European Commission threatens legislation on ‘unfair’ practices
The European Commission says it will initiate a “legally binding solution” to improve relations between car dealers and manufacturers unless an acceptable industry code of good conduct can be agreed between the two parties. The warning comes after what has been referred to as 18 months of reluctance and resistance from manufacturers and its European trade body ACEA in the face of consistent lobbying on the part of dealer representative bodies.
Continue Reading![Starco launches additional national websites](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ZA-Website.jpg)
Starco launches additional national websites
Further local websites have been added to the Starco’s online presence. New sites for Poland, South Africa, Sweden and France are now live, and the company says it will add further sites in the coming months.
Continue Reading![Giti enters the top 10 of leading tyre manufacturers](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Key-tyre-industry-figures_6_2014_Page_1.jpg)
Giti enters the top 10 of leading tyre manufacturers
This year’s annual tyre manufacturer rankings have brought with them a number of key changes at the top of the table. The growth of Far Eastern manufacturers and Chinese companies in particular has long been observed, but 2014 sees Singapore-based Giti Tire break into the top 10 and Taiwan-based Maxxis/Cheng Shin Rubber retains its ninth position. Hot on Giti’s heels, 11th place ZC Rubber (producer of the Westlake brand) gained one place from its position in last year’s table. Indeed this part of the table is extremely close and, such is the competition at this level, if ZC Rubber had achieved the same figures as last year (assuming no-one else had done any better and excluding currency effects) it could have been in 10th position.
Continue ReadingOfficial opening of Ceat JV plant draws near
The latest joint venture plant set up by India’s RPG Group and Sri Lanka’s Kelani Tyre will officially open next week, states Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror. The publication says the Rs 600 million (£2.7 million) passenger car tyre radial factory, which is located at the existing Ceat Kelani site in Kelaniya, will enable the joint venture operation to increase its radial capacity by 70 per cent to 39,000 tyres a month.
Continue Reading![Is Bridgestone set to sponsor the Olympics?](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1024px-Olympic-flag-Victoria.jpg)
Is Bridgestone set to sponsor the Olympics?
Bridgestone could be about to announce that it will sponsor the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. However while it has confirmed that talks have taken place, the company is being much more tight lipped about sharing any details.
Continue Reading![Budapest runs on Ruzi](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Vipal-Budapest.png)
Budapest runs on Ruzi
Brazil is not just a football country, but as a member of the BRIC also one of the fast-growing economies in the world. For 41 years Brazilian company Vipal has been engaged in the retread tyres business and is becoming increasingly involved in the European market. With high quality materials, a wide range of patterns and products and competitive prices, Vipal has already convinced many costumers.
Continue Reading![Putting rubber on the road](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Current-UK_Europe-recovery-chart-2-e1401961592621.jpg)
Putting rubber on the road
The recent history of how we deal with end of life tyres has been littered with ideas, but surprisingly few real success stories. In this opinion piece, Tyre Recovery Association director, Peter Taylor OBE shares his view on the use of tyres in rubberised tarmac.
Continue Reading![Nexen Europe boss ‘takes over new functions’](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Nexen_Tire_Joo-Ho-Song.jpeg)
Nexen Europe boss ‘takes over new functions’
Nexen Tire reports that Joo-Ho Song, The former president of Nexen Tire is to “take over new functions” at the company. Nexen was at pains to point out that the news marks the end of “an almost two year lasting success story of the Korean top manager in Germany”. No details of who will follow Joo-Ho Song have yet been released, but an announcement is expected shortly.
Continue ReadingNokian acquires long-time North American partner
Nokian Tyres’ US-based operation, Nokian Tyres North America, has purchased the tyre distribution business run by Import Tire Inc. With this acquisition, Nokian takes on a business with an annual turnover in the vicinity of US$10 million. The distribution unit is headquartered in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Continue Reading![Rigdon tread no “copycat” – German court rules against Goodyear](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Reifen-Ihle-gegen-Goodyear_tb1-800x718.jpg)
Rigdon tread no “copycat” – German court rules against Goodyear
We’ve become accustomed to hearing reports of alleged copyright infringements related to tyre and, particularly, tread pattern design. Typically these involve products from Chinese manufacturers, however our German sister publication Neue Reifenzeitung has published news of a copyright infringement dispute that played out here in our part of the world – and ended with a ruling in favour of the alleged copy.
Continue Reading![Facebook debut for Yokohama Rubber](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/np-yoko-facebook.jpg)
Facebook debut for Yokohama Rubber
Yokohama Rubber has established a new official Facebook page as part of its efforts to strengthen information sharing via social networking services. The page – http://www.facebook.com/YokohamaRubber - began operating on 2 June and provides information in Japanese and, when reporting information of potential interest to international readers, in English. The company has also boosted its domestic market social media presence with the creation of an official Yokohama channel with Japan’s leading video hosting service, niconico. This page – http://ch.nicovideo.jp/yokohamarubber - exclusively features Japanese language material.
Continue ReadingTitan signs service agreement for oil sands tyre disposal
Titan International has announced that its subsidiary, Titan Tire Reclamation Corp., (TTRC) is leasing ten acres (4 hectares) of land from Suncor Energy, north of Fort McMurray, Canada for ten years to operate a pyrolysis system developed by Green Carbon, a company controlled by Fred Taylor, brother of Titan International chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor. Titan Tire Reclamation has already engaged in negotiations with various companies operating in Canada’s oil sands regarding the disposal of OTR tyres and conveyor belting.
Continue ReadingApollo ‘yet to finalise’ greenfield tyre factory location
Following news reports that Apollo has chosen Hungary as the location of its new tyre plant, the company has released a statement reiterated its plans and stating that it is “yet to finalise the exact location” for its factory.
Continue ReadingReports: Apollo chooses Hungary for new tyre factory
Slovakian news sources are reporting that Apollo has chosen Hungary over Slovakia for the site of its new 500 million euro tyre factory. According to the reports, is was “the business environment in Slovakia” pushed the manufacturer towards the other site when choosing from a shortlist of two.
Continue Reading![US to gain dedicated tyre show](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/world-logo.jpg)
US to gain dedicated tyre show
Latin Expo Group, the company behind Panama-based shows the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo and Latin Auto Parts Expo, has announced the creation of a dedicated tyre show in the US. News of the World Tire & Retread Expo was given by Latin Expo Group CEO Gustavo Lima at Reifen 2014; the inaugural show will take place from 15 to 17 April 2015 in the US city of New Orleans.
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