & Safety Division, is located in what Conti calls a “favourable environment for cold weather testing” and is made up of a 7 million square metre lake and 30,000 square metre land area. The Heihe winter test centre is the German company’s fourth ABS and ESC test facility; the others are located in Europe, the US and Japan. The focus for activities at the centre will be testing vehicle stability in all driving conditions, especially on low friction surfaces.
Conti ‘Attacks’ sport/hypersport segment with new range
NewsContinental’s big news for 2012 is the imminent launch of its new ContiSportAttack 2 tyre into the all-important and hotly contested sport/hypersport sector of the market. UK distributor of the Continental motorcycle tyre range, Cambrian Tyres, says that the latest compound technology has improved the performance of the SportAttack 2 compared with its predecessor in all performance criteria but especially in the areas of wet grip, mileage and handling. A further feature, Conti’s Traction Skin – a micro-rough finish to the tread surface that minimises the running-in procedure – has also been used in the new tyre, increasing rider safety when the tyre is new. Cambrian explains that the micro-roughness of the Traction Skin tread optimises mechanical adhesion to the road, reducing the distance required to scrub the tyre in.
Conti introduces alignment indicators to European commercial range
NewsExcessive negative or positive camber and incorrectly set toe cause tyres to wear out prematurely, and for more than a decade Continental has included a straightforward method of detecting this on its US market commercial vehicle tyres. Truck tyres sold by Conti on the other side of the pond feature what are known as Visual Alignment Indicators, or VAI, on the shoulder ribs. The German tyre maker refers to VAI as an “extremely simple” system that enables incorrect wheel alignment on trucks and trailers to be easily recognised without the need for complex electronic measurements. Now Continental is set to introduce VAI into selected items within its European product range.
Continental triples share dividend estimates
Career TracksContinental AG has announced that the company plans to pay a dividend of 1.5 euros per share for the 2011 fiscal year, almost tripling analyst estimates of 0.55 euros. Based on the approximately 200 million shares outstanding, the proposed amount to be distributed totals roughly 300 million euros. This equates to a payout ratio of about 24 per cent, according to an official statement on the subject.
Trio of Conti tyres earmarked for Geneva launch
NewsNo less than three new passenger car tyre ranges are scheduled to be launched at Continental’s Geneva Motor Show stand. The German manufacturer hasn’t named the models it intends to unveil next month in Geneva, however it says the three lines are a new summer tyre for subcompacts, compacts and mid-size cars, a new winter tyre for the same vehicle categories, and a new winter tyre for electric cars.
First OE approval for Conti e-tyre
NewsContinental has released further information about its new Conti.e.Contact range of tyres for electric and hybrid vehicles. The tyres are being produced in Continental’s passenger car tyre factory in Korbach, Germany and the manufacturer has received its first original equipment deal – Renault has appointed Continental sole tyre supplier for its Twizy.
Conti builds on 4×4 range with ContiSportContact 5
NewsWith the launch of the ContiSportContact 5 SUV, Continental has built on its current range of tyres specifically designed for the 4×4 market. According to the company, this new development means engineers at Continental have made a tyre with precise steering and maximum grip under all conditions, on and off road. The ContiSportContact 5 SUV is designed to meet the tough on road demands of today’s latest SUV’s. A supple macro-block design on the outer shoulder and solid central ribs, ensure that the tyre adapts perfectly to whatever the road surface.
Continental takes over ContiTread marketing from Marangoni
RetreadingAs of the second quarter of this year Continental will assume responsibility for the marketing of its ContiTread precure treads. Previously Italy’s Marangoni group didn’t just produce these treads for the German manufacturer, it was also in charge of marketing the brand in Europe. “We successfully introduced ContiTread precure treads into the European market in 2008 through a licensing agreement with Marangoni. As of April 2012 we will begin marketing ContiTread directly through our own marketing organisation,” explained Christian Sass, director Retread Business Commercial Vehicles Tires (CVT) Continental.
