The Korea Times has reported lockouts at three of Kumho’s facilities in South Korea. According to the paper, the company lockouts – the first Kumho has enacted in 15 years – began on August 25 in response to a union strike against its downsizing plan. Employee access to the Gwangju, Gokseong and Pyeongtaek facilities was blocked as of 4am on August 25, following 20 failed negotiation sessions.
Group International and GITI Tire USA have announced a distribution arrangement through which TGI will distribute GT Radial branded tires in South Florida. TGI will carry the full line of GT Radial tyres, including the Maxtour line, Champiro 128, Champiro 228, Champiro 328, Champiro 528, Savero H/T, Adventuro A/T II and Adventuro M/T lines. The GT Radial line up will be stocked in the company’s Miami distribution centre.
Nokian Tyres will move its headquarters from LaVergne, Tennessee, to Colchester, Vermont, in an effort to consolidate its operations. The relocation, which the company expects will be finalised by spring 2010, will place the headquarters near Nokian’s wholesale operation, University Wholesalers Inc. Nokian Tyres, the North American subsidiary of Finland-based Nokian Tyres P.L.C., also owns […]
To maintain its production of synthetic rubber after its utilisation of DAE oils ceases, Lanxess AG will enter into a strategic co-operation with Swedish oil producer Nynas. Lanxess will end the use of DAE oils in its synthetic rubber production as of December 1, 2009, ahead of next year’s European and Japanese bans on the substance.
The one pound per tyre cost attached to Kwik-Fit’s newly launched nitrogen tyre inflation service could reduce, according DFT figures, the nation’s fuel bill by £1.2 billion a year. You can thank the size and dryness of nitrogen molecules for this at the pump frugality – these two qualities make them less prone to leaking or evaporating from a tyre, and therefore correct tyre pressure can be maintained for much longer.
Tyre recovery and recycling specialists Murfitts industries has suffered a fire at its Littleport, Cambridgeshire site. Managing director Barry Stocker told Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com that it is too early to say how much damage has been done, but he did confirm that there is both structural and stock loss. Nevertheless, the company is continuing to take in tyres at other sites. According to local firefighers, a diesel fuel tank and gas cylinders exploded during the fire and 50 firefighters tackled flames from 200 tonnes of tyre shred on fire at the site. Local news reports suggest two buildings next to the tyre factory have been destroyed by the fire.
In the US, the Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tyre has been selected as the 18-inch OE upgrade for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. The first dedicated hybrid for Lexus, it features the optional P225/45R18 Proxes A20, a so-called eco-friendly tyre.
Lexus introduced the HS 250h as the “World’s First Hybrid-Only Luxury Vehicle”. According to the company, it produces the best combined estimated EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the US at 35-mpg and also achieves 35-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.
United Steelworkers locals approved a new three-year master contract with Michelin North America. The pact covers some 2,500 workers at MNA’s plants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
TIA still feels it would be the best option to conduct consumer-level tyre fuel efficiency education, while RMA challenges that NHTSA’s proposed fuel efficiency rating system is inadequate.
Those were the themes behind both groups’ comment filings late last week, just before NHTSA’s August 21 deadline for comments on its mandated tyre fuel efficiency rating system.
Malcolm Scovell has been appointed as commercial director for Michelin Tyre Plc with responsibility for the UK and Republic of Ireland. He will be based at Michelin’s UK headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent. He replaces Hervé de Froment, who is transferring after four years in the role to take on a new position with Michelin in Spain. The latest appointment signifies significant change in the management of Michelin Tyre Plc as it follows the appointment of Bill Schafer 42 as commercial director of Michelin’s truck and bus operations in July. Scovell brings with him extensive industry experience after 34 years with Michelin, most recently as managing director for the replacement car tyre market for the Nordic countries, based in Stockholm.
Yokohama Rubber Co. is reportedly expanding the capacity of its Hanzhou Yokokahama Tire Co. passenger car tyre plant in China. Hangzhou Yokohama’s annual capacity of 3 million units a year is expected to grow to 4.1 million passenger and light truck tyres from 2011, following investment of 3 billion yen (214 million yuan). This is the fourth capacity expansion since Hanzhou Yokohama started production in 2003. Yokohama makes its ASPEC A349 low rolling resistance tyre in China and expects general car ownership to increase 10 per cent annually in the years to come.
On 14 August, the European Commission began an investigation into the alleged ‘dumping’ of Chinese-made aluminium wheels into the European market. The investigation followed Association of European Wheel Manufacturers’ (EUWA) June complaint that the practice has been taking place. “Having determined that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation,” Reuters quoted the journal of the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union as saying. China's Ministry of Commerce denied the charges saying: “It raises the cost of repairs for customers, affects the recovery of the European auto sector from the global financial crisis, and hurts the interests of both China and Europe'” in a statement on the Ministry's website.
Richbrook has launched a flash new digital tyre pressure gauge billed as “essential for day-to-day driving or precision track-day set up.” Not much bigger than a typical keyring, the compact gauge measures in both PSA and BAR to a +/- 1% level of accuracy – akin to a much larger unit. A smart blue LED display, unlike black or red is easy to read in any weather, day or night.
A most useful addition has been made to the motorist’s arsenal: Richbrook has released a digital tyre pressure guage that is not much bigger than the average keyring, yet boasts an accurate gauge that measures in both PSA and BAR to a +/- 1 per cent level of accuracy – a degree of accuracy typically found in much larger units. A blue display is intended to facilitate measurement reading in all weather and lighting conditions. and the unit’s design also incorporates an inbuilt flashlight and key clip, making the gauge a handy travel companion in all manner of situations.
Starting with the European Grand Prix, Bridgestone has introduced new recyclable tin weights into its Formula One and GP2 Series wheel and tyre balancing process. The use of tin as balance weights, comments Bridgestone, is believed to have a lower environmental impact than the previously utilised lead weights. Over the course of a season the company uses almost a tonne of wheel balance weights.
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