TIA Launch Global Council
The Tire Industry Association launched its Global Council at the Reifen 2004 trade show in Essen. The Council was formed in February 2004 with the intention to “pursue effective solutions for today’s global tyre industry.”
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Euro Car Parts Takes 800 Customers on Safari
In a bid to reward loyalty, UK based Euro Car Parts has sent more than 800 garage owners, specialist repairers and workshops on an African Safari.
The promotion, sponsored by Lion Batteries, targeted more than 10,000 UK customers operating in the car aftermarket sector.
Individual sales targets were set over a six-month period with the incentive of winning a trip for two to Kenya. The holiday included safari to the Masai Mara game reserve and five star accommodation, all courtesy of the independent supplier of car parts.
Chris Barella, group marketing manager at Euro Car Parts, said: “We have built up long term working relationships with customers across the UK, based on trust and quality of service and wanted to reward the loyalty of our customers by offering them something extra special. From the feedback we’ve had it looks like we achieved this.”
Holert-Konz Confirms Restructuring Plans
A member of Goodyear Dunlop Germany’s executive board confirmed to Tyres & Accessories that Holert-Konz’s restructuring plans are underway. The move will see the company move its outlets into a franchise system under the Premio banner. Consequently around 15 of Holert-Konz’s 96 outlets have already been shut down. So far interested parties are negotiating for around 30 franchises. The remaining 50 outlets are still owned by Goodyear Dunlop, but the company also plans to franchise these.
Goodyear Dunlop Pursues Planning Permission for Wolverhampton Plant
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK will pursue a formal planning application with Wolverhampton City Council for the development of the 90 acre Stafford Road site.
Goodyear Offers Convertible Notes
In an attempt to liquidate some cash Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has said that it will “commence an offering of approximately $150 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes, subject to market and other customary conditions.” The company intends to use the proceeds of the sale for what it calls “general corporate purposes”, which includes “the repayment of one of the company’s revolving credit facilities.”
Goodyear Offers Convertible Notes [Update]
Only hours after announcing that it would offer a $150 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes, Goodyear has said that it is doubling the total amount available to $300 million
Bridgestone Strengthens Truck Point Network
Bridgestone UK has made the first in a series of appointments to strengthen its Truck Point network.
Andy Mathias has been appointed Truck Point business development manager for southern England. His role is structured around the initiative taken by Bridgestone to support the independent business’ activities with fleet customers.
Mr Mathias has been working at the company’s European headquarters in Brussels for the past three years. Based in Bristol, Mr Mathias’ main responsibility will now be to improve the lines of communication between Bridgestone UK, and its fleets and dealers.
Truck Point manager, Jon Cottrell, said: “Andy’s dedication to the Truck Point network will bring the additional support to our network to make Truck Point the best truck tyre dealer network in the UK market place
Goodyear Completes Purchase of Slovenia’s Sava Tires
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has completed its previously announced acquisition of the remainder of Sava Tires, a tyre manufacturing company in Kranj, Slovenia.
New Michelin Pilot Activ
Michelin has launched the new Pilot Activ as a replacement to part of its existing Macadam 50 range of motorcycle tyres.
According to Michelin the new belted crossply tyre with sports-orientated tread pattern, “offers improved manoeuvrability, better dry and wet grip, higher mileage, and improved rider comfort,” compared with the Macadam 50.
The new tyre’s tread pattern features an optimised void ratio which puts four per cent more rubber on the road compared with a Macadam 50 of the same size. Which in turn improves grip, tyre life and contributes to better stability.
To achieve the improvements Michelin revised the recently developed casing construction to improve grip in all weather conditions.
The tyre is available in seven front sizes and six rears and in H and V speed ratings.
The NTDA Approves the Aftermarket Show 2005
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has confirmed its support of the 2005 Aftermarket show.
Director Richard Edy commented: “We are constantly searching for high profile opportunities to meet with members, as well as those businesses and organisations that play a major part in our industry. Our first experience of the Aftermarket Show proved it was an event that was capable of meeting our needs. With the show planning an even greater focus on the issues and opportunities that matter to the tyre industry, we’ll return next January confident of building on that success.”
Next year’s show will concentrate on core business issues, such as mobile fitting and service, tyres and the environment, developments in tyre technology and the delivery stream of wholesale supply to the UK market.
The Aftermarket show will be held at the NEC from 13-16 January, 2005, and will once again be staged alongside the Autosport International show.
Bridgestone supplies Runflat Tyres for Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Bridgestone has announced that it has begun supplying Potenza RE050 RFT runflat tyres to Ferrari, for installation on the 612 Scaglietti. This will be the first model that Ferrari has equipped with Bridgestone runflats.
ECI International Updates Exhibition Statistics
In keeping with the current atmosphere of tyre industry trade events, exhibition organiser, ECI International, has released further statistics in response to both its Tyrexpo Asia and Brityrex International events.
Renault completed Formula 1 tyre tests
Renault’s F1 test driver Franck Montagny accomplished Michelin tyre tests this week in Barcelona. At first the Michelin tyres were only tested regarding compounds, later different tyre constructions were added to the programme. According to chief test engineer, Christian Silk, a few improvements were found in the tyres.
Michelin Plant to Open
Michelin & Cie., one of Europe’s largest tyre makers, is set to open a tyre plant in Russia on 7 July. Both Interfax and The Moscow Times reported the information, citing an official at the company’s press service in Paris, who stated that the plant, based in the Moscow region, will produce 2 million car tyres a year. The company intends to expand this capacity to 6.5 million next year. The press service source said Michelin is investing $160 million in the plant.
Michelin, based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, planned to borrow $20 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Russian factory two years ago, on the understanding that the EBRD had would have a 49 per cent stake in the plant.
Shock Absorber Fault causes Passat Recall
A possible shock absorber fault has caused Volkswagen to recall approximately 33,000 of its Passat models. The affected vehicles were manufactured between August and November 2003 and had been sold throughout Europe. One explanation for the fault is that a screw could have been tightened to the wrong torque, thereby running the risk it could become detached.
