Goodyear Tire & Rubber has taken a minority interest in the Cycloid Company, of Pennsylvania. Cycloid markets ACS (Air Compressor System) which uses a compressor mounted at the centre of the wheel to maintain air pressure in truck tyres. The companies are looking to develop similar systems for cars, vans and light trucks.
The large manufacturers of car wheels, especially those cast of aluminium, are growing ever larger. Business is booming worldwide, but the financial results of most manufacturers in this field of activity are well below those achieved in other industries. Wheel manufacturers, on the one hand, suffer from the low ratings stock exchanges accord to car manufacturers and their suppliers, and on the other, because their products are regarded as “low tech”. But all the time big changes are taking place in the world of wheels – in the form of new technologies and an optimisation of existing products. New wheel technologies, however, are not the only decisive factor, another considerable influence is the car manufacturers’ aggressive pricing, well beyond what many a supplier can bear. Some wheel manufacturers focus their activities on the original equipment market in the belief that it will allow them to operate more cost-effectively. Others like to commit themselves to the refit markets because they think they can thus keep their ears closer to the market and be well-placed to offer car manufacturers superior development capability. Which way is the right one, or whether both can succeed – that is something we shall only know in a few years’ time. Of course the starting position is different from wheel manufacturer to wheel manufacturer and from car producer to car producer. In the comprehensive report in this and the following (April) issues we shall outline the trends in detail.
1999 Cragar Industries (Phoenix/USA) sold most of the assets of its wheel business to Weld Racing and to Carlisle Tire & Wheel. The remaining assets have now been sold to midwest distributor PDK, Inc. and so the company has abandoned its (until now) core business of producing and distributing wheels. Cragar is still in the wheel business as the licensor of its brand, but is focussed now on Internet business.
Hayes Lemmerz and The Epilogics Group have announced that Epilogics has granted Hayes Lemmerz worldwide exclusive rights to the Kuhl Wheel technology. The Kuhl Wheel design integrates the hub and spokes into a one-piece stamping. Using standard steel rims, these wheels weigh significantly less than conventional steel wheels and allow greater flexibility in wheel trim design.
Edouard Michelin, CEO of the French tyre giant, can see opportunities for technical alliances with competitors, a French magazine reports. As an example, he cites the new tyre and wheel system ‘Pax’, which will be presented jointly by Michelin and Pirelli in Geneva.
In Karlsruhe Michelin has introduced an “Agricultural Service Centre” for the three agricultural tyre brands Michelin, Kleber and Taurus. All questions from German customers regarding use and sale of tyres as well as mounted wheel and tyre systems will be answered.
Goodyear has introduced a new, supermodern agricultural tyre specifically for harvesters and tractor units. The new products have been developed with soil protection and high load resistance in mind. Thanks to its 900 mm width, tractor units equipped with the new DT830 remain within the three metre maximum legal width for highway use without the need for a special license. With a maximum pressure of 2.2 bar the new tyre is capable of carrying loads up to 11.8 tons. For use on delicate soil conditions the DT830 is well qualified with a low pressure of 0.8 bar and a wheel load of 7.5tons it creates a footprint of 96 cm by almost 90 cm, offering a contact area of more than 0.8 square metres. In addition the radial belt cords guarantee an even distribution of pressure over the whole contact area. Goodyear offers the DT830 in three sizes; The 900/55 R 32 to be available in Spring 2001, the 900/60 R 32 available in pre-series at present, and the 900/50 R 42 which is already available through Goodyear outlets. Find out more in the November issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Edouard Michelin, CEO of the French tyre giant, can see opportunities for technical alliances with competitors, a French magazine reports. As an example, he cites the new tyre and wheel system ‘Pax’, which will be presented jointly by Michelin and Pirelli in Geneva.
Hayes Lemmerz sales and earnings in the first quarter 2000 were at the same level as last year. A significant drop in orders for heavy truck wheels and brake components was compensated by a successful expansion of aluminium wheel capacity worldwide.
The automotive business is moving more and more towards an “intelligent” chassis control or a “total chassis management”. In this scenario tyres are playing a role of growing importance. Today consumers and tyre manufacturers still focus on comfort, rolling resistance, handling etc. But what about tomorrow? Electronic sensors within the tyre will be able to supply additional information to the driver or to systems like ESP. For 20 years, the interaction between road and tyres has been studied at the University of Darmstadt and has for example led to the so-called “Darmstädter Tyre Sensor” or a special trailer for measurements concerning tyre noise emission. But in mid October – after events in 1996 and 1998 – this was also the place where the third “Reifenkolloquium” was held for international experts to discuss topics related to research and development in the tyre, wheel and related businesses. About 90 attendees were at the event this year. After an introductory speech entitled “The Tyre – Key Component For Driving Dynamics And Steering” another twelve lecturers followed. Divided into four sections “Tyre/Road Noise”, “Tyre Evaluation/Test”, “Models & Simulation” and “Sensors & Road Parameter Evaluation” they reported the recent results of their studies. Some of these, which are not too technical, are summarised in the November issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
Sales of tyre and wheel manufacturer Titan (Quincy/Illinois, USA) have dropped last year to US$ 588 million (1998: US$ 660,8 million). Striking and a bad condition of the American agriculture are assumed to be responsible for the figures showing an EBIT of US$ -11.4 million compared to US$ 8.4 million in 1998.
As Sales And Marketing Director at Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) Rotatec GmbH & Co. KG, Oliver Gehlker has been responsible for the German market since 3rd July. According to TWS, Gehlker, who is 33 years old, is very experienced in the tyre business. Before he signed up to his new job, he held different positions in the tyre industry and retail sector.
Michelin and TRW Automotive Electronics have agreed to develop advanced tyre pressure monitoring technology, hand in hand with Michelin’s PA System Technology. The companies displayed their linked technology . The technology is being displayed at the Convergence 2000 International Congress on Transportation Electronics, being held in Detroit. The TRW system will give drivers advance knowledge of underinflation and allow them to remedy the fault before pressure falls to a dangerous level. In the event of a fast puncture the PAX system ensures the tyre stays on the wheel. The TRW system uses a sensor mounted in a high tec valve that sends details by radio signal to the on board control unit. The agreement will see both companies working towards the most effective method of alerting the driver to possible problems.
Meritor Automotive, a subsidiary of the Rockwell group, has announced the expansion of production at its wheel plant in San Luis Potosi (Mexico) to two million units annually. The expansion is necessary because of increased demand in the North American OE market for light truck and pick-up wheels and includes the completion of assembly facilities. A major consumer is Daimler Chrysler (Dodge Ram).
With the sale of assets Titan International (Quincy/Illinois), a manufacturer of speciality tyres and wheels, has exited the oe business with lawn and garden equipment as well as all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and improved its second quarter results due to the price paid by Carlisle Tire and Wheel Co. The new strategy of Titan will be to concentrate on agricultural and construction wheel business and tyre assemblies and to focus more on aftermarket demands.
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