Connected to the HP Market
Continental’s decision to launch the third variation of its popular SportContact reflects the increasing importance of high performance products in its portfolio. And when you consider that Continental experts predict that 16 per cent of the replacement market will be made up of WYZ products by 2009, you can see why. Continental has developed the new ContiSportContact 3 with the car manufacturers and drivers of sporty vehicles in mind. Consequently, shorter braking distances, enhanced handling characteristics and improved driving safety on wet roads are said to be the new tyre’s main benefits. The Continental range also includes a different tread pattern option both for high-powered rear wheel drive cars and for customising requirements. The ContiSportContact 3 is available now.
Continue ReadingDunlop India to Make Industrial Rubber Products at Ambattur
Dunlop India is planning to set up an industrial rubber products plant at its existing truck and bus tyre manufacturing facility at Ambattur in Chennai. The company currently has an industrial products division at Sahagunj facility in West Bengal, the Indian Hindu Business Line Newspaper has reported.
Continue ReadingPeter Taylor to Step Down from the TIC
After 14 years as secretary to the Tyre Industry Council, Peter Taylor has decided to step down at the end of 2006. In addition to his role at TIC secretary, Peter is director general of the Tyre Recovery Association, director of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association and a director of the new Tyre Industry Federation. TIC chairman, Brian Smith, thanked Peter Taylor for his “outstanding contribution to the Council and to tyre safety over the years and for giving a long period of notice to allow the planning of the continuation of the industry’s work on road safety and its management.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear Develops Biodiesel Fuel Hose
Goodyear’s Engineered Products division has introduced what it says is the first alternative fuel dispensing hose verified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). The products are being introduced this week at the NAHAD hose and accessories distributors annual convention. According to Keith Collett, industrial hose marketing manager for the company, a complete line of hose, including Goodyear Flexsteel, Ambassador, BC Gasoline and BC Marina, are available to meet the nations growing demand for clean burning biodiesel and E85 environmentally-friendly fuels.
Continue ReadingCooper Signs Funkmaster Flex to Endorsement Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has signed hip-hop star Funkmaster Flex to a year-long endorsement contract. Flex will appear in a new print advertisement for the Cooper Zeon XST tyre targeting the urban sport truck market, and will make appearances to support the Cooper brand. Flex, dubbed the evangelist of hip hops car culture, created the successful Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show, now in its fifth year. He is also a celebrity DJ on Hot 97 FM in New York City and the host of two TV shows, Spike TVs Ride with Funkmaster Flex and ESPN 2s All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex.
Continue ReadingTIA Sets Dates for 2007 OTR Conference
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA reported that its 51st annual OTR Conference broke attendance records, with 411 attendees for the event, held in Orlando in late February. TIA said next year’s conference will be held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California from 22 to 24 February to 2007.
Continue ReadingTruckers Flunk Inflation Check Test
(Akron/Tire Review) So, just how accurate is a tyre billy or a boot at gauging a tyre’s inflation pressure? According to TRIB, not even close. The Tire Retread Information Bureau held a contest at the recent Mid-American Trucking Show, challenging truckers to demostrate their inflation guestimation skills – and none of the participants could come within +/- 5 psi, according to Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s managing director. TRIB’s Pump ‘Em, Don’t Thump ‘Em Tire Contest, co-sponsored by the Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI, was designed to test the ability of CDL-carrying truck drivers to determine the pre-set inflation pressure of tires by just by giving the tire a good “thump.” Three truck tyres on wheels, provided by Hankook Tire Co., were inflated to a certain pressure and staged at the TRIB booth. Contestants got to kick, thump, bang or hit a tyre and then report what they believed to be the tyre’s inflation pressure.
Continue ReadingG. Craig Sullivan Elected to Goodyear Board
G Craig Sullivan, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Clorox Company, has been elected to the Board of Directors of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Craig Sullivan is a top-rate business leader with extensive experience in building strong consumer brands,” said Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer Robert J. Keegan. “His experience and knowledge will be of significant value to our board of directors.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Europe Announces Price Increases
Bridgestone Europe NV/SA has announced that it will increase prices on all of its tyre brands and categories. It will apply to all replacement channels in all European countries. The increases are between 3.5 per cent and 5 per cent depending on the product category, and are scheduled to take effect from 1 June 2006.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Initiates Major Restructuring Programme
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc is implementing tough restructuring measures that it says are designed to “strengthen its competitive position, improve profitability and increase long-term value for its shareholders.” The steps include revised wage and benefit plans; the strategic realignment of its business (more than 15 per cent of the company’s US staff have already lost their jobs); and the rationalisation of Hayes Lemmerz’ wheel capacity, namely closing its Huntingdon Indiana Wheel plant. Curtis Clawson, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board said: “The last several years have seen profound changes in the competitive landscape of the automotive industry. We are aligning our organization to recognize the realities in the US and to assure continued success in the global automotive marketplace.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear Directors Re-Elected at 2006 Annual Meeting
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company shareholders have re-elected James C. Boland, Steven A. Minter, Michael R. Wessel, John G. Breen and William J. Hudson, Jr. to the companys Board of Directors. In other business, shareholders passed a proposal requiring the annual election of directors. In connection with that proposal, the terms of all of the companys directors will expire at the 2007 annual meeting.
Continue ReadingRun-Flat Tyres at a Catwalk Show?
A series of exclusive sofas and armchairs customised from Goodyear tyres by Italian designer Zak and fashion label Cavalli were unveiled at the 2006 Milan Fashion Week. Zak was originally commissioned by Goodyear to design some pieces in June 2005. The company’s brief was to “recreate in the home the relaxed and comfortable state that drivers have on the road thanks to Goodyear RunOnFlat tyres.” Andrea Zaccone, Zak’s hugely talented designer based in Milan and Barcelona created an innovative sofa, chair, chaise-longue and kissing seat out of the RunOnFlat tyres which were customised with animal print and bright colours.
Continue ReadingThe Wheel Business is a Network…
The huge Republic of China is an automotive growth market par excellence. And that applies to the automobile manufacturers as well as their suppliers. The country is not only at the centre of low-price manufacturing for “the rest of the world,” but has also become an enormous sales market in its own right. The cluster of cities in the east of the country is home to millions upon millions of inhabitants and the streetscape is shaped by the sight of premium segment cars and their upper middle class owners. These cities also have well-developed road systems. Rush-hour traffic jams are another familiar sight for anyone used to driving in western metropolises – and that’s despite the numerous additional lanes alongside just as numerous skyscrapers.
Continue ReadingMarketing Gacosia Wheels in Shenzhen
Gacosia, owned by the Tsui brothers, has its headquarters in Hong Kong and a subsidiary in California. China Wheel produces Gacosia its alloy wheels, and in turn the manufacturer considers Gacosia as one of its two self-brands (the other being “Finn”). Stephen Tsui, Gacosia managing director, and his team, spend most of their time in China Wheel’s office space in Guangzhou: “We are very close partners,” he says. The relationship between the wheel brand and its manufacturer - and this is not uncommon in China - is not based on actual contractual agreements, as is the standard in the western countries. Instead it’s a case of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” so to speak.
Continue ReadingGSF Launches ‘All Makes Range’
GSF Car Parts - one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of quality car parts for German, Swedish and French cars – has launched an ‘All-Makes’ range incorporating products suitable for the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Fiat cars.
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