Wheels
It is not just the big players who face recall problems. Ames True Temper in the USA is recalling 647.000 wheelbarrows due to reported problems with plastic wheels exploding when tyres are inflated. The company is to replace all the affected plastic wheels with new steel wheels.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened four separate defect investigations into the Ford Focus. Two of the investigations relate to possible airbag malfunctions, and the others concern rear wheel bearings failure and reports that the engine could catch fire. Aimed at motorists under 35, the Focus is the fifth best-selling car in the USA. However, since its introduction in 2000, it has been the subject of eight recalls.
Hayes Lemmerz International Inc has announced a strategic re-alignment of its European wheel operation. The move creates a new European Wheels Group from the European Fabricated Wheels and European Cast Wheels Business Units. Giancarlo Dallera, from the European cast Wheels Business Unit will be president of the new European Wheels Group, reporting to Curtis Clawson, Hayes Lemmerz Chairman, President and CEO. Clawson says, “This realignment positions us uniquely in the market-place to provide unparalleled service, as well as create one trusted source of solutions for our customers.”
The EB 16-4 Veyron is the latest offering from Bugatti, with a theoretical top speed of 406 km/hr and a performance of 0-300 km/hr in under 14 seconds. The Veyron has 20″ forged alloy wheels and is fitted with Michelin’s Pax system. Tyre sizes are (front) 245-690 R 520 A and (rear) 365-710 R 540 A.
The enthusiasm for aluminium wheels is diminishing. The golden years – mainly in the Eighties – of light alloy wheel are over – for the OE as well as in the aftermarket. Yet European original equipment demand for aluminium wheels is still growing. Year on year, by around about one million pieces. However, we have to accept that new materials and methods of production can make steel wheels as light as aluminium wheels. If the suppliers can make progress in styling and the car makers are forced to make smaller and middle class vehicles cheaper there might be a turnaround in the current trend. Some companies are in trouble. Even the world’s biggest wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz in America had to be rescued under Chapter 11. On the other hand, there are success stories from companies like Superior in North America or Borbet in Europe. Companies like BBS or OZ are still doing good business because they are not interested in volume but rather in selling exclusive (and expensive) wheels. The middle-price sector has been absorbed by the low-priced segment of high volume companies. The flame of the aluminium wheel business flickers weaker and weaker.
Titan International has published its 2001 financial results. In the fourth quarter, Titan’s net sales were $100.6 million (Q4 2000: $113.4 m). For 2001as a whole, sales were $457.5 m ($543.1 m). The net loss for Q4 was $21.5 m ($8.0 m) and Titan turned in a net loss for the year of $34.8 m, compared to a net income in 2000 of $4.5 m. President and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr. described 2001 as “difficult for all manufacturers.” On the positive side, Titan settled two long-running (39 months and 40 months) labour disputes and received approval to offer agricultural tyres and wheels through the Case New Holland dealership network.
Dayton Wheel Products, the manufacturer of wire wheels in Centerville, Ohio, has been acquired by Charles G. Schroeder. This is only the third time the business has changed ownership in its 85 year history. The company recently launched a range of alloy wheels, but Schroeder says that Dayton wire wheels have a discerning customer with whom quality will always count – over 80 per cent of customers in the USA ask for Dayton wire wheels by name. The new owner plans to develop the business by concentrating on quality products and capitalising on the loyalty and enthusiasm of his workforce. The company employs 43 people.
The oe alloy wheel suppliers get a lot of orders from car manufacturers these days. Even Volkswagen – in urgent need of a large quantity of alloy wheels – is looking for a qualified supplier in Turkey. But for a lot of companies this has bred complacency. So take care, alloy wheel manufacturers, because the steel wheel producers have not been sleeping in the meantime. Several new car models are being fitted with the latest in steel wheel designs. Concerning the weight of the wheel, the light steel version can be favourably compared with the level of the average alloy wheel. As far as price is concerned, steel is more economic and, in the field of design, a lot of developments have taken place.
Superior announced the award of several new and replacement programs under the previously announced long term supply agreement which has now been finalized and signed with General Motors Corporation. The first of these programs will begin production in the Spring of 2002 and include the Saturn vehicle name plate; a first for Superior Industries. “These recent business awards demonstrate the value of this unprecedented year contract to both General Motors and Superior Industries because it was based on long term performance in delivering the highest quality, technology and service at competitive prices,” said Louis L. Borick, President and Chairman of Superior Industries.
Hayes Lemmerz has decided to close two North American plants, one producing steel wheels, another producing aluminium wheels. The aluminium wheel plant is at Somerset, Kentucky (formerly Alumitech), which the world’s largest wheel manufacturer only took over in 1998 from a 50/50 joint venture. The Somerset plant manufactured mainly one-piece cast wheels for the Mercedes M-class. In future the Hayes Lemmerz factory in Hoboken (Belgium) and Ronal’s factory in Mexico will supply the M-Class with aluminium wheels.
Bridgestone Corporation and Continental AG signed a technical agreement on January 21, 2002 in Tokyo. It provides two companies to cooperate in creating global standard systems in run-flat tyre systems for installation on standard wheels for passenger cars and light trucks. Under this agreement, Bridgestone will furnish technology and grant license to Continental on its Self Supporting Runflat Tyre (SSR), which has earned high regard and multiple fitments from leading automakers globally. At the same time, Continental will furnish technology and grant license on its original technology on the ContiSafetyRing run-flat system (CSR) to Bridgestone.
A co-operation between Michelin and Wabco sees the launch of a tyre pressure monitoring system specifically designed for commercial vehicles. The system consists of wheel modules which measure tyre inflation pressure and transmit the data to a vehicle mounted receiver. In the event of pressure loss the data is sent several times every minute. The module is attached to the outside of the wheel, alleviating many of the problems associated with internal sensors. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) capable of handling up to 12 wheels is mounted on the vehicle chassis. In the case of trailer units, each trailer has its own ECU. The ECU transmits the signals to a cab mounted display unit which alerts the driver visually and acoustically whenever a problem arises. The position of the faulty tyre can be ascertained by pressing a button on the display. The system has the advantage of an evaluation algorithm developed by Michelin which detects pressure deviations and leakages immediately. It even functions whilst the vehicle is stationary. The system can be retrofitted and will be commercially available in Europe by the middle of 2002.
A report from automotive analysts at UBS Warburg forecasts that aluminium wheel manufacturer Superior Industries will increase production capacity by 30 per cent by the end of next year, to 17 million wheels. This is despite a predicted slow down in US auto sales. Superior sells wheels to OEMs and 85 per cent of its business is with Ford and GM, supplying around half of their aluminium wheel requirements. The recent filing for Chapter 11 of Hayes Lemmerz is seen as a factor in the forecast production increase.
Amcast, the automotive parts manufacturer (aluminium wheels), has reported results for its fiscal 2002 first quarter, which ended on December 2 last year. Sales were down 5 per cent compared with last year, at $131.2 million. The net loss for the quarter was $5.5 million. Sales at Speedline, the company’s European operation, were up 9% on the previous year, benefiting from a strong vehicle market and favourable exchange rates.
For this year’s Agritechnica, Titan Europe is focusing interest on its two main agricultural product areas: high speed wheel and tyre systems and brake applications for high speeds. The newly developed Titan “Relocator” wheel for high speed road use, will take centre stage at the show along with the new range of wedge ramp brakes, developed by the Italian Sirmac division of Titan, and which have made a significant impact on tractors of the power range 60 to 300 HP.
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