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Agreement On Japanese Co-operation For Yokohama and Continental

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.

20th February 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Reconciliation Talks Between Ford And Bridgestone

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.

7th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

50 Years of Eibach

In Mid-September, the Spring-, Suspension- and Chassis-specialist celebrated its 50th anniversary in Finnentrop, with the slogan: “50 years of experience – Ready for the future.” More than 400 guests accepted the invitation for the central celebration event, approximately 50 percent of them being customers, coming from 40 countries. The terror attacks in the USA had their effect on this event too: is it possible to celebrate an anniversary thinking about thousands of victims in the States and the pain of their families? “The main impact has come from our colleagues in the United States, who wanted us to continue with the programme. We also want to give a example of multinational understanding and positive relations”, declared a visibly-moved Wilfried Eibach, head of the family owned company. The success story started in 1951 with the production of industry springs. In the Seventies the department for automotive springs was founded. Nowadays the name Eibach is known world-wide as a synonym for leading chassis technology. For some years the programme has gone far beyond the pure spring. The construction process has been supported by “CAD”-applications and it has carried out pioneer work in the field of new methods of corrosion-protection. Also the chassis system harmonisation is a huge field of activities in the year 2001. Today Eibach AG stands as a family holding on top of the German company group, consisting of four daughter companies. Abroad, Eibach is represented with production, engineering and/or distribution facilities in Irvine (California, USA), Broughton Astley (Leicestershire, GB), Tokyo (Japan) and Warriewood (New South Wales, Australia) and through more than 50 exclusive distributors. In Germany the 250 employees have achieved a turnover of 25.2 million Euro. The world-wide turnover in 2000 of the 400 employees amounted to 48 million Euro. During the celebration guests had practical experience of the secret of Eibach’s success: the fact that – beyond the many technological qualifications – the family owners have never neglected the human dimension, and they have always been aware of their social responsibilities.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Asian Auto Sector – Outlook Not Too Bad

At a time when vehicle markets in the US and Europe are set to fall sharply, the outlook for most of Asia is not too bad, says a report from industry strategists Autopolis. It predicts a downturn in the region for this year and next, but, as 2000 saw record car sales (excluding Japan), the drop should be manageable. This year, only China and Malaysia are forecast to see sales of vehicles rise. The Japanese market is predicted to fall this year by 4.3 per cent and 2.4 next. For Asia outside Japan, the figures are minus 5.5 per cent (2001) and minus 3.3 per cent (2002). 2003 should see an upturn both inside and outside Japan, says Autopolis.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Different Tyre Pressure Controlling Systems Are Causing Confusion

More and more tyre dealers ask for the tyre pressure control systems with which the newest car models are fitted as original equipment. They are annoyed at getting no satisfactory answer, even from the car dealers selling these cars. One of the problems is that there is no standardised system. Most European car manufacturers are using as a basic a system from supplier Beru, for example with valves from Alligator. But the French car makers went down different development paths with other suppliers, for example Valeo and valve-sub supplier Schrader. The systems are completely different! If it is not possible for the Europeans to find a common level of tyre wheel systems with tyre pressure monitoring sub systems how difficult might it be to find harmony with the car makers from Japan/Korea and North America? The tyre pressure controlling systems situation is constantly changing, but we are painting a picture of the situation today. For example to secure the function of the newest Renault Laguna II the car maker explains that you must use only original parts – for example only Renault wheels. Using different wheels makes it impossible to fix the sensors and the function of the system is interrupted. If this were to become typical the free workshops (car repair stations, fast fitters or tyre dealers) will be unable to take part in the new technologies and the only workshops working with the systems, repairing details and replacing parts, will be the workshops of the car manufacturers.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Minicar-Segment Entered By Nissan

As announced in a press conference in Tokyo, car manufacturer Suzuki will supply 3,000 so called minicars a month to Nissan from 2002 onwards. With this agreement Nissan will enter the small car segment – with a maximum capacity of 660 cc – which already has a market share of 30 percent in Japan.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Asian Auto Industry “Faces Continuing Stagnation” – Report

A report from automotive industry consultant Autopolis suggests that the Asian auto sector is half-way through “a decade of stagnation”. Sales this year will be flat and predictions for next year are for sales outside Japan to fall by 7 per cent and production to drop 8 per cent as exports decline. Chief Economist Graeme Maxton forecasts that it will take until 2005 for the market to return to 1996 levels. He says that there are some bright spots, with opportunities in China and India “but the rest of the region is just vegetating.”

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Japanese Truck Tyre Recall For Michelin

In a precautionary move, Michelin is recalling 55,000 truck tyres manufactured in Italy and sold in Japan between October 1999 and March this year. There have been no accidents but a change in design to the steel cord used in the sidewall has reduced the tyres’ resistance to over-inflation that could lead to rupturing of the sidewall.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Considering Legal Moves Against Bridgestone

On the day when Ford is expected to announce a cut in dividend, there are press reports that the car manufacturer is contemplating legal action against Bridgestone for compensation of costs associated with the recall of tyres instigated by Ford. It is suggested that Ford has been involved in negotiations on this subject with Bridgestone in Japan, bypassing the company’s US subsidiary.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Chairman And CEO Of Bridgestone/Firestone Europe

Mr Shoshi Arakawa has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bridgestone/Firestone Europe (BFE). He succeeds Mr Takeshi Uchiyama, who retires and returns to Japan after leading BFE for the last three years.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Kaizaki Makes A Point

Yoichiro Kaizaki, in a circular letter to Bridgestone management, has made it clear, that the sum of up to 50 bn $ claim for damages referred to by some American attorneys is totally false. American subsidiary Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. has already made, according to Kaizaki, an initial charge of 450 million US-$ for the tire recall itself and has now pledged an additional reserve of 450 million US-$. This should be in accordance with what all involved counsels believe will be the maximum cost for the American subsidiary. There is no financial danger for Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. Obviously it is a question of American lawyers trying to increase public pressure on Bridgestone Japan with the intention of talking up the claims for damages in order to encourage an out-of-court settlement. Kaizaki has countered this by saying that from now on every baseless attempt to do this will immediately be discussed in public debate.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Financial Times Report – Bridgestone Falls From Global List

The UK newspaper Financial Times has published its annual list of the world’s 500 largest companies, ranked by market capitalisation. The only tyre company to appear last year was Bridgestone, at number 300. The company does not make this year’s global top 500. Among Europe’s top 500 are the following tyre companies, with their positions. Michelin (301) Pirelli (242) and Continental (479). Mention should be made too of Sabanci Holdings, the ultimate parent of Lassa/Brisa, which appears at number 331 in Europe.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Gloomy Outlook For Asian Auto Makers

A report from automotive consultants autopolis is predicting tough times ahead for most of Asia’s car markets this year, due to falling currencies, lower prices, declining exports and political uncertainty. The average fall is expected to be 7%, with markets outside Japan falling by more than 10%. For Japanese sales, a 4% decline is expected. Sales are expected to fall in most places, excluding China, with South Korean and Indian markets being particularly hard hit.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear And The Dunlop Acquisition

A comprehensive article in TYRES & ACCESSORIES (“We were hoping for architects, but so far we have only seen cost-cutters”) commented critically on the Goodyear acquisition of both the Dunlop activities in Europe and North America and the joint venture with Sumitomo in Japan, with all their particular opportunities and consequences. While Goodyear’s CEO Sam Gibara accepted that the facts had been reported correctly, he did not agree with much of the analysis. At the Goodyear head office in Akron, Ohio around Easter time, he gave a detailed and exclusive interview, in which he explained the reasons for, and the background to, the acquisition and the joint venture. Furthermore, Gibara was forthcoming about why cooperation with Dunlop is so important that he is even willing to accept a temporary interference in the balance sheet.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Malaysian Tyres Now Accepted World-wide

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers – Malaysian Tyre Manufacturers Industry Group claims that Malaysian manufactured tyres now conform to the highest international standards. Products have now been accepted in over 40 countries, including markets with strict regulations such as in Europe, Australia, US and Japan. Malaya’s four major manufacturers, DMIB Bhd, Goodyear Malaysia Bhd, Silverstone Bhd and Sime Tyres International Sdn exported over 2 million tyres in 2000.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors