‘SUV of the Year’ Rides on Goodyear Tyres
Goodyear welcomed the news that the redesigned 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee has received yet another accolade for its “versatility and style,” as its tyres will again be fitted on all models of the new vehicle. The vehicle recently won the title of 2005 SUV of the Year by ‘Truckin’s SUV,’ an enthusiast magazine. According to the magazine, the Grand Cherokee stood out due to its refined ride, off-road performance, and high-feature content coupled with notable quality, excellent road manners, and a warm and inviting interior.
Continue ReadingCommunications at Continental Automotive Systems
The Continental Automotive Systems division (CAS) of Continental AG has announced that Dagmar Weiner will assume responsibility for the division’s communications starting 17 January 2005. She will oversee the internal and external communications of CAS, which specialises in vehicle safety, comfort and power transmission. The division also includes the electronics specialist Continental Temic and Continental Teves. Ms Weiner will report to the Continental executive board member Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann and to the director of corporate communications of Continental, Dr Heimo Prokop. I am very much looking forward to the task of communicating the Continental Automotive Systems division as a part of Continental AG, which leads in state-of-the-art technology for automotive safety worldwide, commented Ms Weiner on her new position with the company.
Continue ReadingBridgestone’s 4×4 Pilot Scheme
Bridgestone has implemented a new marketing strategy for its Dueller 683, 4x4 on road luxury tyre. According to news source Strategiy the manufacturer will be hosting a free, test pilot scheme for residents of several Middle Eastern countries including the UAE, KSA, Kuwait Qatar and Bahrain, in a bid to show customers how “quality tyres can assist driving.”
Continue ReadingKwik Fit’s Pit Stops Criticised
German television programme ‘Frontal 21’ has attacked the quality of service delivered by Kwik Fit owned Pit Stop following a series of mystery shopper investigations across the country. Frontal 21, which is broadcast by ZDF in Germany, claims that a succession of Pit Stop outlets made the unnecessary and costly replacement of brake parts that had been deemed effective by experts prior to the investigation.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to Build a Plant in Poland
Bridgestone will build a plant in Poland to produce rubber tracks for earthmoving equipment, the manufacturer announced today. The plant is due to begin operating in July 2006 and will be located in the city of Zarow in the south western Polish province near Wroclaw. Production capacity is expected to reach about 26,000 tracks a year by 2007 and 12 million euros will be invested to achieve this.
Continue ReadingUSWA and PACE Plan to Merge
The executive boards of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and the Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) have unanimously voted to merge. According to the USWA the merger of the two organisations will create the largest industrial union in North America, with over 1.25 million active and retired members. The union also reports that it will have over 8,000 bargaining units in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. The new union will be called the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union. PACE and USWA members will vote on the proposed merger at conventions to be held in April.
Continue ReadingConti 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 ReadingBridgestone Supply Superamerica
Bridgestone is to supply Potenza RE050 radial tyres for the Ferrari Superamerica. Delivery of the tyres, for factory installation on the newest Ferrari convertible, will begin this month. The Superamerica is derived from the 575M Maranello and will be produced in limited edition. Powered with a 12-cylinder engine and featuring a rotating roof in combination with electrochromic technology, which allows the driver to adjust the amount of sunlight that shines into the cockpit.
Continue ReadingSMMT Publication Launched
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has launched its annual publication Motor Industry Of Great Britain – 2004 World Automotive Statistics. At nearly 500 pages, the report contains its usual comprehensive, in-depth examination of various aspects of the market, including detailed analysis of car and other vehicle sales. And not just vehicles, as the report contains details of numerous components, including tyres.
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.
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