Call for Manufacturer Modifications
If every manufacturer made modifications to new cars at an estimated cost of £75 per car, the lives of 1,700 pedestrians and cyclists could be saved across Europe, according to the RAC Foundation.
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Fulda to Showcase UHP tyre to UK Market
Product NewsFulda will be launching its new UHP tyre at Autosport International early next year. The company has already announced that it is to be the title sponsor of the live action arena at the show during the 13-16 January 2005, and will be using the opportunity to promote its new tyre.
2005 NTDA conference heads to Harrogate
Product NewsFollowing its annual conference held in Marbella in September, the NTDA has decided to hold its 2005 follow up event in Harrogate alongside Brityrex next spring.
As reported in November’s Tyres & Accessories the association felt it would be beneficial to hold an interim event to provide an opportunity to up date the industry on how the many actions arising from the September event were progressing.
Runflats in Europe from Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany
Product NewsIn the middle of November Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany in Hanau inaugurated a new manufacturing facility for runflat tyres. The company has invested approximately 250 million euros into its German locations over the last three years. In Hanau Goodyear Dunlop can produce about 3,000 runflats a day, a similar production facility is in Fulda factory. Goodyear Dunlop produces 26 million tyres per year and sells about 40 million. 14 million of the German produced Dunlop tyres are exported to sister companies. This year alone, the company in Europe sold 1.3 million DSST (Dunlop Self Supporting Technology) and Goodyear EMT (Extended Mobility Technology) tyres, making it market leader in this segment.
Toyo’s Operating Income Doubles
Product NewsPublishing its first half 2005 results, Toyo has reported that its operating income has rocketed 120.8 per cent, compared with the same period last year. In the period ended 30 September, the company’s operating income demonstrated the most marked increase growing from 1.893 billion to 4.18 billion yen (£21.4 million). Toyo achieved a 6.7 per cent increase in net sales rising from 120 billion to 128 billion yen (£657 million).
One explanation for the rapid ascent of the figures is the company’s increase of UHP and SUV sales. Sales of these high margin products have gone up 25.9 per cent, with tyre sales in general improving by 8.7 per cent. In Europe the company says that this has been largely down to favourable sales and marketing of new products including its Proxes T1R.
Car of the Year 2005
Product NewsThe Toyota Prius has been awarded the European title of ‘Car of The Year 2005.’
The car was chosen from a group of finalists including the Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Renault Modus, Peugeot 407 and the BMW 1-series.
Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief, Autocar magazine, was one of the six UK members of the Car of the Year Jury, he said: “Toyota’s Prius is the most successful hybrid car available today and is being used as everyday transport by 120,000 drivers worldwide. Toyota has clearly demonstrated the way forward.”
Yokohama’s Income Decreases
Product NewsIn its third quarter Yokohama Rubber saw net sales rise by 4.3 per cent to ¥189.7 billion. The company claims that this reflected “solid tyre sales overseas.” However, net income fell by a massive 51.6 per cent, to ¥719 million. The manufacturer claims that this was due to inventory losses and a loss on devaluation of securities investment.
Operating income also declined by 6.3 per cent to ¥4.3 billion, and has been put down to the increase in prices of natural rubber and other raw materials. Yokohama is also citing higher logistics costs stemming from increased export volume and a jump in shipping charges to the decline in income.
Goodyear Reports Better Than Expected Results
Product NewsGoodyear has officially reported third quarter results that show “record sales and positive net income.” According to the company the improved figures were driven by improved operating results in all seven of its business segments.
EU Report Gives Luxembourg Second Place For Research
Product NewsThe former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Wim Kok, has presented an interim report to the European Union, pursuing the goal of making the EU the strongest economic power in the world, by 2010. The report found that Luxembourg fares well, already in an “above average” position. The research summarised a countries potential to grow based on the number of scientists per thousand. With a European average of 5.7 per thousand, Luxembourg was found to have the second largest proportion in Europe, with 8.78 researchers per thousand. Only Finland has a higher number of research scientists. Luxembourg was less successful in other categories.
The reason for Luxembourg’s impressive standing is because of the number of private research centres based within its borders. Luxembourg is the home of a number of significant research centres including, Goodyear, DuPont and Delphi.
Currently the Lisbon Strategy is a long way away from its goal of making Europe the strongest developed economy in the world.
Bridgestone Sets Record Figures
Product NewsJapanese tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone, has reported record figures for the first nine months of 2004, the company says. Bridgestone’s third quarter results show that the company produced a turnover of $15.8 billion, while making operating profits of $1.25 billion. The company says that this translates to a net profit of $724 million.
During the first nine months of 2004 Bridgestone recorded a turnover of $2.1 billion in Europe, while the company’s operating profits totalled $140 million. According to company, its US turnover reached $6.8 billion while its operating profit amounted to $235 million in this region. In the manufacturer’s home market of Japan, the company achieved roughly the same turnover but almost three times as much in terms of operating profit – $726 million.
Titan’s Promising Third Quarter
Product NewsTitan International has reported net sales of $116.5 million for the third quarter ended 30 September. Sales were up 47 per cent from $79.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2003.
Lassa to Release New Sizes
Product NewsLassa has announced that it will release a number of new size references for its Impetus Sport range in the new year.
New Truck Point Executive
Product NewsBridgestone has announced the appointment of Steve Miller as a new regional fleet. The company says Mr Miller’s appointment is designed to win new business for the company and its network of Truck Point dealers.
Pirelli to Raise Prices
Product NewsThe AFX financial news agency has reported that Pirelli will increase its prices by between three and five per cent. The price increase is expected to be enforced by the end of the year and will affect all of the company’s Europe wide operations. Exactly how much prices will increase will be decided by each national Pirelli organisation individually. Pirelli says the price hikes are a result of the increasing raw material and energy costs that are affecting the tyre business.
Bridgestone Appoints New Regional Fleet Executive
Product NewsBridgestone has appointed Steve Savage as a new regional fleet executive. The appointment is designed to help the company and its Truck Point network win new business.
