![Michelin tops 2020 UK social media ranking, Davanti enters top 10](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/social-media-1795578_1920.jpg)
Michelin tops 2020 UK social media ranking, Davanti enters top 10
For the fourth year in a row, Michelin can be found at the top of Tyres & Accessories’ 2020 UK social media ranking. Indeed, such is Michelin’s dominance in the annual table, only Goodyear (in 2012) and Dunlop (in 2016) have done enough to overtake the UK arm of the French tyre brand since our research began in 2011. In both cases, Michelin still managed to take second place.
Continue Reading![Point S aims to double African network in next two years](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Cote-dIvoire-scaled.jpg)
Point S aims to double African network in next two years
Tyre retail and car maintenance group Point S has 90 points of sale on the continent of Africa, but the network wants to double that number by 2022. Present in 41 countries around the world, Point S has recorded particularly strong performance in South Africa and is targeting development via openings in new countries. It has opened locations in Cameroon and Senegal in 2020.
Continue Reading![Cutting ‘bad’ costs, working smarter – Apollo MD Neeraj Kanwar answers T&A’s questions](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kanwar-Neeraj-RS_3-sml.jpg)
Cutting ‘bad’ costs, working smarter – Apollo MD Neeraj Kanwar answers T&A’s questions
One way or another 2020 has been an eventful year for all of us. The same is true at Apollo Tyres where, at a global level, the company has had to navigate pandemic-related production pauses and restarts along with new factory openings and the decision to enter the two-wheel segment. At the same time as continuing to develop the Apollo brand, the company has also given the Vredestein brand a big push during the last month or so. First, with the launch of a new all-season range, then with the introduction of a new North American tyre line-up and – in order to support both – a pitch-side advertising partnership with Manchester United football club. Tyres & Accessories recently interviewed Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd in order to find out more. This interview appears in full in the November edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Continue Reading![Texa opens new German location](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/texa-germania-nuovo-headquarter.jpg)
Texa opens new German location
On 10 October Texa president Bruno Vianello inaugurated the company’s new German branch in Obersulm, north of Stuttgart. Covering more than 3,000 square metres, the new location triples the dimensions of the old premises in Langenbrettach, which had been operational since 2002.
Continue Reading![Continental in talks to sell parts of its group](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Degenhart_tb.jpg)
Continental in talks to sell parts of its group
The recent news that Continental AG will close its Aachen, Germany tyre factory underlines the fact that it is aiming to cut 13,000 of 59,000 jobs in Germany as part of a major group-wide cost-cutting programme. Now, the German Manager Magazin is reporting that Continental is also considering the sale of parts of the wider group. Indeed, Continental is said to be in talks “already with prospective customers”. The Rubber Technologies business sector, which includes Continentals Tire and ContiTech division is also said to be affected.
Continue Reading![Class podiums for four Giti Motorsport teams at Nürburgring 24-Hour](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ph118.NBR-24-Giti-all-female-racing-team.jpg)
Class podiums for four Giti Motorsport teams at Nürburgring 24-Hour
All four Giti Tire Motorsport cars achieved top three finishes in their classes at the Nürburgring 24-Hour. Terrible overnight weather at the Eifel circuit saw the race suspended for nine hours, and only 70 of the 97-car grid make it to the finish. Giti said that tyre management proved decisive in helping teams overcome challenging conditions. The Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 finished first in the SP8 class, while the Volkswagen Golf VII GTI Clubsport came in third in the VT2 class. In the SP3T class the trailblazing #gitiracing all-female racing team finished third in their Volkswagen Golf VII GTI TCR, overcoming a race crash and garage repairs to finish.
Continue Reading![Hella implements 24 GHz radar sensor technology in the Suzuki Swift and Swift Sport](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020.09.02_HELLA_PM29_HELLA_Suzuki_Swift_Sport-scaled.jpg)
Hella implements 24 GHz radar sensor technology in the Suzuki Swift and Swift Sport
Japanese automotive manufacturer, Suzuki Motor Corporation has launched new vehicles onto the market. The advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) installed in the Suzuki Swift and Swift Sport is based on 24 GHz radar sensor technology from Hella. After debuting on the Suzuki Vitara in 2018, Hella’s 24 GHz radars are now featured on Suzuki’s new flagship models, enabling safety-relevant driver assistance functions, such as blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.
Continue Reading![Vredestein adverts to appear pitch-side at Manchester United](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Press-release-header-820x312px-300dpi-scaled.jpg)
Vredestein adverts to appear pitch-side at Manchester United
Continuing its long association with Manchester United, Apollo Tyres recently extended ‘Official Global Tyre Partner’ status with a parallel association with the company’s Vredestein tyre brand. The move is part of a wider growth strategy for the Vredestein brand across the Europe and North American markets.
Continue Reading![AutoSock first to gain European supplementary grip standard](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Press_release_EN16662_website_1024x1024-1.jpg)
AutoSock first to gain European supplementary grip standard
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published the new European Standard EN16662-1:2020 for supplementary grip devices on 27 May 2020, which covers not only metal snow chains but also devices made from other materials. On 27 September AutoSock announced that its textile alternative for cars and light commercial vehicles to 3.5 tons was the first and is currently the only product worldwide to be certified according to the new European Standard. As a result, it will be a regulatory approved alternative to snow chains in all EU countries effective 1 December 2020.
Continue Reading![Roadbot roadblock – Middle Eastern tyre factory stalls due to pandemic](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Roadbot.jpg)
Roadbot roadblock – Middle Eastern tyre factory stalls due to pandemic
In January 2019, the ground was broken on the US$614 million Roadbot tyre plant in Abu Dhabi. Local news sources described the project as a milestone in the capital of the United Arab Emirates as recently as January 2020. However, the project has since hit a roadblock as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Tyres & Accessories has seen documents that show how recent progress has been limited, though initial steps seem to have progressed well. Specifically, the official letter from Roadbot Tyre Industries dated July 2020 confirms that all the necessary planning applications, architectural designs and structure drawings have been approved and completed. Yet critical machinery work came to a standstill in March 2020.
Continue Reading![Entire Qingdao population being tested after Covid cases](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/tlo_biz83a-scaled-e1602237521703.jpg)
Entire Qingdao population being tested after Covid cases
Qingdao, the major city at the heart of China’s Shandong ‘rubber’ province, has announced plans to test its entire population for coronavirus after 19 new cases were linked to a local hospital. This means all 9 million people living in Qingdao are scheduled to be tested during the five days following Sunday 11 October.
Continue Reading![Retread achieves 500,000 miles in America](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Doug-Simmons-Picture-Display-2-scaled.jpeg)
Retread achieves 500,000 miles in America
Marangoni Tread North America reports that an RDG 200 Ringtread Drive retread has been driven for over 500,000 miles. The RDG 200 Ringtread is a closed shoulder drive tread uses particular compounding technology for “extreme mileage”. The RDG 200’s original tread depth is 27/32nds (21.5 mm).
Continue Reading![Einride launches driverless electric freight vehicles](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Einride-Pod-.jpeg)
Einride launches driverless electric freight vehicles
Einride, which began working with Michelin last year, has launched a range of Autonomous Electric Transport (AET) pods into the global market. Costs are expected to range from around 10,000 euros per pod. The goal is for such technology to replace conventional commercial vehicles with an interim goal of 30 per cent of the market.
Continue Reading![Goodyear supplying Sports Prototype Cup](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D8F_9910_resized-1.jpg)
Goodyear supplying Sports Prototype Cup
Goodyear has been confirmed as the tyre supplier to the Sports Prototype Cup and the partnership will begin at the Cup’s Formula One support race at the Portuguese Grand Prix later this month.
Continue Reading![Mak adds 23-inch wheel size to Speciale range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MAK-Speciale-D-black-mirror-ant.png)
Mak adds 23-inch wheel size to Speciale range
Mak has added a 23-inch fitment to its Speciale and Speciale-D (Deep) range. According to the company, the Special 23” is designed to satisfy the most demanding drivers of cars such as the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Coupé.
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