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Aluminium Wheels Becoming Standard

The enthusiasm for aluminium wheels is diminishing. The golden years – mainly in the Eighties – of light alloy wheel are over – for the OE as well as in the aftermarket.Yet European original equipment demand for aluminium wheels is still growing. Year on year, by around about one million pieces. However, we have to accept that new materials and methods of production can make steel wheels as light as aluminium wheels. If the suppliers can make progress in styling and the car makers are forced to make smaller and middle class vehicles cheaper there might be a turnaround in the current trend.Some companies are in trouble. Even the world’s biggest wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz in America had to be rescued under Chapter 11. On the other hand, there are success stories from companies like Superior in North America or Borbet in Europe. Companies like BBS or OZ are still doing good business because they are not interested in volume but rather in selling exclusive (and expensive) wheels. The middle-price sector has been absorbed by the low-priced segment of high volume companies. The flame of the aluminium wheel business flickers weaker and weaker.

18th March 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Merger Of Wheel Manufacturers

The two German wheel manufacturers Intra (one of the biggest oe supplier to Opel) and Dezent (active only in the aftermarket) have announced a merger at the IAA show in Frankfurt next month. They will create an aftermarket company called IDE (brands Intra, Dezent, Exip) and an oe company Intra Automotive. The two companies have almost 300 employees.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Retail 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 SmarTire’s aftermarket products in North America.”

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Magneti Marelli To Close UK Aftermarket Operation

Following a review of its UK activities, Magneti Marelli has announced that its UK aftermarket operation will close on December 31st. This comes as a result of weak demand within the UK replacement parts market. Business managers will work with customers up until then to assist in areas such as alternative product sourcing. Selected products, such as the aftermarket lighting programme, will continue for key accounts, supplied through the central warehouse in Milan. Magneti Marelli’s other aftermarket businesses in Europe are unaffected.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Wholesaler SDL Bought By Bosal

Aftermarket wholesaler SDL, which went into Receivership when parent company Finelist collapsed recently, has been purchased by Belgian exhaust manufacturer, Bosal Group. SDL was one of the biggest customers of Bosal UK and the acquisition ensures continuity of supply of Bosal exhausts, catalytic converters and other accessories to the UK aftermarket. No details about the terms of the deal was revealed.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor European Director

Thierry Leblanc (41) is joining the ArvinMeritor group as European Sales and Marketing Director for the Light Vehicle Aftermarket division (shock absorbers, exhaust systems, catalytic converters and filters). Mr Leblanc joins from Valeo Windscreen Washing Systems where he was Aftermarket Director. He succeeds Fabrice Rosi, who remains a consultant at sales and marketing level to the ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket division.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

405 More Jobs To Go At Tenneco Automotive

Back in October, Tenneco Automotive announced that 285 jobs were to be cut in the USA, as part of a plan to reduce salaried staff by 700 by the end of this year. The company has announced another 405 salaried job losses worldwide, blamed on the state of the global automotive aftermarket and reduced vehicle production in the USA.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Alloy Wheel Report, Part One: Aftermarket Under Pressure

Following an old tradition, we take a close look at the alloy wheel business in the March and April issues of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG. The only thing that has changed is the order in which we intend to do this. Usually the first part of the analysis is concerned with the original equipment sector, which is followed by the replacement sector. This year we will look at it the other way round and begin with the aftermarket business in Germany. While the German aftermarket for alloy wheels has been flat for some years – although at a high level – the OE-suppliers have registered a significant growth in their figures. Competitors of the aftermarket sector observe negative trends, pessimistic voices are dominating the discussion. The growth of some happens at the expense of other companies who are not able to face the intensified competition. In the end there will be tremendous competition, fought with price as the weapon; a process which already started some time ago. In the first part of the alloy wheel report, these topics will be discussed, as will be the chances that still exist in this market. In addition, actual trends and developments of the sector will be described.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Strategic Alliance Among Auto Aftermarket Companies

Four companies – SKF, Tenneco Automotive, TRW and Valeo – have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop plans to enhance the services offered to their European automotive aftermarket customers. The companies will investigate opportunities to share skills and resources in the fields of training, technical support services and logistics, especially transportation. The four companies will remain independent. Any alliance between the companies resulting from the initial investigation will be subject to the necessary government approvals.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyrexpo Europe Review

This year’s Tyrexpo show was held only a matter of weeks before a rival exhibition, being run alongside an already-successful aftermarket exhibition. It would be naïve to believe that the existence of two shows so close together has had anything but an adverse effect on both events, and the fear was that the tyre industry would be the loser if we had two bad shows. The total number of visitors to Tyrexpo Europe was a disappointment, but many of the exhibitors expressed themselves satisfied with the quality of visitors. Opinions were polarised – some were happy, others not, some said that the UK needs a dedicated tyre show, others were not so sure. One thing on which all were agreed is that we cannot afford the same two-exhibition situation in two years’ time. Our review covers exhibitor’s reactions – warts and all.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Tenneco Vice President

Jean Pierre Dolait has been appointed as Vice President Sales and Marketing, Aftermarket Tenneco Automotive ( Monroe brand suspension products and Walker exhaust systems). Previously at Valeo, Dolait reports to Tenneco’s General Manager, Aftermarket, Don Miller.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Managing Director For TecCom

TecCom (Munich), an internet wholesale platform for automotive accessories, has a new Managing Director. Jürgen Buchert (44) has worked as Sales Director for Western and Eastern Europe in the automotive aftermarket division of Bosch for the past five years. At the moment 21 European automotive part manufacturers – among them tyre producer Continental – support TecCom.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

New Forest Tyre by Nokian

Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian is expanding its range of forest tyres with the new “Forest King E”, which is designed to meet the demands of the OE- and aftermarket segments. The tyre has been developed for forest machinery up to a maximum weight of 14 tons and is available in sizes 700/45-22.5, 600/55 -26.5 and 700/50-26.5. For heavier machines, Nokian manufactures the new “PR-20”-tyres, which are available in sizes 600/55-26.5 and 700/50-26.5.

30th November 2001/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Mourns For Pascal Hoffmann

Aged only 40, Pascal Hoffmann, responsible for truck tyre aftermarket business in Germany, has died unexpectedly. From 1995 until 1997 Hoffmann headed Michelin Austria, he joined the French tyre maker in 1986.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors

Ronal Strengthens Aftermarket Business

“Ronal is back in the aftermarket” is the current message of the leading European aluminium wheel producer Ronal (Germany), who concentrated on oe business during recent years. With a complete program, availability and optimised market service, Ronal wants to return to its former strong position in the aftermarket.

7th December 2000/by Tyrepress Editors