Motor Transport Awards
The Motor Transport Fleet Truck of the Year Award went to Daf’s CF85, for the third time in four years. The Motor Transport Award judges, a mix of fleet engineers and managing directors, praised the truck for its “overall package,” and described the victor as “a clear class-leading truck that continues to evolve in the tough retail market.” The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter achieved Fleet Van of the Year for the second year running and Grocontinental was Haulier of the Year.
Continue ReadingBridgestone To Supply GP2
Bridgestone Motorsport has confirmed that it will be the official tyre supplier of the newly launched GP2 single-seater series when it begins in 2005.
Continue ReadingFirestone Build Polish Plant
Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP), a business unit of BFS Diversified Products, LLC (BFDP), has announced that it will build a new manufacturing facility in Wolsztyn, Poland. The company’s recently formed Polish subsidiary, Firestone Industrial Products Poland, will produce air springs to support European demand from consumer and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers.
Continue ReadingFerrari and Bridgestone Reclaim Victory at French Grand Prix
The Bridgestone Potenza equipped Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello successfully reclaimed the French Grand Prix crown as they claimed first and third places respectively. Fernando Alonso’s Michelin running Renault took second place.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Closes Offering
Following its offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4 per cent convertible senior notes, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that is has closed the sale.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Warns Against Illegal Imports
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced that it is taking further steps to combat illegal importers and to protect customers; by ensuring the right tyres are fitted to vehicles in the UK and Europe.
Continue ReadingPhoenix Share Deadline Looms
Phoenix AG shareholders have a last chance to accept the offer submitted by Continental AG for the takeover of Phoenix AG shares. The statutory mandated deadline for acceptance of Continental’s 15 euros per share offer is 19 July.
Continue ReadingPositive Predictions for Van and Truck Registration
Industry experts are predicting positive figures in UK commercial vehicle registration statistics, which are due for publication by SMMT tomorrow. Many van and truck makers claim to have experienced a continuing level of good demand and economists expect both markets to maintain their strong growth trend for the next 12 to 18 months.
Continue ReadingEuropean Autos Conference Feedback
Results have been published from the seventh Annual Morgan Stanley European Auto Conference. And an interesting industry overview came from both Continental and Pirelli. Continental’s CFO, Dr Alan Hippe gave an overview of the company’s major business and an update on the decision to close tyre production in Mayfield, whilst Pirelli commented on its North American business strategy.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Profit to Rise
Bridgestone Corporation is set to make a nine per cent gain in net profit to $891.6 million (£490.3 million) by the end of this fiscal year, according to a Japanese newspaper report.
Continue ReadingSumitomo Boost Falken Production
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., will increase production of Falken Tyres, Mordern Tire Dealer has reported. The company is “increasing capacity in all of our key areas,” said Richard Smallwood, Falken’s vice president of sales and marketing. Mr Smallwood continued by describing the scale of the increase in terms of units shipped, “this year we’ll be triple what we were in 1999. We have a number of large dealers who 100 per cent over last year.” In the same interview Mr Smallwood also revealed that Sears Roebuck & Co., is again carrying Falken tyres. Sears is a good representative of the brand, said Mr Smallwood. They do a good job selling our tyres and dont create any conflict with our dealers.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Re-elects Directors
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s shareholders have re-elected Robert J Keegan, Rodney O’Neal and Shirley D Peterson to serve as company directors for a further three years. John G Breen was elected to serve for the final year of a three-year term on the board.
Continue ReadingAA Chief to Open NTDA Conference
The NTDA has announced that Tim Parker, former Kwik-Fit and current AA CEO, will open the business sessions at the association’s annual conference. John Tarbox, chairman of the organising committee is enthusiastic about the success of the conference.
Continue ReadingNew Management Structure at Yokohama
The Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd has formally announced that it will formally start using a new management structure as of tomorrow (2 July). The structure will be headed by new chairman and representative director, Yasuo Tominaga, and new president and representative director, Tadanobu Nagumo. Currently the pair are both representative directors and are president and executive director respectively.
Continue ReadingManagement Reshuffle as CVC and Permira Buy AA
Private equity firms Permira and CVC Capital Partners (CVC) have announced their acquisition of the AA. The companies have agreed to pay £1.75 billion, subject to regulatory approvals, for one of Britain’s best known motoring organisations.
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