![The right direction: Bridgestone North Region MD, Robin Shaw one year on](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BRIDGESTONE-HEADS-04-1.jpg)
The right direction: Bridgestone North Region MD, Robin Shaw one year on
Roughly a year after Tyres & Accessories met Bridgestone North Europe region managing director Robin Shaw, just a few weeks after he took on the role, progress at the Warwick, UK-based part of the global company is said to have been “really good”. More than 12 months after our last interview, Shaw’s perspective on the tyre industry – previously he led Bosch’s UK operations UK – has deepened significantly as has his influence in the industry. “The direction is good, but we always want to be further on than we are,” Shaw told Tyres & Accessories. Of course when you ask how business is at multi-segmented, multinational like Bridgestone, there is no simple answer to that question. Rather there are multiple variables, the importance of which differs from segment to segment. However, the general synopsis is that all segments are doing well, with some doing particularly well.
Continue Reading![Starco restructures its business with European OEMs](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OEM-Org-plan_2016_final.jpg)
Starco restructures its business with European OEMs
A new organisational structure is being rolled out for Starco’s original equipment business in Western and Northern Europe. The company’s national sales entities will adopt a cross-border, segment-driven approach that will focus more strongly upon current customers and new, larger customers. Starco explains that this new structure’s adoption is being driven by market demands for specialised knowledge, strong supplier partnerships and cross-border mobility.
Continue Reading![Omsk Carbon Belarus factory: construction underway](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ocg-belarus.jpg)
Omsk Carbon Belarus factory: construction underway
Construction of Omsk Carbon Group’s third production site – a carbon black plant in Mogilev, Belarus – is underway, according to the company. Omsk Carbon Mogilev’s production facilities are being constructed in a Belarusian Free Economic Zone. Production is expected to begin in July/August 2016. The plant is expected to reach full capacity in 2019.
Continue Reading![Goodyear: volumes up in Q1 2016, operating margin grows to 11.4%](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/goodyear-logo.jpg)
Goodyear: volumes up in Q1 2016, operating margin grows to 11.4%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has released its results for the first three months of 2016. During the first quarter of the current financial year, the company achieved higher sales volumes compared with the same period a year earlier, however sales revenues were slightly lower. Operating income and margin was higher, while a number of one-off occurrences impacted upon net income.
Continue ReadingFurther step forward for Michelin’s plan to secure French factories’ future
Michelin aims to increase the flexibility and competitiveness of its tyre factories in France, and French media outlets report that two of the unions representing the company’s La Roche-sur-Yon plant have signed the tyre maker’s ‘Skipper 360’ agreement, which aims to safeguard the facility’s future through the introduction of greater flexibility into how workers’ shifts are arranged.
Continue Reading![New web domain for Yokohama Rubber](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/yoko-website.jpg)
New web domain for Yokohama Rubber
In response to rising international traffic, Yokohama Rubber has switched its corporate website to a new domain. Effective 25 April, the existing yrc.co.jp/global/ domain has been superseded by the new http://www.y-yokohama.com/global/ address. The introduction of this new domain follows the addition of further language options to Yokohama Rubber’s main site.
Continue ReadingHyundai plans ‘self-repairing’ car
Hyundai Motor Group has outlined plans to bring connected cars to reality and is currently working on technology that, it claims, will “remotely diagnose and fix vehicle issues before they become apparent.”
Continue ReadingUS OTR tyre import tariffs revised
On 20 April 2016 the US Department of Commerce (DOC) revised down OTR tyre import duties Nine firms were initially covered by the ruling, however DOC found that of these nine exporters, two mandatory respondents, Qingdao Qihang Tyre Co., Ltd. and Xuzhou Xugong Tyres Co., Ltd. made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value.
Continue ReadingMichelin Q1 sales up – strong performance in mature markets
Net sales at Michelin rose 0.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 to €5.1 billion, pushed up by a 4.3 per cent rise in passenger car and light truck tyre sales, which more than offset the 3.0 per cent decline in truck tyre sales and 4.2 per cent drop in sales within the company’s specialty business.
Continue Reading![UK cars exceed laboratory emissions standards in real-world conditions](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/960-real-driving-emissions-tests.jpg)
UK cars exceed laboratory emissions standards in real-world conditions
All 37 UK of the cars the government test in the wake of the automotive emissions scandal that began with VW last year exceed laboratory emissions standards in real-world conditions. However none of the vehicles tested in the UK programme showed evidence of defeat devices except VW models. The UK government published its research into emissions levels from leading diesel car models, fulfilling a commitment to consumers to investigate potential manipulation of emission controls, on 21 April 2016 – just as leading car manufacturers (beginning with Mitsubishi) began making statements about their involvement in the emissions scandal.
Continue Reading![GSF Car Parts completes Birmingham head office upgrade](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GSF-Brumupgrade-e1461338018817.jpg)
GSF Car Parts completes Birmingham head office upgrade
GSF Car Parts has upgraded its retail store and counter at its Birmingham head office. The company said the upgrade provides improved access to the company’s extensive range of trade-level quality parts and consumables for local motorists. The company said the move was necessitated by growing queues; the new store area is more than twice the size, enabling staff to provide better, faster service to customers.
Continue ReadingGerman marques to recall 600,000 cars due to emissions
Several online sources are reporting that a number of German car manufacturers are planning to recall large numbers of vehicles as part of the ongoing vehicle emissions scandal. Sources suggest Mercedes, Opel and Porsche as well as Volkswagen and its Audi brand are to recall certain diesel vehicles. BBC news reports that over 600,000 cars are set to be recalled, citing German media reports.
Continue Reading![Daimler share price hit after emissions investigation news](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/mercedes-324744_960_720.jpg)
Daimler share price hit after emissions investigation news
Daimler AG has confirmed that it is conducting an “internal investigation regarding its certification process related to exhaust emissions in the United States”. This action follows a request from the US Department of Justice (DOJ). As a result the company says it will “investigate possible indications of irregularities and of course take all necessary actions.”
Continue Reading![Hankook talks OE tyre development for Europe, presents Ventus Prime³](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Buda0.jpg)
Hankook talks OE tyre development for Europe, presents Ventus Prime³
The choice of Hungary, home of its European manufacturing base, as the location for this month’s ‘Ventus Experience’ media event underlines Hankook Tire’s growing focus on original equipment supply within the region. In addition to introducing the Ventus Prime³ comfort tyre, during the event Hankook Tire showed the fruits of recent investment in its factory in Rácalmás, and shared how the facility is helping it meet the requirements of European vehicle manufacturers.
Continue Reading![Z Tyre launches flat-rate tyre subscription model in Germany](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Z-Tyre-Showroom-Image.jpg)
Z Tyre launches flat-rate tyre subscription model in Germany
Z Tyre has launched a new concept in car tyre retail, which it believes “could represent an exciting and substantial commercial shift for the tyre trade.” The Z Tyre Flat Rate subscription, available from 4.99 euros per month, is designed to cover all new tyre related costs, allowing the customer to fit or upgrade tyres using a small monthly subscription. The initiative aims to answer common complaints of motorists purchasing tyres – a high initial one-off cost for a distress purchase, which can often mean reduced opportunities to sell based on aesthetics, performance or expert recommendation – and the unpredictability of cash-flow for the retailer.
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