2009 - Page 169 of 205

A Conti 4×4 Tyre for Every Customer

Given the wide assortment of 4×4 tyres on the market, how can a dealer best advise the customer to make sure they are satisfied with their choice of tyre? According to Continental, there are two key areas to look at: Product knowledge and knowledge of customers driving habits. By identifying the needs of a customer – for example, how they use their vehicle and where they take it, a retailer can then match the tyre requirements so customer ends us with the right tyre for their needs.

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

From Shearography to Pressure Testing

Product News

During the last decade Germany’s SDS has contribute to tyre quality via its Interferometric Tire Tester (ITT) range. The product line extends from applications for motorcycle, race, car, truck, bus and aircraft tyres through to special applications for OTR tyres with an outer diameter of up to 4.2 metres. But what exactly takes place during the SDS sheography process?

The ITT series’ state of the art technology employs “Speckle Shearing” through the use of a single or multiple closed measuring set-up that contains an interferometer with CCD camera and multiple laser diodes with integrated optics.

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Reports an Increasing 4×4 Marketplace Share

Product News

Ongoing advertising within leading consumer off-road magazines, a strong presence at major off-road events and encouraging results in tyre comparison tests are all factors Maxxis says is helping the brand increase its share of the 4×4 marketplace. The Maxxis range, which Maxxis International UK boasts is one of the largest line-ups of off-road, on/off-road and road going 4×4 tyres available in the UK, includes products for numerous specific applications. Amongst this line-up is the largest complete range to fit 16-inch Land Rover Rims, plus a series of extreme tyres and patterns purpose-designed to tackle muddy conditions.

Speaking of tough conditions, Maxxis reports that its 4×4 tyres are under evaluation by volunteer organisation 4×4 Response Wales, which is part of a nationwide network providing logistical support to the emergency services, local authorities and GPs in the event of severe weather conditions and emergency situations.

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Merkel: Loan Guarantees are ‘Right Tool’ for Schaeffler

Product News

Various online news sources are quoting German Chancellor Angela Merkel as saying that liquidity guarantees would be the right tool to help companies asking for public aid, such as Schaeffler Group. Chancellor Merkel said she has not seen a restructuring plan from either Schaeffler or car maker Opel, which is also requesting government support, yet. “I regard [liquidity] guarantees as the tool we are eyeing,” Merkel told journalists, according to Dow Jones. “Germany has an interest in strengthening companies which have a strong foundation,” Reuters quoted Merkel as saying.

Meanwhile, Schaeffler continues to investigate the possibility of debt-for-equity swaps as a means of paying off some of the multi-billion euro loan it borrowed to buy Continental AG. According to Bloomberg, financial institutions such as government-controlled Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc – which backed Schaeffler’s takeover of Conti – may “saddle taxpayers with distressed assets as they negotiate debt-for-equity swaps with failing corporate borrowers.”

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Renews Supply Commitment to Formula 3 Euro Series

Product News

Kumho Tires’ role as official tyre supplier to the Formula 3 Euro Series has been extended to 2011. The renewed contract was signed on February 18 at a meeting between the head of the series’ organising committee, Walter Mertes, and H.S. Lee, president of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH, at Kumho’s European headquarters in Offenbach, Germany.

The F3 Euro Series was founded in 2003 by the organisers of the French and German championships. A full grid of 32 cars, the largest number since the series began, will contest the 20-race 2009 series between May and October, with rounds in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Classic Dunlop Aquajet Range Gains New 13-inch Size

Product News

Hampshire based Vintage Tyre Supplies has confirmed that, after an absence of more than a decade, the Dunlop Aquajet in 165R13 size – original equipment on many cars in the late 60s and 70s, including Lotus and Ford models – is once more available. The addition of the H speed rated tyre, which is both E-marked and DOT approved, brings the size of the current Aquajet range to six tyres, ranging from 10 to 15-inch rim diameter.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Tyremakers Pass On Excise Duty Cut

Product News

A number of Indian manufacturers have lowered domestic market prices following a lowering of the excise duty charged upon tyres. The Indian government announced on February 24 it would reduce the excise on a range of consumer products from ten per cent to eight per cent in order to stimulate demand and boost the economy.

Apollo Tyres is passing on the benefit of the lower excise duty as of February 25, 2009 on all its replacement market commercial radial and cross ply tyres. “We should all support this proactive move by the government, which will boost the manufacturing as well as other sectors,” said Onkar S Kanwar, Apollo Tyres Ltd chairman and managing director. “We, on our part, will be passing on this reduction to our customers.”

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Global Tyre Demand Down 35% in January

Product News

Global tyre demand fell by approximately 35 per cent in January, according to manufacturer data. The figures, supplied to Deutsche Bank by Michelin, show the huge fall was prompted by a 50 per cent drop in OE demand, but could also be seen in a 20 per cent drop in replacement sales.

Deutsche Bank analysts pointed out that the figures are the worst for 30 years, compared to a -3.5 per cent fall in 1991 and a 16 per cent drop in the fourth quarter of 2008. The analyst put the falls down to people driving roughly 5 per cent less; postponing their tyre purchases; and dealers reducing their inventories. Michelin sales volumes are expected to be approximately 15 per cent lower than 2008 in the first quarter of 2009, according to Deutsche Bank.

The marked collapse in demand is said to be reflected across both the truck tyre and passenger car tyre segments and in both Europe and North America. Only China attained single digit growth.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Lockout Continues at Apollo Outsourced Factory Despite Talks

Product News

A fresh round of talks over the ongoing lockout at the Apollo Tyres outsourced PTL Enterprise factory in Kalamassery India was held on February 24, yet the deadlock between company management and union representatives continues. Apollo reports that a resolution has been reached for ten out of the twelve issues at hand, however the two opposing parties cannot – or will not – see eye to eye on the remaining two.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper to Issue Quarterly Dividend

Product News

Cooper has announced that it will once again be issuing its shareholders with a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents. This will be the 148th consecutive quarter in which the company will be making this openhanded display to its shareholders. Considering current market conditions the continuation of the 10.5 cents payment – a figure first reported on Tyrepress.com in June 2002 – shows Cooper’s determination to project an image of business proceeding as normal throughout the downturn.

The dividend will become payable on common stock at close of business on 31 March, 2009, while stockholders of record will receive their payment at stumps on 9 March.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

East Europe Plans Affected by Apollo Capex Reduction

Product News

According to Apollo Tyres vice-chairman and joint managing director Neeraj Kanwar, the company has reduced its capital expenditure plans for the next two years from Rs 30 billion (£414 million) to Rs10.5 billion (£145 million) due to the global economic slowdown. Part of this reduction involves placing the company’s Eastern Europe capex plans on hold.

In a February 25 interview on Indian business television channel NDTV profit, which was later reported by Reuters, Kanwar said “Our capex has come down from 3,000 crores (30 billion rupees) that we were planning to spend in the next 2 years to 1,050 crores (10.5 billion rupees) which we were planning to spend in India.”

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese Tyre Manufacturers Cut Gate Prices

News

A number of Chinese tyre factories have lowered their gate prices in response to the recent easing of raw material costs. Aeolus Tyres, for example, is apparently the first tyre maker to openly do so, and says it is aiming to send a clear signal that as a “runner-up among major tyre brands,” it is taking the lead in terms of pricing. However, as is the case with most Chinese tyre purchases, the fact that transactions are calculated in US dollars means pound prices are in fact higher than they were 12 months ago. Industry sources have also linked the Triangle and Infinity brands with factory gate price cuts that are also negated by the weak pound. While the euro has been fairing better against the dollar, a similar effect is understood to place taking place on the continent.

Speaking on behalf of Aeolus Tyres in Europe, Heuver Tyrewholesale’s Bertus Heuver commented: “Aeolus is one of China’s largest tyre manufacturers. Identifying trends and developing tyres in response to those trends is their core business. This is partly the basis of their success in Europe and why this runner-up has quickly become a reliable and attractive alternative to name brands… Aeolus sold more than 250,000 new tyres in Europe in 2008. We aim to conquer a market share in the most important segments in Europe of at least 3 per cent in the standard sizes…We expect that many business owners will consider Aeolus when making their decisions due to its combination of favourable prices, selection and quality.”

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Greater Latitude

Premium, Product News

For Michelin’s 4×4 tyre segment, 2009 has got off to a flying start with the introduction of an all-new line-up. Named the Latitude Cross, the new tyre was officially unveiled on February 1 and is already available for UK customers. This latest addition to Michelin’s 4×4 range, a line-up that has been given a complete going over in the last two years, has been designed for the numerous 4×4 drivers who use their vehicle predominantly on the road, but nevertheless wish to take advantage – even if only occasionally – of the off-road capabilities offered by a 4×4.

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25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Plant Cuts Operating Schedule

Product News

The Goodyear plant in Union City, Tennessee is reducing its operating schedule from a seven-day continuous operation to five days. The impact of the operation change on the plant’s workforce has yet to be determined, according to Jimmy Cagle, manager of communications at the plant. The 40-year-old plant, which employs 2,700, is already facing a loss of about 60 jobs this year. (Tire Review/Akron)

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

3.6 Million UK Drivers on Illegal Tyres

Product News

As many as 3.6 million UK motorists could be driving on illegal tyres, according to the latest research. Figures from the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) show that of nearly 60,000 cars checked in January 2009 by retail members, 7,000 were being driven on at least one illegal tyre. Extrapolated across the population, this could amount to 3.6 million cars in the UK whose owners are at risk of causing serious road accidents. The disturbing findings are reflected by another recent survey conducted by TyreSafe, revealing that nearly one in ten motorists expects to spend less on tyres in 2009 compared with last year.

“When you consider that there are over 30 million cars on the UK’s roads, learning that one in ten motorists admits they plan to spend less on tyres shows an alarming lack of awareness among drivers towards their own road safety and the safety of the others,” TyreSafe chairman Rob Beddis commented. “Many tyre dealers have indeed reported that more drivers are letting their tyres run below the legal tread depth before they replace them as they feel the financial pinch. This is a worrying trend which sadly may result in more accidents and road deaths as a result of the loss of grip and longer stopping distances associated with illegal tyres.”

The TyreSafe research reveals that motorists in London are most likely to decrease their spending on tyres in 2009 with one in ten drivers expecting to spend less, while drivers in the East Midlands have the most responsible attitude towards replacing tyres, with less than 3 per cent expecting to spend less on tyres over the coming year.

25th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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