One in Five Drivers Do Not Properly Check Tire Pressure, Says RMA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that about one in every three cars has a significantly under inflated tire and that 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries occur every year as a result of low tire pressure-related crashes. AAA reports that each year they receive about 4 million roadside assistance calls due to tire-related incidents. Not surprisingly, a 2006 Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) survey found that more than 80 percent of drivers do not know how to properly check their tire pressure.
MNA, CTNA Latest to Recommend Tire Age Limit
Michelin North America (MNA) and Continental Tire North America (CTNA) are the latest tiremakers to issue technical bulletins to dealers calling for the replacement of tires 10 years or older.
Bridgestone Names New President
Japanese tiremaker Bridgestone on Thursday named as its new president Shoshi Arakawa, former head of the group’s European operations, as it seeks to secure the top global ranking. Arakawa, executive vice president, will succeed President Shigeo Watanabe, who will become an advisor, said Bridgestone, which describes itself as the world’s largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products.
RMA to Promote Fifth Annual National Tire Safety Week
The fifth annual National Tire Safety Week will be held April 23 – 29, 2006, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). The annual event is an initiative of RMA’s “Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART” program, which is designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition.
Visteon Recognized For Global Sustainability Practices
Visteon Corp. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fifth consecutive year. Companies listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index are selected globally based on their ability to integrate economic, environmental and social criteria into their strategies and operations to become more sustainable and create long-term shareholder value. Certain asset managers use the index as an objective benchmark for investment portfolios designed to support companies that follow the principles of sustainability.
Car Suppliers Determined to Pass on Costs
Caught between a rock and a hard place, automotive suppliers say they are determined to pass on steep rises in raw material costs to their customers even as carmakers step up pressure for lower manufacturing costs.
Qualitor, Inc. Names David Peace President of Pylon
David F. Peace has been named president of Qualitor’s Pylon Wiper division. Peace joins Pylon from Jordan Industries where he served as CEO of Jordan Automotive Aftermarket, Inc. since 2002. Prior to Jordan, Peace served as vice president and general manager of three business groups at Visteon from 1997 to 2002, including Visteon’s Global Aftermarket Operations.
Analysis: Top 100 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers
For the third year in a row, global tiremakers such as Bridgestone and Michelin have come out on top of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s 2005 Top 100 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers list. In fact, the first five companies ranked are all tiremakers.
SAE Heavy Trucking Symposium Begins Tomorrow
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International will hold the Heavy Truck Handling, Dynamics & Control Symposium May 3-5 in Greenville, SC. Terry Gettys, president, Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp., will provide the welcoming remarks for the symposium. Michelin is the host company for the Symposium.
Automotive Communicators Honored for Outstanding PR Achievements
The winners of the fourth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored April 28 at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, Mich. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The annual award honors complete public relations programs that incorporate sound planning, execution and evaluation.