Motor Industry To Work With DTI To Improve Standards
Government sponsored mystery shopping in the UK revealed that 51 per cent of garages missed one or more safety related defects and that the standards of servicing varied widely and that 86 per cent of garages missed an introduced fault on test vehicles. Some 27 per cent of fast fit centres recommended unnecessary replacement of parts. The government and industry are to work together to promote the Good garage scheme to deliver a better deal for consumers.
Continue ReadingInvestor Update From Goodyear
In August, North American industry shipments of consumer replacement tires were 8 percent below last years levels. Goodyears shipments of consumer replacement tires were also down and below the industry shipment levels. However, Goodyears shipments to its large wholesalers continued to improve in August. Shipments of custom brand tires declined significantly from August 2001 levels. Commercial replacement tires were up 18 percent from last years levels. Goodyears shipments of commercial replacement tires increased but were below industry shipment levels.European Union industry replacement tire shipments were down 1 percent for consumer tires and down 6 percent for commercial tires compared with prior year levels. Goodyear consumer tire shipments declined at the same rate as the industry and Goodyear commercial shipments were below industry shipments. In Eastern Europe consumer replacement tire unit sales for Goodyear were up significantly compared with August of last year. Volume gains were reported in most countries, especially Russia and South Africa. The Latin American market showed August replacement tire shipments were up primarily due to higher consumer sales in Mexico and Venezuela and strong commercial sales in Brazil whilst OE shipments were down significantly from last year due to a decrease in auto production in Mexico and Brazil. In Asia replacement tire shipments increased throughout the region in August whilst OE tire shipments declined from 2001 levels due to lower sales in China and the ASEAN region.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Realigns Business
Alcoa announced today that it has realigned its existing businesses to provide a closer fit with customer needs in the automotive, aerospace, and commercial transportation market sectors. Bob Hughes, 57, Executive Vice President, will lead a new Alcoa Automotive and Allied Products Group, which will include the businesses that support automotive customers by providing electrical distribution systems, cast and forged automotive wheels, cast and assembled components, and other products.
Continue ReadingContinental Dispute With Viborg
Viborg local dealers who ordered new tyres from Continental today got a surprise. They were told to call their management headquarters for advice. Conti had stopped delivery. It seemsthat Viborg has not only been slow to pay the bills but also underpaid them without reason; initiating a quarrel which has seen Continental respond by putting a stop on deliveries. Last year there may have been similar problems between Viborg and another important tyre manufacturer. Jescow von Puttkammer was not available for comment to T&A, but passed the message, we dont speak in public about dealer and client relationships.
Continue Reading42-Volt Prototype From Lithium Technology
Lithium Technology Corporation, has announced that together with its German lithium polymer battery company partner, GAIA, the two companies have completed and shipped their first prototype 42-Volt automotive battery to BMW under the auspices of the European Union-sponsored Astor program (Assessments and testing of advanced storage systems for propulsion and other electrical systems in passenger cars). The Astor consortium consists of seven European auto companies: VW, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Opel, Fiat, Volvo, and Peugeot. The prototype lithium battery, which is now undergoing testing in Europe, delivers 7-8 kiloWatts of power at ambient temperatures, with a capacity of 27 Amp-hours, a pulse power capability of up to 6 kiloWatts for starting at an operating temperature of -25 degrees C, and an estimated life of 8 years. The battery is designed to meet the 42-Volt battery specifications of the Astor project.
Continue Reading15 Million Euro Investment By TRW
TRW Automotive has opened a new 15,000 square metre state of the art braking friction manufacturing facility dedicated to the aftermarket. The 15 million Euro investment at Olvega, in Spains Castilla-Leon region, has been opened in to meet demand for TRWs breakthrough heavy metal free Lucas brake pads. TRW now has nine dedicated European aftermarket manufacturing sites in addition to 23 OE braking, steering and suspension plants, supporting the companys ambition to have the best original equipment based chassis systems programme in the aftermarket. Currently, production at Olvega is running at almost two million pad sets a year; at full capacity, the site will produce in excess of five million pad sets annually. The plant employs 200 workers.
Continue ReadingKumho Tire Company Newest TRIB Member
Kumho Tire Company is the eleventh new tyre manufacturer to support the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB). Other new tyre manufacturers who are currently TRIB members include Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Hercules, Kelly-Springfield, Michelin, Sumitomo and Yokohama. We are very pleased that Kumho Tire Company has decided to support TRIB. They, along with our other new tyre manufacturer members, realise that TRIBs efforts on behalf of retreading benefit the entire truck tyre industry, said Harvey Brodsky, TRIBs Managing Director. Brodsky said that TRIB is actively contacting all other new tyre manufacturers throughout the world with an invitation to join the Tire Retread Information Bureau.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Workers Sue Over Age Discrimination
A group of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employees sued the company on Thursday, saying Goodyears employee evaluation system discriminates against older workers.
Continue ReadingBridgestone US Executive Appointment
Bridgestone Firestone Americas Holding Inc. has appointed Mark Emkes (49) as chairman, president and chief executive of Bridgestone Firestone North America, effective from Monday. Mr. Emkes has been with the company for 26 years and most recently headed up Bridgestone Firestones business in Latin America. He succeeds Isao Togashi, who has returned to Japan as head of global manufacturing for the Bridgestone Corporation.
Continue ReadingContinental To Build Moscow Plant
In a joint venture with Moscow Tyre Plant, Continental has signed an agreement to build a new production facility in Moscow. Continental is the majority shareholder and will produce tyres for passenger cars and light trucks. The predicted investment will be in the region of 30 million Euros over three years. The plant is expected to produce 1.5 million tyres per year when it opens in 2003 and will generate 3.4 million tyres for Continental and Barum, largely destined for the local market. The new plant in Moscow will help Continental avoid the 70 per cent import tax on new tyres.
Continue ReadingAnother Voluntary Recall For Firestone
Firestone is recalling 18,912 tyres produced at Wilson, North Carolina to ensure the recovery of some 890 potentially faulty units. The tyres in question are FR690 P195/65R15 with DOT No W2C6T00i402 and W2C6T001502 which may have been fitted to 2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and LE models. Firestone will be contacting the owners of the cars in the coming weeks an offering free replacement tyres. Firestone had identified and corrected a faulty piece of equipment at the plane, and had originally thought that the potentially faulty tyres had all been recovered. Subsequent information gave rise to an investigation which suggested a further 890 faulty tyres may have been released to the market. The fault creates pockets of trapped air which cause increased tyre noise and can result in chunk out.
Continue ReadingContinental: Problems With Nafta
Analysts at Deutsche Bank believe that this year Continental could achieve an EBITA of 600 million Euros. The management had forecast 530 million Euro. Although Temic was acquired, indebtedness has been reduced by 300 million Euros. Business in the USA is still bad, with losses of 100 million Euros (and more) expected. The objective of the chairman of Continental USA, Dr. Ulrich Wellen - to break even - seems not likely to be realised, at least in the near future.
Continue ReadingAmerican Safety Authority NHTSA Examines Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop tyres size 265/70 R 15, made between 1995 and 1999, are being examined by the NHTSA, following two rollover accidents in which people were injured.
Continue ReadingPredictions For 2050:The Car Market Is Changing
The altering demographics of the population in the next 50 years will possibly see a decrease in the demand for cars. The changes will not necessarily be in parallel because of the way in which the changes in the population will occur. The population over 60 years of age will become increasingly important as their representation as new car buyers increases from 25 per cent to 35 percent of the car buying market. The sector under 50 years of age will drop from 55 per cent to 43 per cent. This means that the manufacturers will have to re-orientate their products and their marketing according to a report by Marketing Systems GmbH (Essen/Germany).
Continue ReadingBridgestone Recalls Wrongly-Marked Tyres
In the USA, Bridgestone/Firestone is voluntarily recalling 754 wrongly-marked Widetrack brand Baja A/T tyres, made over a three week period in 2001. The incorrect markings on the sidewall understated the maximum inflation load of the tyre.
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