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Goodyear One of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been recognized as one of America’s most trustworthy companies by Audit Integrity Inc. and Forbes magazine. Goodyear ranked sixth on the magazine’s second annual listing of companies with market capitalization of $5 billion or more, which was released at www.forbes.com on March 27. The list is based on Audit Integrity’s independent research and evaluation of the transparency, reliability and risks of corporate accounting and governance practices.

“This recognition is very meaningful,” said Robert J. Keegan, Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer. “We have worked hard over the past few years to build a world-class organization with a focus on both corporate accounting and governance,” he added.

4th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear – The One To Trust

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been recognized as one of America’s most trustworthy companies by Audit Integrity Inc. and Forbes magazine.
Goodyear ranked sixth on the magazine’s second annual listing of companies with market capitalization of $5 billion or more. The list is based on Audit Integrity’s independent research and evaluation of the transparency, reliability and risks of corporate accounting and governance practices.

3rd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcar Increases Range and Web Presence

As well as introducing two new styles from respected German producer AEZ – the Sotara and Tacana, Kent based distributor Alcar offers for 2008 no less than nine new styles from the ever-expanding Dotz range, along with the new Midas wheel from League. These new designs range from 15 through to 22-inch sizes and Alcar believes they represent something new and exciting for all spectrums of the market. Of particular note, the company adds, is the new rainbow flip stainless rim technology present on the Dotz Alpha and the interchangeable coloured inserts available for the Dotz Avus SUV wheel. With significant investment in research and development and, taking into consideration the ever-rising price of raw materials, Alcar is pleased to have, by and large, managed to maintain prices without any significant increases for this year.

2nd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pro-Align Becomes Newest TyreSafe Supporter

Wheel alignment equipment specialist Pro-Align has become the latest organisation to add its name to the growing list of TyreSafe supporters. Industry research conducted in recent years shows that an increasing number of vehicles on UK roads have misaligned wheels, and are exposed to the dangers posed by the premature and uneven tyre wear that results. To counter this trend, Pro-Align and TyreSafe will work together to promote awareness about the problems associated with misalignment and provide motorists with help and advice. Pro-Align has already established a website to do this, which can be found at www.AlignMyCar.co.uk.

1st April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Second SSW Facility to Significantly Boost Output Capacity

Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW) is swiftly emerging as a popular provider of high quality aluminium wheels courtesy of its own manufacturing complex near Bangkok, Thailand. This facility, established in 2004, holds a potential production capacity of over 450,000 wheels per year. Currently more than 30,000 wheels roll off the plant’s twin production line each month, with 80 per cent of these exported to numerous destinations, including Europe.

All factory equipment is fully automated and computerised, with each level of production closely monitored and controlled. Wheels are cast using what SSW calls ‘Tilting Gravity Casting’ technology, complete with automatic robotic feeding, the result of this being less air turbulence during the pouring process to ensure stronger and tougher wheels with reduced porosity and fewer pinholes.

27th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin NA Seeks To Drive Innovation at InnoVenture 2008

Michelin North America is engaging entrepreneurs and companies from across the region it serves to join its efforts to innovate the transportation industry, boost diversity and reduce the environmental footprint of its manufacturing operations. The InnoVenture forum, a program intended to bring together hundreds of corporate researchers, development experts, and academics from across the Southeast, will be held March 25-26 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville, South Carolina.

“Michelin sees InnoVenture as an opportunity to connect with some of the brightest minds in our region to discuss potential solutions to some of the modern challenges to manufacturing and marketing products,” said Ralph Hulseman, director of External Research, Michelin Americas Research Co. “The discourse sparked by today’s forum could very well lead to tomorrow’s innovations.”

26th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Ford Announces Jaguar, Land Rover Sale Agreement

Not strictly tyre-related, but nevertheless a significant event for the UK automotive industry. On March 26 the Ford Motor Company announced its entry into a definitive agreement to sell its Jaguar Land Rover operations to India’s Tata Motors. The transaction, says Ford, is the culmination of its August 2007 decision to explore “strategic options” for the Jaguar Land Rover business while accelerating its focus on its core Ford brand and One Ford global transformation.

The total cash amount to be paid by Tata Motors for Jaguar Land Rover upon closing will be approximately US$2.3 billion. At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans. The sale is expected to close by the end of the next quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

26th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

What Does Your Car Colour Reveal?

Does the colour of the car you drive say anything about your chosen profession? Do the police have a bias for blue or undertakers have a predisposition for black?

Car insurance expert elephant.co.uk looked at data from over one million drivers to find out if particular professions prefer certain colour cars and discovered that you just might be able to tell someone’s job by looking at their car.

Blue proved to be the most popular colour all round with a quarter of motorists choosing the calming shade for their vehicle. However, living up to their ‘boys in blue’ name, the colour proved even more popular with the police who are over 7 per cent more likely to drive a blue car than the average motorist.

25th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Health Query Over Ground-Up Tyres?

A website covering news in northwest North Carolina has questioned the safety of using ground-up tyres as a mulch for yards, gardens etc. Journalnow.com says that one research study suggests that one recycled product, culled from ground-up rubber tyres, might be carcinogenic. Crumbled rubber mulch is being marketed as soft ground cover for use in playgrounds and near playground structures, such as swings, slides and climbing bars. Another similar product is being used as a base material for artificial grass surfaces.

17th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Uganda Introduces Tyre Import Certification

Problems surrounding the importation of sub-standard tyres in Uganda may be reduced following the decision to introduce a certificate of conformity that importers must obtain from manufacturers. A consensus to this effect was reached during a recent workshop held by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute.

Regulation of the sale of tyres has become the responsibility of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and at the opening of the workshop UNBS executive director, Dr. Terry Kahuma, commented that regulation will better ensure safety and fair trading. “We have embarked on enforcing standards of imported tyres in order to protect road users and passengers against accidents caused by sub-standard tyres,” Kahuma was quoted as saying by Uganda’s New Vision newspaper. “This has come up as a need to protect consumers and traders dealing in good quality tyres but subjected to unfair competition by those dealing in poor quality tyres.”

14th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Michelin Agilis Offers Van Drivers Performance & Economy

In mid-March Michelin unveiled its latest tyre for medium and heavy commercial vehicles, the new generation Agilis range. With certification to equip the Iveco Daily and Renault Master already secured and certification for Citroën, Mercedes and Peugeot currently underway, the replacement market debut sees the new Agilis initially available in 13 sizes. The line-up will be extended to 20 sizes by 2009, by which stage the new tyre will, reports Michelin, cover 95 per cent of the European cargo van segment.

The introduction of the Agilis comes at a time when the utility vehicle market is experiencing rapid growth throughout Europe, reports Michelin. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association vehicle registrations in the 25 countries of Europe, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, rose by 7.1 per cent in 2007 over the previous year. This represents a total of 2,245,062 registrations last year, versus 2,095,382 in 2006. By comparison, the number of passenger cars increased by 1.1 per cent over the same period. Forecasts show that utility vehicle registrations should continue to rise at least until 2009.

14th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TW Tyres Host Rugby Tyre Safety Event

First Stop dealership, TW Tyres recently hosted an afternoon for female drivers with practical advice on maintaining their vehicles and a specific focus on all-important tyre checks. Recent research has shown that up to 90 per cent of drivers do not know their correct tyre pressures and TW Tyres aimed to address this issue and offer practical help to local drivers. Carl Williams and Sally Smith from Bridgestone were on hand giving presentations and offering their expertise along with technical adviser Chris Scott and the TW Tyres team.

Following the event TW Tyres will undergo a major refurbishment in order to create a more appealing environment for customers. This reportedly comes as part of Bridgestone’s continued investment in the First Stop network.

Rugby FM also joined up with TW Tyres on the day by holding a phone-in clinic on car maintenance issues for all those who couldn’t make it.

13th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Presents Next Generation RunOnFlat Technology in Geneva

Goodyear has presented its latest generation of RunOnFlat tyre technology, which the company says will offer numerous benefits to both the consumer and the environment, including improved comfort, reduced mass and rolling resistance, increased fuel economy as well as reduced CO2 emission levels. Goodyear’s next generation RunOnFlat technology is currently in the Original Equipment approval process with leading car makers. Goodyear sold over 2.5 million RunOnFlat tyres in 2007.

7th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Smithers Heads to China

Akron-based Smithers Group has opened an office in Shanghai, China. The company provides independent testing, consulting, and contract research organisation to the tyre and rubber industries. The new office in Shanghai will serve Chinese tyre and rubber companies, Smithers said. The company has hired Lin Yang as director of business development for the greater China region, and he will head up the Shanghai office. (Tire Review/Akron)

6th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Adds Online MoT Booking to Website

Last year Kwik-Fit expanded its range of services through the introduction of MoT testing, and in September the company launched its new-look website. These two customer services have been combined to create a further customer-friendly offering – on March 6 Kwik-Fit announced that customers can now arrange their MoT inspections online through its kwik-fit.com website.

The addition of an online MoT booking facility means that customers now have a 24/7 means of arranging an MoT inspection at any one of the 250 Kwik-Fit centres in the UK offering this service, and the company anticipates its online booking service will be highly popular. Kwik-Fit expects a third of all MoT appointments to be booked this way in 2008. The cost of an online booked MoT inspection is £39.95, which Kwik-Fit points out is 20 per cent below the recommended Vosa price.

6th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors