Goodyear to drop 8 brands
NEW YORK—Goodyear, at a special briefing for securities analysts Feb. 14, said it will eliminate eight brands it uses in Europe. The European brands to be dropped are Delta, Diplomat, Durant, India, Ohtsu, Seal, Trident and Voyager.
Instead, the Akron-based tire maker will devote more resources to promoting its eight remaining brands: Goodyear and its associated brands of Fulda, Kelly and Sava, and Dunlop and its associated brands, Debica, Falken and Pneumant.
It should be noted the Ohtsu and Falken brands are owned by Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., which is Goodyear's partner in the global Dunlop alliance.
MSF Tire closes tire plant
MANILA, The Philippines—MSF Tire & Rubber Inc., an affiliate of Group Michelin, has ceased manufacturing at its plant in Manila.
The decision to close was based on the cumulative effect of "substantial financial losses" over several years and the effects of rising low-cost imported tires in the local market, according to the company.
Michelin, via its Michelin Siam Group venture in Thailand, acquired a stake in the company in 1995 and renamed it MSF Tire.
The plant started life in 1956 as a Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. subsidiary, then was sold in 1987 to a local investor group, which renamed it Philtread Tire & Rubber Co.
Michelin Siam is working on a plan to maintain distribution in the country, a spokesman said.