Tyres Stolen from Pirelli Delivery
On 16 Friday December 2005 12 Pzero Nero M&S tyres went missing from a transport vehicle destined for Gothenburg. The 225/50R17 94V PZero Nero, M&S tyres were loaded at Pirelli, Burton-on-Trent but failed to arrive at their destination.
Continue ReadingA New Form of Drink-Driving
Drivers are being warned to avoid caffeine excess after a man was jailed for dangerous driving after drinking 20 cans of Red Bull. Peter Edwards, 48, from King’s Lynn, was jailed for four months on Friday after Norwich Crown Court heard he was pursued across Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. His car was seen “swerving from side to side” across the A10, the court heard. Edwards car was then involved in a 50-mile police chase, according to a BBC report.
Continue ReadingJK Industries Back in the Black
JK Industries Ltd, the manufacturer behind the JK Tyre and Vikrant brands, recorded a turnover of 6.52 billion rupees (£83 million) between October and December 2005, a 30 per cent increase over the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The quarter-end results also showed that the company’s Operating Profit (EBIDTA) has increased 100 per cent to 380 million rupees and the Profit Before Tax also registered an increase at 48.2 million rupees against a loss of 49.3 million rupees in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net profit was up at 24.7 million rupees against loss of 92 million rupees during the same period year ago.
Continue ReadingIndia Begins Anti-Dumping Probe on Chinese, Thai Tyre Imports
India has initiated anti-dumping investigations against imports of bus and truck tyres from China and Thailand, The Hindu newspaper has reported. The announcement follows a complaint filed by the industry tyre industry association ATMA alleging market “dumping.” The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties will the investigate the period between 1 April 2004 to 30 June 30 2005, it said.
Continue ReadingTroika Rates Amtel Shares as Hold
Troika Dialog, the oldest investment bank in Russia, has rated Amtel-Vredestein stock as “hold,” with a fair value of $11.06. According to the bank, the company “appears to have the means to deliver significant income growth in 2006.” However, Troika analysts also state their concern that “corporate governance practices, a tendency to grow debt and sudden swings in capital expenditure are holding back its valuation.”
Continue ReadingNokian Launches New Studded Winter Tyres
Nokian Tyres’ added two new studded tyres to its Hakkapeliitta product range. The Hakkapeliitta 5, a studded winter tyre for passenger cars, and Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5, for SUVs, are both designed to promote safe winter driving. The tyres feature what Nokian describes as the ”bear claw”, which is intended to enhance performance and together with the further developed square stud, improve grip properties. The bear claw is a claw-like projection on the front edge of the tread blocks, which holds the stud in position during braking. The stud has been further developed by enhancing its square design. Several improvements to tyre structure and tread pattern are also said to improve the reliability of winter driving.
Continue ReadingHankook Steps Up Motorsport Involvement
The recent Autosport show saw Korean tyre manufacturer, Hankook, unveil a raft of motorsports plans, as it seeks to become a key player in the UK motorsports arena. Building on last year’s successful rallying programme, Hankook Motorsports has confirmed plans to run a two-car team in the British Rally Championship with former British champion Gwyndaf Evans and rising-star Stuart Jones driving Hankook shod Mitsubishi Lancers. On the racetrack Hankook announced that it is joining forces with the VW Racing Cup.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Wheels Shown on Major Manufacturers in Detroit
As the automotive world converges in Detroit for the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Alcoa Wheels Products say that the company is enjoying fitment on many new 2006 models. Alcoa Wheel Products, a Cleveland-based business unit of Alcoa, has fitments on new production model vehicles including the Nissan Altima SE-R, Chrysler 300C SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Ram 2500, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Viper and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Alcoa wheels are also being shown on Ford F250 trucks, including Ford’s Harley-Davidson Edition and on the GMC Envoy Denali, Hummer H2 and Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.
Continue ReadingCompromise Possible At Conti-Stoecken
There is still a possibility that Continental AG can make an amicable agreement with the German works council over job-cuts at its Hanover-Stoecken tyre factory, the AFX news agency has reported. Workers at the Stoecken plant are expected to meet management today. At the same time Continental employees across Germany have been asked to protest against the planned 320 job cuts - around 10 per cent of the work force. The cuts, which are planned to take place by the end of 2006, were announced in November due to lower-than-expected growth in car tyre sales.
Continue ReadingMatador Supports British Off-Road Championship
Matador (UK) Ltd has become the headline sponsor of the 2006 MSA British Off Road Championship. Company representatives are obviously pleased to have taken on the position, and commented: “2006 looks like it may be a defining year for off-road motorsport in the UK.” “Ultimately we want people to enjoy themselves watching and participating in 4x4 competition,” explained Matador Tyre Sport UK MD, Graham Middleton, adding: “At the same time it brings a different angle to Matador’s sporting portfolio. We competed in the ‘clubman’ section of the championship last year, and were impressed with the way that the organisers listened to the competitors.”
Continue ReadingATSE Appointment Strengthens CV Position
ATS Euromaster has made its third significant appointment to its national sales team in four months signalling the clearest indication yet of its plans to become market leaders in the fleet car and commercial vehicle tyre service sectors.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop and Continental Opt for Christian Salvesen
Logistics specialist Christian Salvesen has agreed warehousing and distribution deals with two of the UK’s leading tyre companies. Firstly, Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK has announced that it is to extend its logistics partnership with the company. This will mean that Christian Salvesen will take over the operation of the National Distribution Centre (NDC) at TyreFort in Erdington, Birmingham, in addition to its current responsibilities for the transportation and distribution of tyres, which began in 2002.
Continue ReadingKMart Buys Shell Australia’s Tyre Depots
In Australia, Kmart Tyre and Auto Service is to acquire 90 Shell Autoserv and Auto Care branches for an undisclosed fee. Under the agreement, effective from 20 February, Shell Autoserv and Auto Care sites will be progressively rebranded as Kmart Tyre and Auto Service. Kmart’s owner, Coles Myer, said all current Shell Auto Care and Shell Autoserv employees will be offered a role with KMart Tyre and Auto Service. Kmart Tyre and Auto Service managing director John Sink said the deal makes his company the largest car servicing business in Australia with over 280 stores, many located next to Coles Express Service Stations.
Continue ReadingAustralia: Bridgestone Says Imports Affecting Domestic Sales
Bridgestone Australia Ltd says sales of locally made tyres remain under intense pressure from cheap imports. The Australian wing of the Tokyo-based company reported a 10 per cent rise in annual net profit to AUS$10.30 million for 2005 (£4.38 million, 6.38 million euros).
Continue ReadingIndonesian Tyre Production up 4.2 million units
Indonesia’s tyre production grew from 35.72 to 39.98 million units in 2005, according to the Indonesian Association of Tire Producers (APBI). The Asia Pulse news agency quoted APBI chairman Aziz Pane as saying that the increase in production was boosted by growing demand in the international market. Pane said 70 per cent of the production in 2005 was exported.
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