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Reitzle to Lead Conti Amidst Board Appointments

Wolfgang Reitzle, CEO of industrial gas company Linde, was confirmed as the new chairman of Continental AG's supervisory board. "We are very pleased that we have been able to persuade Professor Reitzle to take on this challenging mandate," said Schaeffler owner Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler in a statement. Reitzle has been highly sought after by a number of major firms, including BMW, and served as an executive with Ford Motor Co. The move came after owner Schaeffler Group forced out the previous board chairman Rolf Koerfer, who will nonetheless remain on the board. Also stepping down is board member Michael Frenzel, CEO of travel company TUI.

Meanwhile, the Schaeffler Group recently appointed Dr. Peter Pleus (55) and Norbert Indlekofer (51) to the position of President of Schaeffler Group Automotive. They have been appointed successors to Dr. Elmar Degenhart (50), who was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG on 12 August 2009.

11th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Jury Hits MNA for $12 Million in Tyre Case

International News

A Texas jury returned a $12 million judgment against Michelin North America, finding that a manufacturing flaw “substantially contributed” to a 31 December 2006 crash that killed six and left a 12-year-old boy paralyzed. The Willacy County, Texas, jury awarded the plaintiffs $11.96 million, ruling that a BFGoodrich brand tire failed due to manufacturing errors, causing the 2002 Ford F-250 pickup truck the victims were riding in to swerve into oncoming traffic and crash head-on into a Chevrolet Suburban. “The jury found that broken air conditioners and leaky roofs cause moisture to get on tires, which led to this tread- belt separation,” Mikal Watts, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said. “We are grateful the jury saw the evidence as it was. There was a manufacturing defect in this tire, and Michelin needed to pay for the damage it caused.” (Tire Review)

11th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nitto Tire USA Expands Luxury Touring Line to Include CUV Sizes

Nitto Tire USA expanded its NT850 Premium line to include sizes specifically developed for crossover utility vehicles.

2nd September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stoke Pensioner Arrested Following Tyre Slash Spree

Local newspaper, The Sentinel reports that a 70-year old man from Stoke-on-Trent was placed under citizen’s arrest earlier in the week after a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator said he saw him “stab the tyres of a Ford Ka” in Sneyd Green.

28th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Can You Handle The Pressure?

Richbrook has launched a flash new digital tyre pressure gauge billed as “essential for day-to-day driving or precision track-day set up.” Not much bigger than a typical keyring, the compact gauge measures in both PSA and BAR to a +/- 1% level of accuracy – akin to a much larger unit. A smart blue LED display, unlike black or red is easy to read in any weather, day or night.

24th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Handle the Pressure with Richbrook

A most useful addition has been made to the motorist’s arsenal: Richbrook has released a digital tyre pressure guage that is not much bigger than the average keyring, yet boasts an accurate gauge that measures in both PSA and BAR to a +/- 1 per cent level of accuracy – a degree of accuracy typically found in much larger units. A blue display is intended to facilitate measurement reading in all weather and lighting conditions. and the unit’s design also incorporates an inbuilt flashlight and key clip, making the gauge a handy travel companion in all manner of situations.

24th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Asian Tyre Stock Jumps on US Auto Rebate Extension

The possibility of an extension to the US’s “cash for clunkers” auto rebate scheme has led to a bump in Asian stock prices for shares in Bridgestone, Hankook and others, according to Reuters reports. The US senate is mulling over a plan to offer 200 per cent of the original funding for its car sales booster scheme, since the billion dollar pot quickly evaporated. Purchasers can claim a rebate of up to $4,500 when they trade in old models for new, green alternatives.

13th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max OE on US Ford Fusion S

When Ford decided they needed a tyre to back up its Fusion S model’s claims of best-in-class fuel efficiency from its six-speed transmission and 2.5-litre engine, it decided the best way to go for that positive reinforcement was Goodyear’s new Assurance Fuel Max, as original equipment for the 2010 iteration. The tyre, which claims fuel-efficient properties through a compound designed to yield less rolling resistance, will be sized P205/60R16. The 2010 Fusion S is in production and has begun arriving at US dealerships.

The Assurance Fuel Max features, alongside its energy-saving compound, wet and dry tread zones to enhance all-season traction. The wet tread zone features dual “aquachannel” grooves to help evacuate water when driving on wet roads. The dry tread zone helps enhance handling and grip in the dry. The tyre is also available on the replacement market.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Sizes, Website For Nitto Touring Line

Nitto Tire U.S.A. has added six new sizes for its luxury-touring tyre, the NT850 Premium. Among the new sizes, Nitto said, are OE replacement sizes for popular sedans, including the Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Ford Fusion and Infiniti G35.

Sold exclusively through American Tire Distributors, the NT850 is backed by a national marketing campaign that includes in-store displays, print and online advertisements, and a newly launched website – www.NT850.com.

The six new sizes – all extra load – include 205/55R16 94V, 235/50R17 100V, 225/45ZR18 95W, 225/60R18 104V, 235/50ZR18 101W and 245/45ZR18 100W. All of the new sizes have a UTQG of 500AAA, and are backed by a 30-day consumer satisfaction guarantee and a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty. (Tire Review/Akron)

17th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Scorpion Introduces Exhaust System for Focus ST

Those with a penchant for modifying their ‘motor’ have long cast a favourable eye upon the Ford Focus ST. Early examples of the hot hatch are now emerging from their warranty window – and Scorpion is ready and waiting with its Focus ST sports exhaust system.

The exhaust manufacturer reports it has created a 63mm diameter system that perfectly balances optimum gas flow with the required back-pressure to keep the turbo spinning ‘on song’ throughout the rev range.

14th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford China Announces Tyre Related Recall

According to Dow Jones, Ford is recalling 7,563 Chinese made Fiestas due to a tyre defect. The defect, which affects Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co Fiestas produced between October 22 and May 14, was noted on the website of Chinese product safety regulator the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

13th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Police Set-Up Nets Serial Tyre Thief

A serial tyre thief in the US has been called to account for his deeds after walking into a police trap. Surveillance video released to Florida television station WFTV 9 shows a man, identified as Phu Tran, entering the car dealership where he was previously employed and rolling tyres out the door, unaware that law enforcement officers were waiting to strike. And police knew Tran would, sooner or later, be tempted to help himself to the rubbery circles – tyres and rims had been mysteriously disappearing from the Ford dealer for the last three months.

8th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Avon Tyres Supplies Tyres for Pikes Peak Hill Climb Record

Avon Tyres is aiming to be the first tyre manufacturer to beat the 10-minute barrier at the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event on 19 July. Essex-based team, Mach 2 Racing, is entering the famous race up the Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado Springs, USA, with a 1,150bhp Ford RS200 driven by double ex-British Rallycross Champion, Mark Rennison.

The 12-mile Pikes Peak course starts at 9,440 feet and ends at an altitude of 14,110 feet. Its 156 turns, mixture of asphalt and gravel surfaces and the sheer drops of up to 6,000 feet make it one of the toughest challenges in motorsport. However Rennison and car owner and pharmaceutical businessman Alan Greenwood believe they have the car, and the tyres, to complete the course in fewer than 10 minutes, a feat that has never been achieved.

7th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marshal Launches Matrac MH11

Marshal has reported the introduction of its Matrac MH11 tyre, adding that the new line-up is already available nationwide. The directional tread MH11 is designed for top selling family saloons and hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, and is available in a range of sizes from 155/65R13 to 236/60R16 and speed ratings H to V

The MH11 features four wide channels and optimally curved outer tread blocks, which Marshal notes are intended to increase resistance to aquaplaning, and a solid circumferential rib for strong straight line performance. Tyre design was carried out by the company’s European Technical Centre, which is based in Birmingham, UK, a facility it shares with parent company Kumho. Given its local design, Marshal comments that customers can be particularly confident of the tyre’s suitability to Britain’s road surfaces and climate.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Visteon Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

In the USA, giant parts supplier Visteon Corp. – faced with severely reduced demand from automakers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to the Associated Press, Visteon filed its petition in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Last month, it’s Visteon UK subsidiary filed for bankruptcy protection and closed three UK plants.

With its first quarter financials, Visteon showed total liabilities of $3.96 billion and total assets of $4.56 billion. “During the reorganization period, we will seek to address our capital structure and legacy costs that are not sustainable given the current economic environment,” Donald Stebbins, chairman and CEO, said in a statement published by the AP.

Visteon, which in 2000 separated from Ford to become a stand alone company, said Ford has committed to support debtor-in-possession financing for Visteon’s restructuring. Visteon has also applied for court permission to continue serving customers and paying employees and vendors. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors