Gibara Claims Pirelli Comment “Misrepresented”
In an interview with the German magazine Wirtschafts-Woche, Goodyear CEO Sam Gibara is reported as saying that Pirelli would make a good fit for Goodyear, if the Italian company was planning to sell all its tyre interests, rather than merely its truck tyre business. A subsequent statement from Goodyear says that Gibaras comments were misrepresented and that he did not say that Goodyear was interested in acquiring any of the Italian manufacturers business.
Continue ReadingMexican Recall For Bridgestone/Firestone
Bridgestone/Firestone Inc is recalling 8,000 Wilderness LE tyres made in Mexico and fitted on GM SUVs because of adhesion problems. Around 150 tyres, made on April 24 last year, are affected, but one weeks production is being recalled to be on the safe side.
Continue ReadingLay-Offs Next Year At Debica Factory
Press reports say that 800 workers at the tyre factory at Debica in Poland will be laid off by the end of 2001. This represents almost 19% of the total workforce of 4,218 and the move is part of restructuring plans. The Debica factory is controlled by Goodyear.
Continue ReadingCost-Cutting Proposals Rejected By Michelin Workers?
A report in the local paper, the Burnley Express, quoting an anonymous worker, says that workers at the Michelin tyre plant in the town have rejected cost-cutting proposals put forward by management. These proposals are said to include a 25 per cent reduction in shift allowance and some workers moving from a four day week to three days. However, a union spokesman said that proposals have been neither accepted nor rejected and unions and management will meet on 29 January to discuss the situation. Around 450 workers would be affected at Burnley, where truck and bus tyres are made.
Continue Reading26 Million Dollars For Victim of Accident
As reported in the German newspaper Die Welt, car producer Ford is to pay 26 million US-Dollars to a woman, seriously injured in an accident caused by an allegedly defective Firestone tyre. Since the accident the woman is paralysed and can only breathe with artificial aid. Because of this agreement, the legal process due to begin shortly, has been dropped. In the USA there are about 200 actions outstanding claiming damages against Ford and Firestone and the sum of money involved could amount to billions of Dollars. It is claimed that defective Firestone tyres have been responsible for the deaths of 148 people in the United States.
Continue Reading2000 Figures From Titan International
Titan International has announced net sales for the fourth quarter of $113.4m, down from the previous fourth quarter of $134.4m. Net sales for the year 2000 were $543.1m, compared to $588m for the previous year. The fourth quarter (2000) loss recorded was $8m, as against $6m for the same quarter 1999. The full year results showed a net income of 4.5m against a loss of $11.4m in the previous year.
Continue Reading2000 Figures From Michelin
Michelin has released sales and market details for the year 2000. Consolidated net sales rose 11.9% to 15.396 bn Euro (1999: 13.763 bn). Growth in the 4th quarter was slower than the previous nine months. For the year, European V/Z car tyre sales rose 41.6% in a market which grew by 13.3%. European truck tyre sales rose 1.7% in a flat market. In the USA, 4x4 and light truck sales rose 27.7%. Financial results will be made public on 27 February.
Continue ReadingThyssen Krupp Acquires Magneti Marelli’s Shock Absorber Division
Thyssen Krupp, the car makers supplier, has taken over the majority of Magneti Marellis shock absorber and suspension department. Magneti Marelli is a subsidiary company of Fiat.
Continue ReadingNinth Member Signs Up For RubberNetwork
RubberNetwork.com LLC, the global electronic purchasing and procurement network, has signed up its ninth member; Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook Tire. The organisation went live earlier this month and US, European and Asian launches will follow this year. The other eight members are Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo and Yokohama.
Continue ReadingWinter Snowcontrol/Scorpion Ice&Snow From Pirelli
Two years ago, Pirelli launched its Winter Snowsport, a tyre with an asymmetric tread pattern, for sports cars and high-powered saloons. The same technological basis from which the Winter Snowsport was created has enabled Pirelli to offer two new products, extending the same guarantee of safety that Snowsport gives to top-of-the-range cars, to other important motoring segments. On a glacier in Iceland, Pirelli launched the two new products. With 21 sizes for 13 to 15 diameter rims, the Q- and T-rated new directional Winter Snowcontrol will be available in all European markets. The tyre offers performance in all winter conditions, particularly on ice and snow, to all drivers of cars in the medium to medium-low segment. Scorpion Ice&Snow is an asymmetric winter tyre specially developed for sport utility and recreational vehicles, which provides excellent performance on ice and snow and is highly versatile on snow-covered off-road surfaces. The tyre is based on the Scorpion concept for the 4x4 market and will be available in nine sizes from 15 to 18 inches (8x T-rated, 1x H-rated).
Continue ReadingChanges At Tenneco Automotive
Richard J. Sloan (62), executive vice president and md of Tenneco Automotives European operations, is to retire in mid June. He will be succeeded by Hari N. Nair (41), senior vice president and md, Tenneco Automotive International Group. Nairs replacement is Timothy R. Donovan (45), senior vice president and general counsel.
Continue ReadingNegative Trend in Passenger Car Business Continues
After a short interruption in April, the negative trend in passenger car sales continued in the European Union. According to the car manufacturers association ACEA, sales in the 15 member states in May were down by 2.7 percent compared to the previous year. In the first five months the business decreased by 3.2 percent in comparison with the first five months of 2000.
Continue ReadingAutoExpress Award For Conti Tyre
The ContiPremiumContact has been named as best tyre in the Product Honours Awards from UK motoring magazine AutoExpress. Judging criteria included wet and dry handling, aquaplaning, braking and fuel economy.
Continue ReadingNew Key Account Manager Ford And Viborg In Clermont-Ferrand
Michael Hottner (38) will become the key account manager at the tyre manufacturers headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand for Michelin customers Ford of Europe and the Viborg group. Hottner was responsible for two-wheeler business for seven years at Michelin Germany
Continue ReadingNew Agricultural Tyre From Michelin
Michelin has introduced the MachXbib – a tubeless radial designed for high-powered tractors. It combines high load carrying capacity with low soil compaction. On the road, it permits heavy load transportation at sp eeds up to 50 km/hr. It is available in two sizes: 900/50 R42 TL and 710/55 R30 TL.
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