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MWS Introduces Xlite CV Wheel Range

New from MWS Distribution, supplier of international brands such as Kronprinz, Gianetti, Magnetto Topy and Wheels India, is the Xlite range of forged aluminium commercial vehicle wheels. The line-up is available through the company’s MWS Wheel Systems and MWS Aftermarket divisions to both OE and replacement market customers.

Xlite wheels, currently available in 17.5, 19.5 and 22.5-inch sizes, are forged from a single aluminium billet, using computerised numeric control to produce a truer running wheel that delivers reduced vibration, aiding longer wear on surrounding components. The products are available with either a machined or a polished finish, and are available with ‘xbrite’, a surface coating that MWS says helps the wheel maintain its shine while minimising the need for cleaning.

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Releases Lighter, Brighter Wheel

Like your wheels bright? Then look no further…In March Alcoa announced that its Commercial Vehicle Wheels business has launched a new line of forged wheels that employ a new proprietary process. This process, says Alcoa, delivers not only the industry’s lightest forged aluminium wheel and even greater strength; it provides a finish on both sides that is six times brighter than any wheel in its class.

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Temporary Positions Eliminated at Michelin Dundee

Local media sources indicate that a number of temporary staff at Michelin’s factory in Dundee have lost their jobs. The Evening Telegraph states it was contacted on March 25 by a worker affected by this decision, who complained that the company was eliminating positions at the Dundee site starting with temporary workers. Plant personnel manager Ian Peart confirmed to the newspaper that staff are indeed being let go, but claimed Michelin’s decision was not related to the current economic crisis.

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

John Bean Rolls Out Price Reduction on V3D Lite

John Bean, a brand within Snap-on Equipment, announced its price reduction on the popular V3D Lite to £7,995 (excluding VAT). The reduced price is available on machines ordered before July 2009 and includes a two-year warranty.

Chris Behan, general manager of Snap-on Equipment, states that the company hopes to attract more converts to the system’s 3D alignment operation: “Reducing the price of the successful John Bean V3D Lite enables more workshops to leave their old laser aligners behind and step into the world of fast and accurate 3D wheel alignment. The current economic climate means that garages need to maximise profit opportunities and V3D Lite enables them to gain a new or improved revenue stream alongside their core business.”

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stuart Jackson Appointed TyreSafe Chairman

Vredestein UK managing director, Stuart Jackson has become chairman of TyreSafe. According to the tyre safety organisation, he replaced former chairman Rob Beddis as the public face of TyreSafe during February and will continue Beddis’s work in raising awareness among motorists of the importance of well maintained tyres in road safety.

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Wheels India and MRF Supply Nano Wheels and Tyres to Tata

Wheels India, part of the TVS group companies, and leading Indian tyre maker, MRF, are supplying the original equipment wheels and tyres for Tata Motors’ pint-sized ultra-mini the Nano. Wheels India managing director, Srivats Ram, told Hindu Business Line: “The wheel that was developed is lighter than any other passenger car wheel in the country and the first wheel to my knowledge in passenger car wheels to have three bolt-holes instead of the conventional four.”

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Power One Delivers Road and Race Performance

Technology developed through Michelin’s participation in motorcycle racing has been integrated into its new Power One range, reports the French manufacturer, resulting in a line-up of hypersport tyres that are – depending on the variant chosen – fine-tuned for road, track day or dedicated racing use.

Every component of the Power One, from architecture to tread design, represents the state-of-the-art in high-performance motorcycle tyres, comments Michelin. The range, recently introduced at a worldwide press launch at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve racetrack near Portimão in Portugal’s Algarve region, is available in two key sub-categories in order to enable riders to select a tyre most suited to his riding style, motorcycle and intended use.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Rubber Lowers Annual Projections a Second Time

Projected sales and earnings for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 will be lower than previously announced, Yokohama Rubber has stated. Company management now projects consolidated net sales of 520.0 billion yen (£3.7 billion), down 5.7 per cent from the previous fiscal year; consolidated operating income of 11.5 billion yen (£82.1 million), down 65.3 per cent; and a consolidated net loss of 8.0 billion yen (£57.1 million), down from a consolidated net profit of 21.1 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. The revised projection for net sales is 0.6 per cent lower than the projection Yokohama announced on January 21; the projection for operating income 17.9 per cent lower; and the projected net loss is 1.0 billion yen (£7.1 million) larger.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Opens First Vietnam ‘Tire Pro’ Centre

On March 12, Kumho Tires announced the planned launch of its specialist ‘Tire Pro’ retail store in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, a country the South Korean manufacturer identifies as one that is “emerging as a promising market.” The Vietnam launch of Tire Pro follows the opening of branches in Korea and China.

Kumho has already opened tyre manufacturing and rubber processing plants in Vietnam, and the company says it now plans to launch Tire Pro branches in Vietnam and accelerate its efforts to penetrate the Southeast Asian market, in order to strengthen and expand its distribution channels in local markets.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Releases Main Cities of Europe Guide

The Michelin guide Main Cities of Europe 2009 went on sale on Wednesday 18 March, priced at £14.99 (€19.99 in Ireland). This 28th edition covers 43 cities in 20 countries, of which two are included for the first time (Florence and Turin). The English language guide Main Cities of Europe 2009 targets business travellers and tourists visiting major European cities who want to be able to easily find the right place to dine or spend the night, perhaps a hotel near the convention centre, or a quiet restaurant where they can invite a customer to lunch.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

10% of UK Motorists Driving on Illegal Tyres – Conti Survey

According to a survey conducted by Continental, more than 3.5 million UK motorists are driving on illegal tyres. The survey of 4,000 drivers showed one in ten to have tyres below the legal 1.6mm minimum tread depth – and 70 per cent of drivers are unaware that 1.6mm is indeed the minimum depth permitted.

Two thirds of women, the Conti survey noted, rely upon their partner to check the safety of their vehicle’s tyres. This probably isn’t a sterling idea, given that four out of ten motorists never actually check their tyre pressure and a third can’t actually change a wheel.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reports: Schaeffler Has Restructuring Plan

In an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel, Schaeffler Group co-owner, Georg Schaeffler, indicated that the company has already submitted a restructuring plan to creditor banks. Pressure has been mounting for Schaeffler to release it plans to both the government and its creditors after the automotive supplier borrowed 16 billion euros to finance last year’s takeover of Continental AG. It is now struggling to make the high debt service payments it committed to, as a result of the credit crunch’s effect on vehicle manufacturers, and so has reportedly been considering a wide variety of refinancing and restructuring, including a debt-for-equity swap that could see the family owned business barter a significant stake with the banks.

However, despite suggestions that the plan had been circulated to the appropriate parties, and hopes that the government “will respond quickly…to avoid being drawn into the election campaigns,” some banking sources told Financial Times Deutschland that the plans are as yet incomplete: “There are several short papers with fragmentary statements, but as a basis for decision making these papers are not suitable.”

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GiTi Incorporates New UK Truck Subsidiary

On 26th January 2009 GiTi Tire Europe BV incorporated a new UK truck tyre subsidiary. Company representatives report that the Chinese tyre manufacturer initiated the move in order to enable the company to focus better on the specialist needs of the truck tyre market.

Planning for the new subsidiary began in mid-2008, and the company now has premises, a third party logistics operation and three sales people on the road. The next appointment scheduled in the company’s lean business plan is the recruitment of an operations manager to oversee the truck tyre subsidiary’s back office operations.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

A Global Concern

The increasing globalisation of the automotive industry is an indisputable fact. Today’s leading companies, such as Toyota, General Motors, Renault/Nissan, Volkswagen and a handful of others, view expansion into as-yet untapped markets as a means of ensuring the profitable growth that established – and increasingly saturated – markets cannot deliver. A replacement for the masses of two and three wheeled vehicles still serving as family transport in various parts of the world is a well recognised need, and in several emerging markets the race is on to introduce “people’s car” that offers the right blend of modernity, efficiency and price. Exactly who will be first to produce such a widely-accepted car remains to be seen: It may be one of the smaller international manufacturers that seizes the inititave, or perhaps an emerging market company such as India’s Tata or China’s Chery. What is more certain, however, is that the the companies best placed to grow in the future are those that locate their centres of production in the markets where growth is taking place – and this is every bit as true for wheels as it is for the vehicles they are fitted to.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

First Stop Employees Maximise Their Retail Potential

Employees across the First Stop network have passed a new customer-centred training course with flying colours. The active learning course, entitled ‘Maximising Sales Potential in the Retail Tyre Business’, has been established by Bridgestone UK and accredited by the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI). The bespoke training programme focuses on the key specific processes within tyre retailing, concentrating on all the essential elements required to maximise sales potential, from initial enquiries to the satisfied customer. Due to its success, the course is being offered to Bridgestone’s network of dealers throughout the UK.

Mark Fereday, from the First Stop network, said: “First Stop is committed to investing in its staff to ensure they are equipped with a wide range of skills. We firmly believe in rewarding excellence, and in the current climate, we recognise the importance of developing great customer service skills and giving staff the knowledge and confidence to maximise their sales potential.”

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors