Following the 2002 World Cup football championship in Japan and Korea, goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has been a perfect example of steadiness, if not invincibility. Now, the German national player will be seen at Japanese tyre outlets as the face of a new sales promotion for Bridgestone. The campaign, which will only be seen in Japan, is costing Bridgestone about 10 million Euros and also features three television spots filmed in Munich and featuring the player.
Bridgestone Corp, Japan’s largest tyremaker, said on Tuesday it would spend 17 billion yen to build a third tyre plant in Thailand to meet growing demand for truck and bus tyres, particularly in Asia. The development, first notified in December 2000 by T&A, could also take Bridgestone to the number one position in the global tyre market. Bridgestone said in a statement that the new plant, located in Chonburi, 60 km south of Bangkok, would produce and export tyres to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other Southeast Asian countries. “The new plant is a move to provide a multilateral, global response to the growing worldwide demand for truck and bus tyres,” said a spokesman for Bridgestone.
Automotive consultants Autopolis pinpoint Asia as “critical” to the world’s car and truck manufacturers in the coming years. While sales are expected to continue falling in Europe and North America, over the next decade sales in Asia (excluding Japan) will grow at over seven times the global average, autopolis predicts, with the fastest growth in China and Thailand. Sales of vehicles in China for the year 2010 are predicted to be 4.75 million; more than double the figure for the year 2000.
Hyundai, DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi are said to have held talks exploring ways to jointly develop and purchase parts. The procurement talks were held in Hyundai’s Seoul HQ and covered parts purchased in the US, Japan and Europe in addition to South Korea.
Bridgestone Firestone Americas Holding Inc. has appointed Mark Emkes (49) as chairman, president and chief executive of Bridgestone Firestone North America, effective from Monday. Mr. Emkes has been with the company for 26 years and most recently headed up Bridgestone Firestone’s business in Latin America. He succeeds Isao Togashi, who has returned to Japan as head of global manufacturing for the Bridgestone Corporation.
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.
A report in the Financial Times based on information from the World Markets Research Centre reveals that the most efficient car factory in Europe is the Nissan plant in Sunderland, UK, with a production of 95 vehicles per employee. Equal second are Ford’s factory at Saarlouis, Germany and Toyota’s plant at Burnaston, UK, with 87 vehicles per employee. However, no European or American car factory makes it into the world’s top ten most efficient plants. Of these, the top nine are in Japan and the tenth in Korea. The world’s most efficient car factory is Mitsubishi’s plant at Mitsushima, which produces 180 vehicles per employee.
Goldman Sachs Japan has upgraded Bridgestone to Recommended List from Market Outperformer. This is in view of in view of the company’s success in expanding sales of the Bridgestone brand in North America, unexpectedly swift earnings recovery at its US subsidiary Bridgestone/Firestone America and prospects that stock-price valuations may revive as litigation risk wanes and North American earnings recover, and only modest exposure to other risks.
The Financial Times has published its list of the world’s 500 largest companies, ranked by market capitalisation. No tyre companies appeared on last year’s list and this year’s includes only one tyre company; Bridgestone. The Japanese manufacturer is listed at number 386, with a market cap of US$ 11.826 billion. It is also ranked the 38th largest company in Japan.
Auto industry consultants Autopolis have released their latest report on the global automobile industry. It predicts a decline this year, with vehicle sales falling in the three largest markets (North America, Europe and Japan). A global 5 per cent decline (2.6 million vehicles) is predicted this year and a further 2.5 per cent decline the year after. However, Autopolis predicts that the global car and truck market will return to year 2000 record levels (54.9 million vehicles) by 2005 and, by 2010, demand will exceed 61 million vehicles.
The ten-year old technology and co-operation between Toyo and Continental has ended, nine months ahead of schedule. This follows the formation of a joint venture between Continental and Yokohama to co-operate on technology and tyre production in Japan. Conti is also co-operating with Bridgestone in the development of run-flat tyres. The ending of the Conti/Toyo agreement was brought forward at the request of the German manufacturer, according to Toyo.
The Toyota Motor Corp. presented Goodyear with two awards at its annual suppliers meeting in Nagoya Japan and another award was presented to Goodyear in the USA. First was a Global Contribution Award for Goodyear’s supply performance at Toyota’s 15 plants worldwide. The second award was a “Value Award – Superior” for technical approvals and tyre development on Corolla and Camry cars. The North American award is a Certificate of Achievement for delivery performance through 2001.
In conjunction with the Japan Research Institute, Sumitomo Rubber Industries has developed tyre modelling software for car manufacturers. It is based on SRI’s existing DigiTire virtual design technology and features a simplified display that makes it simple to calculate properties such as tyre load.
Yokohama Rubber and Continental AG have confirmed a contract for the creation of a joint venture to supply original equipment to Japanese motor manufacturers and to develop Continental in the Japanese replacement market. The 50/50 joint venture will be called Yokohama Continental Tire and will aim to sell OE tyres to Japanese and Korean vehicle manufacturers. Importation and distribution of Continental tyres, to be sold through Yokohama outlets in Japan, will begin in April.
Press reports in Japan say that talks have been held between Ford and Bridgestone, regarding the resumption of business relations. The two companies confirmed that talks have taken place but would not comment on whether or not any agreement had been finalised. Further discussions are expected later this month.
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