Down-Under and Back Again
The Italian aluminium wheel brand, OZ, is known worldwide for its involvement in motorsports. It is equally well known in the aftermarket because of its good reputation. But, in recent times there have been many fears that Italian companies couldn’t compete in European market, where high quality and low prices are paramount. Now, at thirty years old, the company has experienced the sharpest turnaround in its history. A turnaround that the management believes has a lot to do with its acceptance of Japanese Kaizen Philosophy. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingConcentrating on Catalytic Converters
The widespread introduction of catalytic converters, almost a decade ago, has had a dramatic effect on vehicle pollution. Harmful emissions from petrol cars have been reduced by an average of 75 per cent. The effectiveness of ‘cats’, combined with vast improvements in the quality of fuels, means that today it is estimated that it would take up to approximately 100 new cars to produce the same emissions as just one made 20 years ago. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingGroup Tyre Team Win Michelin F1 Pitstop Challenge
A team made up of tyre fitters from Elite Garages of Horsham and Broadway Tyres of High Wycombe demonstrated their high speed skills by winning Michelin F1 Pitstop Challenge at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Continue ReadingAnalysts Applaud Michelin Deal
The recent cost cutting agreement signed by Michelin and USWA is a “significant achievement,” according to Deutsche Bank analysts.
Continue ReadingEssen Motor Show Booked Out
All exhibition space at the 37th Essen Motor Show is booked out, say the organisers. From 26 November to 5 December, 2004, 570 companies from 19 different countries will present their latest innovations. In keeping with the exhibitions motto “Formel Fun,“ the organisers want to bring visitors’ fascination with cars to life. One of the biggest and most influential passenger car exhibitions this year, the show is expected to attract more than 400,000 visitors. Several new models are expected to make their debut. In addition, the tuning sector of the industry will display many new products on its exhibition stands.
Continue ReadingContinental and Renault Share Prices Boom
Continentals shares prices reached historically high levels last week. The influential automotive suppliers impressive share prices are attributed to the companys strong first half earnings, which have increased 46 per cent at the operating level. At the same time French car manufacturer, Renault, has achieved a similarly impressive share price. According to analysts, the results are due to the car manufacturer’s Megane II and the recently launched Modus model.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Managers to Job Swap
Goodyear Dunlop Europe has appointed Dick Johnson as general manager of Goodyear Dunlop UK, the company has announced.
Continue ReadingBridgestone’s Motorcycle Performance Claims Podium Position
Makoto Tamada surprised spectators with his impressive performance at the Portuguese Grand Prix this weekend. In his Bridgestone-fitted Camel Honda RC 211 V the Japanese driver, who won the Rio-Grand Prix in July, took second place in the race. World Champion Valentino Rossi took pole position and Brazilian Alex Barros came in third place. Bridgestone believes the result “confirmed the qualities of the latest Bridgestone compound generation.” John Hopkins claimed sixth place on his Suzuki GSV-R he commented: After qualifying, I knew that our Bridgestone tyres had very consistent grip, so I saved it all for a final attack on Carlos Checa. I managed to get ahead of him onto the back straight, but then I ran onto the white line and went wide, and he got by again. Horsepower is our biggest issue at the moment, and you have to ride the corners really hard to make up for it. But even though I would have liked to finish fifth, this was a great race. My team gave me a good bike today, and the tyres were exceptional.
Continue ReadingA View of Vintage Tyres
Some people call them veteran tyres, on the continent they are called old-timer tyres, in the UK they are generally know by the more stately title of vintage tyres. Reminding owners of by-gone days is all well and good, but what role do vintage tyres play in today’s industry? Tyres & Accessories takes a look at the vintage tyre market, and some of the key players in this niche market. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingMarangoni to focus on Ringtreads
The retreading industry is always looking for new, more advanced solutions, and the ability to compete against new tyre performance. Marangoni believes its Ringtread concept is the answer to this. The Ringtread has undergone some extensive developments since its introduction. Once again the technology behind the tread is evolving. To mark its most recent stage of advancement Marangoni has committed the majority of its future investment towards marketing the system. As the industry’s attention is drawn towards the Ringtread, Tyres & Accessories discovers what’s behind the Italian manufacturer’s latest move.To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingBenelux Market Overview
The central European countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are often referred to as the Benelux countries, even though, politically and legally they are completely independent countries. The individual Benelux countries may be small but they are by no means insignificant. Situated in an area as well connected by sea as it is by road the region acts as a doorway to the rest of Europe. From the low-lying port countries of Belgium and the Netherlands, large-scale distributors use the Benelux as a conduit for expansion across the European union and beyond. Tyres & Accessories shines a spotlight on the Benelux tyre market.To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingHankook: Ready To Move On
These are exciting times for Hankook Tyre UK, as the company prepares to relocate its headquarters into a new warehouse and office complex, designed and built to the companys own specifications. In terms of distance, the move is negligible - just half a mile or so down the road in Daventry, Northants - but in terms of what it means to the company, the significance is enormous. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
Continue ReadingChrysler Boss Warns Auotmotive Suppliers to Adapt or Die
During a speech given at the Auto Tech 2004 conference Chrysler CEO, Dieter Zetsche told 1000 executives that “it’s adapt or die” for automotive suppliers.
Continue ReadingSolberg Wins Japan’s Inaugural Rally
Subaru’s Petter Solberg has won the inaugural Rally of Japan. By the end of the second leg, Solberg had built up lead of more than a minute over Citreon’s Sebastien Loeb.
Continue ReadingEllerbrock Extends Its Grip on Winter
Ellerbrock has once again extended its Kontur precured tread range. Two new options have been added to the winter profile, Kontur Grip, which is now available in 240mm and 260mm. The Kontur range is Ellerbrock’s “superior performance” tread, designed to offer greater mileage performance, greater transverse stability of the vehicle and even, regular tread wear.
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