Kwik-Fit Offers Vehicle Servicing and MoTs to Fleets
Fleets can now get their company cars and light commercial vehicles serviced and MoT’d at Kwik-Fit centres. Around 230 of Kwik-Fit’s nationwide network of 670 centres are now equipped to undertake interim and full services on all-makes of vehicles and 250 centres will also be capable of undertaking MoTs by the end of 2006. Following the completion of a long-time retail pilot, Kwik-Fit is now extending its servicing and MoT capability to all fleets.
Continue ReadingMichelin Dundee Management Discuss 2008 Production Levels
Staff at Michelin’s Dundee tyre production plant are reportedly concerned about the outcome of management negotiations over future production levels at the factory. The Baldovie factory currently produces six and a half million tyres a year and is scheduled to do so again in 2007. Production levels for 2008, however, are still being decided, with talks currently being held between officials at the Dundee plant and in Clermont-Ferrand, the Dundee Evening Telegraph added.
Continue ReadingBaldwin Takes Over at Cooper Europe
Julian Baldwin has replaced Ron Shield as vice president of Coopers European operations and as managing director of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Europe. Baldwin, who previously held the position of marketing and motorsports director, will be responsible for the company’s sales, marketing, manufacturing, supply chain and finance activities throughout Europe. He will continue to oversee the global motorsport remit that includes the British GT, British F3, GP Masters and A1 GP series. Ron Shield is retiring after 15 year with Cooper. The news comes less than two-weeks after Tom Dattilo resigned as chairman, president and CEO of Cooper Tire and Rubber Company.
Continue ReadingSureSeal Rimless Retreading Rings
Taray International’s latest product offering is a selection of “SureSeal” rimless retreading rings. According to the company, the rings have been manufactured using a high quality rubber compound which was developed to be light and easy to manoeuvre, provide extended use and cause minimal wear. The rubber ring is produced using injection-moulding technologies, which gives them their seamless form and strength.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Wrangler Tyre for Working Pickup Trucks
In the USA, Goodyear has introduced a new tyre to its Wrangler range, designed for working pickup trucks that regularly tow heavy loads. Called the Wrangler SilentArmor Pro-Grade, the tyre incorporates Kevlar belts and a new tread compound for extended treadwear. There are over 39 million registered pickup trucks on US roads and sales of heavy-duty models have increased as a proportion of total pickup sales, from 25.3 per cent in 2003 to 31.9 per cent last year.
Continue ReadingMechanical Simulation Corporation & TNO Form Partnership
In order to better predict the critical performance of tyres in vehicle dynamics, Mechanical Simulation Corporation has created a partnership with Netherlands-based TNO Automotive. Mechanical Simulations CarSim software will now link with TNOs Delft-Tyre using Simulink. Many engineers in design, development, testing and planning activities use CarSim, Mechanical Simulations software package for simulating the dynamic vehicle behavior of cars, light trucks and utility vehicles. CarSim animates simulated tests and generates about 600 output variables that can be plotted and analysed, or transferred to other software for processing using the same methods used for measured test data.
Continue ReadingIranian Market Produced 32.3 million Tyres Year-to-March
Khosrow Mahmoudian, secretary of the Iranian Tire Industry Guild Association, has told reporters that the industry produced 32.3 million tyres, weighing 221,206 tons, in the year to March 2006, according to Moj news agency.
Continue ReadingGPX Names Latin America President
GPX International Tire Corporation has named Gustavo Lima as president – Latin America Division. In this position he will lead GPXs establishment of bonded warehouses in strategic countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to support just in time delivery of GPX product to the OE and dealer channels.
Continue ReadingGPX Buys Starbright Factory: Update
Following GPX International’s recent acquisition of the Hebei Starbright tyre factory in China, Tyres & Accessories has learnt that GPX plans to refurbish and modernize the site and expand the range of products produced in the factory. The company is to introduce a full range of bias and radial agricultural tyres, including both 85 series and 70 series radial rear tractor fitments. In addition GPX representatives say the company will install a solid tyre workshop using the technology obtained in its acquisition of US-company, Maine Industrial Tire Limited (MITL).
Continue ReadingAlcoa to Show WorkHorse Wheel at IAA Show
In response to customer and market demand, Alcoa Wheel Products will exhibit its new WorkHorse wheel for European construction vehicles with disc brakes. More specifically, this new wheel was designed with no ventilation holes to help protect the drive/front axle disc brakes from sand and gravel. Alcoa believes this new design will provide its customers with added value through the reduction of maintenance costs, increased brake life, and improved performance. This wheel is already approved and available on DaimlerChrysler construction vehicles.
Continue ReadingA Riveting Read for BFGoodrich Customers
BFGoodrich has launched a new consumer magazine, available free of charge to customers visiting tyre dealerships throughout the UK. With over thirty pages ‘Take Control’ magazine encompasses a selection of motoring news and lifestyle themes, from action in the dunes of Dubai following Dakar drivers, to rallying at the 2006 FIA World Rally Championships, in which BFGoodrich are proud to sponsor the Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, VK- Stobart and Skoda teams.
Continue ReadingPirelli and Unions to Discuss Strike Action
Representatives from Pirelli Tyres UK and unions representing workers at the company’s Burton and Carlisle production plants are to meet. The talks, scheduled for later this week, are seen as an attempt to avoid the planned strike action, which is due to take place on 25 August.
Continue ReadingBeru Reports Double-Digit EBIT Growth in First Half 2006
Beru AG increased its total sales revenues in the first half of the 2006 financial year by 10.4 per cent to 223 million euros. During the same period, operating profit (EBIT) increased by 23.2 per cent to 30.9 million euros. The Company, which has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since the end of February 2006, generated a group net profit of 20.6 million euros.
Continue ReadingCTNA Putting Up to $100 Million into Mount Vernon
Having closed its unionised tyre plant in Mayfield, Kentucky, and all but closed its unionised Charlotte tyre plant, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) has turned its attention to upgrading its non-union plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Last week, CTNA announced a three-year, $70 million to $100 million capital investment programme for the facility – the only dedicated and operating tyre plant CTNA owns in North America.
Continue Reading‘You Have Been Seen Driving While Using Your Mobile’
Police in the Gosport area are looking for a vigilante who has slashed the tyres of at least 20 people accused of driving while talking on cell phones. According to reports, the overnight attacks have been taking place for several weeks, and each one is accompanied by a warning made from words cut out of newspapers. “Warning. You have been seen driving while using your mobile phone,” the messages say.
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