USA Archives - Page 263 of 268 - Tyrepress

Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.

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Trelleborg Wheel Systems Launches Pirelli TM600

The joint venture company Trelleborg Wheel Systems has launched its first product since the company was formed – the Pirelli TM600 radial tractor tyre. TWS specialises in agricultural and forestry tyres and turns over 320 million Euro a year. The new tyre has an 85 series aspect ratio, which is an unusual sector for the company, as Pirelli has in the past concentrated on lower profile tyres. However, Mr. Maurizio Vischi, MD and General Manager of TWS, explained that this sector, although declining, still accounts for 55% of the market. If TWS wants to be the technical leader in all areas of the market (which is its ambition) then it needs an 85 series tubeless tyre. The TM600 will be sold on an added value basis – although it is by no means the cheapest in its class, it offers the customer longer life, better fuel consumption, less soil compaction and increased productivity. These claims are the result of a year’s testing in the field. Initially, the TM600 will be available in 14 sizes, rising to 23 in time. It will replace the Pirelli TM200 and TM300. TYRES & ACCESSORIES spoke to both Mr. Vischi and Mr. Anders Pettersson (President of TWS). Both are extremely pleased with the way the two organisations (Pirelli and Trelleborg) have integrated across Europe and there are hints that the company is looking to grow through acquisitions as well as organic growth. TWS is aiming to expand geographically too and the USA has been targeted as a market with particular potential for the specialist agricultural tyre company.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Free Inspection Of 4×4 Tyres In Europe Offered By Bridgestone

Bridgestone/Firestone is offering European motorists a free inspection of 4×4 tyres made in the USA. This covers 24 types of tyres, around 13,000 of which have been imported into Europe over the past decade. The company estimates that only half this number are still on the road and it will replace them free if the customer is still worried after inspection. Nine sizes are involved.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

US Success For German Cars

US auto sales in 1999 reached 17.4 million; a 9.1% increase over 1998. Audi car sales rose 39% to 65,959, Porsche sold 17,243 cars (+21%) and Mercedes 189,437 (+11.3%). Chrysler “only” achieved an increase of 5.1%.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Turnaround “On Track”

After a bad year in 1999, Goodyear has announced that the company is now “on track” with its turnaround strategy.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

CAS Sues Ford And Bridgestone

In the USA, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS), the consumer group founded by Ralph Nader, has filed a lawsuit against Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone to try to force the companies to replace all Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tyres, irrespective of tyre size or place of manufacture. CAS says that the numbers involved would be at least double the current recall figure of 6.5 million tyres.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

No Production Problems at Firestone

Investigations at Bridgestone/Firestone plants in the US have revealed no major production process problems, according to Yochiro Kaizaki, company president. He also admitted that there may not have been up to standard and that, “the probability of low safety tyres may be higher”. Speaking of the alleged tyre related accidents, Mr. Kaizaki added that, “even with experts involved, it is hard to determine whether it is design, production, driving or car related. If we are asked if the tyres are defective, we can say that legally there are no defects”. In spite of this statement there are signs that Bridgestone/Firestone are preparing to make out of court settlements with alleged victims.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Production Capacity To Be Reduced At Firestone USA

Bridgestone/Firestone will cut production capacity in two of its US plants as a result of the tyre recall and decline in demand for Firestone tyres. Approximately another 1,100 employees will lose their jobs.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Purchases Outstanding Stake in BATASIA

Bridgestone Corp. has purchased the remaining 50 per cent stake of Bridgestone Aircraft Tire Comp. Asia (BATASIA) from Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Comp. Ltd. Bridgestone produces new aircraft tyres in Japan and owns retreading plants in USA, Belgium, Hong Kong and Japan.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

As Expected: Firestone Recalls 4×4 Tyres

The Ford Explorer has come under pressure because of a supposed series of accidents, blamed on allegedly faulty Firestone tyres. Both Ford and Bridgestone Firestone are strenuously denying the allegations. Firestone is the biggest tyre supplier for Ford’s Explorer and Expedition SUVs and the Aiken factory (opened last year) depends heavily on this business. The plant has an annual capacity of ten million tyres, of which nearly half are destined for Ford. After US retailer Sears Roebuck has taken some types of Firestone tyres off its shelves for this reason, in Tokyo, shares in Bridgestone fell by 8.8% at the news. In the US, Bridgestone/Firestone suggested at first that customers visit their B/F dealer for a tyre check but then decided to recall voluntarily ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tyres. The only size involved is the 235/75 R 15. This can count for up to 6.5 million tyres. This information was given in a press conference on 9th August in Washington D.C. The replacement will start in the south states of the USA because the problem often occurred in hot weather. The customer will be given a new tyre free of charge regardless of the condition of the old one. Firestone are also immediately recalling tyres from its 4×4 Wilderness range in Europe. Only one size is affected and relatively small numbers are involved. It is expected that the cost to Firestone could reach US$ 500 million. There are also rumours that Ford – itself coming under growing pressure – intends to change tyre suppliers for its Explorer and Expedition models. Industry observers have expressed surprise at how badly Firestone is managing the public relations aspect of the current crisis.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Sales Of Cars In Asia To Fall Next Year

Despite the recovery in vehicle sales in Asia over the past two years, analysts are predicting a slowdown in sales in parts of the region, notably South Korea. The Asian car market is expected to fall by 3% next year, with little sign of recovery in 2002.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Sells “Terrestrial Optical Networking Systems”

Cisco has agreed to buy Pirelli’s Terrestrial Optical Networking Systems for US$ 2.15 bn and also plans to invest US$ 100 million to take a 10% stake in Pirelli’s Submarine Optical Transmissions. The Photronic Business accounts for a turnover of 395 million Euros.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho To Compete In OE Business

Kumho Tire is seeking OE business in Europe and North America. The company has announced expansion of production in Asia, for example in the Nanjing factory.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

New US-Headquarter For Continental Teves In Auburn Hills

The new administration building an R&D-Centre has been officially opened in September. The two storey building has 250.000 square meters and the costs were 40 million US-$. 540 employees, within weeks this number will climb up to 600, who used to work before in three different places in Detroit, are now working in the headquarter, which is located very close to the US-HQ from DaimlerChrysler. Continental Teves employs 2,100 people in North America. 32 % of its turnover of about 2.5 bn Euro are made in the US.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Closure Of Bridgestone US Factory “Cannot Be Ruled Out”

Quoted in the Asian Wall Street Journal, Bridgestone President Yoichiro Kaizaki said that the company’s factory in Decatur could be temporarily closed, should improvements need to be made. Mr. Kaizaki also said that permanent closure of the plant could not be ruled out.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian To Produce Commercial Tyres In The USA

Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian has confirmed that the company intends to produce commercial tyres in the USA as soon as possible. The first products will be forest tyres, followed by industrial tyres. A spokesman for Nokian said that it had not yet been decided whether the company would build its own factory in the USA, whether there would be some kind of joint venture co-operation, or whether tyres would be manufactured in an off-take agreement. The Finnish company has been active in the US and Canadian markets for some years.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors