Tyre makers bring wares to SEMA
North America’s greatest automotive products show gets underway today, and tyre makers are making sure the anticipated 60,000 plus visitors know about their latest developments.
Winter tyre labelling 2.0?
With memories of Nokian’sill-fated alternative winter tyre label fresh in mind, I was interested to learn that Finnish tyre and vehicle test centre Testworld is making its own ice braking test result publically and freely available.
Let’s cast our minds back almost exactly a year. The new tyre labelling laws had just been introduced following six months of various manufacturers making certain data available.12 months on virtually all of that has died down and it is far from clear exactly how the market has received this concept, let alone consumers (see “Labelling compliance worse…”, “NTDA/Lanxess labelling report” and “Goodyear Dunlop: Labelling one year on” for more on this.
Nokian’s Vianor network grows, new ‘softer’ franchise model rolled out
During the first nine months of 2013, Finnish tyre maker Nokian Tyres added 124 outlets to its Vianor dealer network. As of 30 September 2013 the Vianor network operates 1,161 centres in 26 countries. Vianor outlets in Finnland, Sweden, Norway, the US, Switzerland and Russia belong to the company while the remaining 978 are bound to Vianor/Nokian through franchise agreements.
Conti premieres RoadAttack 2 Evo at EICMA
The EICMA motorcycle show in Italy serves as a platform for the tyre industry to present next season’s new products. Pirelli says it will display two new Metzeler-brand motorcycle tyres at the show, and Continental is also bringing its latest to Milan.
Pirelli signs for 2014 Mini Challenge supply
Pirelli has signed an extension to its supply of the Mini Challenge. The tyre supplier, which has original equipment deals to supply its P Zero and Cinturato tyres to the road-going Mini Countryman and Mini Cooper S, will supply both the Cooper class and the turbo-charged John Cooper Works class throughout 2014, the series’ 13th year. The series organiser said it had agreed to place controls on tyre usage in conjunction with the tyre supplier, with the aim of keeping down the cost of competing.
Sava motorcycle range to be rebranded as Mitas
At the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, which opens to the media today ahead of its public opening on 7 November, the newly-created Mitas Moto business unit will introduce itself to the world. The new business unit will also introduce its first product, the Sport Force radial for sport, naked and touring bikes.
Licensees for self-inflating tyre sought
Czech Republic-based firm CODA Development is seeking licensees within the tyre industry for its patented Self Inflating Tire (SIT). The company says it will “immediately offer licenses to interested parties wanting to integrate SIT into their production lines.”
Labelling compliance worse one year on
Compliance to tyre labelling legislation is lower one year on from its introduction than it was in the opening months of the rules. According to research conducted by market analysts at Encircle Market, the amount of labelling talk has actually decreased since tyre labelling was introduced in November 2012. The research also reveals a number of other details demonstrating relative some degree of inertia when it comes to the subject of tyre labelling.
Nexen Q3 figures below consensus
Nexen’s third quarter figures have underperformed market expectations. According to Deutsche Bank research published 1 November, Nexen’s operating profit results were 13 per cent below consensus expectations.
Avex changes name ahead of SEMA appearance
Czech manufacturer of steel pallets and tyre racks Avex is now operating under a slightly altered name: Avex Steel Products s.r.o. The change of name has also signalled another change for the firm; Avex is now operating with a new website at www.avexproducts.com.
Analysts: Nokian Q3 ‘better than expected’, Q4 ‘weak’
Financial analysts have described Nokian’s latest third quarter financial results as “better than expected”, however they also pointed out that any optimism will be have to be balanced against the details of a recent profit warning. The profit warning referred to forthcoming fourth quarter figures, which are expected to be “weak”, with pre-tax profits (EBIT) estimates projecting a -13 per cent decline.
TGI given free trade status
Miami-based US tyre wholesaler Tire Group International reports that it was granted ‘Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 281-4’ status on 9 September. This designation will give TGI the ability to defer, reduce and even eliminate customs duties on products brought into its US distribution centre for re-export.
Kumho conducts ‘F1 test’ in Spain
Kumho first stated its interest in F1 tyre supply as early as 2004, and speculation regarding the Korean tyre maker’s aims occasionally makes the news. Now the company itself has mentioned the F-word, reporting that in September it officially tested its F1 tyres – which have the same specifications as the tyres it will supply to Auto GP from 2014 – at Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya. Three days of evaluation began on 16 September and Kumho says the purpose for the test was to “validate the technology for future business with F1 and to actually test the technology accumulated through motor sports since the 1990s for F1.”
Conti: ContiEcoContact 5 is ‘ultimate eco performance tyre’
Developed in co-operation with Europe’s leading car manufacturers, the ContiEcoContact 5 “sets new standards in terms of the environment and safety”, according to Continental. As we all know, the continued challenge in tyre design is to reduce rolling resistance and wear whilst, at the same time, ensure that the tyre is still good at wet braking.
Nexen OE sales up 47% in Q3
During the third quarter of 2013, net sales at Nexen Tire Corporation declined 2.9 per cent to KRW 438.5 billion (£253.9 million), the company reports. Gross profit rose 3.6 per cent compared with a year earlier to KRW 124.7 billion (£72.2 million) while operating profit was 12.1 per cent down at KRW 46.3 billion (£26.8 million). EBITDA was 3.1 per cent lower at KRW 71.9 billion (£41.6 million), with the margin stable at 16.4 per cent.