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Test lanes – The Way Forward

Test lanes are working well in Ireland and are becoming increasingly popular, so why are we so slow to catch on in the UK? asks Beissbarth UK’s managing director, Philip Hodges.

He said: “There is no doubt that test lanes are the future. They make absolute sense on every level from efficiency through to profitability. A lot of companies which haven’t invested will lose out because they won’t be able to offer the best service, and consumers always demand the best. Garages are reluctant to look at what they can earn from investing in new equipment and are stuck on how much the initial outlay costs.”

30th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

European Replacement Market Weak

The first two months of this year were disappointing for all tyre manufacturers present in Europe. The European replacement market volume for passenger car tyres dropped six per cent and nine per cent for truck tyres.

In comparison the Americans performed better. The replacement market grew three per cent for passenger car tyres and10 per cent for truck tyres.

30th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Ringtread Extends to 70 Series

Marangoni Tread has added five 70 series tread designs to its range of Ringtread precured tread rings.

The launch reflects “continuing and rapid growth in the importance of 70 series fitments across Western Europe,” says Marangoni, adding that the segment now accounts for 5.9 per cent of 22.5 inch tyre sales across the region.

29th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Wheels With Teeth

Overfinch, the company that brought us the performance Range Rover 30 years ago, has now released a 22 inch alloy, which it simple calls “Tiger.” The alloy wheel, is claimed to be “the largest made in the UK to date,” according to the companies involved. The 22 x 9 inch product has a 12 spoke design, uses a stainless steel rim and features the correct steering offset for the Range Rover. As a result, Overfinch says that this means there is no increase in turning circle or fouling on suspension or bodywork.

The new wheel was engineered specifically for third generation Range Rovers and employs OE ‘shoulder’ nuts as “the only safe method of anchoring wheels to a 2700 kilogram vehicle.” The design has been tested in Europe by the respected TUV centre and was produced and developed in conjunction with Rimstock plc, a company that supplies Aston Martin, MG Rover, Lotus, Morgan, VAG and Mitsubishi.

29th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

New Michelin Guide

Michelin has released a new guidebook. ‘Main Cities of Europe’ contains details of 5083 of the 45,000 hotels and restaurants listed in the complete 2005 Michelin collection, from across Europe. The choices are made by a team of inspectors, who travel throughout Europe, all year round, visiting new and existing establishments, looking for consistent quality for customers.

24th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

‘You and ME!’ – Wheel Manufacturer BSA Pushes Towards Europe

In the past the European alloy wheel market was heavily influenced by the decisions of large local producers. However these companies successfully chose to focus more and more on the original equipment business. As a consequence they had to neglect the aftermarket. This created a vacuum, which newcomers from Europe and the Far East have tried to fill. One such company is BSA from Malaysia. In Malayasia, these three letters represent a premium brand, although this is not the case in Europe – and this is something that is unlikely to change overnight. However when the Rudersdorf, Germany based wheel manufacturer, SMC, manufactured with BSA, the company found that it had gained rapid entry into the catalogues of important European wholesalers.

BSA’s slogan is “The Sign of Quality.” These words represent the company’s intention to bring quality into the aftermarket. Rolf Bene, managing director and owner of SMC GmbH is particularly interested in developing good customer relations, exclusively in the aftermarket business. BSA chairman, Dato’ Cam Soh Thiam Hong, summed this up when he said that it was all about: “You and ME!”

23rd March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

CV and AT Show Registration

The CV and Automotive Trade Show guides and fast track passes are arriving this week for pre-registered visitors, reports the SMMT. The show organisers are encouraging those who wish to register to do so by 30 March and visitors will get a free show guide and fast-track entry pass.

“Register this week, online,” says Bob Sockl of Crystal Communications, which markets the show on behalf of the SMMT and CV Show partnership. “But if you can’t, don’t worry, you’ll still be most welcome and will still get to see Europe’s biggest and most successful automotive, CV and road transport show.”

22nd March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Ferrari Upsets Bridgestone?

Bridgestone is unhappy with Ferrari, according to speculation in the Italian media and online news sources. In the run up to the Malaysian Grand Prix, and a potential Bahrain debut of the team’s new F2005 car, Bridgestone had asked for either Michael Schumacher or Rubens Barrichello to return to Europe. Instead of assisting the supplier with the development of the car’s new custom built tyre, Michael Schumacher took a holiday in South Malaysia, while Rubens Barichello went home to Brazil, the Home of F1 news site reported. Luca Badoer and Marc Gene are reported to have participated in the testing on the lead drivers’ behalf.

16th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Kings Road Tyres Joins Quadrem Supplier Community

Kings Road Tyres and Repairs Ltd has joined Quadrem’s supplier network. “Our customers are embracing electronic sourcing and procurement activities to lower the costs of doing business,” said Peter Gaster, managing director of Kings Road Tyres. “We support their move toward automation and hope to gain access to new business opportunities by enabling this electronic sourcing channel.”

10th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodway Hosts Visit by Large Retreading Equipment Manufacturer

Malaysian-based tread solutions company, Goodway, recently welcomed Dr Aldo Ghitturi, chairman of Italmatic Srl to its Nilai plant. The visit of one of the world’s largest retreading machine manufacturers was part of on-going efforts to foster closer business relationship between Malaysian and Italian companies. According to a Rubber Asia report, it is also part of Goodway’s vision and latest aggressive business expansion plans, which will see it form strategic alliances with reputable companies worldwide. Goodway is confident that it will soon form successful strategic partnerships that will help capture new markets in Europe. The venture is designed to raise the profile of ‘Supercool’ as a premium product in European markets.

10th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Leans Towards Slovakia

Media reports are continuing to circulate about exactly where in Eastern Europe Hankook will make its proposed $500 million investment. Numerous previous reports have stated that the company is interested in manufacturing in this region, and that the shortlist has narrowed to two countries (Poland and Slovakia). Now a Polish newspaper has added further information. A Rzeczpospolita report suggests that the Korean company is leaning towards Slovakia because of a governmental policy offering “flat tax” incentives to foreign investors.

10th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Replaces Avon as GP2 Supplier

Bridgestone recently took over as the sole tyre supplier of the GP2 motorsport series. Already a supplier to Formula 1, the Japanese company has decided to become the sole supplier of GP2 which has replace F3000 as the primary support series for F1. Previously Cooper’s Avon brand was the GP2 series supplier.

8th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Appoints New UK Commercial Business Unit Director

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced the appointment of Clive Powell as director, commercial business unit, headquartered in Birmingham, West Midlands. Mr Powell joins the UK organisation from his current position as sales director, Truck Tyres Europe. The new commercial business unit director will be responsible for the truck and bus tyre business, including the development of the TruckForce service network in the UK. Mr Powell’s predecessor, Wim Reijmerink, left the organisation to pursue other interests, the company said.

Richard Johnson, managing director, UK Operations stated: “Across Europe, Clive has played a major role in driving the development of our ‘best in class’ support services such as FleetOnlineSolutions, RoadsideAssistanceServices and TruckForce. We are confident that Clive can accelerate the successful implementation of these services in the UK to reaffirm our leading position in the truck and bus tyre market.”

8th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Worries About Raw Material Prices

During last week’s Geneva Motor show Michelin is reported to have said that the situation surrounding raw materials is “very worrying” and rising prices will continue to place severe pressure on the company during 2005.

“This year, the environment for raw materials remains tense, which is causing strong pressure on prices, and as a consequence on our costs,” said research and development director Didier Miraton in Geneva.
“There is no situation of us having a shortage but the tension is very worrying,” he added.

Michelin has decided to raise prices by an average of five per cent in Europe until July 2005 to offset increased raw material costs. Miraton said he expected the situation to continue as mobility needs in Asia would drive demand, stressing that there was “a need to find ways to make better use of raw materials”.

7th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Roney Announces Higher Prices in Europe

Goodyear’s European president Michael Roney has announced price increases and further cost cutting measure designed to tackle increasing raw material prices. Speaking to German daily newspaper, Die Welt, Mr Roney said that the American tyre giant is bound to grow in the European market, where it turned over 4.3 billion euros last year. There is still a major potential for sales in Europe, the newspaper quotes Mr Roney as saying.

On the US market there are many cheap tyre brands competing with premium products, whereas in Europe this is different, Goodyear’s European president continued: “The Europeans really focus on premium brand tyres and have strong bonds with these.” In addition, it is American customers that prefer all-season tyres when in Europe seasonal tyre business is very strong.

4th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors