Europe’s passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre markets returned to year-on-year growth in November, reports Pirelli. The Italian tyre maker estimates a three per cent year-on-year growth in the region’s (excluding Russia) original equipment market plus replacement market growth of 15 per cent. Year to date, Pirelli’s estimates peg European OE market growth at 13 per cent and the aftermarket at eight per cent.
Continental AG’s automotive components plant in Huntsville, Alabama is preparing to close its doors for the last time. Production ended on November 11 and now only some 250 employees remain at the plant – this is expected to drop to around 100 in January. Continental has already announced Huntsville’s lost production will be absorbed by other plants in the US and Mexico.
A man in the US state of Alabama has been contacted by Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s legal department after using the tyre maker’s logo on billboards celebrating the defeat of Democrats around the country in the November 2 election. Tire Review reports that Ronnie Holmes, who is listed on the Alabama secretary of state’s website as the incorporating agent, president and secretary of Tuscaloosa Tire and Service Center – which operates three Goodyear stores in Tuscaloosa and one in Northport – created the signs using the Goodyear logo without permission.
The seat on Continental AG’s Supervisory Board left vacant by Rolf Koerfer’s resignation on November 29 is to be filled by Professor Siegfried Wolf. The 53-year old Austrian, who is also chairman of the Board of Directors at Russian Machines OJSC, was nominated to the Conti board on December 4; Wolf’s nomination received the Board’s unanimous support and his appointment will be applied for at the local court in Continental’s home town of Hannover, Germany early this week.
Today (30 November) Pirelli signed off on a new revolving line of credit, which provides the company with 1.2 billion euros over a duration of five years. According to the company, the new facility will replace existing lines of credit worth a total of 1.475 billion euros, launched in 2005 and 2007 with maturities in 2011 and 2012. These therefore will be cancelled in advance. An official statement on the matter explained that the new 2015 maturity is aligned to the timing of Pirelli’s recently presented industrial plan.
Through its ‘Forever Forest’ project, Yokohama Rubber hopes to transform the grounds at its factories into verdant, leafy areas. The company has held numerous tree planting ceremonies both in Japan and around the world, and now Yokohama Tire Corporation is going one step further by conducting a ‘Green Week’. Between November 30 and December 3 the US based operation is staging a series of eco-themed events, culminating with a visit from one of the world’s most famous ecologists.
Pirelli’s sale of its broadband business is a done deal. On November 29, the Italian company reported the sale of Pirelli Broadband Solutions SpA to Advanced Digital Broadcast Group has been finalised and the transaction is now completed and closed. Advanced Digital Broadcast paid approximately 25.1 million euros in cash and 400,000 listed shares, equal to approximately 7.2 per cent of its capital, for the broadband business. With regard to these shares, Pirelli & C. has undertaken a lock-up commitment for the first two months following the closing, as well as a put option for Pirelli & C. and a call option for ADB, which can be exercised within two years.
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone was taken to hospital with a minor head injury following a mugging outside the Formula One Holdings building in Knightsbridge on the evening of November 24. Reports indicate that Ecclestone was attacked by four men who had been waiting for him as he arrived at the London address with his Brazilian girlfriend, Fabiana Flosi. The men punched at kicked Ecclestone repeatedly before taking off with jewellery valued at £200,000.
British brand Avon’s motorcycle tyres have revealed a famous user of their tyres. Young wizarding hero Harry Potter can be seen in his latest epic adventure on a motorcycle and sidecar shod with Avon Tyres. In the latest instalment of his adventures, ‘The Deathly Hallows: Part One, Potter – played by actor Daniel Radcliffe – is rescued from his muggle relatives’ house by friend and Hogwarts groundskeeper, Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The machinery used to magic Harry away from the evil Death Eaters is a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic, matched to a Watsonian Manx Sidecar with the bike shod with Avon’s Roadrider tyres.
As a means of thanks for their contribution to the company’s recovery from the recession, Continental AG’s 146,000 employees worldwide will receive a one-off payment. Executive Board member responsible for human resources, Heinz-Gerhard Wente, announced that a total of 45 million euros has been set aside for this purpose. “After the serious economic and financial crises last year, our employees throughout the world demonstrated their commitment, working hard to contribute substantially to Continental’s speedier-than-expected recovery,” he said. “In recognition of this commitment, the Executive Board decided on the one-off payment for the spring of 2011, even though the company is still facing several major challenges.” Exactly how much an employee will receive depends on where he or she lives, however. While Continental’s 45,000 workers in Germany will receive 400 euros, those employed in lands with ‘lower living costs’ will receive only 200 euros.
During a hearing held at Ely Magistrates’ Court on November 16, Murfitts Industries Ltd pleaded not guilty to keeping, treating or disposing of waste in a manner likely to cause pollution. The Environment Agency brought this charge against the company following a fire at its tyre recycling plant near Littleport, East Cambridgeshire in August 2009.
Eighteen jobs have been cut at the Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) site in Muscatine, Iowa in advance of the unit’s partial relocation to Tennessee state capital Nashville. The one and a half dozen workers lost their jobs on November 15 while a further 32 Muscatine employees will transfer to Nashville, where parent company Bridgestone Americas has its headquarters. The changes were announced within the context of a restructure of the company’s North American operations.
On November 11 Continental Tyres launched its first in-app video advertising campaign, delivering content to iPhone users. The campaign, which promotes Continental’s winter tyre line-up, operates on the ‘Yoc Ad Plus’ rich media advertising platform and enables video to be viewed within the app without redirecting to third party sites.
Bridgestone bows out of Formula One with the medium and super soft compound Potenza tyres for the championship finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 13-14 November. Hirohide Hamashima – Bridgestone director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says: “Last year was the first time we visited Abu Dhabi and we learnt a lot about the circuit on that first weekend. The track layout is certainly challenging with a long straight which presents a good overtaking opportunity heading into turn eight.”
Toyo Tires has breakfasted with Goodwood at this months’ Breakfast Club, Deutsch Marques. Toyo says the event attracted a “spectacular gathering of the most prestigious German cars”. It was held on Sunday, 7 November and as always, was free to attend.
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