![‘Drastic decline’ – ETRMA releases members’ Q1 2020 sales figures](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/etrma-logo.jpg)
‘Drastic decline’ – ETRMA releases members’ Q1 2020 sales figures
Fresh figures from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) show the extent to which COVID-19 control measures have impacted upon Europe’s tyre markets. The year-on-year slowdown in tyre replacements and sales in the first quarter of 2020 has been “dramatic”, the ETRMA reports.
Continue Reading![Wheely-Safe agrees road safety pledge with Brake](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/049-01-Wheely-Safe-fitted-sticker-Brake-800x533-1.jpg)
Wheely-Safe agrees road safety pledge with Brake
Wheely-Safe has announced a new initiative with industry charity, Brake. It pledges to make a cash donation for every van, bus, coach or truck displaying a ‘Wheely-Safe fitted’ vinyl graphic, highlighting its protection using the firm’s latest generation tyre and wheel safety technology. Wheely-Safe will gift £5 for every light commercial vehicle (LCV) and £10 for every heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or public service vehicle (PSV) carrying the sticker, which it will supply with all new systems.
Continue Reading![Linglong to build 5th Chinese manufacturing base in Changchun](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/linglong-jilin.png)
Linglong to build 5th Chinese manufacturing base in Changchun
Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong has held a project launch ceremony for its fifth Chinese manufacturing base in Changchun, Jilin Province. Dignitaries from Changchun, Jilin, China FAW Group Corporation, China Rubber Industry Association, and Linglong partners attended the event. The event marks the latest step in the manufacturer’s “5+3” global production strategy, which is designed to “achieve sustained, stable and healthy development,” Linglong states. It currently has four Chinese manufacturing bases in Zhaoyuan, Dezhou, Liuzhou, Jingmen, a well as one in Thailand and a further international plant under construction in Serbia. Furthermore, Linglong said it would upgrade its strategy to 6+6; six plants in China and six internationally.
Continue ReadingIndia’s competition authority approves Warburg Pincus’ investment in Apollo Tyres
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Warburg Pincus’ indirect acquisition of a 9.93 per cent stake in Apollo Tyres Limited. The purchase of 108,000,000 compulsorily convertible preference shares in the tyre maker, each share worth Rs 100, is being carried out by Emerald Sage Investment Limited. This transaction is worth approximately Rs 10.8 billion (£114 million).
Continue Reading![Pirelli and Hixih move closer together](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/pirelli-hixih-e1586949281366.jpg)
Pirelli and Hixih move closer together
On 1 April 2020 Camfin SpA, a key shareholder in Pirelli which shares the Italian tyre manufacturer’s close connections with Marco Tronchetti Provera, announced that Camfin and Longmarch Sàrl had signed “a preliminary and non-binding Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] to evaluate a possible strategic partnership, aimed at developing activities in private equity, including the healthcare sector. However, while Camfin is an investment company and Longmarch is a separate Luxembourg-based vehicle, the two firms are related to Pirelli and the Chinese Hixih Rubber Group respectively. And therefore, the latest news could also indicate that Pirelli and Hixih are moving closer together.
Continue Reading![Pyrolysis technology: Michelin partnering with Enviro](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mich-enviro-logo.jpg)
Pyrolysis technology: Michelin partnering with Enviro
Michelin is entering into a partnership with Swedish firm Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) to develop and industrialise on a large scale pyrolysis technology to recycle end of life tyres into raw materials. The two companies signed a shareholding subscription today that will see a subsidiary of the tyre maker, Michelin Ventures SAS, acquire a 20 per cent stake in Enviro.
Continue Reading![‘Business as usual’ for Hella UK](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Neil-Grant-sml.jpg)
‘Business as usual’ for Hella UK
Despite the current unprecedented circumstances, Hella is reassuring its customers that it’s business as usual for them throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. While the sales team isn’t out visiting customers at the moment, the company still has its employees working behind the scenes. The warehouse is continuing to be supplied and products distributed to workshops.
Continue ReadingBridgestone EMIA resuming manufacturing
Bridgestone EMIA has announced that it is gradually resuming manufacturing operations across its network in response to “business and customer needs”.
Continue ReadingGoodyear opens its ‘Convoy’ e-commerce truck tyre programme to everyone
In the USA, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it will extend the full capabilities of its Commercial Total Solution to carriers of all sizes in Convoy’s Digital Freight Network, in a statement on 9 April 2020. According to the company, Convoy is the first online discount programme Goodyear has offered through its commercial e-commerce platform GoodyearTruckTires.com.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg proposes postponement of dividend payment
The Board of Directors of Trelleborg has decided to withdraw its previous dividend proposal. Instead, the Board intends to propose that the company’s Annual General Meeting - which is scheduled to take place on 23 April - resolves that no dividend be paid.
Continue ReadingEuropean light vehicle market forecast to see 80 per cent fall in April – GlobalData
Following the news that the European light vehicle market declined by an unprecedented 47 per cent in March, Calum MacRae, automotive analyst at data and analytics company GlobalData, offers his view: “The picture for Europe closely mirrors that of the UK with sales finishing 47 per cent down in March compared with last year’s totals.
Continue ReadingAutomotive outlook worsens
The global recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is darkening the automotive sector’s short- and medium-term outlook given the prospect of steep declines in demand in North America and developing countries in 2020 in addition to Europe and China.
Continue Reading![Michelin issues tyre advice for truck fleets facing extended lay up](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/420-Michelin-truck-fleet-tyre-advice-scaled.jpg)
Michelin issues tyre advice for truck fleets facing extended lay up
Michelin has issued special guidance for haulage companies and own-account operators parking fleets for extended periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows a survey by the Road Haulage Association which revealed 46 per cent of the UK’s trucks – around 240,000 vehicles – are now parked up with no work.
Continue Reading![Continental producing medical hoses in Italy](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Continental-Hose-scaled.jpg)
Continental producing medical hoses in Italy
Michelin isn’t the only firm in the industry now contributing towards efforts to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Continental is providing medical hoses for use in Italy’s Bergamo and Lombardy regions. These items are being made at its facility in Daverio, Italy.
Continue Reading![Michelin producing surgical masks in 10 European plants](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mich-mask-production-sml.jpg)
Michelin producing surgical masks in 10 European plants
We know Michelin as a tyre maker, but at the moment tyre, mask and visor maker would be more accurate. The company is manufacturing these high-demand products in its own facilities in Europe or coordinating their outsourced production.
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