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Deutsche Bank has severed ties with the Schaeffler Group following the company’s controversial takeover bid for Continental. The bank will provide financial consultation to the German tyre manufacturer, with the vacant position at Schaeffler filled by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Zimbabwe’s sole domestic tyre manufacturer, Dunlop Zimbabwe, states it remains committed to continuing local operations. The company, now 100 per cent owned by Apollo Tyres, has maintained a presence in the country for 45 years, and its CEO, Mr. Kennedy Mandevani, states it will be guided by “business rationale” and won’t close up shop in Zimbabwe for political reasons.
The Zimbabwe government owned Herald newspaper quotes Dunlop Zimbabwe as saying it will “not join the multinational companies’ crusade against doing business in Zimbabwe.” An article published on July 28 specifically points to UK and US influenced multinational companies, including Tesco and Barclays, as pressuring local subsidiaries to cease operating.
Pressure is mounting in New Zealand for the government to legislate against the importation of used cold weather tyres. These tyres, known as snow tyres in New Zealand, are regularly entering the country fitted to used vehicles imported from Japan – the most common source of second hand cars in this country – or loose in containers. While the tread depth on these tyres exceeds the 1.5mm minimum required in New Zealand, they are often fitted to vehicles also fitted with summer tyres and used in conditions they were not intended for. The inappropriate use of these tyres has been linked to several fatal accidents.
Michelin has developed a new all-purpose drive axle tyre it claims is ideally suited for both road and motorway use in all weather conditions. Called the Michelin X MultiWay, the new tyre incorporates Michelin Durable Technologies to further enhance safety through its self-regenerating tread pattern that continues to deliver grip even when the tyre is two-thirds worn.
Specifically, this technology consists of raindrop-shaped cylindrical channels positioned in the centre of each tread block which, when the tread is two-thirds worn, gradually open to create new grooves in the middle of the tread block. A series of tests using a tyre which was two thirds worn demonstrated that the Michelin X MultiWay delivers reduced braking distances compared to a same size Michelin tyre incorporating standard technology.
A July 21 meeting between Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera, management from the company’s tyre manufacturing facility in Manresa, Spain and regional government officials has resulted in a deal that has reportedly secured the jobs of 280 Manresa factory employees.
On July 15 Pirelli issued a statement saying it had decided against building a new plant in the area as a result of unfavourable economic, automotive industry and tyre market conditions in the past 12 months. The company further announced it would instead restructure the current factory, opened in 1924, in order to retain its presence in Spain. This restructuring was to take the form of reducing production capacity and staffing at Manresa by 30 per cent in late 2008, and in future focusing upon higher added value products. At present the factory produces around 42,000 tonnes of passenger car and 4×4 tyres each year.
Cooper Tire’s ultra-high performance Cooper Zeon 2XS is to be unveiled as OE on the new electric sportscar, the Lightning GT, at the British International Motor Show, currently taking place at Excel in London until 3 August.
Every Lightning GT built will be fitted with the Zeon 2XS as standard on its 20 inch rim size. The tyre’s cornering ability and steering response won it the right to be OE-fitted on the 700bhp, 130mph sportscar. In addition to the good looks expected of the modern sportscar, the Lightning GT also has the ultimate ‘green’ rating, as it has no CO2 rating and virtually no polluting emissions thanks to its innovative battery power and electric motor. The 245/45R20 Cooper Zeon 2XS rubber offers superior traction and handling characteristics that will befit the Lightning GT’s ability to achieve 0-60mph in four seconds.
In June Goodyear announced its search for the UK’s most innovative farmer, offering the prize of £3500 worth of Goodyear Optitrac farm tyres and the Farming Innovation Award 2008 at October’s British Ploughing Championships. With the deadline rushing ever closer, Goodyear reports the search is hotting up, and says great interest has been expressed in the campaign. Farmers from across the UK have entered the competition, impressing Goodyear with their innovative thinking.
“The competition has launched to a great start and we have had numerous entries already,” comments Goodyear communications specialist Kate Rock. “Farmers are telling us about their eco friendly initiatives, including the use of solar energy, compost conversions and the reduction of carbon emissions. All of the entries we have had so far are top contenders but there is still time to submit an innovation and win the competition!”
The private label of the Dubai-based Al Dobowi Group, Infinity continues to gain ground in international brand recognition. The label endeavours to offer a competitively priced tyre range throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, including a growing winter tyre segment. This year, the brand is consolidating its range by bringing in a series of new sizes for the INF-049 winter tyre and introducing the INF-059 – a winter tyre made especially for vans.
The Infinity winter tyre range is manufactured in China and was introduced in 2006. During 2007 the Infinity INF-049 winter range offered fifteen sizes in both T and H ratings, along with a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern, a proven winter rubber compound and benefits including improved braking performance, extensive tread wear resistance, low noise ride comfort, plus a reinforced bead that ensures comprehensive safe handling on all types of winter road surfaces. Now, in 2008, more PCR sizes have been added, in addition to the first 5 sizes in the new INF-059 Winter van range, which will comprehensively cover 80, 70 and 65 profile tyres.
Since its launch earlier this year, the Pirelli Star Driver scheme has attracted significant interest, with competitors from around the world seeking to win a drive in a series of six FIA World Rally Championship events. The Pirelli Star Driver scheme is a worldwide search for five young rally drivers from each of the 2008 and 2009 FIA Regional Championships. The successful drivers from each year will then contest a series of six World Championship rallies the following season, driving identical Group N or Super 2000 cars supplied and serviced under an FIA contract with a specialist preparation company. With the intention being to invest in the growth of the sport worldwide and, in particular, help younger competitors reach World Championship level, competitors must be under the age of 27 on 1st January in the year of the Regional Championship.
Trelleborg, the industrial group specialising in advanced polymer and applied technology, has released its six-month interim report. The document supports a view of sustained “favourable growth and improved earnings”.
The Swedish firm, which has operations in 40 countries, has announced that: “The order and delivery scenario remained favourable during the second quarter, with organic growth of 7 percent; Operating profit for the quarter in continuing operations, excluding items affecting comparability, was the strongest to date and increased to SEK 734 M from 596, while the operating margin increased to 8.7 percent from 7.5; Four acquisitions were completed during the quarter, adding combined annual sales of approximately SEK 750 M; and As a result of the restructuring program for Trelleborg Automotive that was announced in April 2008 that affects the Fluid Solutions business unit, operating profit for the quarter was charged with SEK 353 M and SEK 238 M after tax.”
New in 2008 to the Rema Tip Top UK Limited range is a mobile laser wheel aligner for trucks, buses and trailers. Truck Align is a product with a firm emphasis upon reducing fuel consumption and maximising tyre life, and thus is, says Rema Tip Top, an absolute necessity for any serious commercial or haulage fleet. The automotive product supplier notes that field testing has demonstrated a significant cost benefit that can be delivered through Truck Align: Vehicles with misaligned wheels consume up to four per cent more fuel than vehicles with correctly aligned wheels.
Federal Tire has partnered with JustDrift Clinic to offer a series of instructional events for budding drift drivers. JustDrift is a member of U.S. Drift Association – Formula ProAm Series, and is the West Region host for pro-am events.
According to Federal, JustDrift is committed to professional driving instruction. Training sessions are available for beginners as well as more advanced drivers, Federal said, and feature hands-on experience and classroom work. Most recently, JustDrift held sessions this past June at Willow Springs Raceway. (Tire Review/Akron)
Increasing raw material and personnel costs are said to be two of the key factors behind lower net profits for India’s MRF in the financial year’s third quarter. In the three months to June 30, 2008 the Chennai based company experienced a 25 per cent drop in net profits from the corresponding quarter a year earlier, to Rs 318.6 million (£3.74 million). Net profits for the nine months of the current financial year stand at Rs 1.492 billion (£17.5 million), an increase of 39.2 per cent.
Nokian Tyres Inc. (U.S.), Dorsey Tire Co., based in Savannah, Ga.; and Malaysia’s Platinum 1 International are the newest members of TRIB.
“We are very happy to welcome these companies to the TRIB family and we know they will enjoy the many benefits TRIB offers to its members worldwide,” said Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s managing director. (Tire Review/Akron)
Third quarter profits for JK Tyre & Industries Ltd were dented by rising material costs. Although sales in the three months to June 30,2008 were 17.7 per cent up on the previous year, between April and June the company recorded a net profit of Rs 202.4 million (£2.37 million), an increase of just 0.25 per cent on the previous year’s third quarter. Net sales for the quarter were Rs 8.49 billion (£99.57 million), as opposed to 7.22 billion (£84.68 million) a year earlier.
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