Growing EV demand in China fuels investment in Lithium-ion batteries
Rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in China is triggering an explosion of investment in the lithium-ion battery industry, with Chinas production of power lithium-ion batteries set to jump 400 per cent by 2017, according to market research firm CCM.
Continue ReadingBirla Tyres plant acquisition talks ‘speculative’, says Kesoram Industries
An article published by Indian financial daily The Economic Times, which claims MRF Tyres is in advanced discussions with Kesoram Industries over the purchase of its tyre making facility in Laksar, Uttrakhand state, has been labelled “purely speculative in content” by Kesoram Industries. In a letter sent to the Bombay Stock Exchange on 20 January, company secretary Gautam Ganguli stated that the news of negotiations was “based entirely on speculation and conjecture.” Kesoram sent a similar letter to the newspaper a day earlier.
Continue Reading![Continental using AFC Asian Cup to increase brand awareness in China](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/balloons.png)
Continental using AFC Asian Cup to increase brand awareness in China
The AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 kicked off on Friday 9 January in Melbourne, with Continental as the exclusive tyre partner. In association with the event, the tyre maker is now launching a series of campaigns under the ‘Thrill of Technique’ banner to fan the flames of football passion all over the APAC region, and particularly in China.
Continue Reading![Blaupunkt offering TPMS in India](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/oem-name0.jpg)
Blaupunkt offering TPMS in India
Well known in-car equipment manufacturer Blaupunkt has introduced a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in India. According to the company, the product provides real-time information and customizable alerts on tyre pressure and temperature conditions.
Continue ReadingEuropean car registrations up 5.7% in 2014
Passenger car registrations in the European Union (excluding Malta) rose for the 16th consecutive month in December 2014, with the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reporting sales of 951,329 units, which pushed the monthly tally up 4.7 per cent year-on-year. Looking at the largest markets, the demand increase was mainly led by the significant growth recorded in Spain (+21.4%), followed by the UK (+8.7%), Germany (+6.7%), and Italy (+2.4%), while the French market (-6.7%) displayed less activity than in December 2013. Substantial growth also posted by the new EU member states (+9.6%) and by the EFTA countries (+9.8%) contribute to explain last month’s positive outcome.
Continue ReadingConstruction firm chosen for Giti Tire US plant project
Work on Giti Tire’s new factory site in the US will be commenced by Brad Cole Construction, a firm said to be one of the largest heavy civil construction companies in the southern United States. The company will ready 250 acres of the 1,152 acre site, and will clear land, compact soil, install drainage and perform other related tasks. The contract calls for Brad Cole’s work to be largely complete by 1 July 2015.
Continue ReadingTransport Research and Innovation Portal (TRIP) to be run by Ricardo-AEA
Ricardo-AEA has been awarded a major three-year contract to run the European Commission’s Transport Research and Innovation Portal (TRIP) – a public, online platform that shares up-to-date information on transport research projects and activities across Europe. Over the next three years, Ricardo-AEA, together with its partners TRT Trasporti e Territorio, the Czech Transport Research Centre (CDV), Fraunhofer ISI, the University of the Aegean and TEPR, will update and verify TRIP’s existing content, adding in new findings from the latest transport research programmes.
Continue ReadingMichelin’s Minguet to address World Rubber Summit
The organisers of the World Rubber Summit 2015 have secured the presence of Michelin senior vice-president and chief procurement officer Luc Minguet as a keynote speaker. According to SingEx Exhibitions and the International Rubber Study Group, Minguet will provide key insights on how Michelin is putting its aims of making transportation cleaner, safer, more accessible and affordable into action. “He will share practical examples of programmes and initiatives which Michelin are developing in their procurement chain that contribute towards attaining the company’s vision of sustainable mobility,” reports SingEx.
Continue Reading![Tyres & football: Kumho partners with FC Schalke 04](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Jobst-Kim-handshake-15-01-2015.jpg)
Tyres & football: Kumho partners with FC Schalke 04
Kumho Tyre has picked up another football sponsorship agreement to complement its activities with the Spanish La Liga. This new sponsorship deal is with Champions League and German Bundesliga team FC Schalke 04. The contract runs until the end of the 2016/2017 season and contains the option of further collaboration. As sponsorship partner, Kumho will be represented on LED signage at FC Schalke 04’s home ground, Veltins Arena, and receive other advertising opportunities both in the stadium and in team-related publications. The team’s bus will also be equipped with Kumho tyres.
Continue ReadingAutopromotec pre-catalogue available online
The pre-catalogue of Autopromotec 2015, that will take place in Bologna, May 20 -24, is now available online. The exhibition organiser has previously stated that the 2015 edition will feature a remarkable increase in exhibitors, while the industrial vehicle service segment has been added to this business areas covered.
Continue ReadingNEX gains exclusive Riken, Kumho, Taurus and Jinyu tyre distribution deals
NEX, the newly formed Spanish tyre wholesaler, has reported details of its exclusive brand portfolio. The company, which appointed Luis Miguel Muñoz as managing director in October 2014, was formed when Euromaster and Rodi Motor Services merged their distribution operations. According, to the company NEX started its independent distribution and delivery operations in Spain last December.
Continue Reading![Autopromotec adds Industrial Vehicle Service to 2015 show](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AUTOPROMOTEC_Logo-IVS.jpg)
Autopromotec adds Industrial Vehicle Service to 2015 show
Autopromotec’s organisers have confirmed that the Industrial Vehicle Service (IVS) initiative, which is devoted to heavy vehicle maintenance and repair, will form part of the the 26th edition of the show that will take place in Bologna, 20 – 24 May 2015. The initiative, which was first launched during Autopromotec 2011, focuses on trucks and features an exclusive guide reserved for all exhibiting companies involved with heavy truck maintenance and repair, along with a specific logo that identifies manufacturers of truck equipment, spare parts and components.
Continue ReadingETRMA reports “positive stability” in members’ 2014 sales
The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association reports that its members’ car, truck and two-wheel tyre sales increased year-on-year in 2014, while agricultural tyre sales were down. Results for the fourth quarter alone were less positive, and the ETRMA comments they “further confirmed the downturn in sales registered in the third quarter of the year.” The exception to this was sales of motorcycle tyres, which remained positive all the way through 2014. The association opines that the lower results towards the end of the year may be linked to lacklustre winter tyre sales due to the mild winters experienced on the continent for the last couple of years.
Continue Reading![Yokohama begins OE tyre manufacture in Russia to meet Nissan’s ‘buy local’ preference](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sml-yoko-russia.jpg)
Yokohama begins OE tyre manufacture in Russia to meet Nissan’s ‘buy local’ preference
Production of original equipment passenger car tyres has begun at Yokohama Rubber’s factory in Russia’s Lipetsk region. The tyre maker reports that LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. began original equipment tyre production in November 2014 in response to a direct request from Nissan Russia. The Nissan operation is said to be curtailing its use of tyres manufactured in other countries, presumably to counter the rouble’s devaluation during the last half-year.
Continue Reading![New website, additions to Bridgestone’s ‘Dayton’ truck tyre range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/dayton.jpg)
New website, additions to Bridgestone’s ‘Dayton’ truck tyre range
Bridgestone has doubled the coverage offered by its Dayton truck tyre range, which it offers in the US and Canadian markets. Eight new Dayton patterns have joined the line-up and, says Bridgestone Commercial, meet the diverse needs of small fleets and owner operators in a multitude of trucking segments. The product launch coincides with the launch of a new daytontrucktires.com website and tagline, ‘Tires for Truckers’.
Continue Reading