Conti’s Rearguard Action Takes Shape
As an increasing number of voices speak out in favour of the proposed Conti/Schaeffler merger, Continental AG executives have called in a number of high-profile investment banks to advise it on how best to defend its position.
Tire Lifts; Impact Wrenches
Tire Lifts Are Going GreenWhile inground vehicle lifts have long been the preferred choice among tire dealers, environmental concerns have caused many architects to recommend surface lifts. Traditional inground lifts use copious amounts of hydraulic oil transferred from an inground tank through underground piping. A leak can cause hundreds of gallons of oil to seep
How Safe Is Your Shop?
When I started asking dealers that question, the answers that I got were all across the board. Most answers usually started with a "yes," but after some discussion its ometimes changed to an "I think so." Finally, after digging a bit more, the response moved to an "I don’t really know." This could be a
Golf GTI Pirelli Returns to the U.K.
It’s almost a year since we first reported the return of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli, yet these past months the hot hatch – the first to bear the Pirelli name in a quarter century – has been the exclusive domain of our friends on the continent.
ECI Raises ‘Full house’ Sign As Tyrexpo Africa ’08 Sells Out
The ‘full house’ signs went up at Tyrexpo Africa ’08 this week as organizers of the international tyre and equipment show found room for a clutch of final exhibitors for the March 4-6 event in Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.
Conti Breaks Ground on New Central America Components Plant
(Staffordshire, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) As of late 2008, Continental AG will begin sourcing engine and transmission control units for customers in the NAFTA region from a new facility in Costa Rica.
Mevotech Sells Divisions
(Akron/Tire Review) Mevotech Inc., a supplier of front-end and front-wheel drive components, announced that it has sold its water pump division to ASC Industries and its clutch division to Perfection Hy-Test Co.
Independent Garages Lose Ground to Fast-Fits in Car Repair
(Clacton, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) The latest Castrol Business Services Car Repair Trend Tracker shows that independent garages account for 47% of all work carried out on cars in the U.K., while franchised main dealers account for 25% and fast-fit outlets, 9%.
Treadwear 101
There is much to consider when purchasing tires – including brands, tread designs and casing types. Casing types fall into two categories of performance: hard (Tier 1) and soft (Tier 2). Original treadlife and casing durability/retreadability are the basic Tier 1 values, while ride/handling, traction, stone holding, casing size (for retread interchangeability and dual matching)
OHSA Issues New Asbestos-Handling Guidelines
(Akron/Tire Review) OHSA has issued a safety and health bulletin concerning servicing asbestos-based brakes and clutches.