The German cooperation organisation Point-S and Bridgestone-Firestone are working more, and closer, together than in the past. Point-S is evidently reducing volumes with Pirelli and Michelin, which are the biggest suppliers to the fast-growing Viborg group.
As announced at the Detroit Motorshow, the new Bentley EXP Speed 8 will be exclusively equipped with Dunlop tyres for the 2001 Le Mans 24 hour race. This renews a 70 year old motorsport partnership. For many years the tyre brand has had a strong connection with Le Mans: exactly half the total number of winners have driven on Dunlop tyres.
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.
Lear Corporation (Southfield, Michigan/USA) and Beru (Ludwigsburg/Germany) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly design and develop Tyre Pressure Monitoring systems for the global automotive market. Under this strategic partnership, the two companies will develop Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems that will relay information to drivers through the electronic architecture used for the Remote Keyless Entry System. The joint venture will combine Lear’s capabilities as the North American leader in Remote Keyless Entry Systems with that of Beru, the market leader in Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems in Europe.
The formation of ContiNetwork, a service based partnership with independent dealers, has been much in the news recently. Bridgestone/Firestone UK has been running a similar network for over five years, called Truck Point, and the company was embarking on an exercise to raise the profile of the network. Our article examines what’s on offer to the dealer and to the fleet operator – the timing of the article is particularly appropriate, as Bridgestone/Firestone UK recently announced that it had won the contract to service the 3,000-strong BRS commercial rental fleet.
A partnership has been formed in the US between Goodyear and Nevada-based Amerityre to manufacture polyurethane tyres, which Goodyear says could be on the market in three to four years. Amerityre already produces urethane tyres for bicycles, lawn and garden equipment and has produced four sets of prototypes, which it has fitted to pick-ups and other vehicles. CEO Richard Steinke says that the tyres have been driven for 2,000 miles with 30 holes in each tyre. Rick Vannan, Goodyear director of advance product and process technology, says that any product will require two years of internal testing and, if urethane replaced rubber completely, 10-15 years to convert factories.
One year into their partnership, TRW and Michelin announce their first business award with a major European original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The product, called “En Tire”, is a state-of-the-art tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) system underscored by the radio frequency technology of TRW and the tyre experience of Michelin. To extend beyond their existing development programmes, TRW and Michelin are actively the next generation TPM system for production in 2005.
Deutsche Bank has announced that it will sell-off its industrial holdings which are worth about 40 billion Euro based on current share prices. This move has been made possible by recent German tax reform, effective from 2002, which makes capital gains by corporations tax free. The Bank has an 8 p.c. stake in the German tyre manufacturer Continental which is presently worth about 200 million Euro.
General Motors recently introduced a “Precept Technology Demonstration Vehicle” at the Detroit Motor Show as part of the project PNGV (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles) – a co-operation of American car makers, suppliers and the federal government. The concept car is fitted with the lightest 3.8 kg 16-inch fabricated aluminium wheels by Hayes Lemmerz.
Continental has announced it will be acquiring a 15% share in Indian tyre manufacturer, Apollo Tyres. According to Indian media sources, the acquisition will enable Continental to build up a technological relationship with the Indian tyre market and there are plans to develop a truck tyre factory on a greenfield site in Pune. At the moment, neither Continental or Apollo Tyres have confirmed the partnership.
Jaguar has announced a long term partnership with Michelin in which, from next season, all F1 cars in the Jaguar/Ford racing stable will be fitted with Michelin tyres.
Pirelli sold a 90% share (Cisco holds 10%) in the very young company Optical Technologies. OT has around 100 employees and a first half-year turnover of US$ 12 m. Turnover for the whole year is expected to be US$ 30 m. Optimistic observers speculated that the price would be around US$ 1 bn, while Pirelli in fact received slightly over US$ 3 bn (after tax) in cash. According to the management, acquisitions in the tyre field are unlikely, but it may be that Pirelli can bring forward the introduction of its MIRS system faster than expected. Pirelli is, and will remain, in partnership with Michelin and Goodyear to promote the PAX system.
In Kenya, Goodyear has formed a partnership with leading retreader Treadsetters. The new company will be called Goodyear Kenya and will begin operations from its Nairobi HQ in January, dealing in new Goodyear tyres. According to Goodyear Logistics Director Gordon Wilmot, the partnership has been formed to exploit the large market potential.
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