Minardi Tyre Controversy
While Rubens Barrichello was gaining pole position in preparation for his first win of the season, the Minardi Formula 1 team found itself at the centre of controversy. According to the ‘Home of F1’ online news service, Michelin Motorsport director, Pierre Dupasquier, has accused Minardi of stealing the remains of Jenson Button’s burst Michelin tyre. Mr Dupasquier alleges that the tyre was taken off a truck when Zsolt Baumgartners crashed Minardi was returned to pit lane, at the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago. The Minardi team, who run on Bridgestone tyres, have vehemently denied the accusation.
Continue ReadingNew Manager for Bridgestone Australia
Bridgestone Australia has announced that the company has appointed Makio Ohashi as chairman of directors and chief executive. The appointment follows the resignation of former director and chairman, Fumio Okuma, who had acted as company chairman for three and a half years. According to Bridgestone, Mr Okuma resigned in ordre to take up a new position overseas. Mr Ohashi is due to begin in his new role as chairman and chief executive immediately.
Continue ReadingBus and Coach Registrations Down
August bus and coach registration figures reflect a general fall in demand. At 12,597 the rolling year total fell at the end of August by 2.95 per cent. The shorter term, year to date figures show a 9.7 per cent drop over eight months. The figures, released through the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), reflect the view that operators are still not spending enough on new buses to hit the government’s fleet replacement target. In contrast with the heavier vehicles figures, the number of light bus registration increased 23.3 per cent to 1,080. Coach registrations were also up 11.1 per cent to 832 for the eight months at the end of August. The rolling total of double deck buses was 1,378, 12 per cent less than last year’s figure. In spite of the decrease August figure is actually above the 200-2002 average of 1,206. The SMMT suggests that this is due to the fleet purchases of London buses.
Continue ReadingMobile Tyre Fitters Meet Royalty
Prince Charles recently visited Darren Williams Tyre and Auto Care Services in Scotland as part of the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). Mr Williams set up his own mobile tyre-fitting firm in 2001 with the help of PSYBT, and has since grown from a one man tyre fitting operation to servicing the domestic, haulage and agricultural sectors. The dealership, which is part of the RH Claydon network, won the regional final of the PSYBT Business Awards in 2003 and later went on to win the runner-up prize in the national finals.
Continue ReadingE Business of the Year Award
Online tyre retailer, Black Circles, has won an e-commerce award at the Scottish 2004 National Business Awards. The company views the award as an endorsement of its strategy to trade predominantly online. The E-Strategy Business of the Year Award joins the companys Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year award received by Black Circles 25 year old managing director Mike Welch. Mr Welch commented: Our overall business strategy, including the e-commerce strategy, is highly innovative and includes a highly appealing consumer offering. We sell top brand name tyres cheaply and we fit them at a location of your choice at a time of your choice. That has already been shown to be appealing to tens of thousands of consumers across the UK already and this award is further endorsement that we are continuing to go in the right direction. The companys web service allows consumers to source, purchase and arrange tyre fitting all online.
Continue ReadingEating Out with Michelin
Michelin has launched a new Eating Out in Pubs guide which it claims reflects the changes in dining seen in the UK in recent years. The guide includes reviews of 500 dining pubs from around Britain and Ireland, ranging from cutting-edge gastropubs to town taverns. The spin off, from its Hotel and Restaurant guide, details the individual pubs and inns including information about their menus, local specialities and drinks and even directions on how to find them. The selection covers the entire Isles from 55 hotspots in the east of England, to 96 in the south west (including the Channel Islands). A total of 24 pubs are rated in Scotland, 29 in Wales, and 28 in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Michelin commented: Pub food has changed a great deal over the last decade as more and more establishments put the emphasis on dining. The publication also announces details of Michelins first ever Pub of the Year.
Continue ReadingPirelli Supports Russia
Two Pirelli employees based in Burton on Trent have been busy organising a company collection for the victims and families of the Beslan school atrocity. Clare Crighton and Hannah Williams collected in excess of £400.00 in a day. Clare Crighton: We were extremely touched by everyones generosity and how this tragedy has touched everyone.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Announces Rationalisation Plans
Goodyear’s Engineered Products and Chemical businesses are to implement rationalisation programmes in order to reduce operational costs, the company has announced.
Continue ReadingPirelli to Sponsor Golden Ticket Contest
Pirelli have partnered with DUB magazine to sponsor the ‘Nelly Golden Ticket Album Contest.’
Continue ReadingThe Effects of Reduced Demand
As a result of the decline in the US tyre market, Deutsche Bank analysts are revising their estimates for tyre manufacturers Goodyear and Cooper. The analysts say they are adjusting their share price estimates for Cooper from $1.85 down to $1.70. Goodyear’s estimates are to be adjusted by a similar amount, from 50 down to 40 cents. According to the analysts, the 1.6 per cent slip in the market during August is a consequence of high fuel prices, which in turn reduces the amount of disposable income available to consumers.
Continue ReadingPolish Market to Grow 3 per cent
The Polish tyre market is to grow at a rate of three per cent during 2004, according to Goodyear estimates. The company, which has invested in domestic tyre producer, Dębica, believes Polish consumers will buy a total of 7.1 million new tyres in 2004.
Continue ReadingNew COO at Stapletons
Stapletons (Tyre Services) Limited has announced the appointment of a new chief operating officer.
Continue ReadingPSA Peugeot Citroën’s Stop and Start System
PSA Peugeot Citroën unveiled its new Stop and Start system at a ceremony in Paris earlier this week. With the new system, the engine is automatically turned off and is in standby mode, when the vehicle stops at traffic lights and traffic jams. The engine instantly starts up again when the brake pedal is released, with the vehicle pulling away once the accelerator is pressed. The Citroën C3 1.4i 16V Stop and Start, will feature Michelin tyres when it is rolled out in early November, and will be the first mass-produced car equipped with this environmentally conscious system. It will also be combined with SensoDrive technology; an electronically controlled manual gearbox. The new system is expected to be gradually extended to other Citroën and Peugeot vehicles. The Group claims that the system has reduced fuel consumption by 10 per cent for city driving, six per cent in a standard combined cycle and up to 15 per cent in heavy traffic. CO2 emissions are said to be reduced by a similar proportion.
Continue ReadingSMMT’s Vehement Response to Industry Committee
The Trade and Industry Select Committee report on The UK Automotive Industry in 2004, has stated that the UK is “a good venue for automotive production.” It also went on to suggest that the industry calls for consistent implementation of EU regulations and strict monitoring of EU-wide schemes for emissions trading. There was good news for the SMMT Industry Forum and Automotive Academy, which was praised for its work in improving competitiveness and addressing the skills shortage. However, it criticised falling new car prices and the action taken to open up the market for independent service and repair outlets. The SMMT was disappointed with the criticism and has issued a contentious response following the release of the report. Chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented: “The fundamentals of this report are good news for the industry. While the sector is not without its problems, the Committee has recognised the steps taken to address issues of competitiveness and skills through organisations like SMMT Industry Forum and the new Automotive Academy. “By continuing to work closely with the government we can ensure that threats identified in the report, such as the cost of regulation and low levels of investment in research and development, do not erode the UKs significant automobile production and supply base.”
Continue ReadingZisser Banned from Selling Wanli S-1099
A US court has banned wholesaler Zisser Tire from selling Wanli S-1099 tyres, which, according to the ruling, infringe Yokohama’s trademarks.
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