Pirelli has initiated a recall of any 285/35 ZR19 PZero Corsa tyres manufactured from May 2007 to July 2009. The tyres in question equip the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and 430 Scuderia Spider 16M. Company representatives explained that owners of these cars have been contacted any that have rear tyres marked with the "XB" identification mark are advised that these may need substituting. Only the rear tyres on these specified models are affected.
After five years of partnership, Nitrogen inflation specialists at Tyre Bay Direct are reporting that using their Uniflate system has helped Merityre Specialists Ltd, the largest independent tyre specialist in the Home Counties, stay ahead of the game. Established in 1963, Merityre now has nineteen service centres across the region. Staying ahead of the market is clearly a big consideration for the company, with their stated aim to exceed customer expectations and the presence of a well-established customer care programme to back this up.
Hot, humid conditions in San Marino on the first day of its Grand Prix have produced a favourable reaction to the hard compound Bridgestone slicks amongst the field. Whilst both options were used during the free practice session to get a feeling for the available grip and balance from each, it was on the harder slicks that the best times were recorded.
The latest SMMT figures reveal there was 6 per cent rise in new car registrations in August 2009, with the monthly total growing to 67,006 units. The second successive month of growth in new car registrations is widely attributed to the success of the government’s scrappage initiative, with August’s figures building on on a 2.4 per cent gain in July. As you might expect in light of the scrappage scheme, private purchases of small cars grew particularly strongly with this type of sale accounting for 35,694 (53.3 per cent) of August’s sales, compared to 23,717 (37.5 per cent). However, the recent growth disguises the fact that sales are still 15 per cent off the 78,800 total monthly market average between 1999 and 2008.
Ford and Vauxhall continued to dominate sales in August, however it is the surprise success of the Korean car manufacturers that has the potential to re-shape the UK car parc. And as these car manufacturers are almost exclusively supplied by Korean tyre makers, there is also likely to be a positive effect on Korean tyre sales in the UK.
Infinity, a brand belonging to the Al Dobowi Group, is continuing to carve out a growing spot within the UK passenger car tyre market. Its relationship with Bond International, with whom Al Dobowi has developed a significant relationship in the four years since it was appointed the exclusive UK distributor four years ago, was the focus of an event hosted by key members of the Infinity Europe and Al Dobowi companies in the plush surroundings of York Racecourse earlier in the year.
Kumho Europe representatives have quashed rumours that the South Korean tyre manufacturer is negotiating with Bridgestone over the sale of its new Vietnam factory. Wi Yun, Kumho Europe’s marketing manager, told Tyres & Accessories the suggestions published by Jaccar Investment are “a completely wrong statement.” Dismissing the report as “rumours” Wi added: “There have never been any negotiations nor discussion concerning this matter.”
Kumho is in negotiations with Bridgestone to sell its recently finished tyre manufacturing plant in Vietnam, according to a report issued by Jaccar, a global investment firm. Kumho invested $155 million in the plant, which was completed in 2008 and has an annual production capacity of 3.15 million tyres. The tyre-maker has said it planned to export tyres manufactured in the Vietnam plant to southeast Asia, Europe and the US. Jaccar reported Kumho is negotiating the plant’s sale due to liquidity crunches resulting from the current “global financial turmoil.” (Tire Review)
In the US, Pirelli is recalling 1,680 Pirelli Pzero Corsa tyres, size 285/35 ZR19 (99Y) K1, manufactured between June 2007 and July 2009.
European and worldwide tyre markets are finally stabilising, according to a report released today (3 September). Writing in response to the latest round of market figures issued by leading French tyre manufacturer, Michelin, market analysts at Morgan Stanley described their view of the current market conditions as “slightly better than our expectations.” Despite highlighting the fact that the data continues to show negative year-to-date growth rates in almost every market, the analysts focused on the fact that the pace of the decline “showed material improvements compared to year-to-date trends and it looks on track to exceed our volume forecast for the quarter.
Euro Car Parts has launched a new battery catalogue and announced a buy now and pay later promotion. According to the aftermarket parts supplier, one of the largest independent distributors of batteries in the UK, customer demand has led Euro Car Parts to produce its own 40-page ‘Battery Application Guide 2009/2010’. The guide covers all car marquee applications, from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, including all the technical specifications one would expect, covering brands by Bosch, Exide and Lion. Also included are sections delivering comprehensive safety advice and regulations for lead-acid batteries as well and instructions for using starter batteries.
ECP has also launched a customer buy now and pay later battery promotion, offering the customer the chance to bulk buy on batteries from leading worldwide brands. Customers signing up for the promotion have the chance to receive a free battery stand, point of sale items, and an advanced battery tester.
New Zealand could become the first country to ban the use of winter and regular tyres on a single vehicle by as early as 2010 when its government considers a change in the rules proposed by the Transport Agency.
Amtel-Vredestein N.V. formally changed its name to Amtel N.V. at an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Enschede yesterday (2 September), freeing the newly re-merged Apollo-Vredestein from its previous associations with the Russian company. The execution of the deed of amendment through which the actual name change will take place as well as corresponding changes to the company’s website, corporate materials etc. will reportedly take place “as soon as possible.” The meeting also agreed proposals to dismiss Petr Zolotarev and Vadim Pesochinsky from the executive board and to appoint Alexander Fayn as sole member of the board. According to a statement detailing the meeting, Fayn gave a broad outline of the company’s restructuring plan.
In the US, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has announced that it has finalised an agreement with Sears Holdings to supply Sears Auto Center facilities nationwide with two full lines of passenger tyres. The agreement will entail the manufacturing and sale of the Sears Guardsman Plus and the Cooper Response Touring passenger tyre lines.
Transense has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Qingdao Mesnac Co. Ltd, the parent company of the Sailun brand’s tyre manufacturing division. According to an official statement, Transense and Mesnac have entered into an agreement to combine their individual areas of expertise, for the purpose of developing Transense's patented tyre pressure monitoring sensor technology for the attachment or embedding of these sensors into tyres. Under the terms of the agreement Mesnac have agreed to an initial upfront payment and will pay additional sums for technology transfer/engineering support on an as required basis. Transense shares rose 17 per cent following the news.
Following a decade of steady growth in demand averaging 10 per cent, last October the financial and economic crisis pushed European retreading markets into a freefall. The largest decline was listed by market participants in the opening quarter of this year, and according to Marangoni demand for retreaded tyres in Europe reduced by a quarter. Yet at the same time, the market for new truck tyres dropped some 30 per cent. In the second quarter, demand was still some 15 per cent below that of the previous year, while the new tyre industry recorded sales a clear 25 per cent worse – another result reflecting the new tyre industry’s greater difficulties.
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