Hankook Continues Slovakia Negotiations
(Akron/Tire Review) All is not yet lost for Slovakia in its bid to land a new tyre plant from Hankook Tire Co. The South Korean tyre manufacturer has made a counterproposal for government aid to support its planned 500 million euro tyre plant. Slovakia Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda reportedly met with Hankook representatives late last week at Hankook’s request. Hankook is reported to have lowered its request for state assistance by 9.79 million euros. The meeting came just two days after Slovakia’s cabinet ministers rejected an investment package that included infrastructure improvements in the area surrounding the proposed plant.
Continue ReadingHybrid Turbos for F1
FIA president, Max Mosley, is considering introducing turbo boosters into Formula 1, The Guardian has reported. According to the newspaper, Mr Mosely is in discussion with “several of the car makers.” The idea is to introduce energy retention systems, like those used in hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.
Continue ReadingHi-Q Appoints Chris Kisby as Director Retail Operations UK
Chris Kisby joins Hi-Q, the Goodyear Dunlop retail network, from his position as key account director within the company’s consumer business unit, where he has worked for three years. During this time, Mr Kisby focused on key accounts such as Kwik Fit Europe, ATS and Hi-Q Retail.
Continue ReadingConsumers Have ‘Wait and See’ Attitude to Hybrids
(Akron/Tire Review) A new study by the Polk Center for Automotive Studies reveals that American consumers may not yet be sold on the idea of hybrid vehicles, despite fast-rising gas prices. The primary reason for their hesitation? Their feeling that there are added costs connected to hybrid technology.
Continue ReadingTyre Collection Services Suffers Fire
More than 50 fire-fighters from across the midlands tackled a fire at Tyre Collection Services Ltd on the Walsall/Sandwell border at the end of June. Around 500 tyres were involved at the height of the fire in Western Way, Moxley. Bosses at the firm blame arsonists for the fire, local news sources have reported.
Continue ReadingArnco Opens New Plant Near Cleveland
(Akron/Tire Review) South Gate, California-based Arnco, a supplier of polyurethane flatproofing products for off-road vehicles, opened its new processing plant in Berea, Ohio, last week. The company said the new 112,000-square-foot facility will “significantly expand its production capacity and help meet the growing demand worldwide for products that eliminate flats and reduce costly downtime for equipment operators.”
Continue ReadingRetreading Special: Recycling
As the saying goes: “retreading is recycling.” And as such retreading its known as the more environmentally friendly side of tyre production. However, whether you sell retreads or new tyres all casings eventually reach the end of their lives. That’s where the growing tyre collection and reprocessing business comes in. The August issue of Tyres & Accessories will feature the ways retreaders, and other members of the tyre industry, can safely and efficiently dispose of their used tyres in its ‘Retreading Special: Recycling’ supplement. In this special report T&A will speak to influential companies, take a look at the latest technologies and summarise the developments in this part of tyre business. Look out for the ‘Retreading Special: Recycling’ supplement in the August issue of T&A.
Continue ReadingRacing Driver’s Widow Takes Goodyear To Court
The widow of drag racer Darrell Russell has filed a civil lawsuit in New Braunfels, Texas, against the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), and Simpson Helmets. Mr Russell died from a head injury on 27 June 2004, after the left rear tyre on his dragster exploded at more than 323 mph and he crashed during a race at Madison, Illinois.
Continue Reading£2,000 Battery Management Centre Free with Hella Battery Plan
Trade stockists are being offered a £2,000 incentive to participate in Hella’s 2005 Battery Plan, with qualifying orders receiving a Midtronics GR1 Battery Management Centre and printer completely free of charge. The offer is part of an aggressive campaign which also includes a package of extended credit terms, merchandise and display materials, price stability, rebates for high-achieving distributors and an extended and rationalised product offer.
Continue ReadingPirelli Will Not Build Indian Plant
Pirelli S.p.A. says it has no plans to build a new tyre plant in India, denying the news item in earlier reports that it may be looking at that possibility. Pirelli’s published statement was to the point: “The Pirelli Group has no plans to build a new factory in India for tyre production.”
Continue ReadingSlovakia Scrambles to Mend Hankook Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) Reports say that Slovakian government officials are trying to meet with Hankook Tire Co to see if a deal to bring a 500 million euro tyre plant to that country can be salvaged. Earlier this week, government ministers rejected an incentive plan previously offered to lure the South Korean tyre maker to that country. According to the Slovak Spectator, Economy Minister Pavol Rusko was expected to meet with Hankook officials yesterday to discuss “an acceptable amount of investment incentives.” The rejected incentive plan would have provided nearly 300 million euros in infrastructure improvements and tax breaks, said the newspaper.
Continue ReadingPirelli Working to Beat Michelin.
Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has predicted that they will have a ‘real chance’ to win in Argentina next weekend - and has announced that the team will introduce a new tyre at the Rally Finland in August.
Continue ReadingMcLaren Win British Grand Prix
McLaren driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Montoya reportedly told his McLaren team he was going to win the Grand Prix and beat Fernando Alonso before the race started. According to race commentators he did both in style.
Continue ReadingMany Drivers ‘Fail to Check Tyres’
As many as two million motorists in the UK are putting their lives at risk by never checking their tyre pressure or tread, according to a survey launched by the RAC foundation today. The warning comes at the start of “National Think Before You Drive Month”, which is launched by the RAC Foundation in association with the FIA Foundation, Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein Secure Investment
Amtel has secured a sum of private equity capital totaling US $70 million (£40 million). Following its recent acquisition of Vredestein the company has arranged equity financing from two leading groups, Alfa Group and Temasek Holdings, representing both domestic and international investors.
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