Trax supplying OE wheel weights for new US Ford Transit
British firm Trax JH Ltd, the second largest wheel balance weight manufacturer in Europe, has been selected to supply wheel weights for the new Ford Transit to be built in Kansas City, USA. Widely known in Europe, the Transit will be new to North America and is expected to be sold as the “T” series. The model will be launched in 2014.
Continue ReadingBridgestone stock falls following analyst downgrade
Deutsche Bank’s decision to downgrade its advice rating for Bridgestone shares from “buy” to “hold” on 12 September resulted in a 1.4 per cent fall in the Japanese tyre manufacturer’s share price to 3,430 yen in response to the report.
Continue ReadingNew Tyre Bay Direct website
Tyre Bay Direct has reported that its new website adds a significant number of customer-led improvements to its already existing 24/7 service. The addition of a ‘Live Chat’ feature means customers can speak to Tyre Bay Direct's advisors anytime between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and can also leave a message outside of these hours.
Continue ReadingThird Conti Eurobond placed under debt issuance programme
Continental has placed another €750 million Eurobond with institutional and retail investors; the company says it chose to do so in order to take advantage of “the current positive capital market environment as well as the momentum of its previous bond transactions.”
Continue ReadingCourt delays Cooper Chengshan anti-merger case
In the latest installment in the on-going Apollo/Cooper merger saga, a Chinese court has postponed a hearing on a case brought against the combination by Chinese manufacturing business Cooper Chengshan.
Continue ReadingPirelli tops tyre sector in sustainability index for 7th year
Pirelli has been nominated the world leader in the ATX Auto Components sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe indices, with a score of 85 points compared with a sector average of 51 points. It is the seventh consecutive year that Pirelli has topped the tyre sector in this respect.
Continue ReadingTyres, magazines and the quality dichotomy
What do tyres, websites and a new cover design have in common? It is all a question of quality. In the British tyre industry everyone talks about price versus quality. Almost as often the debate broadens out before settling in the amorphous arena of “value”. More often than not this means the narrowing of the gap between two perceived opposites. In practice it could mean a customer buying a high quality product for a lower than expected price.The classic example of this is the customer that buys a higher priced product that performs beyond either their expectations or what the competition has to offer. In either case both propositions are predicated on the basis of product quality. Without this there are only short term pricing and sales strategies. And this in turn leads to the key difference highlighted by the age-old business adage: “sales are vanity, profits are sanity”. Without a properly considered quality-focused market approach, businesses struggle to make sense in the long-term, whether the macro-economic environment provides wind in your sails or an adverse gale.
Continue ReadingTyrepress.com upgraded and relaunched
In just a few days’ time, a completely upgraded tyrepress.com will be unveiled. We’ve listened to feedback from within the industry and taken stock of the increasing demand for our online services, and the result is a totally redesigned site with improved mobile and tablet functionality along with more user friendly search and navigation.
Continue ReadingMouldmaker Greatoo looking to expand into OTR markets
Chinese mould manufacturer Greatoo Incorporated is reportedly planning to establish intelligent factories for the production of large OTR tyre and speciality as well as other apparently high-end moulds as part of a so-called “structural adjustment strategy”. The move is being seen as a way of strengthening the core value of its company by focusing on the highest value sectors.
Continue ReadingContinental Tyres takes Mercedes-Benz World to Contidrom
Continental Tyres recently invited Mercedes-Benz World representatives and driving instructors to experience its Contidrom testing facility in Hanover, Germany. Utilising Contidrom’s 2km wet handling track, Continental set out to demonstrate the difference between premium and budget tyres on a Mercedes-Benz C-Class among other tests.
Continue ReadingWheelwright’s 2013 winter strategy
The unpredictable winter of 2012 may not have brought consistently high levels of snowfall, but according to Wheelwright it did see a flurry of another sort; a deluge of demand for winter wheel and tyre packages as consumers – and even UK-based automotive manufacturers – quickly wised up to their safety benefits. This year could be the most significant yet in market terms claims the Kent-based wheel distributor.
Continue ReadingNexen to make IAA debut
Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen is to make the its IAA debut when it exhibits at the automobile trade fair from 10 to 22 September in Frankfurt, Germany. Nexen reports that it will present 26 products including six brand new products with the theme “Enjoy NEXEN, Dynamic Driving Partner” at Hall 4.0 Stand C23.
Continue ReadingStarco launches YouTube channel
Starco has introduced a further enhancement to its new website, publishing a series of videos about the company and its activities and products. “Continuing to grow and become a global company is exciting, but it also presents many new challenges”, explains Group marketing manager Brian Lorentzen.
Continue ReadingManchester United names Apollo official tyre in UK and India
On 21 August, Apollo Tyres signed a three-year partnership with Manchester United, which sees the company named as the official tyre of the world-famous football team across both the UK and India. Details of the investment associated with the deal have not been released. What we do know is that as well as access to player appearances in both countries the company will be making the most of its association with Man U in online advertising as well as its marketing and point of sale material. In addition, in a development of its ‘go the distance’ philosophy, Apollo Tyres will create football-based play zones in local communities in the UK and India; these will feature recycled rubber and encourage healthy lifestyles among youngsters.
Continue ReadingApollo a Man U regional partner
It was announced today that Apollo Tyres is now Manchester United’s Official Tyre Partner in the UK and India. Tyres & Accessories was present at the deal’s signing at the club’s Aon Training Complex in Carrington and will report full details; the basics are that the three-year agreement will, amongst other things, see the two parties participate in a “joint community commitment to encourage healthy lifestyles and develop sporting skills in young people.”
Continue Reading
