Del-Nat Tire Names VP of Marketing
Jim Mayfield has joined Del-Nat Tire Corp. as vice president of marketing. His responsibilities will include all marketing and product management functions. Mayfield joined the tire industry in 1981 with Michelin Tire Corp., where he held various sales positions in replacement and OE sales.
Congress Could Consider Tire-Aging Legislation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently studying the issue of whether aging has a detrimental effect on tires (since some rubber compounds may deteriorate over years, regardless of use). Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) wants to introduce legislation that will require NHTSA to study the issue and prepare a report to Congress within three years.
Treading a New Path
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is hoping to make a huge splash with a new high-end line of all-season tires. The Akron, Ohio-based company will roll out its Assurance line this spring with its biggest advertising blitz in more than a decade. Goodyear is counting on the new tires to help deliver a turnaround after four years of disappointing sales.
OE and Replacement Tire Shipments Increased in 2003
Medium truck tire shipments in 2003 – both OE and replacement – saw their biggest increases in years, according to preliminary tire shipment data released by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). Meanwhile shipments of passenger and light truck tires saw only modest growth. Despite a wild year of carmaker and dealer incentives, it doesn’t appear the OE market had such a good 2003. Compared to 2002 shipments, OE P-metric tire shipments actually fell 4.9 percent, totaling 54.54 million units. Meanwhile, OE shipments of LT-metric tires fell 4.2 percent vs. 2002, reaching just 7.95 million units for the year.
Michelin North America and ACCC Sign Three-Year Contract Extension
Michelin North America has extended its partnership with American Car Care Centers (ACCC), signing a three-year contract extension to supply the independent dealer network with Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate brand tires. This new agreement extends a strategic partnership between the two companies which began in 1993. ACCC is one of the largest networks of independent tire and automotive service dealers, with more than 1100 locations nationwide.
New Tire May Put Goodyear on Track
It’s a mystery tire that’s making a lot of tire dealers, analysts and investors excited — and seems to be pushing the stock upward. Goodyear Tire & Rubber plans to launch a new high-end line of passenger tires next month with huge fanfare at its annual convention of dealers and distributors in Orlando, Fla. Some say the tire line, known as Assurance, could become Goodyear’s hottest-selling new line in a decade, a move that could go a long way to helping the Akron, Ohio-based company boost its flagging sales and turn around three years of losses.
Cooper Tire Ups Investments in U.S. Manufacturing Plants, Hires 116 Plant Workers
Cooper Tire & Rubber has increased capital equipment investments in three of its four U.S. tire manufacturing facilities. The company said this increase provides additional production capacity of more than 2.4 million units to meet the steadily increasing demand for the company’s tires. The $32.1 million investment will include the purchase of new tire building machinery and presses. An additional 116 manufacturing employees will also be hired.
Penske Truck Leasing Extends Supply Agreement with Goodyear
Penske Truck Leasing has announced it will extend its current supply agreement with Goodyear Tire & Rubber. Under the agreement, Goodyear will serve as Penske’s primary supplier of tires in North America until at least 2008. Goodyear supplies Penske with a variety of truck tires, including replacement and retreaded tires. In addition, Penske has named Goodyear as a “Supplier of the Year,” in recognition of past outstanding service.
More Aftermarket Eye Candy at This Year’s North American International Auto Show
Although there’s no shortage of muscle on the main floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show — the 850-horsepower Chrysler ME412 concept is only the beginning — there’s also a subterranean performance theme that’s been missing from previous shows. Once the take-it-or-leave-it realm of marginal players like Daewoo and stillborns like the revival Cunningham sports car, Cobo Center’s downstairs Michigan Hall exhibit area is studded this year with an intriguing array of production vehicles enhanced by aftermarket bolt-on goodies: designer wheels, low-profile tires, oversize brakes, high-performance shock absorbers and more.
TIA Consolidates, Maryland Office Becomes New HQ
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) will consolidate all of its offices in Bowie, Md., as of Feb. 1. TIA’s operations in Kentucky will be relocated and the building will be put up for sale. TIA said this decision comes after months of in-depth analysis into the cost-effectiveness of operating two offices in different states. Two members of the Louisville staff, Senior Vice President of Education and Technical Services Kevin Rohlwing and Director of Training Chris Marnett, will be moving to the Maryland office.