Authorised VW dealers will integrate a fast fit service in Germany under the name “Car Center” by the end of 2001 open to all car brands. Besides brakes, exhausts and shock absorbers the offer will also include accessories like alloy wheels.
Tenneco Automotive, the manufacturer of Monroe shock absorbers and Walker exhaust systems, has laid off 285 salaried workers at four sites in the USA. The move follows a steep fall in operating profits and is part of a world-wide programme of up to 700 job cuts. Tenneco has 70 factories in 21 countries.
The tyre can no longer be regarded as an isolated part of a car but is integrated into an increasingly complicated network or system. Progress in electronics especially has been revolutionary and has enormous influence on the work of tyre technicians. The engineers have to think in systems and integrate the tyre into all parts of the motive power of the car. Between the two corners “tyre wheel system” and the engine, is a wide field which the car makers and their suppliers are exploiting step by step. Immediately next to the tyres are modules such as brakes, shock absorbers and axles. Around the tyre is the “chassis”. The producers of certain of these elements in the past developed their own product without contacting the producers of neighbouring chassis parts. They were driven by their customers in the car industry, who gave information about the performance of the product with the target that all the parts should be compatible. As development progresses, this becomes harder and harder. In the future the suppliers will be forced to cooperate one with another, in order to make the best possible technology available for the car.
Tenneco Automotive Europe has appointed Richard Sloan as Vice-President of the company. He is responsible for the two Tenneco brands Monroe (shock absorbers) and Walker (exhausts).
Marc P. Frissora, President and CEO of Tenneco Automotive since April 1999, succeeds retiring Dana G. Mead as Chairman of the US manufacturer of shock absorbers and exhausts.
General Motors has honoured Mannesmann Sachs as “Supplier of the Year 1999”. Sachs supplies GM with shock absorbers.
Renault has introduced a fast-fit and system check for cars three years and older. The check includes tyres and shock absorbers and will be extended to other Renault models shortly.
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