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Goodyear ‘Disappointed’ in Standard & Poor’s CreditWatch Decision

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has expressed its disappointment at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services’ (S&P) decision to place the tyremaker’s credit ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications. The company was one of more than a dozen automotive industry-related firms to be added to the list due to their significant exposure to automakers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

“We’re disappointed in Standard & Poor’s action,” said Darren R. Wells, Goodyear’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “There are fundamental differences between our business and the companies whose businesses are heavily tied to the Michigan-based auto manufacturers.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Daly Name Racing Again on Avon Tyres

The Formula Ford Festival in October 2008 saw the return of the Daly name on Avon Tyres. Conor Daly, son of Former Formula 1 driver Derek Daly, performed well for Team USA at the festival – trousering a sixth-place finish – more than 25 years after his father raced on Avon rubber in Formula 1.

Derek Daly was born in Ireland and competed in F1 for teams including Hesketh, Williams and Tyrrell in the late 1970s and early 80s and now lives in the USA. There his son won the Skip Barber National Championship and a drive with Team USA in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch.

5th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Zeon RS3 Fitted on ROUSH Mustangs

Cooper has announced that its new Zeon RS3 tyre will be fitted for the ROUSH Stage 3 and P51B Mustangs. The company claims that the tyre is a must “for the Ford Mustang enthusiast with an uncompromising need for maximum dry grip traction.” Based in Livonia, Michigan, ROUSH Performance provides an array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, in addition to a complete line of performance parts and crate engines. Cooper is its official tyre brand.

Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of Global Technology for Cooper Tire, stated that, “The Cooper Zeon RS3 is the latest innovation to develop from Cooper Tire’s exclusive relationship with ROUSH Performance. The RS3 is the perfect compliment to the performance characteristics valued by true ROUSH Performance enthusiasts.” The RS3 comes in a 275/40ZR18 with a UTQG tread wear/traction/temperature rating of 220-AA-A, and is available through ROUSH Performance or through Cooper Tire dealers.

5th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

NHTSA to Investigate Valve Stem in 2007 US Ford Models

In the US, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has disclosed it is investigating the Ford Motor Company’s use of potentially defective valve stems on more than one million vehicles built during the 2007 model year. The component, if defective, can crack, causing air pressure in a tyre to suddenly decrease. Investigators suspect a cracked valve stem was a causal factor in an accident that killed a 31-year old man last year.

22nd October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Darren Wells Named Goodyear CFO

On October 17 Goodyear announced that W. Mark Schmitz, executive vice president and chief financial officer, has elected to leave the company to ‘pursue other interests’. Replacing him as CFO, effective immediately, is Darren R. Wells, previously senior vice president of finance and strategy. This announcement was made by Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer Robert J. Keegan.

Schmitz, 57, held the position of CFO for 14 months. Wells, 42, is considered by Goodyear to be of the key leaders and architects of the company’s financial restructuring since joining the company from Visteon Corp. six years ago as Goodyear’s vice president and treasurer. Wells was promoted to senior vice president business development and treasurer in May 2005, and to his most recent position in March 2007.

17th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Race Deflations Lead to Australian Tyre Controversy

In Australia the motorsport highlight of the year is arguably the Bathurst 1000 (the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, to give its full, sponsored title) race. This event is a celebration of the V8 saloon so popular down under and enjoys a large and dedicated following from petrolheads and race fans alike. However, following the latest Bathurst race, round ten of the V8 Supercar Series held on October 12, all is not well – controversy hangs in the air, and luckily for us it is tyre related.

14th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sunrise, FL Police Tyre Theft Accused Resigns

It seems cunning tyre thefts are not limited to Derby – or even the UK (see ‘Derby Motorist Stung by Rubber Ripper’ on tyrepress.com). Following information no doubt received through a snitch, Mark Lewis – a police officer in the town of Sunrise, Florida – was accosted by an internal affairs unit, which accused him of stealing the tyres fitted on his own 2003 Ford Crown Victoria from a city-owned police vehicle.

Local reports state that Lewis at first denied the charge when questioned about the brand new rubber adorning his personal vehicle, saying that the treads were original equipment. He also denied that he had purloined the police headlight the unit found in his boot, claiming his ex-girlfriend had probably put it there. However, the jig was up when internal affairs told Lewis that the tyres were traceable. Their report said that when informed of this fact, Lewis “put his head down and after approximately one minute looked up and said, ‘Now what?’” Shortly afterwards, he admitted the charge. Had he failed to resign, the charge would have been pursued as a criminal case.

14th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Derby Motorist Stung by Rubber Ripper

A driver in normally-quiet midlands town Derby became the victim of an unprecedented auto-crime when she returned to her car to find old, bald tyres where her relatively fresh rubber had previously been.

Michelle Ulyatt – an employee of the Babington Business College – left her car outside the Labour social club on Charnwood Street at 12:45, returning at 17:15. As she drove away, it became apparent that things were not as she’d left them: “It was only when I was driving that I realised something was wrong, as I had problems with my steering,” said the stunned Ulyatt. “Because I had the car in the garage a few weeks ago to have the steering arm corrected, I thought it was going on the blink again. But my husband then said that my front tyres were bald and that’s when I realised what had caused the problems… The tyres were brand new in February and, at first, I did wonder if they were faulty but then I realised they were another make.”

Police investigating the crime reassured understandably fearful citizens that “there is not a spate of crimes of this nature.” However T&A predicts it can only be a matter of time before the Rubber Ripper graduates from the unfortunate Ulyatt’s L-Reg Ford Escort to greater wheel-changing challenges.

13th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

2008 Breaks the Mould at Brake Engineering

2008 has been a “record-braking” year for Brake Engineering, with the company developing more products in the space of 12 months than every before. And the commitment to be first to the market with new part numbers remains a key part of Brake’s strategy. To date, 2008 has seen 47 brake discs, 36 calipers, 4 drums, 48 hoses 14 master cylinders and 4 wheel cylinders added to the range. With 24 of these part numbers being launched in the Aftermarket since the summer.

13th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Tyres “a real step up” for Endurance Series

Saturday 20 September saw the conclusion of this year’s Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah; a finale that also witnessed the curtain drop on Pirelli’s first-year performance as tyre supplier for the series. The performance – according to participants – has been ovation-worthy.

The winning team – the No. 6 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley driven by Raphael Matos, John Pew and Ian James – was particularly won over by the P Zero. James commented, “This year when we got the Pirelli it was a real step up in the competition. The consistency has been great and I think you have seen that in the racing. The racing has been great; the Pirellis always give the driver a good stint. The tyres have really added to the series.”

23rd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New MD for BSI Product Services

David Ford has recently joined the BSI Group as Managing Director of Products and Services, replacing Alastair Trivett. Ford joins BSI from Vernon-Carus, a leading health care product manufacturer and supplier, where he was Sales and Marketing Director. BSI is an independent body that operates two Kitemark automotive schemes. Both aim to improve quality and safety for consumers in garages and bodyshops and Ford will be responsible for the worldwide business of Product Services within the BSI Group. As well as taking full responsibility for delivering the global BSI Product Services strategy, he is a member of the BSI Group Executive, with joint responsibility for setting goals and strategies for the Group.

8th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Suffolk Man Charged After Blow-Out Drive

A resident of Woodbridge, Suffolk has been charged with dangerous driving after he drove along the A12 with a blown-out tyre. The damage to the road – caused by the Ford Mondeo’s screeching wheel rim – was so great that it allowed police to pursue Ashley Durrant using the trail left in the tarmac.

Durrant has been disqualified from driving for at least six months and has been released on unconditional bail following his complete cooperation. If only he’d read TyreSafe’s top tyre safety tips… (See “TyreSafe Provides Online Tyre Safety Lessons”)

21st August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Shades Of 2000 In Rollover Case

In a story which brings back memories of the Ford/Firestone recall rows of 2000/2001, an American motorist is suing both Ford and Firestone for damages, following an accident in August 2006.

Terri Franklin was driving in Texas, when the car in front of her – a 1992 Ford Explorer, driven by Shannon Franklin – blew a tyre, showering her with debris. This allegedly caused Terri Franklin to lose control and flip her vehicle.

8th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Makes 2 North American Leadership Appointments

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed Stephen McClellan and Joe Copeland to new leadership assignments within the company’s North American Tire business. McClellan, formerly vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, has been named president of the North American Tire Consumer business, replacing Lawrence Mason, who has announced he will leave the company. Copeland, previously vice president of the Off-Highway businesses, becomes vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, replacing McClellan. A replacement for Copeland will be named at a later date.

“Steve and Joe are two proven leaders who have demonstrated the strategic, operational and team building success that will have an immediate impact in their new assignments,” said Richard J. Kramer, president of North American Tire. “They have a track record of exceptional performance at every level and are well positioned to help lead our businesses into the future.”

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

“All About Customer Responsiveness”: Cooper Releases New Sizes

Cooper tire & Rubber Co has unleashed a tidal wave of new tyre sizes for high performance and sports utility vehicles, which are – the company states –
“all about performance, customer responsiveness.” The company aims to provide consumers with the added performance and flexibility necessary for drivers in these two sectors.

The Cooper Zeon XSTA is a new asymmetrical, all-season sport truck tire available in 15- and 16-inch (H rated), and 17-, 18-, 22- and 24-inch (V rated). This new line includes fitments for vehicles such as the Land Rover, Jeep, Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes SUVs. The size range covers both original equipment sizes for sport trucks, SUVs and cross-over vehicles, as well as the popular plus-sized fitments. Additionally, the Cooper Zeon XST now offers the 295/30R22 XL size for premier SUVs and cross-over vehicles.

1st August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors