Automechanika Shanghai’s organisers (Messe Frankfurt) report that the auto parts show is concentrating its efforts on providing an “outstanding” and “insightful” event this year. Scheduled to take place from 9 – 12 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in China, the fair is described as the world’s second largest Automechanika
Driving tests will only be allowed to be taken in English and Welsh from today (7th April) in a bid to improve safety and clamp down on fraud, Roads Minister Stephen Hammond has announced.
Theory tests have previously been available with voiceovers in 19 foreign languages and candidates could use an interpreter on both the theory and practical driving tests.
But changes which come into effect today were introduced after a consultation showed more than 70 per cent supported the withdrawal of foreign language voiceovers and interpreters.
On numerous occasions German tyre maker and automotive supplier Continental has indicated its intention to increase the number of women holding senior positions within the company, therefore the contract renewal of human resources head Elke Strathmann – the first and currently only female member of Continental’s Executive Board – appeared a mere formality. Yet the company has allegedly decided against renewing her contract upon its expiry at the end of December.
Alfred Wolff has been appointed a managing director of the point S operation in Germany. Effective immediately, the former head of purchasing is responsible for purchasing, sales and marketing and serves as managing director alongside Rolf Körbler, who had been sole managing director at point S Deutschland GmbH since December 2011. Körbler is responsible for controlling, IT, finance and investments.
Last year’s BEN Ball more than lived up to its billing as ‘the night of the year’ for the automotive industry. It will live long in the memory of all guests and is already attracting interest and enquiries for this year. BEN has decided to reward this interest with the offer of an early bird booking discount. Therefore every booking made before the end of March will qualify for a full 10 per cent reduction on all prices.
Turkish tyre manufacturer Petlas expanded its winter offering with the introduction of an SUV-orientated range in December. Petlas’s newest addition to the winter line up is the Explero W671, designed to fit a wide selection of 4x4s and SUVs.
For the third quarter of its financial year – October to December 2013 – Apollo Tyres reports an 8.0 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated revenue to Rs 34.75 billion (£336.1 million). Operating profit increased 51.2 per cent to Rs 6.19 billion (£66.7 million), a result that includes exceptional items of Rs 1.12 billion (£10.8 million) from non-operational income, and a 17.8 per cent operating margin. Net profit, including the aforementioned non-operational income, rose 86.7 per cent to Rs 3.38 billion (£32.7 million).
Pirelli & C. SpA has announced that the Board of Directors meeting it scheduled to review results for the year ended 31 December 2013 will now take place on Thursday 27 March 2014 and no longer on Tuesday 11 March, as previously announced. The company says this change follows the announcement from Prelios SpA – a real estate sector company that Pirelli is shareholder of – that it has postponed its Board of Directors’ meeting to review results for the year ended 31 December 2013 until 25 March 2014.
A British scientist has designed a new type of catalytic converter that could cut fuel consumption and manufacturing costs. Dr Benjamin Kingsbury, a scientist from Imperial College London, suggests that the new prototype could reduce fuel consumption in a standard vehicle by up to three per cent. Furthermore the new design uses up to 80 per cent less rare metal, a development that could significantly reduce costs for vehicle manufacturers. Catalytic converters are expensive to manufacture because they use precious metals such as platinum to eliminate emissions. These metals currently account for up to 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of the component.
Following the publication of an informational poster last year on the subject of TPMS, the Scandinavian Tire & Rim Organization (STRO) subsequently issued a market newsletter questioning whether TPMS actually had to be working in order for cars to pass the Swedish national equivalent of the MOT. Writing in a newsletter published on 10 December 2013, the STRO explains that debate broke out at the end of last year and has yet to be resolved, but the gist of it is that there is a significant different of opinion (or perhaps) interpretation.
While forecasters are predicting that temperatures will drop, British Car Auctions (BCA) has released its latest data on 4×4 used sales. The average value for 4x4s sold at BCA during the fourth quarter of 2013 rose by over £1,100 compared to the third quarter. December recorded the highest values in the second half of the year as 4x4s averaged over £15,000, a rise of £388 compared to December 2013.
The latest light commercial vehicle figures released show 2013 total registrations to 327,291 units, up 14.7 per cent. Vans rose 13.1 per cent over the year registering 271,073 units, boosted by 32.5 per cent growth in December. Truck registrations totalled 56,218 units in the year, up 23 per cent with the move to Euro 6 fuelling growth as predicted.
Hankook Tire has donated KRW 1.05 billion (approximately £600,000) to the “Campaign for Sharing Hope 2014” programme run by South Korean charity Community Chest of Korea. The company participated in a fundraising event held in Seoul on 30 December; Hankook has taken part in this event since 2003.
The China Rubber Industry Association reports that its ‘green tyre specifications’ document is currently open for input from the industry before its official launch during the first quarter of this year. The document was opened for comments on 27 December and will remain so until 20 January. According to the CRIA, the document defines what a green tyre is and sets out parameters to be used in a Chinese tyre label.
On 1 January 2014, Gary L. Cowger joined Titan International’s Board of Directors, replacing Mitchell Quain, who retired from the board on 31 December 2013 following a tenure of 17 years. Cowger is the chairman and CEO of GLC Ventures, LLC, a management consultancy on business, manufacturing and technology strategy and global organisational structures and implementation. He is also immediate past chairman of the Board of Trustees at KetteringUniversity (formally General Motors Institute) and he serves on the Board of Directors of Delphi Automotive and Tecumseh Products, as well as the Detroit Symphony and the College for Creative Studies.