Kingsway Tyres helps Children in Need
Kingsway Tyres has helped raise more than £4,500 for Children in Need. The dealership worked with a local ASDA store and some television celebrities providing a day of fund-raising activity in Corby, Northamptonshire. The celebrities, including TV chef Rusty Lee and presenter Paul Ross, competed in a series of challenges ranging from leg waxing to competing for the best lap time in a motor racing simulator, provided by Kingsway Tyres’ parent company Bridgestone UK. “It was a very successful event,” said Bruce Cleghorn, area manager at Kingsway Tyres. “It felt good to aid the Children in Need cause, and everyone had a fun day out too. “Not only were the celebrities that took part in the event very generous to give up their time, but also the general public proved to be very charitable as more than £350 of the total collected was raised from photos with the car and rides on the simulator,” added Bruce. The tyre dealership, which has 16 outlets across the East Midlands and East Anglia, also brought a replica Ferrari Formula 1 car to the event, and members of the public were given the chance to have their photos taken with the impressive vehicle and also test their driving skills on the simulator in return for a charity donation.
Continue ReadingMichelin and Sauber Fit Together
Yesterday the Swiss Sauber team tested tyres from its new supplier, Michelin. Driver, Felipe Massa used last season’s C23 and obviously succeeded in finding a good balance between the tyres and wheel suspension, at the first attempt. Bridgestone tyres had previously been fitted to the model.
Continue ReadingBosch Releases AsiaSILVER Range
Bosch has released a new range of batteries, designed specifically for Asian cars and car-based LCVs. The new products belong to the company’s AsiaSILVER range and calcium-silver alloy technology. The battery manufacturer says it has designed the new 100 per cent maintenance-free AsiaSILVER range to meet the stringent Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and offer enhanced performance, durability, safety and functionality compared with more traditional JIS lead acid batteries. The 14 part numbers are said to provide coverage of almost all Japanese and Korean cars and van derivatives on sale in the UK. The AsiaSILVER range incorporates the same features of the Bosch Silver range, which has now been available in the UK aftermarket for the past 6 years. Power ratings range from 40A/h up to 95A/h, with the most powerful version vibration proof for use in 4x4 off-road vehicles. Bosch reports that AsiaSILVER has a 20 per cent longer service life than traditional JIS-type batteries and an 18-month shelf life.
Continue ReadingCall for Manufacturer Modifications
If every manufacturer made modifications to new cars at an estimated cost of £75 per car, the lives of 1,700 pedestrians and cyclists could be saved across Europe, according to the RAC Foundation.
Continue ReadingCapirossi and Checa Have Successful Bridgestone Debuts
Loris Capirossi and Carlo Checa have made successful debuts, testing tyres for Bridgestone. The riders were testing Japanese rubber after Ducati switched suppliers from Michelin to Bridgestone. Capirossi shone with best results followed by Checa. The Aprilia, Proton-KTM and Kawasaki were also testing in Jerez.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Names New Technology Director
Goodyear has appointed Jon Bellissimo as director of technology for the company’s commercial tyre systems. Mr Bellissimo previously served as director of global technology for Goodyear Engineered Products a position has held since August, 2000. The company says Mr Bellissimos experience in tyre modeling and composite science will contribute to expediting new technologies in medium truck tyres. “We plan to lead in smart truck tyres that use computer chips to improve tyre maintenance and increased miles to removal,” said Steve McClellan, Goodyears vice president commercial tyre systems, North America region. “Through Goodyear computer modeling, we are gaining product leadership in line haul and regional haul steer tyre application, line haul drive and urban steer position,” Mr McClellan added
Continue ReadingTrade Show Skills Centre
The CV and Automotive Trade Show is to support a major careers initiative through next years exhibition. The event will host a Skills Centre displaying a range of careers across the road transport and commercial vehicle industries. The scheme is intended to help cut skills shortages across the two related business sectors.
Continue ReadingVredestein to Increase Prices in Germany
The growing raw material prices have now also affected Vredestein’s price structure in Germany. Passenger car summer tyres, light truck tyres as well as all-season tyres will be 2.5 per cent more expensive from January onwards. The prices for agricultural tyres will be even increased by four per cent.
Continue ReadingConti to Raise 2004 Share Dividend?
According to German media publications, Continental AG is considering paying a higher dividend at the end of the current financial year. Chairman Manfred Wennemer told a European business magazine that because of growing earnings an increase would be possible. At the end of September Wennemer said that this year’s earnings per share (EPS) will be at least on the 2003 level of 0.52 euros. At the same time he confirmed the rather positive earning predictions for the financial year saying that 2004 will be ended with an operating profit of 855 million euros on 31 December.
Continue ReadingPirelli Named Best Innovator 2004
Pirelli Tyres has been awarded Best Innovator 2004 prize, during Italys first national innovation day. The aweard, organised by A T Kearney in partnership with Confindustria, is awarded to companies that demonstrate the ability to create value through innovation. According to the company, Pirelli won the award due to its “excellence in integrating different dimensions of innovation. Pirelli sees the prize as another way of recognising the company’s technologies - particularly tis Modular Integrated Robotized System or MIRS and its Continuous Compound Mixing system. “Innovation is a core element of Pirelli culture; the group aims at excellence both in processes and products, not being satisfied by current standards,” Mr Francesco Gori, managing director of Pirelli Tyres Sector commented. “Innovation allows us to create value for customers and companies, which must foster and stimulate creativity and speed not only in research and development activities.” Pirelli says that its innovation, as a company, has led to products such as the Eufori@, the first Pirelli run-flat tyre which can run at zero-pressure and today equips the Mini and new 1 and 3 BMW Series.
Continue ReadingTop Technician 2005
The search continues to find the top British garage technician of the automotive aftermarket. There is less than one month left to nominate candidates for the award and judges are looking for a technician with the right skills, knowledge and attitude to approach any job.
Continue ReadingOnkar S Kanwar Becomes New FICCI President
Onkar S Kanwar has been named as president-elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Mr Kanwar, chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres, will take over from current president YK Modi at the conclusion of the 77th annual session next month. Closely associated with leading national and international industry chambers and other business organisations, Kanwar is also past president of the International Chamber of Commerce - India (ICCI). As head of Apollo Tyres, Kanwar recently forged alliance with Michelin, the worlds number one tyre manufacturer with operations in over 170 countries.
Continue ReadingCooper Names New SUV/LT Tyre Development Manager
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company has named Marcus A Hancock as manager of sport utility vehicle/light truck tyre development. His responsibilities include managing and leading the development of new SUV and light truck products for the North American market. Originally from England, Hancock joined Cooper-Avon Tyre at Melksham, in 1989 as a tyre design and development technical assistant. He has also worked as both a design engineer and a senior design engineer at Cooper-Avon. Mr Hancock has also been a senior development engineer of performance tyres at the Cooper tyre plant in Findlay, Ohio.
Continue ReadingUSWA Ratifies Contract at Goodyear Mould Facility
The USWA has reported that members in Statesville, North Carolina plant have “overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The agreement represents the first the first contract at the plant since workers collectively chose the USWA as bargaining representative in February 2004. According to the USWA, 95 per cent of those eligible to vote were in favour of the new agreement, which provides workers with a network of job security measures. Provisions that restrict the companys ability to contract-out work will maximize the utilisation of our skilled and experienced members, said local union negotiating committee member, Terry Gentle. Were pleased that we have reached an agreement with Goodyear-Statesville that makes our members in Statesville partners in the ongoing turnaround of this company, added Tom Drescher, local union negotiating committee member. The USWA represents 130 employees at the Statesville facility. Overall, the USWA represents more than 18,000 members employed at 14 Goodyear tyre and engineered product facilities throughout the US. First contract negotiations continue at facilities in Asheboro, NC and in Utica, NY.
Continue ReadingFulda to Showcase UHP tyre to UK Market
Fulda will be launching its new UHP tyre at Autosport International early next year. The company has already announced that it is to be the title sponsor of the live action arena at the show during the 13-16 January 2005, and will be using the opportunity to promote its new tyre.
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