![Commercial tyre retailer Andia International launches online shop](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/andia-international-shop.png)
Commercial tyre retailer Andia International launches online shop
Germany based tyre trader Andia International has made its range of 30,000 truck, MTP and earthmover commercial tyres available online in a new web shop. The newly online distributor said the retailer can check prices and availability online at any time and “order directly and comfortably around the clock.” Andia International added that online trading is an important step towards working more closely with the customer.
Continue ReadingPark Sam-koo, potential suitors ready for Kumho Tire bidding
A final round of bids for the 42.01 per cent controlling stake in Kumho Tire will be held on 12 January, and according to the Korea Development Bank and other creditors, a shortlist of five preferred bidders are in the running to acquire this share should chairman Park Sam-koo decline a prior offer to match the highest bid and purchase the 42.01 per cent stake himself. The five contenders are Apollo Tyres, Shanghai Aerospace Industry Corp. (SAIC), Jiangsu GPRO Group, Shandong Linglong Tire and Doublestar Tyre.
Continue Reading![Bartec Auto ID targets greater European prominence with aftermarket product range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web-colin-webb-bartec.jpg)
Bartec Auto ID targets greater European prominence with aftermarket product range
Bartec Auto ID is currently an example of a company and brand more famous outside its domestic market than within it, though a recent behind-the-scenes event at the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and automotive diagnostic equipment manufacturer’s headquarters near Barnsley, South Yorkshire showed how managing director Colin Webb and his team plan to raise the profile of this British manufacturing success story. In the TPMS sector, growing globally with the support of legislation, Bartec claims a market share of more than 80 per cent of car plant installations in Europe and North America, achieved since its first installation for Renault in 1998, and a similar proportion of aftermarket TPMS tools coverage, with 95,000 TPMS devices in North America – including 96 of the 100 largest tyre retail chains – and 28,000 in Europe. The company supplies OEM tools to marques such as Mercedes, Ford and Volkswagen, while manufacturing tools for aftermarket brands like Snap On (TPMS2), Mac Tools (TPR), Schrader (Exp’Air and Activ’air), and Bosch (TPA200).
Continue Reading![High court to hear VW emissions group litigation request](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/VW-Golf.jpg)
High court to hear VW emissions group litigation request
Harcus Sinclair UK Limited, a UK law firm specialising in large group litigation, has applied for a group litigation order in claims against VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda arising out of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, which has affected 1.2 million cars in the UK alone. This is the first group litigation order sought in relation to the VW emissions scandal on behalf of UK consumers. A group litigation order is the Court’s mechanism for handling claims involving a large number of claimants who share the same complaint. The application for the group litigation order will be heard in the High Court on 30 January 2017. Media is permitted to attend.
Continue ReadingYokohama to exhibit at Tokyo Auto Salon
Yokohama Rubber has confirmed its exhibition presence at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2017, which will be held at Makuhari Messe between 13 and 15 January. The Yokohama exhibit will feature booths dedicated to tyres and alloy wheels, with the spotlight particularly thrown upon the company’s Advan global flagship brand by the presence of two Advan-shod racing cars.
Continue ReadingContinental “comfortably achieves” 2016 targets
Key preliminary data for Continental’s 2016 financial year has been published, and this shows an increase in both sales and EBIT margin. Reported sales rose three per cent year-on-year to around €40.5 billion, and adjusted EBIT margin amounted to some 10.7 per cent. Upon announcing these results today, Continental wrote that the company “comfortably achieved” its annual targets as adjusted in October 2016.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg increasing industrial, construction tyre prices
Rubber prices are expected to rise this year, and in response to the anticipated direction that this commodity and other raw materials will take in 2017, Trelleborg has announced a five per cent price increase for its industrial and construction tyres in Europe. The new pricing takes effect 1 February 2017.
Continue Reading![Yokohama to launch motorsport, UHP, 4×4 tyres at Autosport International](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Yokohama-Autosport.jpg)
Yokohama to launch motorsport, UHP, 4×4 tyres at Autosport International
Yokohama will launch three new high performance tyres for motorsport, road and off-road applications at Autosport International next week. The NEC, Birmingham show is also an important one for the company not only as Europe’s largest indoor pre-season motorsport event, but as the start of its centenary year celebrations. The road-legal race tyre, Advan A052 will make its UK debut; Yokohama’s new tyre for sports, tuned and performance car drivers, Advan Fleva V701 will also be on display; and finally the new Geolandar A/T G015 for SUV and high performance off-road vehicles will also be revealed.
Continue Reading![GRI breaks ground on second tyre plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/gri-groundbreaking.jpg)
GRI breaks ground on second tyre plant
Sri Lankan industrial tyre maker Global Rubber Industries, or GRI, has laid the foundation for its new off-road tyre factory. Groundbreaking took place 4 January and marks the start of construction on a plant that will be built with an investment of US$40 million. The facility will be built adjacent to GRI’s current solid industrial tyre factory in Badalgama, Sri Lanka.
Continue ReadingYokohama acquiring Japanese industrial tyre manufacturer
Last year’s acquisition of Alliance Tire Group by Yokohama Rubber has now been followed up by the purchase of a further off-road tyre specialist. An agreement was reached today on Yokohama Rubber’s planned acquisition of Aichi Tire Industry Co., Ltd. Shareholders of the Japanese industrial tyre manufacturer have consented to Yokohama Rubber’s purchase of all shares for an undisclosed sum, and Yokohama plans to complete the acquisition by March 2017. After this date, Aichi Tire will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yokohama Rubber.
Continue Reading![Autodata sold for £340 million](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/autodata.png)
Autodata sold for £340 million
Following the news Autodata was sold yesterday, it has emerged that Solera Holdings paid some £340 million. Autodata originally sold for £143 million in May 2014 when the founders sold the business to Bowmark and Five Arrow Principal Investments. Therefore the price Solera paid represents a 137 per cent increase in Autodata’s valuation.
Continue Reading![Sumitomo MTS acquisition ‘ensures continuity’ of management, brand strategy](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Duncan-Wilkes-CEO11-e1483612107950.jpg)
Sumitomo MTS acquisition ‘ensures continuity’ of management, brand strategy
Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ (SRI) £215 million acquisition of the Micheldever Group from Graphite Capital, including Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS), the UK’s second largest distributor of tyres, “ensures continuity” of the management and multi-segment brand strategy, according to MTS chief executive Duncan Wilkes. The move also extends the trend of tyre manufacturers buying into – or indeed buying back into – retail through the acquisition of the UK’s largest chains. In April 2016, Tyres & Accessories pointed out that Micheldever’s Protyre chain was the largest growing in the annual survey of the market’s retail landscape – a factor that will have informed the purchase – and three of the top five (Michelin’s ATS Euromaster and Goodyear Dunlop’s HiQ franchise chain) are now manufacturer controlled.
Continue Reading![Sumitomo Rubber Industries to acquire Micheldever Group](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/protyre2.jpg)
Sumitomo Rubber Industries to acquire Micheldever Group
Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced its intended acquisition of Micheldever Group Ltd. from Graphite Capital Management LLP. for an enterprise value of £215 million. The tyre maker states its decision to purchase Micheldever is closely linked to the aim of strengthening the market position of its Falken tyre brand in the UK.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone extends Olympic partnership](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bridgestone-olympic.jpg)
Bridgestone extends Olympic partnership
Bridgestone Corporation’s support of the Olympic Movement has now gone global. On 1 January 2017, the company expanded its partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Bridgestone will now serve as a partner globally through to 2024 and be associated with the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and the Olympic Games 2024, which will take place in either Budapest, Los Angeles or Paris.
Continue ReadingSolera buys Autodata
Solera Holdings, Inc. has agreed to acquire Autodata, a provider of technical information and knowledge solutions for the automotive service, maintenance and repair industry. “Throughout a car’s life, there are over 54 transactions that occur between motorists and automotive businesses,” said Tony Aquila, Solera’s founder, chairman and CEO. “One of Solera’s missions is to digitize the vehicle ownership ecosystem by developing cognitive applications that not only power connectivity and engagement, but also proliferate awareness and transparency across the entire automotive lifecycle.”
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