Blackcircles.com has given Liverpool/Manchester based PR agency Paver Smith responsibility for the company’s public relations programme. Following the appointment, managing director Michael Welch commented that “we’re delighted to bring Paver Smith onboard and look forward to developing a successful working relationship.”
The light has yet to appear at the end of the economic downturn tunnel, and in response to market conditions Michelin in the UK is taking steps to cut costs. Measures being introduced include a pause in production of its Encore brand truck tyres between April 11 and 20, and a delay in the annual salary increases of about 600 salaried employees. Increases due in May will not take place until September.
Though specific details are yet to be released, Bridgestone America’s planned Super Bowl advertisements will go for the funny bone again. According to USA Today, at least one of the Bridgestone-brand ads will feature iconic Mr. Potato Head. Another will centre around space travel.
Bridgestone is also sponsor of the Super Bowl halftime show, which will feature The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, alongside the E Street Band. (Tire Review/Akron)
Michelin Training Instructor Nigel Williams has returned from a visit to Zambia, during which he put his hand to reducing one of the country’s greatest causes of death. The 35-year old from Uttoxeter travelled to the African nation for a two-week assignment with the international development charity Transaid. Williams provided tyre related driver safety training for commercial vehicle driver instructors at the Industrial Training Centre Trust (ITCT) in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
Pirelli reports that its Dakar Rally debut as a supplier to the official KTM factory teams was nothing short of dominating, with the new Scorpion Rally tyre, fitted to bikes ridden by Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, capturing the 1st and 2nd positions on the podium. This Pirelli off-road rally tyre was developed together with KTM in preparation for this year’s Dakar. Out of a field of 235 riders, seven riders chose to receive support from Pirelli and out of these seven, three riders finished in the top seven positions overall. KTM Repsol rider Marc Coma, from Spain, and Red Bull KTM rider Cyril Despres, from France, were fiercely competitive in this 31st edition of the Dakar, which this year was staged in South America.
A new passenger car touring tyre has been added to the Firestone line-up. Targeted at what the manufacturer calls ‘family drivers’ – saloon and compact vehicle drivers who enjoy a peaceful and relaxing experience behind the wheel – the new TZ300α is designed to offer robust and reliable performance, along with safety, comfort and a quiet ride. The TZ300α range is initially available in 14 sizes for 14 to 16-inch rims and will progressively replace the TZ200, which was first introduced in 2002.
Work on Yokohama Rubber’s “Yokohama Forever Forest” project, started in 2007, is ongoing, and last December the company staged a tree-planting ceremony at its Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. facility. This is the third location outside of Japan to receive the Forever Forest treatment, following the Philippines and China in August and November 2008 respectively.
Specialty chemicals company Lanxess Butyl Pte. Ltd. has appointed Dr. Uwe Boltersdorf the site manager of its new butyl rubber plant in Singapore. Starting January 2009, Boltersdorf is responsible for project management of all third-party contracts, and supervision of all permits and internal guidelines. He will also oversee the hiring of new employees, implementation of business processes and setting up of the financial structure of the new site. Previously, Boltersdorf served as Board assistant to Dr. Axel Claus Heitmann, chairman of the Board of Management, Lanxess AG.
Nokian Heavy Tyres Ltd reports that on January 20 it commenced new statutory negotiations in order to adjust heavy tyre manufacturing and inventories in line with decreasing demand for the products. The negotiations include a plan to change the work pattern used in heavy tyre production and to reorganise operations. Such plans and production adjustments will lead to 50 staff being made permanently redundant, and another 230 being laid off until further notice, or for a certain period. A proportion of these lay-offs, permanent or otherwise, could be covered by pension arrangements or other voluntary solutions, Nokian adds.
Hankook Tire’s figures for 2008 reveal global tyre sales of KRW 4.07 trillion (£2.04 billion) during the year. This is, in the Korean currency, an increase of 25.8 per cent over 2007 tyre sales. Certain regions displayed a significant growth rate in sales: Russia saw an increase of 98 per cent, followed by a 50 per cent increase in Central and South America. In terms of product sales, the company UHP sector sales for 2008 were 35 per cent up on the previous year, and up 48 per cent in Europe.
Yokohama has announced that the latest model to use its tyres as original equipment will be the new Nissan 370Z, the successor to the popular 350Z. The model will be fitted with the ADVAN Sport tyre and, having already gone on sale in the Japanese domestic market, will be rolled out globally during 2009.
Another car to use ADVAN tyres will be the Tesla Roadster, the world’s first electric sports car, to provide a combination of performance and safety on what Yokohama says is “one of the most innovative new vehicles for a long time.”
Nokian Car and Van has responded to reduced demand with a raft of job cuts and temporary layoffs. The company has eliminated a total of 232 jobs, of which 106 are to be covered by pension arrangements. In addition, a further 440 people will be temporarily furloughed in 110 batches over a nine-week cycle, plus 62 more are to be laid off until further notice.
In the US, the February 2009 issue of Consumers Digest showcases the best tyres on the market, as rated by the magazine’s editors, and a handful products from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. made the list. For the “All-Season Car Tires” category, Goodyear’s Assurance TripleTred is the premium selection. The Goodyear Fortera TripleTred is the premium choice in the “All-Season SUV/Truck Tires” category. On the Dunlop side, the SP Sport Signature was is the midrange selection in the “Performance Car Tires” category, while the Dunlop SP 60 is the economy choice in the “All-Season Car Tires” category.
The Consumers Digest comparison list shows top-rated tyres in premium, midrange and economy segments. According to the magazine, best buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money. “We are pleased that yet another independent source has recognized the tremendous value of our tyres,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director.
“Goodyear’s product development efforts have focused on an application of relevant technology – advancements that are technologically innovative, but which also offer discernible benefits to those who drive on our tyres.”
“This is another great recognition for Dunlop’s outstanding product line. We are pleased when independent sources and consumers recognize the performance of our tyres,” said Todd Hershberger, Dunlop brand director. “Dunlop’s prestige and passion are evident in the continued high level of our products, including the industry-leading original equipment fitments on some of the world’s best automobiles.” (Tire Review/Akron)
JATO Dynamics, a provider of automotive data and intelligence, reported the European new car market fell by 7.8% (1,227,941 units) during 2008, recording a steady decline since May. Though the market maintained a strong growth at the start of 2008, in May the global economic crisis began to take its toll. The picture is yet more bleak when comparing figures over the second half (July to December) of 2008 to the same period in 2007, as the market recorded a 14.5% drop.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, in December alone, the European new car market fell by 17.8 per cent (196,337 units), when compared to the same month in 2007. However, whilst this signals the market performing poorly, it is less of a reduction in sales than the previous month. Total new car sales throughout Europe during 2008 stand at 14,459,714. (Tire Review/Akron)
It appears the eagle-eyed spy photographers got it right. – Goodyear has confirmed that when Barack Obama takes the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States, products from the company’s commercial vehicle range will accompany him during the day’s proceedings and later at the countless appearances and appointments planned throughout his term of office. Obama’s official limousine will be carried to its various destinations on Goodyear tyres, continuing what the company calls a ‘decades-long tradition’ as the exclusive tyre for the presidential limo, and the standard tyre of the US Secret Service.
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