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Marangoni Group Upgrading its Ellerbrock Facility Following Fire

Marangoni reports that the compound department at the Group’s Ellerbrock GmbH operation near Hamburg, Germany will be rebuilt using advanced technology following the extensive damage incurred during last Easter’s fire. In a press release, the Italian based retreader states that following an initial analysis performed by the management of Ellerbrock and Marangoni Holding, it “became clear that the use of modern equipment and the most recent mixing technology will allow an even better response to the increasing demand for high performance compounds for retreading.”

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Winter Tyres Well-Rated in Tests

Continental reports that its tyres have faired very well in a number of winter tests. Specifically, experts from the Germany’s ADAC automotive association, from the Stiftung Warentest consumer reporting institute, from the ÖAMTC (the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), from the TCS (the Swiss Touring Club) and from two of Germany’s leading motoring magazines, “AutoBild” and “auto motor und sport” compared the ContiWinter-Contact TS 800, TS 810 and TS 830 against over sixty competitive tyres. The result of this host of tests, reports Conti, was glowing: All Continental products received the highest ratings assigned – “highly recommended”, “exemplary” or “good”. Furthermore, each of the test committees emphasised Continental’s position with regard to safety-relevant criteria and performance on wet roads.

29th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Point-S and Team Collaborate in Fleet Joint Venture

Over the weekend two of Germany’s largest independent dealer cooperatives, point S and Team, negotiated the terms of a joint venture that will see the two companies cooperate in the local fleet business. A letter of intent relating to what one might call the “team S” joint venture was signed this morning (Monday 29 September 2008) and will take effect 1 January 2009. The 50:50 joint venture will cover the area of fleet, large-scale sales and key account business. The negotiations were led by Juergen Pischinger and Peter Lüdorf and sought to synergise the benefits of Team’s strength in the commercial vehicle tyre business and point-S’s in passenger car tyres.

Between them the two cooperatives run over 1,100 service stations across Germany and thus have broad market coverage. Details of the name and headquarters of the new joint venture and personnel consequences are not yet clear, however layoffs are not planned. Instead the company hopes to operate a European-wide service in the future.

29th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Beissbarth Displays Prototype Aligner at Automechanika Show

Nestled amongst its current product line-up at the recent Automechanika show in Frankfurt, Germany, was a prototype of Beissbarth’s latest generation 3D wheel alignment. Called the Easy3D, the new system builds on the tried-and-tested Beissbarth reference system and therefore combines the benefits of an open 3D system with a familiar user-friendly user interface. In addition, the camera used in the company’s KDS.NG axle measurement system is also used here.

26th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Appoints Takagi as New VP, COO

Yasushi Takagi, a 27-year veteran of Toyo, was recently appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. As EVP and COO, Takagi will work with staff in all departments to continuously evaluate sales and marketing efforts in the U.S. and create plans for the future.

“Mr. Takagi brings with him extensive knowledge and understanding of Toyo’s global vision,” said Masaharu Yoshimoto, president and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “This insight and strategic thinking is extremely important as we continue to grow the Toyo brand in the United States. We are very happy to have him join us.”

From January 2006 to August 2008, Takagi served as general manager of Toyo’s corporate planning department. In this role, he coordinated with all entities of Toyo. He outlined strategies and set goals for global expansion by the company’s 70th anniversary in 2015. He also played a key role in negotiating the recent business alliance with Bridgestone Corp. Prior to January 2006, Takagi held several international positions while in Europe for nearly 20 years, including director of Toyo Tyre (U.K.) and president of Toyo Reifen GmbH (Germany). (Tire Review/Akron)

26th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Begins Series Production of Hybrid Vehicle Batteries

On September 24 Continental’s Powertrain Division held a celebration to mark the start of series production for its lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid drive cars. The beginning of series production – which takes place following an investment of more than three million euros into developing manufacturing capacity at its factory in Nuremburg, Germany – is, says Conti, a world first.

“This underlines Continental’s claim that, by developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art drive technologies, it can contribute to a significant reduction in fuel consumption by vehicles in future and, consequently, to a reduction in CO2 emissions as well”, said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, CEO of Continental AG and head of the Powertrain Division.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Introducing M+S Steering Axle Tyre at IAA Show

Continental Truck Tyres is presenting its new HSU 1 M+S steering-axle tyre for city driving at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany. The new tyre is available in size 275/75 R 22.5 148/ 145 J (152/ 148 E), and Conti reports the HSU 1 M+S complements its already introduced HSU 1 and the HSW Scandinavia tyres, and provides enhanced braking and steering safety.

The introduction of the HSU 1 M+S tyre completes Continental’s city driving tyre line-up. Joining the HSU 1, an all-season tyre for varying weather conditions and the HSW Scandinavia for extremely adverse wintry road conditions, the new tyre provides excellent traction on muddy, snow-covered roads. The newly developed tread pattern provides a wider margin of steering and braking safety than an all-season tyre tread, reports Continental.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Fuel Price Rises Hit Fleets

Global vehicle fleets have seen their fuel bills rise by as much as a third in the last year according to research by international leasing company Masterlease, which manages around 210,000 vehicles across Europe. With vehicle manufacturers’ continuous improvements in fuel efficiency now being swamped by escalating fuel prices, global businesses have to face the reality of increasing costs to their fleet management.

While average diesel prices have soared by a third in the last year, the story is not quite as grim for unleaded petrol – although globally it has still increased on average by 18 per cent since 2007.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Far Reaching Agreement

It’s a done deal. Hands have been shaken and the ink is dry: Schaeffler is the proud new owner of a sizeable chunk in Continental AG. On August 21, Continental announced it had entered into what it referred to as a ‘far reaching investment agreement’ with Schaeffler KG, Mrs. Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and Mr. Georg F.W. Schaeffler.

The bare bones of the deal is that Schaeffler has, as of September 2, taken control of 48.32 per cent of the Hanover, Germany based company, and with this new influence comes a couple of new nameplates on the company’s most favoured office doors. Schaeffler’s buying price of 75 euros per share is a generous one; the figure represents a 39 per cent premium on the stock price prior to the takeover bid’s announcement, and 30 per cent higher than the 60 euros per share that Merrill Lynch analysts believe the value will sink to by late September. Conti has placed a total value of 12.1 billion euros upon the deal.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Passenger Car Registrations Continue Downward Trend

Passenger car registrations in Europe (EU and EFTA) continued to fall in year-on-year comparisons made in August 2008. Figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association show that registrations in August fell 15.6 per cent, from 955,000 to 806,000 in year-on-year monthly comparisons. Additionally, August figures show a 3.9 per cent reduction in new PC registrations in the period January-August 2008 compared with the same period in 2007.

More specific figures for August were also released, showing that new car registrations fell 16.5 per cent in Western Europe, with Ireland (-41.6 per cent) and Spain (-41.3) nursing the greatest haemorrhages. Thumbing its nose at the trends in the rest of the region, Portugal managed to post a growth of 4.8 per cent in new car registrations, though it was the only country to do so. Italy (-26.4 per cent), the UK (-18.6), Germany (-10.4) and France (-7.1) all saw falls.

18th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Cutting European truck tyre Production by 6.5%

Continental is reportedly cutting back production at its three European truck tyre factories by 6.5 per cent. A company statement stated that “the entire European replacement business recorded a drop of almost 10 per cent in the first eight months of this year, without any sign of improvement.” In response, says Conti, output will be cut to compensate for losses in its volume.

15th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Malaysia to Promote ASEAN Auto Industry

Automechanika Malaysia (previously known as Automechanika Asia) will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia’s most modern event facility between 25 – 29 March 2009. Over the past six years, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has extensively promoted this fair as part of the Malaysian Government’s initiative to further develop the automotive industry in Malaysia and across the ASEAN region.

The last fair, held for the first time in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre during 2007 attracted more than 5,480 buyers from 60 countries and regions. There was strong attendance from China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, supporting the majority of visitors from Malaysia. Altogether in 2007 there were 151 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions at the fair: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

11th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental to Complete Spikes Acquisition

Continental are to complete the acquisition of all shares in the Finnish spikes manufacturer TIKKA Spikes Oy, along with its Russian subsidiary OOO TIKKA, based in St. Petersburg.

Lothar Salokat, the director of Conti’s Korbach plant in Germany, stated that, “The deal will strengthen Continental’s winter tyre business as well as its position in Scandinavia and Russia. It is our intention that cooperation with other tyre manufacturers will continue via TIKKA Spikes.” TIKKA Spikes provides employment in Tikkakoski and St Petersburg for approximately 120 people. The TIKKA group states that “they will continue in the service of the new owner as workers of long standing.” The company’s estimated turnover is approximately 15 million euros for this year.

5th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyremakers Affected by Toyota’s Revised 2009 Estimate

Toyota has downward revised its projected production figures for 2009 by seven per cent; instead of the previously anticipated 10.4 million vehicles, the company now estimates that around 9.7 million Toyotas will be manufactured next year. This news comes as August sales figures for the US show 9.4 per cent fewer Toyota vehicle purchases during the month, a total of 211,533 units. Only sales of what count as smaller cars in this market, such as the Yaris, which sold 20.5 per cent more units, and the Camry and Camry hybrid were higher (3.3 per cent higher).

5th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

August Car Registration Down 18 per cent in Europe

A day after the SMMT published the lowest UK new car registration figures for four decades, automotive industry analysts have revealed that most European countries are experiencing the same downturn.

According to Deutsche Bank car registrations across Europe were down -18 per cent in August, (down 6 per cent year-to-date). The analysts pointed out that the month of August usually represents the low point of the year for new car registrations, however France (the least affected) down 7 per cent; Germany down 10 per cent; Italy plummeting 26 per cent; and Spain missing the mark by 41 per cent, it is clear that registrations worsened. Deutsche Bank put the falls down to “eroding consumer sentiment and recessionary fears.”

5th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors