auto parts manufacturers,auto parts suppliers

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 1 July, 2008 – Ford customers can pick their vehicles up from dealerships sooner following the launch of new parts delivery services.

New systems developed by Ford’s customer service team ensure that virtually all urgent parts can be delivered to dealers either the same day, or by 08.00 the next morning.  By minimising the delivery time for parts, the Ford dealer network can complete servicing and repair work quicker.

Ford’s central Daventry Parts Distribution Centre is now working to a 08.00 arrival deadline for urgent overnight parts.  This means that dealers can order from over 120,000 part lines for delivery before the start of business, helping them to complete work on customers’ vehicles promptly.

Complementing Ford Daventry, a new During the Day Delivery (3D) programme uses 12 regional depots to deliver parts within a few hours – maximising the number of jobs that can be completed the same day.

“Ford is the first volume manufacturer offering reliable same-day parts availability to all of its dealers nationwide,” says John Cooper, Ford customer service division director.  “Combine this capability with 08.00 overnight deliveries from Daventry, and it’s clear that Ford owners will be back on the road quicker.”

3D parts distribution
The 3D programme includes a network of 12 regional hubs established in partnership with major Ford dealer groups:

They run parts depots that typically stock in excess of 20,000 part lines, significantly more than the average held by a dealer.

3D operators provide dealers in their region with at least two daily parts deliveries – one early in the day and one during the afternoon – so dealers are never more than a few hours away from their next delivery.

“3D has been a major driver in the growth of our after-sales business,” said Steve Russell, dealer principal at Ringways Motor Group in South Yorkshire, which took part in a pilot for the  3D programme.

“Improved parts availability has made a huge difference for customers – both retail and trade.  We are now the first choice supplier of Ford parts for local independent motor traders.  Our lead time for servicing has reduced dramatically, and we have adopted a ‘never say no’ mentality towards short-notice service work.  If we receive the vehicle before noon, we can get the part by 15.00 and complete the work the same day.”

Daventry overnight delivery
Overnight deliveries from Ford Daventry still play a central role in satisfying dealer demand for critical parts.  Daventry holds over 120,000 part lines, compared to 20,000 at a typical 3D operator, so Daventry remains the key source.  On a typical day, around 13,000 parts are delivered overnight to UK dealers.

In early 2008 Ford progressively introduced a new delivery time of 08.00 for overnight shipments, replacing the previous standard of 10.00.  As part of the change, Ford dealers can track the progress of parts shipments to help plan workshop schedules.

Tokyo (June 26, 2008) - Bridgestone Corporation (“Bridgestone”) announced today that it will raise prices on September 1, 2008 for tires, tubes and flaps sold in the replacement market in Japan. This applies to both summer and winter tires. Specific price increases include 5.0% for passenger car and light truck tires, 7.0% for truck and bus tires, 10.0% for off-the-road tires, 7.0~10.0% for industrial vehicle tires, 3.0~10.0% for motorcycle tires, 7.0% for other kinds of tires, and 10.0% for tubes and flaps. (Figures are average)

Although Bridgestone raised prices in March this year (April for winter tires) to mitigate the rising cost of raw materials, the price of natural rubber has continued to increase. In addition, the price of petrochemical-based materials such as synthetic rubber and carbon black remain at high levels, in-line with historic highs in the price of crude oil.

Bridgestone has endeavored to mitigate the increases in raw material prices through continuous measures aimed at increasing productivity and enhancing efficiencies. However, the cost increases have proven too large and persistent to be absorbed entirely through internal measures.

Bridgestone will also ask original equipment manufacturers for significant increases in their tire prices

Round three of the 2008 German Cross Country championship was a white and blue affair, as three of the top four bikes in the XCPro class were BMW G 450X machines. The BMW Motorrad factory team may have been denied its third consecutive victory, but overall the racing at Mernes proved to be a major success for the factory team.

BMW works rider Simo Kirssi - the current GCC series leader and winner of the opening rounds at Tollwitz and Walldorf - was yet again the fastest man out of the Munich manufacturer’s camp, but it was Frenchman Cyrille Coulon who claimed the overall race victory with Kirssi coming home in second place. Arguably though, the ride of the day went to fans’ favourite, five-times World Motocross champ Joel Smets, who came from last position to secure the final podium spot.

Under blazing sunshine, Kirssi grabbed the Le Mans-style start and guided the field into the first lap, shadowed by his teammate Bert Meyer and Coulon. The Frenchman set a blistering pace and wasted no time, passing Meyer in lap one and then Kirssi on the following lap to take the lead. Smets meanwhile suffered drama in the first chicane. Finding himself trapped under his own bike after a crash - and visibly in pain - the likeable Belgian re-joined the race in last position. But Joel was on fire and quickly started to pick off competitors to the left and right, forcing his way through the pack and ultimately rounding out a magnificent performance by stealing third place from Meyer.

After the chequered flag, the BMW Motorrad Motorsport crew applauded their riders and everyone on the team was delighted with the result. After all, success is the best reward for all the hard work and extensive development carried out to date.

“I started well and enjoyed the track,” said championship leader Kirssi, who had been following Coulon for a large portion of the two-hour race, yet had to accept the runner-up position. “Cyrille went by in the second lap and I couldn’t quite keep his pace. Not today. I am not satisfied and would have preferred to win.”

Commenting on his excellent podium spot, Joel Smets described how the adrenaline kept him battling until the end: “There was a lot of dust in the first corner after the start. I couldn’t see anything and don’t even know why I crashed. Maybe I clipped another rider’s bike, perhaps someone touched mine or maybe I just lost the front. Anyway, I was lying there with my leg trapped between the rear wheel and fender. I hurt my hip in the incident and had to ride through the pain for two hours. Nevertheless, once I started making my way though the pack it was a lot of fun and I am pleased with the result.”

Bert Meyer, who completed the BMW display of strength behind Kirssi and Smets, had his hands full with rival Arnaud Demeester early in the race. The veteran Frenchman however crashed out two thirds into the proceedings.

“The start went well today,” said Meyer. “After re-fuelling though, I ran into an old problem of mine - struggling to regain my rhythm. I was then battling with Arnaud Demeester and took control before he eventually crashed out. Fourth place is okay.”
The final word went to Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer, who praised all his riders for their efforts: “Simo rode his own race in second place. His lap times were similar to Coulon’s, but he couldn’t quite keep the pressure on him. Joel delivered an exciting race and came from being way behind to take third, while Bert had a great battle with Demeester, which continued until the Frenchman dropped out. All our team riders completed the race and two of them finished on the podium, so all in all it’s been a great day for us and a superb day’s racing.”

Results from GCC Mernes XCPro class

1. Cyrille Coulon (FRA), Yamaha, 22 laps
2. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
3. Joel Smets (BEL), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
4. Bert Meyer (GER), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
5. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 21 laps
6. Stefan Geyer (GER), KTM, 21 laps
7. Falko Karbautzki (GER), KTM, 21 laps
8. Christoph Seifert (GER), KTM, 20 laps
9. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 19 laps
10. Andreas Schulz (GER), 19 laps