New research conducted by Continental AG suggests female drivers are more interested in Hybrid Technology than men. In 2007 less than a third (61.6%) of all female motorists surveyed knew anything about hybrid technologies. This percentage grew to around 75 per cent in 2008 and stood at 79 per cent this time.
Some four months after Punch International nv, parent company of wheel manufacturer BBS, described automotive industry market conditions as “extremely difficult”, it has announced the sale of its BBS and Punch Metals BBS and Punch Metals businesses, which belong to the company’s Motive group. This significant part of Punch International’s automotive business will be acquired by Creacorp nv, Punch’s main shareholder. Punch will retain ownership of the BBS brand, however the transaction gives rise to a one off non-cash loss of around 48 million euros. In return, Creacorp nv is taking over a number of obligations, such as the rental guarantee for the property used by BBS and Punch Metals (approximately 10 million euros), securities for loan agreements and certain key suppliers (7.5 million euros) and the purchase obligation for the Hayes Lemmerz site in Gainesville, Georgia (5 million euros). A licence fee will also be paid for the use of the BBS brand.
Alcoa Wheels and Renault Trucks collaborated at April’s Intermat show in Paris, showing Renault’s new Premium Lander 8×4 extra-light concrete mixer presented exclusively with Alcoa’s wide base single wheels for drive axles. By converting this vehicle from twelve 22.5 x 9.00 aluminium wheels and corresponding tyres on all axles to four 22.5 x 9.00 wheels and four 22.5 x 17.00 Alcoa wheels and corresponding super single tyres on the drive axles, a total weight of 261 kg is saved, of which Alcoa wheels alone reportedly account for 196 kg.
Compared to a 4-axle vehicle on steel wheels in size 22.5 x 9.00, the weight saving by switching to aluminium wheels, including the four 22.5 x 17.00 wheels and corresponding tyres on the drive axles, is said to be as much as 475 kg.
Many tyre manufacturers are currently grappling with reduced demand. For this reason, reports Karsten Jung, CM Conti Machinery’s head of Sales and Service, at present an increased focus is being placed upon tyre building equipment that can deliver smaller load sizes. “Many customer budgets are frozen so smaller load sizes are attractive,” Jung comments. “Our answer to the current situation is flexibility and lower output.” For passenger car tyre segment customers, Conti Machinery – a proponent of two-stage technology – offers output flexibility through a combination of its KM F and PU 15 SB tyre building machines.
Michelin has published the results of a recent repurchase procedure, however the company states that the information may not be published, distributed or transmitted into the United States of America. So if you are located in this country, do not even think of clicking on the “more” link…
Precision engineering manufacturer, Parker Hannifin has launched the TyreSaver 3.0 nitrogen tyre inflation unit, which can be used to inflate car, motorcycle, trailer and van tyres.
TyreSaver 3.0 has been developed and produced by Parker Filtration and Separation B.V. (PFS) in Etten-Leur, The Netherlands. The result is a robust, lightweight, mobile, nitrogen tyre inflator for the automotive industry, with low investment costs and strong profit margin. As it is based on filtration process, the workshop tool can be connected to a compressor and automatically generates nitrogen from compressed air: a simple concept that is, above all, inexpensive. The TyreSaver 3.0 is fitted with an exchangeable membrane cartridge that will operate for thousands of tyre inflations. The patent is currently pending.
Accuride Corp. has broadened the availability of its enhanced finish for aluminum wheels. The process results in a semi-polished appearance on unpolished wheels, and is now available across the company’s aluminum wheel product line, excluding small diameter trailer wheels. (Tire Review/Akron)
Turkish manufacturer Brisa achieved net sales of 772,203,901 Turkish liras (£306.1 million) in the year ended December 31, 2008. This result disclosed in the company’s audited statement of income, represents a 2.9 per cent increase on the previous year. Operating income, at 48,709,571 liras (£19.3 million), was down 26.1 per cent on the 2007 financial year, and although profits of 31,795,956 (£12.6 million) liras were 49.1 per cent lower than the previous year, Brisa remained in the black during the year. The company’s domestic sales came to 610,590,748 liras (£242.0 million), a rise of 5.8 per cent. Exports declined 1.2 per cent during the year to 247,181,348 liras (£98.0 million).
Dunlop’s road race pairing of John McGuinness and Steve Plater scored top honours for Dunlop on the Isle of Man, finishing first and second in the TT Superbike race. The duo were the only two riders to break through the 130mph average lap speed – with McGuinness setting yet another lap record of 130.442mph (17mins 21.29 seconds) on his second of the six lap race, as well as breaking the race distance record with a time of 1:46.07.16. His Dunlop tyres were specifically designed and built in the Birmingham-based Fort Dunlop factory.
The Morecambe man also furthered his and legendary TT status, by claiming his 15th TT win, placing him second in the line-up of all time TT victories behind the great Joey Dunlop. Following the decision to postpone racing on Saturday due to poor weather conditions covering the 37.73 mile mountain course, both McGuinness and Plater were itching to take to the seats of their CBR1000RR Fireblades in Monday’s welcomed clear and warm racing conditions.
Financial data for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 show reduced net sales and a net loss at Toyo Tire & Rubber. The company’s net sales of 328,371 million yen (£2.08 billion) represent an 8.08 per cent decrease on the previous year’s results, while operating income decreased from 13,168 million yen in the year to March 31, 2008 to a 2,964 million yen (£18.81 million) loss in the most recent period. The company recorded a net loss of 10,722 million yen (£68.04 million) in the year ending March 31; the previous year net profit stood at 6,137 million yen.
For this coming winter Bridgestone has prepared two further new-generation Blizzak cold weather tyres, both suited to the seasonal conditions in central Europe. Both tyres, the manufacturer claims, provide higher driving safety as well as environmental and economic advantages.
The new Blizzak LM-30 is tuned for safety on snow and ice, with particular attention paid to wet braking, while the Blizzak LM-35 focuses on secure winter performance; Bridgestone says it delivers excellent high-speed motorway handling on both wet and dry surfaces. Both replacement market tyres have been tested by leading car manufacturers, Bridgestone adds.
The patented Easy 3D wheel aligner from Beissbarth is the first of its kind and, says the company, offers workshops a completely new 3D wheel alignment method, comprising highly accurate cameras and an integrated reference system to ensure reliable results. Classic features of the Easy 3D include easy use, reliable technology that is robust and easily mobile – suitable for use with any lifting platform or wheel alignment pit.
Using the Easy 3D, one workshop technician needs roughly seven minutes to carry out precise wheel alignment on a car. This represents a time saving of 50 per cent compared with conventional devices. Accuracy is ensured by the use of two high-precision cameras per wheel. The sensors can be positioned wherever convenient in the workshop without time-consuming calibration. The Easy 3D wheel aligner is suitable for aligning all types of cars, through to light transporters and commercial vehicles. The standard indicators enable vehicles with a wheelbase of up to 340 centimetres to be aligned. With the larger rear indicators available as optional equipment, vehicles with a wheelbase of up to 430 centimetres can be aligned.
The Kwik Fit Group has sold Pit Stop, its German fast fit operation, to BluO International Affiliates, a German private equity investor. The deal, which was confirmed in an email to Tyres & Accessories and is subject to the completion of certain German regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed by the end of June 2009. Bluo has a reputation for investing in restoration and reportedly aims aims at a nominal purchase prices. No details of the price-tag associated with this purchase have yet been revealed.
Ian Fraser, Kwik Fit Group CEO commented: “The German market has seen particularly tough trading conditions over the last two years and Pit Stop has not been able to deliver the same levels of growth as other Kwik Fit group companies – which are continuing to deliver impressive results in a challenging climate.”
For Marangoni Retreading Systems, the implementation of a high degree of automation into the retreading process is not the only innovative priority for its Ringtread retreading technology. The Italian based company also bills respect for the environment in compliance with European Commission CO2 emission reduction regulations as a factor worthy of top consideration. This approach to its business has led to the development of what Marangoni calls a new generation of machinery for applying cushion gum – the Black Swan.
Yesterday afternoon Hayes Lemmerz, the world’s largest wheel manufacturer, filed for so-called Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time this decade. The company was last in this position between November 2001 to June 2003 when it formulated a strategy of focusing on core business, namely steel and aluminium car wheels and truck steels wheels. Now having sold virtually all the areas that don’t fit into these categories, Hayes Lemmerz has collapsed under the heavy burden of debts. The news follows an earlier announcement that Hayes had received a written warning that it faces listing compliance issues for filling full-year 2008 results too late.
In a statement Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. said the majority of lenders holding the company’s secured debt have reached an agreement regarding restructuring. Some will provide a debtor-in-possession loan to the company, which will make available up to $100 million of additional liquidity, to enable it to continue operating during the restructuring period.
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