CTNA Gets OE Deal From Autocar
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) said that its Continental brand medium truck tyres have earned standard equipment fitments on Autocar’s Xpeditor line of trucks. The OE contract includes CTNA’s Continental HSU and HDL steer and drive tyre lines.
Continue ReadingWhat Do You Think About Price Increases?
Tyres & Accessories recently asked its diverse readership - comprising of manufacturers, wholesalers - retailers and everyone in-between, what they thought about the recent spate of price increases. For their part the manufacturers claim rocketing raw material prices have forced them into a corner, with regard to end-product price increases. However wholesalers and distributors are likely to feel that these increases are an attack on their margins, which can only be remedied by passing the cost onto the consumer, therefore making retail more difficult. T&A asked readers: Are price increases a necessary evil, or just the result of prudent financial planning on the part of the manufacturing business? 60 per cent of those that responded put price increases down to the nature of supply and demand, while the remaining 40 per cent said manufacturers had more ‘business orientated’ motives.
Continue ReadingContinental Asks for 35 per cent Pay Cut
Continental Tire North America has asked 1,000 employees at the company’s Charlotte plant to give up 35 per cent of their pay and benefits by January. If the workers’ union doesn’t agree, the company is ready to immediately cut the plant’s production by 30 percent, and hasn’t ruled out closing the plant altogether, the Charlotte Observer quoted chief executive Alan Hippe as saying. The plant’s union leaders have not yet made a decision on the request.
Continue ReadingIndustry Seminar at The Aftermarket Show
The Aftermarket Show, which runs from 12 – 15 January at Birmingham NEC, has announced a seminar programme that will focus on important aftermarket and tyre industry issues. The show organisers, Haymarket Exhibitions, are teaming up with one of the show sponsors the Tyre Industry Council (TIC) to stage a seminar programme that will take place within the exhibition hall itself, which, it is hoped, will encourage increased visitor attendance and support from exhibitors.
Continue ReadingDelticom Opens US Online Store
Online retail and wholesale operation, Delticom AG has opened up an online store for US consumers. Tires-easy.com claims to offer purchasers quicker, easier and 25 per cent cheaper than other methods.
Continue ReadingCooper Drops Avon From UK Company Name
From the 1 January 2006 Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd, will be known as Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd. The news follows the launch of a new international corporate image at the SEMA show in November and is seen as an effort to unify the company’s global operations. While the move is clearly linked to the company’s efforts to enhance the global recognition of its Cooper brand, this will not be at the expense of the Avon brand, according to Cooper.
Continue ReadingAEZ Nanotechnology Wheel
AEZ is to launch the first self-cleaning wheel onto the market in 2006. The AEZ Raver, is said to be a groundbreaking innovation and the first alloy wheel to have been made using a nanotechnology-based coating.
Continue ReadingOZ Releases Michelangelo II
OZ Racing have released a new wheel aimed at powerful premium vehicles like the Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Lexus. The Michelangelo II PL is available in 18, 19 and 20 inch sizes and is priced between 440 and 650 euros.
Continue ReadingFulda Exelero to Perform Race of Champions
Following on from the success of the MPH show, the Fulda Exelero feature in a Drift Team demonstration run by Collins Autosport Ltd at the forthcoming Race of Champions at the Stade de France in Paris. The Race of Champions pitches the best circuit racers against the best off road drivers in the world to determine who is the fastest. Using identical equipment and track, drivers can prove themselves based on their talent alone and a packed Stade de France will see the winner rewarded with the title “The Champion of Champions.”
Continue Reading3mm Campaign Gets Moving
In tyre safety terms the 3mm campaign has been the principal initiative for the tyre industry in 2005, according to the NTDA’s Richard Edy. And this is something that is demonstrated by the fact that Tyre Awareness Week in October, got a total of 75 minutes of local radio airtime. Due to this success it is more than likely that the organisers will use the same approach next year.
Continue ReadingCar Battery Maintenance: To Water or Not To Water?
In millions of vehicles, lead-acid batteries start people on billions of journeys every day. Yet as car engines become more complex and the technology of automotive batteries advances, motorists seem to be confused about the proper maintenance of the batteries under their hoods. The article, “Auto Batteries: Some Go the Distance” in the November 2005 issue of Consumer Reports, clouds the issue further, a trade association of battery manufacturers said today.
Continue ReadingCooper Sets Prices for Tender Offer
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. set the prices for its planned fixed spread tender offer to purchase up to $175 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 7.75 per cent notes due 2009, 7.625 per cent notes due 2027, and 8 per cent notes due 2019.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Drives Forward
In the last 12 months Goodyear Dunlop UK has embarked on a multi-million pound TV advertising campaign, rejuvenated its Dunlop brand and made a number of key personnel changes. However, the most recent news is that Goodyear Dunlop is planning a “significant investment programme” for its Hi-Q retail network.
Continue ReadingOperations Back to Normal After Plant Takeover
(Akron/Tire Review) Feuding factions of the labour union representing workers at Bridgestone/Firestone’s tyre plant in Valencia, Venezuela, caused the three-day shutdown of the facility, according to a statement issued by the company.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Aims to Gain Market Share In Finland
Goodyear is aiming to increase its market share in Finland by achieving a 10 per cent sales growth target. According to Deutsche Bank analysts the manufacturer aims to do this by focusing on distribution and becoming the second or third strongest player in the country (behind Michelin and Continental), compared with its current number four position.
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