Michelin takes global social media double
In something of a coup for the French manufacturer, Michelin has regained both the global and UK crowns in Tyres & Accessories’ annual report on social media influence. Meanwhile, India’s largest tyremaker, MRF Tyres, will have surprised many by rising six places into third place on the global table.
Continue ReadingGoodyear supporting Tesloop in intelligent tyre trial
Goodyear announced that it is equipping Tesloop, a city-to-city mobility service that exclusively uses Tesla electric vehicles, with wireless sensors in its tyres to improve overall tyre management and maximise uptime for its growing fleet.
Continue ReadingLatest Michelin 4×4 tyres offer extended mobility to SUVs
Michelin’s latest tyres for the 4x4 segment exemplify the ongoing trend for the increasing focus on road handling characteristics, following the sustained strong growth of SUVs across Europe. While the manufacturer has extended its successful CrossClimate “summer tyre with winter capabilities” to the larger fitments required to supply the segment, the latest tyre from its off-road specialist brand BFGoodrich is the most indicative of this developmental direction. It states that the BFGoodrich Urban Terrain T/A is made for “taming the urban jungle,” offering increased toughness to SUV and urban crossover drivers.
Continue ReadingAbellio signs 5-year Michelin solutions tyre contract
Passenger transport operator Abellio has appointed Michelin solutions to supply, fit and manage its tyres on a cost-per-mile Effitires contract for the next five years. The company, which operates an 800-strong single and double-deck bus fleet, has returned to Michelin after moving to a rival manufacturer in 2012. As part of the agreement, Abellio will become involved in new product testing for Michelin to support the development of the company’s next generation of urban tyres.
Continue ReadingGoodyear appoints new EMEA president
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Chris Delaney as president of Goodyear’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business unit. He has been president of the company’s Asia Pacific business since joining the company in 2015.
Continue ReadingVredestein selected as OE by Volkswagen, Seat and Ford
Apollo Vredestein’s work to shift its Dutch brand’s replacement market focus to become an original equipment supplier has resulted in fitments on three major models. Vredestein, has been selected as a fitment on the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Ford EcoSport.
Continue ReadingHankook UHP Ventus S1 evo² tyre selected for new Audi RS 5 Coupé
Hankook’s ultra-high performance flagship tyre, the Ventus S1 evo², will be fitted to the latest Audi RS5 Coupé as original equipment in 19 and 20-inch sizes. The tyre manufacturer has previously supplied the tyre to Audi’s TT RS in 2016. The RS 5 Coupé will use the newly developed V6 biturbo engine, which combines performance with greater efficiency. This suitability for everyday use is, Hankook states, reflected in the tyres, which are designed to provide sporty handling alongside driving comfort, and improved grip alongside durability.
Continue ReadingReports: Pirelli IPO set for October
Pirelli is set sell up to 40 per cent of its equity capital in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Milan stock exchange in October.
Continue ReadingReports: Doublestar/Kumho acquisition close to collapse
Doublestar’s proposed acquisition of Kumho is reportedly close to collapse after the Qingdao-Chinese tyre manufacturer asked for a double-digit discount. According to reports in the Nikkei, Kumhos major shareholders are planning to write to Doublestar asking the firm to agree to the end of bid talks between the two parties.
Continue Reading100 downloads for MWheels wheel safety white paper
MWheels’ white paper, ‘Evaluating commercial vehicle wheel safety - how to keep safe and stay compliant’, has been downloaded more than 100 times. The wheel distributor states that UK original equipment manufacturers, commercial vehicle fleet operators and senior personnel from armed forces, construction, emergency services and legal firms have taken the opportunity to learn more about wheel safety ahead of full implementation of the EU Roadworthiness Act on May 20, 2018.
Continue Reading10 Black Donuts defendants convicted for violating Nokian’s business secrets
The Finnish District Court of Pirkanmaa has sentenced 10 former Nokian Tyres employees who transferred to the Black Donuts Engineering group of companies for “the violation and abuse of Nokian Tyres’ business secrets”. According to Nokian, the District Court convicted all the defendants. Eight defendants were sentenced to conditional imprisonment of 6–18 months and two received fines. The managing director and two other executives from Black Donuts Engineering Oy were sentenced to business prohibitions of 3–5 years in addition to imprisonment.
Continue ReadingGrowing fleets could reduce costs, eco-footprint with PPK contracts – Michelin
According to the latest statistics on the UK commercial vehicle industry, the number of medium to large commercial vehicle operators has been rising in the last five years. This represents an opportunity for outsourced tyre contract and service providers, as larger fleets present an increasingly complex task to manage their tyre usage, and associated servicing. Michelin solutions estimates that 42 per cent of truck fleets in the UK operating 51 or more vehicles are still purchasing tyres on a transactional basis, and therefore managing them in-house. It argues that this process is likely increasing their costs and environmental footprint.
Continue ReadingGoodyear opens office in Silicon Valley
Goodyear has opened its first office in the Silicon Valley in a bid to develop relations with automakers, suppliers and mobility-related startups working on the next generations of vehicles and service models.
Continue ReadingZircotec Group acquires Performance 1 Coatings
The Zircotec Group has acquired performance exhaust coating and thermal management specialist Performance 1 Coatings (P1C). The takeover, which includes 100 per cent of the P1C business, widens the breadth of Zircotec Group’s product range, which now includes high quality performance coatings at every price point. The group states that the buy-out will enable P1C and its performance aftermarket customers to benefit from future product enhancements by Zircotec’s technology, OE-expertise and extensive in-house R&D facilities.
Continue ReadingBridgestone hosts diving event with Olympian, brand ambassador Mears
Bridgestone UK launched its Olympic Games partnership in early 2017 with three new Olympian brand ambassadors. The tyre manufacturer’s marketing campaign to coincide with the sponsorship has the tagline “Chase Your Dream, No Matter What”, and its latest event paired a group of “everyday battlers” with a performance psychologist, a 10 metre diving board, and the UK’s synchronised springboard diving Olympic champion from the Rio 2016 games, Chris Mears. Their experience, captured on camera, can be viewed for the first time below, and on the Bridgestone UK YouTube channel.
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