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Michelin Could Consider F1 Return

Michelin has publicly ruled itself out of involvement in Formula 1 as long as it remains a control tyre series, but what if that were to change? “Different control tyre series are run and therefore perceived differently. At best the tyre manufacturer is seen as a supplier, at worst they are little more than a sponsor. It is important that there is a balance between tyre makers to motivate a comeback,” Michelin four wheel competition manager, Matthieu Bonardel, told Tyres & Accessories in a recent interview.

If and when the conditions are right Michelin would appear to want to “jump at the chance of re-entering the series.” However, there may be a twist in the company’s involvement were there to be a return to Formula One. “F1 is a good place for newcomers to come in and get known with their brand…Michelin could use any one of a number of different brands,” Bonardel said during the interview with Tyres & Accessories.

30th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Truck Tyre Dumping Probe Begins in India

India’s Commerce Department has, according to national media, commenced an investigation into alleged dumping of Chinese and Thai made truck and bus radials in the Indian market. The decision to launch this investigation follows a complaint lodged by national tyre industry representative body, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

30th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

NCC Directs Goodyear to SEMA Show

The NCC, an American manufacturer of consumer electrical devices, is to showcase its new line of licensed Goodyear-branded GPS navigation systems at the 4-7 November SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas. The systems are designed for use primarily in passenger cars, though a commercial model will also be displayed.

The units – model numbers GY130 and GY135 (affordable range) and GY140 and GY145 (Mid-range) – will feature the company’s “INSTANT Rerouting” system, which utilizes a constant, proactive analysis of all possible routes within a one mile radius to calculate new directions instantly when a user changes their route. In effect the system prevents the time-inefficient recalculations made by some GPS units whenever a turn is missed. This feature will be exclusive to Goodyear GPS products.

30th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ContiTech Application Guide for Asian Vehicles

The ContiTech Power Transmission Group has issued a new catalogue specifically for Asian vehicles. The range covers over 96 per cent of the Asian vehicle parc in Europe. The compilation helps workshops and dealers quickly locate the right belts as well as the range of deflection and tensioning pulleys and kits for Asian passenger cars.

30th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Battery Bug Enables Up to the Minute Battery Monitoring

At the recent SEMA show in the US, battery tester and monitor manufacturer Argus Analyzers released its latest product, a unit the company refers to as a ‘clear, digital window into battery health’. Called the Battery Bug, the deep cycle monitor (DCM) enables a constant monitoring of batteries with results immediately visible to users. Argus Analyzers reports that use of the Battery Bug can extend battery life while also providing peace of mind.

29th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Tire LLC Recertified to ISO/TS 16949:2002

Pirelli Tire LLC’s Rome, Georgia facility has been recertified to ISO/TS 16949:2002 and UNI EN 9001:2000 standards. UNI EN 9001 quality system requirements form the foundation for quality management systems while ISO/TS 16949:2002 requirements are specifically geared towards the supply chain. The two standards are coupled together for use in the automotive supply chain.

“Achieving ISO/ TS 16949:2002 registration is a fundamental part of doing good business and essential to supply our original equipment (OE) and replacement tyre customers,” said Andrew Kearton, vice-president of manufacturing and OE sales at Pirelli Tire North America. “This recertification demonstrates our commitment to maintain our established quality levels, and importantly, to continuously improve activities throughout all functions of Pirelli Tire LLC.”

29th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Renews Business Relationship with VW and Audi Canada

Continental Tire Canada has renewed its business relationship with Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada. As of October 1, the Volkswagen and Audi sales and service network, which includes 170 Volkswagen and Audi dealerships across Canada, is able to offer customers a comprehensive line of Continental and General passenger and light truck tyres as well as Gislaved winter products. As part of the new agreement, all dealers will be able to offer their customers tyres for any Volkswagen or Audi model and can choose from among the three tyre brands.

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

General Motors May Sell ACDelco Parts Business

General Motors is ‘exploring a potential sale’ of its ACDelco aftermarket parts business. In a press release published October 22, the automotive giant stated that a possible sale of ACDelco, along with the potential sale of its Hummer brand and the company’s technical and manufacturing centre in Strasbourg, France, were part of a wider range of initiatives aimed at bolstering GM’s financial liquidity by approximately US$15 billion by the end of 2009. It is thought that the sale of ACDelco alone could be worth as much as $4 billion to the company.

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Welcomes Two to Sales Team

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has added Wally Holst and Bill Stevenson to its sales team. Holst, the new regional sales manager for Upstate New York and a portion of Pennsylvania, has more than 11 years of sales and account management experience in the tyre and automotive industries. Stevenson, whose experience includes commercial tyre sales and fleet management, has joined the Northeast team as a district sales manager, assisting in sales and service of Toyo dealers in that region. (Tire Review/Akron)

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler May Sell a Quarter of Conti

The German Schaeffler Group, which currently owns 90 per cent of Continental AG, may sell up to a quarter of the tyre and automotive supplier to investors in order to lift the financial burden of its so-called stealth takeover. Quoting unnamed bankers, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that the Schaeffler family is facing “increasing pressure from six banks” to change the terms of the company’s funding after Conti shares fell to less than 40 euros.

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

“UK Car Dealer Numbers Will Decline” – Analysts

There will be significantly fewer car retailers operating in the UK in the years to come, as a result of vehicle manufacturers tightening control over dealership standards, according to analysts PricewaterhouseCoopers. Chris Kent, a director in the automotive team at PricewaterhouseCoopers, will be presenting at the forthcoming EurotaxGlass’s conference entitled ‘Driving Business – opportunities for profit and growth in an uncertain market’.

Speaking ahead of the event, he said that many more dealers are expected to follow those that have already closed their doors this year. The theme will be explored in greater detail at the event, being staged on 13 November at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

23rd October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sheppard Takes the Helm at Manbat

Manbat Batteries Ltd has announced a major restructuring of its Shrewsbury based senior management team. As a planned action during the second of Manbat’s five year rolling business planning, long-term managing director Roger Pemberton has moved to become the executive chairman, making way for Steve Sheppard to move from his position of sales director and take the reins as Manbat’s managing director.

23rd October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Construction Delayed at Kumho’s Georgia, USA Factory

The global economy and a downturn in the US automotive industry are said to be principal factors behind construction delays at Kumho’s tyre factory in Bibb County in the US state of Georgia. Macon, Georgia newspaper The Telegraph reports this news was given by local Chamber of Commerce president Chip Cherry on October 20.

22nd October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Exide Develops Evolution for the Evolving Car

Today’s advanced cars require advanced batteries. It’s no longer possible to simply select a replacement battery based on size and type of vehicle alone because many other factors influence battery selection. Within a single vehicle model line-up a range of engine types, power output levels and “in-car” electrical accessories are available, and end user fitments add further uncertainty to the ‘what battery is right’ question – the demand placed upon a battery varies widely. Modern vehicles also operate in vastly differing conditions, from short but intense urban driving conditions to longer sustained driving, and regardless of driving conditions, extreme heat or cold have always been factors for consideration.

21st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Production Rises as Exports Fall in August

Indian tyre manufacturers have seen production across all segments rise five per cent (6,990,767) on August 2007 (6,674,269), while the numbers for the first five months of the new financial year yielded an eight per cent gain on the average monthly production (7,059,732) against the same period in 2007, say figures released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association. The same could not be said for exports, where the cross-segment figure for August ’08 dropped considerably by 12 per cent from 535,325 to 473,444.

A particular highlight of the collected statistics is the action of the Tractor segment in August. Exports fell by 71 and 41 per cent respectively in front and rear categories compared to the monthly figures for 2007, though at the same time production in these sections rose 18 and 103 per cent. As these proportions suggest, the numbers for rear Tractor tyre production are particularly striking, going from 100,676 to 204,118 for August YOY. In terms of average monthly production between April and August 2008, front and rear Tractor tyres have increased in numbers by 10 and 30 per cent compared to the same five months in 2007. Looking at export figures, these segments have also witnessed an average month-on-month decrease of 41 and 17 per cent respectively in the same period.

20th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors