Analysts Applaud Michelin Deal
The recent cost cutting agreement signed by Michelin and USWA is a “significant achievement,” according to Deutsche Bank analysts.
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Benelux Market Overview
Product NewsThe central European countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are often referred to as the Benelux countries, even though, politically and legally they are completely independent countries. The individual Benelux countries may be small but they are by no means insignificant. Situated in an area as well connected by sea as it is by road the region acts as a doorway to the rest of Europe. From the low-lying port countries of Belgium and the Netherlands, large-scale distributors use the Benelux as a conduit for expansion across the European union and beyond. Tyres & Accessories shines a spotlight on the Benelux tyre market.To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Paris Motor Show Set to be Biggest Yet
Product NewsOrganisers of the 2004 Mondial de l’automobile, or Paris Motor Show, are expecting this year’s exhibition to be the biggest yet.
Van den Ban Rejuvenates Flamingo
Product NewsVan den Ban has upgraded the summer tyres from its Flamingo programme by replacing the 2000 Sport and 2001 Performance patterns with three new alternatives, CD1000, CD2000 and CD3000.
The company has made a further move towards establishing greater manufacturing links with Europe, as once again a European manufacturer has produced the new tread designs. Van Den Ban explains that its latest move in adopting a new manufacturing supplier has been “established to create the initial foundation for further improved, high quality tyres offering impressive technological benefits.”
Together its VDB 2010 pattern, which is produced in Japan, and the now complete Flamingo range represent what the company describes as “a popular stable of modern tyres which offers something for all sectors of the market.” VDB can now offer a range that caters for severe winter conditions right through to the highly competitive high performance sector.
New BMW to fit Goodyear Runflats
Product NewsThe new BMW 1-series, is the latest vehicle to be fitted with Goodyear runflats and is due to be launched across Europe in mid-September.
According to media reports the 1 series is the first volume car to be fitted with runflat tyres as standard. The BMW series will have 16 inch Goodyear Eagle NCT5 EMTs as standard, which will be supported by a tyre pressure warning system. BMW claim the tyres will enable the car to be driven safely for up to 145 kilometres (90 miles) at up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour, with all the tyres punctured.
Goodyear Dunlop Europe OE director, Jean-Jacques Wiroth, said: “This is a significant move by BMW as they expect the new model to do well – it’s also their first entry into the compact hatchback market. Apart from the OE contract our replacement business will benefit through the high volume anticipated”.
The company already supplies runflat tyres to BMW for the 5 series, the 6 series, the Z4 and the Mini.
A look behind Gajah Tunggal’s scenes
Product NewsThe Indonesian company Gajah Tunggal is one of the biggest tyre manufacturers in south-east Asia producing its leading brand GT Radial for demanding markets like Europe. At the moment Gajah Tunggal is expanding its product ranges in order to offer up-to-date tyres for an increasing number of customers around the world. With a tour of the factory Tyres & Accessories was given the opportunity to get an idea of how tyres are produced on Gajah Tunggal’s all-in-one site in Tangerang near Jakarta where the company is also developing and producing tyres for the domestic and regional markets.
Over 900 Tyre Tests Available Online
Product NewsThe Internet’s largest compilation of Tyres Tests is now available online. The tests, which cover more than 940 tyres from across the UK and Europe have been collated and published on the Tyres & Accessories for the first time. Each entry contains a brief profile, review and a reference to the original source.
In order to navigate this huge database, products can be searched in terms of brand, model, year, width, height, diameter or speed index.
The test database is regularly kept up-to-date and will include the results of the new winter tyre tests when they come out in early October.
To visit the tyre test database click here or look out for the ‘tyre tests online’ animation.
Toyo Speed into Rockingham
Product NewsWhen Toyo decided to introduce two new tyres to the UK market, the company did it in style. The Proxes T1-R and R888 made their debut at Europe’s fastest racetrack, Rockingham Motorspeedway, highlighting the new lines’ ultra-high performance calibre. Dealers and press representatives from all over the UK spent two days at the 200mph circuit test driving the new tyres in BMW 330 coupes and Mini Cooper S cars.
It is clear that Toyo is proud of its new products what’s more the tyre manufacturer is confident about the new tyres’ performance. The T1-R’s predecessor, the T1-S, received excellent reviews in the European media and the new tyre is expected to receive similarly good results when it is tested independently. Perhaps that is why Toyo representatives were so keen for their tyres to be put to the test at the Rockingham circuit.
Toyo has really focused on the handling and wet performance of the T1-R, as it did with its predecessor. In addition Toyo have aimed to reduce the noise level of the T1-S. In order to achieve these goals, Toyo embarked on a completely new construction that utilised a more rigid carcass, based on either rayon or polyester, depending on the size. This modification is responsible for the impressive traction observed by drivers at Rockingham. Handling was improved by using flexible belts within the carcass and a one-piece nylon band in the tread shoulder is responsible for positively influencing the uniformity and high-speed performance of the tyre. The improved handling that made an impact on the slalom course has come by virtue of a stiffer bead construction. All the tyres in the range will include a rim guard to protect against curb damage.
Batteries for All Applications
NewsThe Delphi Corporation is one of the world’s leading technology companies, with substantial business in the automotive and transportation industries as well as other high-technology sectors, such as telecommunications and computers. Its world headquarters are at Troy, Michigan and the corporation has regional headquarters in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. The global workforce numbers 188,000 and Delphi operates 53 customer service centres and 32 technical centres, has 167 manufacturing facilities and 42 joint ventures. Sales in 2002 were $27.4 billion (£14.8 billion)
By any standards, Delphi is a big company, so it is not surprising that its involvement in the battery business is on a large scale, with manufacturing carried out at eleven factories worldwide and a product range that covers 98 per cent of the vehicle parc. Delphi is active in both the aftermarket and in original equipment sales, where it supplies many leading manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Japan – a recent success was the winning of a contract to supply batteries worth $22 million for the Renault Megane II, Scenic II and Clio.
In Europe, battery production is at a factory in Sarreguemines, France. The plant was built in 1980 and covers 35,000 square metres on 18 hectares of land. It is certified QS 9000 and VDA (quality), OHSAS 18001 (safety) and ISO 14001 and EMAS II (environment) and production this year will top 5.4 million batteries. Worldwide, Delphi produces more than 30 million batteries.
Pirelli’s Ultra High Performer
Product NewsIt was no coincidence that Pirelli selected the world’s southern most urban extremity, Ushuaia, Argentina, to launch its new Winter Sottozero tyre. The latest addition in its Planet Zero range, the company claims that the tyre is its “most extreme ultra high performer to hit the market.”
The tyre manufacturer considers itself to be a “global leader in ultra-low UHP tyres.” And so, the launch of its new tyre, to satisfy the increasing demand for high performance driving in winter conditions, was hardly unexpected. The tyre is being marketed as “the first real dual-season winter tyre.” Its significance comes from its ability to handle severe road conditions, the company boasts: “Sottozero does, in fact, represent a new concept: to ensure the maximum level of performance and safety in all the extreme situations that winter often imposes on the roads.”
Sottozero is designed to serve from the end of October, until the beginning of April, whatever the conditions, whatever the car. This is a big statement by the Italian company, and suggests its confidence in the tyre’s future success. It even goes as far as to compare it to the most technically advanced summer tyres. However, its description as a ‘fall and winter’ tyre is somewhat contradicted by its name; as Sottozero, ‘below zero,’ brings the reference back to snow and ice. While it may have been popular in Germany this will certainly limit its appeal in markets such as the UK.
The words on everybody’s lips this year are high performance winter tyres. Pirelli is no different, and claims to have experienced a 38 per cent increase each year, in the amount of HP tyres sold. It also maintains that, over the last five years, there has been a 12 per cent increase in demand for V rated tyres; whilst sales of H index tyres have levelled out, and only rose by 10 per cent in the same period. This shows an outstanding development in the market, when winter tyres were first launched they were only available in Q and S ratings.
In light of this research, rim dimensions are a major concern of the new tyre. The company believes that this is high amongst consumers’ priorities because it means they no longer have to change down to smaller wheels in order to achieve maximum safety on ice and snow. Drivers can now utilise the same rims for good and bad weather motoring. To satisfy this demand, the new tyre range offers a portfolio of sizes that ranges from 15-19 inches, and includes the 19 inch directional-asymmetric pairing that is used as original equipment for the Lamborghini Gallardo. All sizes are available with speed ratings up to V. As well as pleasing the HP driver, the possibility to fit winter tyres to wider rims will also be welcomed by style connoisseurs, whose modern sports cars necessitate wide rims and tyres with lower shoulders.
Pirelli claims 4.5 per cent of the $75 billion total world tyre market, and is predominantly based in Europe, where 45 per cent of its business is conducted. According to the company, the total European winter passenger car tyre market has risen 89 per cent in the last 10 years; from a 13.1 per cent share of the overall tyre market in 1993, to 24.7 per cent in 2003. This equates to sales levels of 18.5 million winter tyres in Europe in1993 to 45.7 million in 2003. The market segment (snow tyres) in which Pirelli’s new tyre will be launched, amounts to over 19 million tyres in Europe alone. With a market of this size there is little doubt that a demand for the product exists.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems on the Advance
Product NewsWhen a concept, like Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), is still relatively new, it means that developments are more clearly noticeable. Even in a few months it is possible to trace the concept’s development.
There are two versions of this technology; direct and indirect measuring systems. As you would expect, both have advantages and disadvantages. Direct systems are substantially more expensive but more precise than indirect systems. Indirect systems are cheaper, but less accurate. These systems were originally based on the ABS infrastructure, but are now also based on ESP. Indirect systems cross-link with the vehicle’s electronics so they cannot be installed after manufacture. Conversely, direct systems are components of the wheel and therefore can be re-tooled relatively straightforwardly in the aftermarket.
It is not yet clear which system will be accepted as the standard, something that is largely to do with American legislation. The American road safety authority, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will have to decide which criteria will govern the regulation of these devices before they can become components in newly certified vehicles in the USA.
In the past decisions had to be taken back because interest groups opposed them. Sometimes representatives of the other competing technology protested, sometimes consumer federations did, and on other occasions the automakers makers used their influence. Again and again new arguments arose, most of which contained at least a few good ideas. The consumer federations, for example, argued that drivers have a right to the best technical solution, which supports direct measurement. The manufacturers, on the other hand, referred to the fact that, in the US, ABS is still far from penetrating the market as well as the technology has in Europe (100 per cent of new vehicles produced in Europe are now fitted with ABS). If one side decides to support indirect measuring systems, ABS has to be introduced at the same time, which gives significantly more leverage to the safety argument. In short the decision remains up in the air.
SmarTire Making an Exhibition of Itself
Product NewsSmarTire Systems has embarked on a new marketing programme that will see it participating in leading industry trade shows in North America and Europe. The company intends to showcase its product line of tyre monitoring systems in conjunction with its distributors and dealers at various international events.
The company has already made its exhibition debut at an event sponsored by the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA). The 72nd International Convention was held in Redmond, Oregon and attracted 20,000 attendees in more than 4,500 motor homes from the North American recreational vehicle market.
John Taylor-Wilson, VP Sales and Marketing, SmarTire Systems Inc, said: “SmarTire is exhibiting its innovative tyre monitoring products at the most successful trade shows in North America and Europe this fall. These trade fairs have evolved into international marketing events that play an invaluable role in expanding new product awareness and achieving sales performance.”
Next on the company’s list are Intermot and Automechanika, both scheduled to be held mid September in Germany.
Bringing in the Harvest
Product NewsGoodyear have announced that, with the fruit and grape harvesting season not far away, it is launching its Optitrac DT812 DT818 in an expanded range of sizes.
Goodyear to supply ‘Runflats’ for Maserati Quattroporte
Product NewsMaserati have selected Goodyear as an exclusive option on its the 400 brake horse power Quattroporte. Goodyear will supply Eagle F1 GS-D3 Extended Mobility Technology (EMT) tyres.
Michelin Determined to cut North American Labour Costs
Product NewsIn a continuation of its recent wage dispute, Michelin has started negotiating a new wage agreement. The deal, which also discusses medical benefits, concerns four plants and 5,000 members of the company’s North American workforce.
