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SmarTire Sues TPMS Makers Over Patent Dispute

(Akron/Tire Review) British Columbia-based TPMS maker SmarTire Systems Inc. has filed suit in U.S. District Court against Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. and Schrader-Bridgeport International, claiming the two companies infringed on one of its TPMS patents. Specifically, Smart Tire’s claim in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleges infringement of its U.S. Patent No. 5,231,872, entitled “Tire Monitoring Apparatus and Method.” No other details on the action were available.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rejection of TPMS Challenge Has Implications

(Akron/Tire Review) It was a challenge that had to be made, but at least for now, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in mid-June regarding NHTSA’s rule on tire pressure monitoring systems will stand as originally written. The court ruled the petitioning parties – four tire companies, TIA and consumer watchdog Public Citizen – failed to establish their standing in the dispute.

The court, however, made no comment relative to the merits of their argument. The reaction from the tire industry and the companies that challenged NHTSA’s “final rule” on TREAD Act-mandated TPMS is predictable. “We are still studying the decision,” says a Goodyear spokesman. Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper, Pirelli North America, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and consumer group Public Citizen all challenged the NHTSA standard requiring factory-installed TPMS to notify drivers if tire pressure drops 25% below carmaker-set tire inflation pressures.

Goodyear’s comments are typical of the reactions from the other plaintiffs. A spokesperson for Cooper says that they are evaluating their options, and added, “We still believe that consumer safety would be enhanced if this rule was changed.” The other members of the challenge either didn’t issue a statement or were waiting for the next step in the process.

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Beru Registers Slight Revenue Growth in H1 2007

German vehicle engine technology and TPMS producer Beru Aktiengesellschaft has reported sales revenues of 224.2 million euros in the first half of 2007, despite what it calls ‘unfavourable market conditions.’ This first half sales figure was reflected slight sales growth, being 0.5 per cent higher than the 223.0 million euros achieved in the first half of 2006. The company credits strong growth in its Electronics and Sensor Technology and Ignition Technology divisions for the latest results.

Half year operating profit (EBIT) of 24.4 million euros represents an operating margin of 10.9 per cent, lower than the H1 2006 EBIT of 30.9 million euros and EBIT margin of 13.9 per cent. Net profit for the period amounted to 18.5 million euros, slightly lower than last year (20.8 million euros). First half earnings per share amounted to 1.80 euros, down from 2.06 euros in H1 2006.

Beru reports an expanding OE auto industry during the first half of the year and sales in this segment increasing by 3.0 per cent to 154.5 million euros. Sales revenues in the high-margin aftermarket segment decreased by 4.7 per cent to 56.3 million euros, an occurrence attributed to mild winter weather in the first quarter of the year. Although sales revenues stabilised in the second quarter of 2007, they were still lower than projected.

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Aftermarket SmarTire TPMS to be Sold through International Truck

SmarTire announced on July 10 that Dana Corporation, its marketing partner for the commercial vehicle market in North America, Australia and New Zealand, will be offering the company’s SmartWave TPMS retrofit kits to the International Truck and Engine Corporation. A version of the SmartWave TPMS system specifically designed for aftermarket installation on commercial vehicles will be available through the nearly 1,000 International Truck dealer outlets in North America.

Dave Warkentin, president and CEO of SmarTire, said, “This is an important milestone for SmarTire as it makes our Smartwave TPMS systems readily available to fleet buyers through the largest commercial vehicle dealer organisation in the United States. International’s dealer network stretches throughout North America and, along with the support provided by Dana, we believe it will provide an excellent sales and service channel for our products.”

13th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Myers Industries Shareholder to Vote Against Proposed Purchase

(Akron/Tire Review) On July 23 in Akron, Ohio, Myers Industries shareholders are expected to vote on the proposed $1.07 billion purchase of Myers Industries by GS Capital Partners, a private-equity unit of Goldman Sachs.

One of Myers Industries’ shareholders, Mario Gabelli, stated in a letter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that he would vote against the merger proposal. Gabelli’s investment company holds more than 3.1 million shares (8.9% of outstanding shares) of Myers Industries.

In his letter, Gabelli stated that federal TPMS requirements present opportunities for the company’s automotive service business and that financial projections do not include benefits gained from a potential financial restructuring. However, Myers Industries’ board of directors reportedly supports the purchase.

9th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SmarTire Signs With John Deere

SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that it has signed an agreement to supply its SmartWave tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to Deere&Company, maker of the well-known John Deere vehicles. “We’re very pleased to be working with Deere&Company, a leading global manufacturer of vehicles in the construction, mining and forestry sectors,” SmarTire CEO Dave Warkentin said.

“The off-road (OTR) market is a key part of our business strategy and we believe that our agreement to supply Deere&Company is a major step forward in our effort to penetrate the OEM segment of that market. We are excited that the engineering phase has been successfully completed and expect production to begin soon.”

15th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SmartWave TPMS Made Available for Retrofitting

In May the commercial vehicle systems group of Dana Corporation announced that it had begun to make its SmartWave tyre pressure monitoring system available for retrofit installation on a number of commercial vehicle models. The product of an agreement between Dana Corporation and SmarTire Systems, the SmartWave system was first fitted to new vehicles in February 2006.

“SmartWave TPMS is simple to install and will reduce two top operating expenses for fleets – fuel and tyres. Easily accessible tyre pressure data will provide fleets the opportunity to maximise both fuel economy and tyre life by maintaining proper tyre pressure,” said Jon Intagliata, product manager for Dana. “The SmartWave TPMS system can also communicate to off-board communications systems utilising the J1939 data link, allowing fleets to capture important real-time pressure and temperature data to provide proactive maintenance and help eliminate costly roadside tyre failures.”

4th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Riding the Wave

The surface acoustic wave (SAW) tyre pressure monitoring technology that Transense Technologies plc has specialised in since the company’s establishment in 1991 will be used to produce the automotive industry’s first piezo-electric surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor based system. In mid-May Texas Instruments announced their selection of Transense Technologies’ TMS3 20F28X digital signal controller as a key component in the development of this new system, a decision that will see the Oxford-based company supplying a market where, come September 1, all new light motor vehicles registered must be equipped with tyre pressure technology that alerts drivers of significant tyre under-inflation.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Right To Repair Under Threat

Did you know that something as straightforward as replacing a battery or a bulb could soon mean a car will refuse to do as its told? Did you know that as little as changing a tyre on a some vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can set off a dashboard warning light? As David White said in his introduction to the NTDA organised event the “Right to Repair” issue is a “topic that has serious implications for you and your business.”

Certainly, an impressive line-up of speakers had been assembled, namely Dave Garratt, Director Garage Equipment Association; Mike Owen, of the Retail Motor Industry Federation and Bob Davis, Head of Aftermarket Section of the SMMT. Davis laid special emphasis on the fact that he was involved with the aftermarket section of the SMMT and not the manufacturers’, for reasons that will become plain.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

JIA Sources to Show Key Innovations at Brityrex International ’07

Innovative new products for tyre pressure management, nitrogen inflation and ‘touchless’ wheel alignment will be the focus for visitors to the JIA Sources International stand at Brityrex’07. The company’s new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) makes its UK debut, offering simple-to-use retrofit applications for car, truck and towed vehicles like caravans and trailers.

Nitro-Ride nitrogen inflation systems is another area of business that will benefit from the launch of a new product, with a fully automated system being presented to trade and end user buyers.

JIA Sources managing director, William Mitchell, says that in addition to being innovative and practical, the company’s products are very much in vogue with current focus on carbon emissions reduction: “Reducing the carbon footprint of motorists is a major talking point. Our products focus on setting and maintaining accurate inflation pressures and correct wheel balancing/alignment, which of course improve fuel economy and extend tyre life, both of which help reduce emissions.”

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

European NGO Highlights Tyre Noise Concerns

The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) has added a new feature to their website. The major European NGO, whose principal task is to advocate and campaign for sustainable transport, has included a demonstration of tyre noise on its website as part of its effort to highlight how much more can be done to reduce the noise pollution created by road transport.

According to T&E, the majority of noise generated by road traffic comes not from engines but from the sound generated by tyres rubbing on road surfaces. At speeds above 30km/h for passenger cars and 50km/h for lorries tyre noise becomes a greater factor than engine noise. The issue of tyre noise has become more pronounced over time as the trend towards wider tyres has increased.

13th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Siemens to Spin Off VDO on June 1

(Akron/Tire Review) Siemens AG will spin off its automotive supplier division VDO into a separate unit on June 1 instead of the original date of May 1, because it still has details it needs to work out with Germany’s labor council, according to Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

A company spokeswoman confirmed to the newspaper the new date would be June 1. She said a one-month delay will not have any impact on plans to float VDO.

Continental AG had expressed strong interest in purchasing the unit, which, among other products, produces TPMS for OE and aftermarket applications.

The newspaper, citing sources, said management and the works council have yet to hash out details for the period covering the transition to the new unit.

13th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Changes to Beru’s Executive Board

TPMS manufacturer Beru AG has announced that the company’s appointment of chairman of the board of management and employment Marco von Maltzman will not, by mutual agreement, be extended beyond its current term, which is due to end on January 31, 2008.

According to a statement released by Beru, the supervisory board “thanks Mr. von Maltzan for his efforts and his successful work for the company over the past four years.” His successor has not yet been decided upon.

Beru’s supervisory board has also appointed Marcus Knödler, formerly responsible for finance and reporting, as deputy member of the board of management. Mr. Knödler will be responsible for Finance and IT.

12th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Commercial TPMS from Mobile Awareness

Transportation safety products company, Mobile Awareness, released a new generation of TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) products geared toward Commercial Trucks, Utility Vehicles, RVs and Trailers – the MA-TPMS. The system automatically and continuously monitors tyre status, alerting the driver to abnormal conditions with an audible alert and LCD display indicator. It not only warns of low-pressure and high-pressure levels, but also monitors hazardous tyre temperature conditions. All three warning settings are programmable by the user.

“There are many advantages to monitoring and maintaining properly inflated tyres, the most important being the reduction of fatalities and injuries from tyre related hazards,” remarked Gary Rothstein, president of Mobile Awareness. “As we expand our offering of transportation safety products, tire monitoring will be a key part of our focus to prevent vehicle accidents.”

12th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Andreoli & Associates Introduces Online TPMS Resource

(Akron/Tire Review) Andreoli & Associates Inc., a software and services provider for the tyre and auto service industry, debuted a new online resource for TPMS data at the North Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Annual Convention and Trade Show.

The subscription-based service, at www.TPMSguide.com, is operated by Andreoli & Associates, with data provided by Motor Information Systems, a provider of OEM vehicle data.

“Independent tyre and auto service professionals are being faced with servicing an increasing percentage of vehicles equipped with a wide variety of TPMS systems, many which require unusual reset and retain procedures,” said Mike Andreoli, president of Andreoli & Associates. “TPMSguide.com brings all the latest information together in one place, easily located by vehicle type. It is the most complete, up-to-date resource for TPMS data, including sensor and control module locations, as well as procedures for resetting, retraining, diagnostics, wiring, and replacement of components.”

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors