Investor Update From Goodyear
The latest investor update from Goodyear reflects the worldwide state of the motor industry. US and European passenger car replacement sales were above last year’s figures, but commercial sales were down. OE shipments in the US were down, but level with last year’s figures in the European Union. Eastern Europe showed a flat replacement market and a 20% drop in OE supply. In Latin America replacement sales were down, but OE was up in May. A similar picture was painted in Asia. Throughout the world market increasing raw materials costs and reduction in auto manufacture output has affected trade adversely.
Continue ReadingGood Performance For Bridgestone/Firestone Deutschland GmbH
In a difficult environment Bridgestone/Firestone was able to sell in the first half of 2001 more units than in the first half of the year 2000. Managing Director Günter Unterhauser confirmed that, in the first half of this year, his company sold 4 per cent more passenger car tyres and 6 per cent more truck tyres while the market in general fell by 2 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. The increases in motor cycle tyres (plus 29 per cent) and agricultural tyres (plus 29 per cent) were significantly higher. In the EM-Segment Bridgestone sold as many tyres as in the first half of 2000 while the market shrank by 10 per cent. Due to several good test results the management is very confident for the winter season and is convinced that turnover for the year as a whole will be at least 10 per cent higher than the previous year. Operating results are in line with expectations and the management said that it is quite satisfied.
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.
Continue ReadingNew Member of TecDoc
American automotive supplier Delphi has become the latest member of the TecDoc automotive parts information platform. With a turnover of 29 billion US-Dollars in 2000, Delphi Automotive Systems is the biggest automotive supplier in the world. Altogether 114 companies worldwide, representing 130 brands, now support the TecDoc platform, covering 100 percent of the European spare parts market.
Continue ReadingJoint Marketing Agreement for Accuride and Amcast
Accuride Corporation has announced an international marketing agreement with Amcast Industrial Corporation and Speedline s.r.l.. The agreement lays out procedures for the global marketing of the companies’ aluminium wheels for heavy/medium vehicles. This follows last year’s agreement on the marketing of steel wheels through an Amcast/Gianetti venture.
Continue ReadingRetail Distribution Of SmarTire Begins
SmarTire Systems, the tyre pressure monitoring equipment supplier, has launched the US distribution of its new aftermarket products through the Tire Rack and Big O Tires. SmarTire CEO, Robert Rudman says, These orders follow our initial distribution in Europe and represent the beginning of our marketing strategy for SmarTires aftermarket products in North America.
Continue ReadingMore Jobs To Go At Goodyear?
Union officials at Goodyears Wolverhampton truck tyre plant are seeking discussions with management over rumoured plans to cut a further 450 jobs. Transport and General Workers Union representative, Peter Booth said that they wished to impress upon Goodyear, the world-class quality of the workforce.
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.
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