Conti Gains Recognition in North America
Continental has gained further recognition in the North American market as OE fitment to the newly declared North American Car of the Year and Truck of the Year, chosen at the North American International Auto Show currently being held in Detroit. The Chrysler 300/300c and the Ford Escape Hybrid truck were chosen for their “innovation, value, safety, ride and handling,” reports an American news source.
Continue ReadingGood News for UK Manufacturers and Distributors
Plimsoll’s latest report issues good news for the UK tyre manufacturers and distributors industry by announcing that the value of 59 per cent of companies in the industry has increased in the last 12 months, some by as much as 50 per cent. David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll, explains: Having valued many companies in the UK tyre manufacturers and distributors industry in the last two years, I am amazed that despite poor margins and low growth being commonplace in the market, so many of them have managed to increase in value. While 16 per cent of companies saw no change, only 25 per cent of the industry suffered a fall in value.
Continue ReadingWarning: Stolen Tyres
More that 400 Merit 235/45 R 17 97W tyres have been stolen from a container en route to Micheldever Tyres. As Micheldever Tyre Services is the only official UK importer of this brand, any offer of these tyres should be regarded as suspicious. There are minimal quantities of this tyre currently in the market place. Micheldever has offered a reward for any information leading to the successful prosecution of those involved in the theft of these tyres.
Continue ReadingUS Tyre Shipments Beat Expectations
Financial analysts are predicting that the US tyre market has performed better than expected in the month of December, increasing 9.5 per cent year-over-year. The news follows a six per cent increase in November and an 8 per cent decline in October. The market watchers from Deutsche Bank estimate that US tyre manufacturers are likely to have experienced a 2.5 per cent increase in replacement volume. In addition the analysts report that volumes this quarter are also better than expected. As a result Deutsche Bank predicts that Cooper and Goodyear will experience a positive modification in their share prices of $0.10 and $0.07 respectively.
Continue ReadingFrench Manufacturers Select Bridgestone for OE
Major French car manufacturers, Renault and Peugeot have selected Bridgestone for original equipment, the company has announced. Both manufacturers will fit 15 inch tyres to their new high-volume small cars.
Continue ReadingWomen Rev Up for Autosports Show
The Government Motorsport Unit (GMU) is teaming up with various motorsport bodies to fund a unique stand at next week’s Autosport International. ‘Women in Motorsport’ will exhibit with a combination of resources from: Formula Woman, British Women Racing Drivers’ Club (BWRDC), Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and the Motor Sports Association (MSA). The aim is to actively promote female involvement in motorsport and to assist women working within the industry.
Continue ReadingNew Ford Concept Car Features Tire IQ
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Siemans VDO have unveiled the results of their cooperation as part of Fords latest concept car, the Ford Shelby GR-1. When the new vehicle was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit it would not have been immediately obvious that the concept coupe carried a fully functional “Tire IQ” TPMS. Even so, the companies behind the system highlight this feature describing it as the “most advanced tyre information system to be developed.”
Continue ReadingCrypton Relaunch Wheelforce
Crypton Technology Group has relaunched the Wheelforce brand with the introduction of a range of high performance wheel balancers and tyre changers. The new range is to be sold exclusively through Unipart Automotive, which includes Partco, Brown Brothers, Serck Intertruck, Plunketts and Express Factors.
Continue Reading100+ To Attend Winter Tyres Seminar
The NTDA has confirmed that more than 100 delegates have registered to attend a seminar exploring the possibility of developing a market for winter tyres in the UK. The suggestion follows a successful campaign in Holland, where involved parties saw the winter tyre market increase nine-fold in four years. The NTDA says that a similar exercise in the UK could establish a new market of over 2.5 million units. In Holland, the campaign has been based on the slogan: “If there’s an R in the month change to winter tyres.” Although the country has a similar climate to the UK, sales have risen from around 50,000 units in 1997 to the current high of almost 500,000. “In a highly competitive and mature market like the UK the prospect of increasing the overall market size by over two million units is an opportunity that cannot be ignored. We are delighted with the response to the seminar which has exceeded expectations so we know the trade is interested in finding out how the concept can be turned into reality,” added Mr Edy. Tyre & Accessories will be reporting from the seminar, which will take place on 13 January at The Aftermarket Show in Birmingham.
Continue ReadingFire at Conti’s Mount Vernon Plant
Officials have report that a fire broke out at the Continental General Tire plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois. No injuries have been reported. Fire and water damage was estimated to be more than $100,000. The fire is believed to have started when a welder working in the curing department ignited some chemicals. The resulting fireball burned through the ceiling, but was brought under control within half-an-hour. Employees were evacuated as a precaution, though plant operations resumed a short time later.
Continue Reading2004 Car Registrations Remain Flat
In 2004 new car registrations in the UK totalled 2,567,269 units, 0.5 per cent down compared with 2003’s figures. During the same period the number of units manufactured with diesel engines increased 18.5 per cent totalling 835,334 units. Diesel cars now occupy a record 32.5 per cent of the market. Registrations for the month December dipped 7.1 per cent to 144,353 units from 155,452.
Continue ReadingRecord Annual CV Registrations
Commercial vehicle registrations hit an all time high last year with a record level of 389, 923 units, a figure that was up some 9.5 per cent. The SMMT also recorded the highest ever December CV registrations at 28,470. According to the society growth remained concentrated in LCVs, particularly medium vans. 24,021 light commercial vehicles were registered in December, with a total of 329,599 units recorded for the year.
Continue ReadingRenault To Sponsor New Tyre Industry Awards
The NTDA has announced that Renault Vans will be supporting its Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) awards in 2005. The TAFF awards are due to be launched at the NTDA’s Annual Dinner in April. The awards will feature Tyre Manufacturer, National and Regional Wholesaler, Tyre and Aftermarket Equipment Supplier, Product Innovation and a special award for Industry Advertising Campaigns.
Continue ReadingCooper to Buy 11 per cent of Kumho Tire
Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced that it has agreed to acquire approximately 11 per cent of the common equity of Kumho Tire. Cooper reports that the acquisition is in connection with a planned initial public offering on the London and Korean stock exchanges. The deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005, remains subject to a number of government and regulatory approvals.
Continue ReadingMichelin Aims to Start Tyre Revolution
The answer is - when it is a Tweel. Michelin has been demonstrating the direction that it would like to take tyres by exhibiting one of its most recent developments at Detroits North American International Auto Show. The Tweel is an airless tyre/wheel concept that consists of a band of tread attached to a set of flexible polyurethane spokes. According to Michelin executives, this design makes for a “virtually indestructible vehicle tyre” that can be tuned for handling. The same executives also concede that any practical applications could be as much as 15 years away.
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