Bridgestone to Raise Tire Prices
Bridgestone Corp, Japan’s biggest tire maker, said Monday it will raise prices of tires for shipment in Japan, effective June 1, to cover higher prices of natural rubber and other raw materials.
BFGoodrich to Sponsor NDRA Series
The NOPI Drag Racing Association (NDRA) announced that BFGoodrich Tires has signed on as the title sponsor of the BFGoodrich Tires Pro Street Class of the 2004 NOPI Racing Series Xbox Cup Championship, marking the third consecutive season BFGoodrich has sponsored the NDRA series.
RMA: Shipments of Rubber to Grow 2.3 Percent
Shipments of tread rubber in 2004 will grow 2.3 percent over 2003, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee. Shipments in 2004 will produce approximately 16.5 million retreaded tires in the U.S., the association reported.
Cooper Unveils New TV, Print Ad Campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber has unveiled a multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at reinforcing the tire brand’s performance and value. The campaign adds to Cooper’s tag line, “Don’t Give Up a Thing,” with an additional message, “Get Everything You Want.” The ads focus on emotional considerations of buying tires, rather than product features. The campaign involves three, 30-second television spots and seven print ads.
Cooper Tire Re-Launches Avon Brand; Unveils Three New Lines
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has re-launched its historic Avon tire brand and also announced an exclusive distribution deal with The Tire Rack and the unveiling of three new lines. The announcement was made at a meeting attended by top Cooper officials and The Tire Rack executives at The Tire Rack’s headquarters in South Bend, Ind.
SmarTire Signs Distribution Agreement with Lexani Wheel Corp.
SmarTire Systems has signed a distribution agreement with Lexani Wheel Corp, a manufacturer of luxury alloy wheels based in California. Lexani will bundle SmarTire’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with its Johnson line of custom wheels, which are sold through its dealer base.
Judge Approves $149 Million BFNAT Settlement
State District Judge Donald Floyd in Beaumont, Texas, has approved a $149 million settlement of 30 class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of Bridgestone/Firestone tire owners. The announcement comes more than three years after the 2000 recall of 14.4 million Firestone tires. Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) agreed to the proposed settlement last July.
Goodyear Teams Up with Wal-Mart on RFID Supply Chain Technology
As part of its effort to stake out a leadership position in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications, Goodyear Tire & Rubber has teamed up with Wal-Mart in a massive retail implementation of this new technology. In June 2003, Wal-Mart Stores announced that its 100 largest suppliers would be required to begin using RFID tags on every case and pallet of product shipped to the retailer’s Dallas region stores by 2005. Approximately 25 other suppliers, including Goodyear, volunteered to also participate in this effort.
BFNAT Plant Shut Down After Blaze
A fire in one of three rubber stock mixers Mar. 13 temporarily shut down Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Aiken, S.C., plant. No one was injured, and reports say that there was minimal damage to the facility.
Firestone Tire and Service Centers Kick Off 2004 Car Care Academies
BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) has announced the nationwide schedule for its 2004 Car Care Academy campaign, which kicks off in time for National Car Care Month in April. These free, interactive seminars will be held at Firestone Tire & Service Centers and Tires Plus stores across the U.S. The seminars will teach consumers what they can do on a monthly basis to help keep their cars running in better condition.