New F1 Tyre Rules Confirmed
The FIA World Motorsport Council has officially approved new Formula 1 rules, which will see the series re-introduce a control tyre and bring back tyre changes. The new rules also mean larger wheels and slick tyres will be used. The new rules state: “Each driver will be permitted to use seven sets of dry-weather tyres for each event. All tyres used for qualifying and race must be of the same specification. Tyre changes will be permitted at any time during the race.” While the reintroduction of pit-stop tyre changes and the use of more than one set of tyres will begin next season, the control tyre concept, larger wheel sizes and slick tyres were originally slated for 2008. However, the FIA has allowed for this collection of rules to be brought forward to 2007 if an 80 per cent majority of the Formula One Technical Working Group agree to do so before the end of December 2005.
Continue ReadingBRMA to Become BTMA
The BRMA is to separate into two associations – one for tyre manufacturers and another for rubber companies. The move will take effect on 1 January 2006 when the two groups will be known as the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA) and the British Rubber and Polyurethane Products Association (BRPPA). While the two groups will become distinct entities, the new associations have not ruled out working together in areas such as health & safety and environmental issues. Eight tyre companies will form the initial membership of BTMA, while around 35 firms are expected to move to BRPPA
Continue ReadingCooper Buys Majority Share of Chinese Manufacturer
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire 51 per cent ownership in Shandong Chengshan Tire Company Ltd. (Chengshan) of Shandong, China, and will partner with that company to create Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Passenger Tire Co. Ltd. and Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Truck Tire Company Ltd. Cooper said the total investment in the acquisition would be approximately $70 million.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Sets Quarterly Sales Mark, Hits $142 Million Profit
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co reported net income of $142 million, the company’s best quarterly result since the third quarter of 1998 and up substantially from its 2004 third quarter profit of $38 million. The profit came against record quarterly net sales and strong results from its tyre operations, Goodyear said. Goodyear recorded sales of $5 billion for the quarter, up 7 per cent from $4.7 billion during the same period last year. 2004 period. Third quarter tyre unit volume increased to 58.4 million units, up 1.8 per cent from last year.
Continue Reading3363 Picks Bridgestone
Bridgestone UK and Truck Point, its network of independent truck tyre dealers, have won a three-year contract with wholesale food distributor 3363 First for Foodservice to provide total tyre management services.
Continue ReadingDunlop Revives Buzz Cuts at SEMA
Dunlop’s treadheads are to return to the SEMA show, with 200 buzz cuts expected to take place at the event. The manufacturer reports that Chicago barber, Nate “Scissorhands” Hoops, is sharpening his haircutting tools, and Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread designs are dancing in the heads of the throngs visiting the automotive aftermarket show. Hoops is expected to reach a clipping rate of 50 heads-per-day clip. Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said: “Dunlop’s booth is all about performance - from sleek treadheads to sideways drifting cars to the annual ‘Maxxed Out’ Awards. There also will be plenty of surprises. Because the SEMA Show emphasises tuner-style automotive accessories, the venue is a perfect fit for Dunlop.”
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein Launches “Premium” Vredestein Brand in Russia
(Akron/Tire Review) Since its formation in the aftermath of communism in Russia, Amtel has had its eye on greater things. Once a collection of low-tech, Soviet-era tyre factories, bought up by founder and India native Sudhir Gupta, Amtel has invested heavily in modernising its plants and improving its tyre technology. Steady growth gave the company the capital to make a bold move, which it completed in April with the acquisition of Dutch tyremaker Vredestein Banden. Now, it has unleased that top-shelf tyre brand on the Russian market.
Continue ReadingDelphi Secures Apprentice Training with Nationwide Autocentres
Delphi’s service and aftermarket training centre has been selected by one of the UK’s leading vehicle repair networks, Nationwide Autocentres (NWAC), to train young apprentices aged between 16 and 24 attending its new technician accreditation programmes. Each course lasts three years and, over this period, the first pilot group of 53 students from 120 NWAC in the Midlands will receive a total of 18 weeks hands-on training. In addition to becoming familiar with diagnostic techniques, Delphi has designed a bespoke outward bounds programme to encourage team building, trust and leadership skills which are seen as equally important to overall personal development.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Partners with Tredit
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has partnered with Tredit Tire & Wheel Company, Inc to provide tyre and wheel assemblies to original equipment trailer manufacturers. Tredit is a leading supplier of wheel and tyre and wheel packages for trailers used in the recreational vehicle, cargo, horse/livestock, boat and utility segments.
Continue ReadingOrteck International Sues Giti Tire for Fraud
US importer and distributor, Orteck International, is suing Shanghai-based Giti Tire (GT) for fraud. In a lawsuit filed in the federal district court in Greenbelt, Orteck claims the GT undertook a scheme to eliminate the company as the exclusive distributor of its tyres in the US.
Continue ReadingCTNA’s Charlotte Tyre Plant Faces Uncertain Future
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) may cut additional jobs at its Charlotte, NC, tyre plant or shut down the facility, according to Alan Hippe, chief financial officer for Continental AG. Hippe told The Charlotte Observer that the Charlotte plant is CTNA’s most expensive manufacturing facility. Health care and pensions are primarily responsible for the high costs, he told the newspaper.
Continue ReadingMichelin Reports Increase in Overall 3Q Net Sales
(Akron/Tire Review) Groupe Michelin reported an increase of 4.5 per cent in net sales for the current third quarter, compared to the third quarter of 2004. In North America, the passenger and light truck tyre replacement markets experienced a 2.6 per cent growth year to date September 2005, compared to 2004, Michelin reported.
Continue ReadingDelphi Appoints Aftermarket Marketing Director
(Akron/Tire Review) Delphi Corp. appointed Brian Altenberger as global director of marketing for its Delphi Product & Service Solutions unit. Altenberger replaces Lucia Moretti who was recently named managing director for Delphis Aftermarket operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. In his new role, Altenberger will be responsible for global marketing for Delphi’s aftermarket product lines, distribution strategy and business planning.
Continue ReadingInvestor Unhappy With Titan “Merger” Plans
(Akron/Tire Review) Activist hedge fund Jana Partners has taken a strong stance against the proposed “merger” between Titan International and One Equity Partners. Calling it a move to take Titan private, Jana Partners said the $18 per share offer made by One Equity Partners was “well below the true value of the company.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone Officially Opens Steel Cord Plant in China
Bridgestone Corporation officially opened Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co, Ltd, in Liaoning Province, China. Bridgestone invested US$94.3 million in the construction of the plant, which began producing steel cord for truck and bus radial tyres in August this year. Production capacity is projected to reach 70 tons per day by the end of 2007. About 100 people attended the opening ceremony, including Chinese government and municipal officials such as Song Qi, deputy mayor of Shenyang. Heading the Bridgestone contingent were Masaharu Oku, the board of directors, vice president and senior officer responsible for tyre production and distribution, Hiromichi Odagiri, vice president and senior officer, chief representative of Bridgestone tyre operations in China, Kaoru Fujioka, vice president and officer in charge of steel cord, and various other plant officials.
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