2009 - Page 154 of 205 - Tyrepress

Kumho Opens First Vietnam ‘Tire Pro’ Centre

On March 12, Kumho Tires announced the planned launch of its specialist ‘Tire Pro’ retail store in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, a country the South Korean manufacturer identifies as one that is “emerging as a promising market.” The Vietnam launch of Tire Pro follows the opening of branches in Korea and China.

Kumho has already opened tyre manufacturing and rubber processing plants in Vietnam, and the company says it now plans to launch Tire Pro branches in Vietnam and accelerate its efforts to penetrate the Southeast Asian market, in order to strengthen and expand its distribution channels in local markets.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Releases Main Cities of Europe Guide

The Michelin guide Main Cities of Europe 2009 went on sale on Wednesday 18 March, priced at £14.99 (€19.99 in Ireland). This 28th edition covers 43 cities in 20 countries, of which two are included for the first time (Florence and Turin). The English language guide Main Cities of Europe 2009 targets business travellers and tourists visiting major European cities who want to be able to easily find the right place to dine or spend the night, perhaps a hotel near the convention centre, or a quiet restaurant where they can invite a customer to lunch.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

10% of UK Motorists Driving on Illegal Tyres – Conti Survey

According to a survey conducted by Continental, more than 3.5 million UK motorists are driving on illegal tyres. The survey of 4,000 drivers showed one in ten to have tyres below the legal 1.6mm minimum tread depth – and 70 per cent of drivers are unaware that 1.6mm is indeed the minimum depth permitted.

Two thirds of women, the Conti survey noted, rely upon their partner to check the safety of their vehicle’s tyres. This probably isn’t a sterling idea, given that four out of ten motorists never actually check their tyre pressure and a third can’t actually change a wheel.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reports: Schaeffler Has Restructuring Plan

In an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel, Schaeffler Group co-owner, Georg Schaeffler, indicated that the company has already submitted a restructuring plan to creditor banks. Pressure has been mounting for Schaeffler to release it plans to both the government and its creditors after the automotive supplier borrowed 16 billion euros to finance last year’s takeover of Continental AG. It is now struggling to make the high debt service payments it committed to, as a result of the credit crunch’s effect on vehicle manufacturers, and so has reportedly been considering a wide variety of refinancing and restructuring, including a debt-for-equity swap that could see the family owned business barter a significant stake with the banks.

However, despite suggestions that the plan had been circulated to the appropriate parties, and hopes that the government “will respond quickly…to avoid being drawn into the election campaigns,” some banking sources told Financial Times Deutschland that the plans are as yet incomplete: “There are several short papers with fragmentary statements, but as a basis for decision making these papers are not suitable.”

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GiTi Incorporates New UK Truck Subsidiary

On 26th January 2009 GiTi Tire Europe BV incorporated a new UK truck tyre subsidiary. Company representatives report that the Chinese tyre manufacturer initiated the move in order to enable the company to focus better on the specialist needs of the truck tyre market.

Planning for the new subsidiary began in mid-2008, and the company now has premises, a third party logistics operation and three sales people on the road. The next appointment scheduled in the company’s lean business plan is the recruitment of an operations manager to oversee the truck tyre subsidiary’s back office operations.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

A Global Concern

The increasing globalisation of the automotive industry is an indisputable fact. Today’s leading companies, such as Toyota, General Motors, Renault/Nissan, Volkswagen and a handful of others, view expansion into as-yet untapped markets as a means of ensuring the profitable growth that established – and increasingly saturated – markets cannot deliver. A replacement for the masses of two and three wheeled vehicles still serving as family transport in various parts of the world is a well recognised need, and in several emerging markets the race is on to introduce “people’s car” that offers the right blend of modernity, efficiency and price. Exactly who will be first to produce such a widely-accepted car remains to be seen: It may be one of the smaller international manufacturers that seizes the inititave, or perhaps an emerging market company such as India’s Tata or China’s Chery. What is more certain, however, is that the the companies best placed to grow in the future are those that locate their centres of production in the markets where growth is taking place – and this is every bit as true for wheels as it is for the vehicles they are fitted to.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Shopper, Kwik-Fit Receive Top 10 Website Recognition

Leading tyre retail websites tyre-shopper.co.uk and kwik-fit.com have been rated as amongst the top 10 automotive shopping and classified websites in the UK. In the research kwik-fit.com came fifth, while tyre-shopper was ranked in ninth place. However it is also interesting to note that the success of first placed ebaymotors.co.uk and sixth-placed 247spares.co.uk, which both sell tyres, means 40 per cent of the UK’s leading websites in this category are also online tyre distribution channels.

The survey was carried out by Experian research company Hitwise, which monitored 8.43 million UK Internet users and how they interact with more than 1 million websites, across more than 165 different industries. The ranking didn’t include details of the relative performance of alternative leading tyre retail websites such as blackcircles.com, mytyres.co.uk or bestbuytyres.co.uk.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Wheels India and MRF Supply Nano Wheels and Tyres to Tata

Wheels India, part of the TVS group companies, and leading Indian tyre maker, MRF, are supplying the original equipment wheels and tyres for Tata Motors’ pint-sized ultra-mini the Nano. Wheels India managing director, Srivats Ram, told Hindu Business Line: “The wheel that was developed is lighter than any other passenger car wheel in the country and the first wheel to my knowledge in passenger car wheels to have three bolt-holes instead of the conventional four.”

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Singapore MP: Tyrexpo Asia an ‘Important Platform for Buyers and Sellers’

TyrexpoAsia 2009 has been described as “an important platform for buyers and sellers and key decision makers in the global tyre and equipment market,” by prominent Singapore Member of Parliament Inderjit Singh MP. Mr Singh made the remarks during the show’s opening today (Tuesday 24th March) at the Singapore Expo Centre. He told a reportedly packed audience that the exhibition “created valuable opportunities to tap into a wealth of networking and business opportunities for event organisers and business delegates.”

Mr Singh, the deputy government whip, said that the automotive sector will be a key beneficiary of the success of Singapore as a centre for the rubber and tyre industries. The country’s pivotal position in the Asian tyre market is underlined by the presence of major companies with headquarters in the island state.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Board Approves Share Buyback Proposal

The Apollo Tyres Board of Directors has given its approval for a buyback of equity shares, as allowed by India’s Companies Act. The March 19 decision paves the way for a buyback programme of up to Rs 1.222 billion (£16.48), around 10 per cent of the company’s paid up capital and free reserves as of March 31, 2008. The buyback will be for a minimum of 67,00,000 equity shares, and the maximum buyback price is Rs 25 per share, on a face value of Rs 1.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UniWheels – Now Number Three in Europe

The early 2008 acquisition of the ATS-Group’s European interests by the UniWheels group has led to the emergence of an aluminium wheel business that ranks number three in the European market. Subsequent to the purchase, which followed the insolvency of ATS Beteiligungs in July 2007, UniWheels has assumed the number three market position in Europe behind Ronal and Borbet (who produce approximately 12 million wheels per annum each) and ahead of Hayes Lemmerz and Turkish supplier CMS.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

OZ Releases Range for Tuning Newcomers

A new entry-level range from OZ is catering for newcomers to the tuning scene that don’t want to look like beginners. Called the X-Line, the rim line-up is, says OZ, intended for those wanting a “taste of tuning”, and the manufacturer reports buyers will be “rewarded with real OZ rims at an entry-level price.” Three different products are currently available in the X-Line range.

The Adrenalina is a five double-spoke rim design that is available in polished matt black or titanium. The outer struts of the spokes and the rim bead between the spokes is always silver turned. Six sizes are available. The five-spoke Energy features, says OZ, no edges or protruding angles. The manufacturer adds that the slightly lowered centre of the wheel gives the outer struts a fresh impetus, therefore rendering an elegant touch. The wheel is available in matt black or matt silver, and in three sizes.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Named Fleet News Top Fleet Industry Supplier

Kwik-Fit has beaten a string of companies responsible for delivering a range of solutions to Britain’s multi-billion pound fleet industry to be named Fleet Supplier of the Year by Fleet News. While Kwik-Fit Fleet has been a regular winner of the Best Fast-Fit Company title at the annual awards ceremony, which for more than two decades has been hosted by the fleet industry weekly newspaper, this is the first time that the company has beaten off competition from other sectors – including the likes of AA Business Services and RAC Fleet – to win the top supplier accolade.

The Fleet Supplier of the Year Award is designed to identify the organisation which has gone the extra mile in providing exceptional service to fleet customers and has ‘stand out’ service levels, products and staff and a commitment to providing the best products or services. The award was presented at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on March 18 and follows Kwik-Fit Fleet being named the nation’s top fast-fit company for an impressive 16 years in succession in the annual BusinessCar Awards announced earlier this year.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

NZ Wholesaler/Retailer Changes Name

One of New Zealand’s leading tyre marketers, wholesalers and retailers has announced a new name and corporate identity designed to represent the current and future direction of the business. From today, Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres (NZ) is the new trading name of South Pacific Tyres (NZ), the company that is custodian of the Goodyear and Dunlop brands, as well as the Goodyear Auto Service Centre, Beaurepaires and Frank Allen Tyres branded retail stores.

Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres managing director and CEO Judith Swales stated, “Goodyear and Dunlop are the two of the world’s leading tyre brands, so we are very pleased and proud that they form the basis of our new trading name and corporate identity. The Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres name better reflects Goodyear’s ownership of our business whilst acknowledging the heritage and legacy that is synonymous with the Dunlop brand in New Zealand and Australia.”

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin’s Bad Kreuznach Plant Reaches the Quarter-Billion Mark

Michelin’s factory in Bad Kreuznach, Germany has produced its 250 millionth tyre, an Energy Saver 175/65 R14 82T. This event gave the site the opportunity to celebrate with the plant’s manager, Cyrille Beau, the head of the Michelin Germany/Switzerland /Austria region, Dieter Freitag, the town mayor, Andreas Ludwig and some 200 site employees. The factory first entered production in 1966.

“Our technology is excellent and we have modern equipment and assembly lanes,” commented plant manager Cyrille Beau. “But, first and foremost, what distinguishes us from our competitors is our personnel’s know-how and commitment.”

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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