Local union officials at Yokohama Tire Corp’s Salem plant have agreed to a new labour agreement, guaranteeing job security for more than two years. Mike Amos, president of Local 1023 of United Steelworkers of America (USWA), told local newspapers that members voted by a three to one majority to ratify the collective bargaining agreement. He said about 80 per cent of approximately 670 members voted.
Yokohama and the United Steelworkers of America have reached a provisional agreement regarding a new contract for the manufacturer’s Salem plant, according to American news sources.
The contract is pending approval by union members said Yokohama. However the terms of the new arrangement have not been disclosed. The previous contract, which expired in June 2003, was extended through negotiations. The Salem plant produces passenger, high performance and light truck tyres.
Michelin is to invest $31 million (£17 million) in plans to upgrade and expand production at its Bridgewater and Waterville tyre plants situated in Nova Scotia, according to the Nova Scotia Economic Development Ministry, which is providing $3 million to help secure the project.
Demand for car tyres in China has grown by about one million units a year for the past four years, fuelled by growing vehicle production, which last year exceeded four million units. Demand for light truck tyres is even higher, at an estimated 25 million annually.
According to American media reports Continental Tire North America will raise prices for its Continental, General and private brand passenger car and light truck tyres in February. Prices will increase from three to six per cent.
Ford has great hopes for the 2004 version of its F-150 4×4 vehicle. The F-150 is already the US’s most popular-selling vehicle and the 2004 version is marketed with the phrase “built Ford tough”. It includes larger-than-before tyres and wheels and the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tyres supplied as OE are in the size LT 275/65 R18 – representing Goodyear’s first 18″ OE selection in radial light truck tyres. The same size of Wrangler tyres have also been chosen as OE on the 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson Edition pickup and the Ford F-250 Super Duty.
Tyre manufacturer Continental and the Moscow Tyre plant have signed a memorandum of understanding which says that Continental will gradually acquire a majority stake in the Russian tyre plant. The company plans to invest 43 million US-Dollars within the next three years, in order to modernise production at the plant and to supply passenger car and light truck tyres of the company’s Continental, Gislaved and Barum brands to the local Russian market.
Dodge has launched its first 20-inch wheel package on the 2002 Dodge Ram. The Sport-truck models feature 20-inch Eagle touring performance tyres and 20-inch Wrangler light truck tyres. Goodyear’s Doug Calaman said the firm’s engineers had worked closely with Dodge to develop the Eagle LS P275/55R20 touring tyres for the 4×2 truck – P275/60R20 are featured on the 4×4 truck. The 20-inch wheels allow the Dodge trucks to offer the largest-in-class braking system.
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Continental Tire and Continental Teves North America are expecting a massive decline in original equipment business in the fourth quarter. The shortfall will probably be as much as 500,000 car and light truck tyres, or 15 percent of Continental’s oe volume. In November it is planned to cut production. The oe business of Continental Teves will be reduced by 20 percent.
Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST) has announced an increase in price in the US replacement market for passenger and light truck tyres. Michelin, Uniroyal and BFGoodrich brands will all rise by 5%, along with private and associate brands.
The Ford Motor Company in Dearborn has bestowed its Q1 award on Hankook’s tyre plant in Taejon, which produces light truck tyres for Ford. The factory is located 130 km south of Seoul and produces 65,000 passenger car and light truck tyres daily.
Goodyear and Cooper both plan price rises for car and light truck tyres in the United States. Price increases of around 5% are rumoured, mirroring Michelin’s proposed increases for the fourth quarter.
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