Indian company Metro Tyres has signed an agreement with Continental to manufacture two-wheeler tyres for the German company. Said Metro Tyres Managing Director Rummy Chhabra: “We will be shortly producing motorcycle, scooter and moped tyres for Continental under the ‘Continental’ brand name. The move will give us access to manufacturers like Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki among others.”
Japanese car manufacturer Honda has revealed details of a three-year business plan, in which it rules out any chance of a merger with another manufacturer. Of Japan’s five biggest car manufacturers, only Honda and Toyota are independent. Honda also revealed that it will increase production outside Japan, including the building of a second factory in China.
From two wheel racing to the street: Michelin presents the new motorbike tyre Pilot Race 2 which has only the name in common with its predecessor, the Pilot Race. The new high performance tyre, available in three versions, was derived from the Michelin racing tyres used in the Supersport 600 World Championship 2001 by Kevin Curtain on his Honda CBR 600, during which he won some races and achieved some pole positions.
The possibility of faulty wheel bolts being fitted to Honda vehicles has prompted the company to recall all vehicles manufactured between 9 January and 20 April. Defects have been found in 37 cases. Honda is investigating whether cars produced in North America or Europe are affected.
Bridgestone has announced that it will supply tyres next year to competitors in World Grand Prix 500cc motorcycle racing, one year earlier than originally planned. The company only began testing the tyres this January, in conjunction with Kanemoto Racing; the team that will ride on Bridgestones next season, fitted to NSR 500 bikes from Honda Racing. Bridgestone has supplied tyres for 125cc racing for the past decade and the latest move is designed to enhance the company’s image in the ultra high performance tyre sector.
Honda is to reduce the numbers of components sourced in the UK. The ultimate aim is to have a 50/50 split between UK and mainland European-produced components (the current ratio is 75/25). Suppliers have also been asked to be “more competitive”. Currency fluctuations and the weak Euro were blamed for the move.
The bad news for British oe suppliers continues. It is still uncertain what will happen to Rover Cars; Honda wants to cut production by more than 50 per cent, and there are rumours that Ford plans to close its Dagenham plant as a result of European overcapacity.
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