The Carlsson-developed SLK 340 international hillclimb race car due to première at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March is capable of developing a respect-worthy 782bhp per tonne, and a car with this level of performance needs a suitable tyre. Thus Avon Tyres takes pride in reporting that its hillclimb tyres have been chosen as the SLK 340’s original equipment fitment.
In the three months to 31 December 2012, Apollo Tyres Ltd’s net sales grew 9.4 per cent to Rs 97.57 billion (£1.17 billion), while net profit jumped 86.1 per cent to 1.8 billion (£21.63 million). Operating profit for the third quarter of Apollo’s 2012-13 financial year amounted to Rs 4.1 billion (£49.27 million), up from Rs 3.3 billion a year earlier.
During 2012 Continental sold some 20.1 million passenger car, 4×4 and van winter tyres in the European replacement tyre market, the company reports. This figure is approximately 300,000 units above what it sold in 2011 and was achieved despite a ten per cent drop in overall market demand. Altogether the company sold around 21.4 million winter tyres globally last year.
Bridgestone Europe has introduced the Exedra Max touring tyre for heavyweight, long distance touring bikes. Available in radial and cross-ply structures with 21 sizes for the front and 20 sizes for the rear, Exedra Max will progressively replace the current Exedra touring line-up in Europe.
Firenza has established itself as a popular brand in the PCR, UHP and Truck tyre market sectors and also offers an innovative option within the van and light commercial sector with its SV053 pattern.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has confirmed it will focus on the UK automotive supply chain at its Open Forum event, taking place on 21 March 2013 in the West Midlands. The first speaker session will focus on the Automotive Council’s achievements to date and work going forward to strengthen the supply chain as well as activities undertaken by government. Members of the Automotive Council's Technology Group and Supply Chain Group will highlight the progress being made by the two key workstreams.
BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012.
Voith Industrial Services has strengthened its position in the UK automotive industry by acquiring ThyssenKrupp Services Ltd. According to the company, the acquisition will create a combined business with a workforce of over 2,000 employees at 35 locations. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
As one of the UK and Europe's most progressive contract tyre manufacturers, Shanghai based SD-International offers four individual brand and pattern options to the van and light truck market sector with their Pace, Zeta and Maxtrek labels.
Al Dobowi representatives recently shared details of the company’s plans to expand its European commercial team. During the opening months of 2013, Al Dobowi plans to strengthen customer-facing areas at its European head office in London through the appointment of new personnel with particular focus on sales, marketing and customer service.
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Continental AG reports that 2012 was another record year for the automotive supplier. Despite slumping auto markets in Europe, the corporation reports in preliminary figures that it boosted 2012 sales by more than 7 per cent to approximately 32.7 billion euros. At around 10.7 per cent, the adjusted EBIT margin topped the previous year's figure of 10.1 per cent.
Bosal UK, which is best known as an exhaust manufacturer but also makes roof racks and towbards, has entered administration. Various news sources report that calling in the administrators follows the recent confirmation of a contract to supply Land Rover with the exhaust systems for its popular Evoque model.
On 11 January 2013, the company issued a statement appointing Phillip Duffy and David Whitehouse of Duff & Phelps Ltd, Manchester as administrators in a move that follows “a decade of strong support for Bosal UK from its owners in the face of a mix of factors which over time increasingly impacted on its viability”.
Dunlop says it has completed its current touring segment offering with the introduction of the StreetSmart. This new range, which was introduced on 1 January, has been specifically designed to meet the fitment needs of classic bikes, targeting a market that is growing year-on-year.
Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi has extended his agreement with Bridgestone Europe to act as motorcycle tyre development adviser. As under the previous agreement, Rossi and the tyre maker will work together to, in Bridgestone’s words, “promote the passion of motorcycling to bikers and enthusiasts throughout Europe, directly supporting the Bridgestone ‘track to street’ concept.” Rossi will act alone as a professional rider; his MotoGP team and sponsors are not involved in the deal.
The fact that Matteuzzi Srl has always been focused on international markets means that the company has no fear of the current financial crisis. While many Italian companies have pursued internationalisation in recent years as a lifeline out of the difficulties of the internal and European markets, Matteuzzi has been working this way since the early 1970s, making it a key part of its business. Today, with communications even easier thanks to the internet, the Bologna-based company exports 95 per cent of its production and offers customers an English-language website.
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