Kama Tyres turns 50
On 29 April, Kama Tyres celebrated 50 years of tyre-related production. On that day in 1973, Nizhnekamsk tyre factory produced its first inner tube for 6.15 x 13 tyres destined for fitment on Zhiguli (Lada) cars.
This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Stephen contributed a whooping 5121 entries.
On 29 April, Kama Tyres celebrated 50 years of tyre-related production. On that day in 1973, Nizhnekamsk tyre factory produced its first inner tube for 6.15 x 13 tyres destined for fitment on Zhiguli (Lada) cars.
Pneumatics specialist PCL has extended its tyre inflation portfolio with the introduction of the UK’s first air tower for bicycle tyres. The Digital Bicycle Tyre Inflator is designed for public use and available across Europe and worldwide, including the Far East.
Although track enthusiasts in the UK and Europe have been acquainted with the Bridgestone Potenza Race since last year, their brethren across the Pond have been denied the opportunity – until now. Bridgestone Americas has added the road legal semi-slick tyres to its Bridgestone Potenza line-up.
Starting this month, Goodyear is rolling out the next generation of its UltraGrip winter tyre range, the UltraGrip Performance 3. The tyre enters the market as successor to both the UltraGrip 9+ and UltraGrip Performance+ and by September 2023 will be available in 94 sizes for 14- to 21-inch rims.
In addition to recycling end-of-life tyres, Pyrum Innovations is utilising its technology for the recycling of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP). After almost four years of development, the firm has commissioned an automated, semi-industrial CFRP recycling plant. The company points out that this is the ”first time CFRP has been holistically recycled worldwide.”
The Polestar 4 is out of the bag, and Polestar says its latest model “transforms the aerodynamics of a coupé and the space of an SUV into a new breed of SUV coupé.” The fully electric vehicle will be available from 2024 in both dual- and single-motor versions, delivering in the dual configuration 400 kW (544 hp), 686 Nm and a preliminary range target of up to 560 kilometres (348 miles) WLTP. Wheels range from 20 to 22 inches in size, depending on the version, with tyres supplied by Pirelli and Michelin.
Saliun Group Europe has introduced several new tyres featuring its EcoPoint3 liquid-phase mixing technology. One of these products is the Sailun Atrezzo 4Seasons Pro, and the manufacturer says that thanks to EcoPoint 3 this tyre “sets new standards.”
A strategic meeting in Valencia, Spain afforded Vipal Europe the opportunity to review the year that’s been. Amongst the significant changes to occur in recent times is the inclusion of the entire African territory within the Vipal Europe remit. This follows the addition of the North Africa and Middle East regions to the Vipal Europe operation in 2021.
The three-year agreement pertaining to the governance of Pirelli & C. S.p.A. that took effect on 28 April 2020 has now expired. Although the Renewal of the Shareholder Agreement agreed upon on 16 May 2022 has not yet taken affect, Pirelli states that its governance structure will “remain unchanged” until it does.
By 25 April, Hankook Tire & Technology had received more than 2,000 complaints from local residents, businesses and farmers related to the fire that broke out at its Daejeon tyre plant on 12 March. In a statement issued today, the company indicates its intention to provide compensation as soon as possible for those complaints that are “closely related to the fire incident and can be proven.” Hankook Tire is also engaged in clean-up activities and repairing public facilities in order to “restore daily life” in the local area.
BTL – the business known as Birla Tyres prior to its demerger from Kesoram Industries in 2020 – is insolvent, and two companies are in the running to acquire the tyre maker. One is the Ruia Group, former owner of the Dunlop brand in India.
When Continental first discussed setting up a plant in Russia back in 2011, it spoke of an investment of around 220 million euros. According to sources within Russia, the German company may only recover a fraction of this amount when divesting its local operation to S8 Capital. Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant states that the transaction is valued at 7 to 10 billion roubles, or just 80 million to 114 million euros, a figure in line with the “impaired assets of around 87 million euros” that Continental reported in connection with its business activity in Russia on 8 March 2023.
Further strengthening its portfolio for the construction industry, Maxam Tire has added four all-steel radial patterns to its construction tyre line-up. Introducing the MS901R, MS906R, MS907R, and MS917R, Maxam Tire says the quartet deliver the “superior advantages required for skid steer, backhoe, and compact wheel loader applications.”
A week after parent company Nokian Tyres reported an operating loss of 18.8 million euros for the first quarter of the year, Nokian Heavy Tyres has announced commencing what it calls “change negotiations” to lower production at its Nokia, Finland plant in line with “the market and demand situation.” Approximately 160 employees are affected.
With 28 years’ experience at Nokian Tyres, Ari Törmä has learned much about how tyres work structurally and what typically gives in. One of the most crucial points he emphasises is the importance of correct tyre pressures.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.