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Three Tier Strategy For Yokohama

Yokohama has announced a three layered strategy for developing the brand. The first move will be to increase the range of high performance products available from the company. The second will be to launch a new “global” range of products for truck and bus, and thirdly it will target increases in export levels. These three strategies will create the new approach to business recently announced by Yokohama. A company spokesman said, “The aim is to provide our clients, world-wide, with the highest quality products and services based on Yokohama’s own developments.”Yokohama hopes to reach net sales of 460,000 billion Yen within three years, an increase of 15 percent from this year’s figure. This aims for an operating profit of 35 billion Yen by 2005.

11th December 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

VW Aims To Recapture Market Share In China

VW is to launch two new models in China, the Golf and the Polo, aimed at the fast-growing low-price vehicle segment. VW holds a 40 per cent share of the Chinese market, down from over 54 per cent two years ago. The company expects to sell 500,000 vehicles this year and hopes to double this figure by 2007 as the market continues to expand. This year China overtook the USA to become VW’s second largest market after Germany.

6th December 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

American Racing Equipment Launch 26 Inch Wheel

American Racing Equipment’s American Racing Wheels, Epic, Motegi Racing and RO_JA brands have introduced 26 new wheels, including a massive 26-inch Epic Icon at the 2002 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show. The 26 inch wheel is targeted at high end luxury vehicles including the all-new H2 Hummer. The chrome-plated luxury Epic line will highlight the 26-inch Icon and the new styles ranging in size from 18- to 26-inches.

7th November 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Tough Year For Amcast

Joseph Grewe, CEO at Amcast said, “The year to August 2002 had been a tough year, but things were getting better.” North American wheel division continued to perform well with sales up 25 percent, more than doubling their operating income. Automotive sales increased by 30 per cent in total for the final quarter of the year against the same quarter in the previous year. Improved performance of the wheels operations and cost cutting exercises were offset by losses incurred at the Richmond plant affected by launch problems with five major new product launches. An underestimation of demand from the motor manufacturers forced Amcast to increase purchases and develop new unplanned capacity to meet the requested production flow.Despite the general good news the company performed slightly worse in 2002 than in 2001. Largely due to the problems at Richmond and continued poor performance from Speedline. Flow Control also saw a drop in income of 51 percent due to a lower market and one time IT expenses. However, the company reports that five out of eleven production facilities operated profitably in 2002 against only three out of eleven for 2001.

21st October 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

TRW To Launch Aftermarket Steering And Suspension

TRW’s steering and suspension components currently marketed under licence by Federal Mogul, are to be sold under the TRW brand. Martin Hendricks, director and general manager for TRW Automotive Aftermarket Europe said, “We have a clear branding strategy – Lucas for braking and TRW for steering and suspension. Our OE position and the reputation for excellence for Lucas braking and TRW steering and suspension makes this an obvious direction for us.”

19th September 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Record Shipments For Superior

Superior Industries International has reported that net income for the first quarter of 2002 has exceeded analyst expectations with revenue and shipments reaching record highs. For the first quarter 2002 net income increased by 7.6 per cent or 0.65 dollars per diluted share. Shipments of aluminium wheels increased by 16 per cent bringing revenue for the first quarter to 186,532,000 dollars, a record for the company and a 12.3 per cent increase on the same quarter for 2001. The results include the write off on non-recurring start up costs of 1.653 million dollars in respect of the launch of the new aluminium suspension parts operation. The joint venture wheel manufacturing operation in Hungary also posts profitable results.

19th April 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Integrated Vehicle Tyre Monitoring Launched

A co-operation between Michelin and Wabco sees the launch of a tyre pressure monitoring system specifically designed for commercial vehicles. The system consists of wheel modules which measure tyre inflation pressure and transmit the data to a vehicle mounted receiver. In the event of pressure loss the data is sent several times every minute. The module is attached to the outside of the wheel, alleviating many of the problems associated with internal sensors. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) capable of handling up to 12 wheels is mounted on the vehicle chassis. In the case of trailer units, each trailer has its own ECU. The ECU transmits the signals to a cab mounted display unit which alerts the driver visually and acoustically whenever a problem arises. The position of the faulty tyre can be ascertained by pressing a button on the display. The system has the advantage of an evaluation algorithm developed by Michelin which detects pressure deviations and leakages immediately. It even functions whilst the vehicle is stationary. The system can be retrofitted and will be commercially available in Europe by the middle of 2002.

10th January 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli/Trelleborg – Three New Tyres

Only two years after the joint venture, the company has launched the “TM 900 High Power”, the latest generation of radial tyres ideal for equipping high power tractors over 250 HP, and those requiring high load capacity. Furthermore the company is going to launch the first Trelleborg radial implement tyre in Hanover, which is the result of the technological synergy between the two brands. At the same time the Trelleborg “TM2000” is being shown; the new generation of radial tyres for combine harvesters, created using Pirelli’s considerable agricultural experience.

28th December 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Smart Tyre Delayed

Nokian has taken the decision to hold back on the launch of its smart tyre to 2002. The “intelligent” tyre which sends tyre information to the driver via a telephone link was due to be rolled out in late 2001. The system designed in partnership with Singapore-based electronics manufacturer, Flextronics, will now be delayed by a full year before it is released commercially.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Wheels Division Of ArvinMeritor Honored

ArvinMeritor Wheels Division announced at its plant expansion ceremony in San Luis Potosi (Mexico) that it was named General Motors Supplier of the Year for its superior performance in quality, service, technology and price. The award was given during ceremonies Saturday, April 28 at the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. This marks the 9th consecutive year the division has been honored with this prestigious award.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Official UK Launch Of Goodyear’s Greenest Ever Tyre

In London, Goodyear officially launched its GT3 passenger car tyre – the first tyre to incorporate new “BioTred” technology, in which carbon black and silica fillers are replaced by starch obtained from maize plants. Not only is the T-rated tyre more fuel efficient, says Goodyear, but because maize is a renewable resource and converts carbon dioxide to oxygen while it grows, the GT3 is claimed to be the most environmentally-friendly tyre ever. Goodyear released news of the new technology earlier this year, but this was the first time that the tyre had been shown to the UK press.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

European Launch For Cooper Discoverer AST II

Cooper Tire is launching a new Cooper-branded tyre in Europe, aimed at the small van and light truck market. The Discoverer AST II replaces the p-metric sizes of the Discoverer Radial AST and is available in twelve, S-rated sizes for 15 and 16 inch rims. The new tyre will be made at Coopers Findlay, Ohio factory.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

AVS Decibel From Yokohama

Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama presents, as a highlight, its new tyre, the “AVS decibel”, which will be distinctive due to its smooth running – even at high speeds and after thousands of kilometres. It will unite athletic driving with pleasantly quiet running noise, as well as providing dynamic performance and stability. The market launch is planned for 2002. The “AVS decibel” will replace its predecessor, the AVS TW.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Fast-Fit Operation For Asda Supermarkets?

In the UK, the Asda supermarket chain is said to be looking at the possibility of opening car fast-fit businesses. Asda is owned by Wal-Mart, which operates “tyre and lube” centres at its stores in the USA. An Asda spokesperson said that the company had no plans to launch “tyre and lube” in the UK at present, although the possibility is being evaluated.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Ireland To Get Kwik-Fit Mobile Service

Kwik-Fit Fleet is to launch its mobile tyre fitting service in Ireland, servicing mainly business car users at their offices or homes. Kwik-Fit currently has 37 service points in Ireland, with plans to expand. When it comes to mobile service units, the group has 538 vehicles operating in Europe.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors