Cooper-Avon Tyres has updated its road hazard warranty policy by extending the tread depth cover. Originally the warranty covered the first millimetre of depth expended, but now Cooper-Avon has increased this to cover 1.4mm of wear.
Federal-Mogul Corporation has opened a training centre and three satellite learning facilities at manufacturing locations in Germany for aftermarket employees and customers.
The latest street tyre from Goodyear, the new Eagle GT-HR, features RaceWrap TM construction technology, evolved from the way Goodyear develops tyres for NASCAR racing. The Eagle GT-HR has a ply that wraps from the centre of the tread down around the bead, up the sidewall and back up under the steel belts. The result is an H-speed-rated tyre in 20 popular sizes for the auto enthusiast who demands high performance in a value-priced package. However, its 50,000-mile tread life limited warranty is a far cry from its racing cousin that is ready to retire after 100 or so laps on the racetrack. “Because the basic construction of a race tyre is similar to a consumer auto tyre, some of the subtle improvements we make in tyre performance on the track transfer readily to high-performance auto tyres.” said Randy Brayer, team leader for advanced engineering.
In the USA, Michelin is to introduce a new Uniroyal light truck/SUV tyre this September, which carries a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty. Called the Laredo Cross Country, the new tyre will be available in 14 sizes to fit both US-made and imported vehicles.
Lisoni & Lisoni has filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) formally requesting that the agency reopen its investigation of the Firestone Steeltex tyre series, which it suspended. At the close of the investigation in April, 2002, the NHTSA said it would reopen its investigation if sufficient additional safety-related evidence became available. Lisoni & Lisoni announced it had provided the NHTSA with extensive documentation and evidence, which included remnants of the Steeltex tyres series R4S, R4SII and A/T which had suffered severe tread separation. Commenting on the source of the alleged defects, William Hagerty, a tyre analyst stressed: “We have reason to believe that Bridgestone ordered Firestone to “de-engineer” the tyres to cut production costs, thereby compromising the quality and safety of the Steeltex tyres. Ultimately, these less robust tyres were unable to withstand the demands of larger vehicles. We also have reason to believe that Firestone instructed store owners not to submit warranty claims and tyre failure complaints in exchange for purchasing discounts, bonuses and other incentives. This alleged directive allows Firestone to report artificially low failure rates on the Steeltex tyre series.”
DaimlerChrysler (DCX) is to offer a 7-year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty as standard for all models. This differs from similar, existing deals (mainly offered by Korean manufacturers) in that it is transferable to subsequent owners of the vehicle. Industry analysts feel that the other two ‘Big 3’ manufacturers may be forced to follow suit and they point out that such deals can prove expensive if quality is not up to scratch.
Software supplier MSC, working with Hayes Lemmerz, has reduced time and materials costs in automotive wheel manufacturing and design by using its MSC Acumen and MSC Fatigue software to perform durability analysis. Software simulation has allowed the design of lighter, longer lasting products which can save millions of dollars in manufacturing, maintenance and warranty costs. Khosrow Namdarian, senior structural analyst with Hayes-Lemmerz, stated “The advantage is that if you make 4 million of just one aluminium part per year and can save a quarter of a pound of aluminium per part, that adds up to one million pounds of aluminium saved in materials costs on just one part.”
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company has filed tentative agreement to settle 32 lawsuits brought against the company in the past 10 months. This involves a five year plan offering free replacement tyres for all Cooper produced steel-belted radial tyres, made between 1985 and 2001, that suffered tread separations.
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