![EU model used for Chinese green tyre specification](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/np-green1.jpg)
EU model used for Chinese green tyre specification
Recently the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) gave word that trials of a new eco tyre specification (standard number XXZB/LT-102-2014) began in China on 1 March. Chemical manufacturer Lanxess, which is currently participating in the CRIA-hosted China Rubber Conference in Qingdao, has provided additional information on the specification: it says the Green Tire Technology Specification is based on the tyre label introduced in the European Union in November 2012.
Continue ReadingSecond Apollo R&D centre opens
Apollo Tyres has inaugurated the second of its two global R&D centres. According to Indian publication The Hindu, the tyre maker opened the centre at its Chennai facility today. The centre will focus on the development of commercial vehicle tyres.
Continue Reading![Redefining ‘tyre wear’ – new Goodyear clothing range launched](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/good-t-shirt.jpg)
Redefining ‘tyre wear’ – new Goodyear clothing range launched
A brand new range of ‘vintage’ t-shirts and sweatshirts with Goodyear branding has gone on sale at Pull&Bear retail outlets worldwide and online, as part of the Goodyear Vintage fashion programme. As part of a deal brokered between IMG Licensing and the Goodyear Company, the clothing will be sold at Pull&Bear stores in 62 countries around the world and on their e-commerce website alongside the existing local Goodyear range of clothing.
Continue ReadingStarco Sweden a Däck Partner top supplier
Swedish distributor Däck Partner has named Starco Sweden as one of its top three “Suppliers of the Year.” The company says this recognition from Däck Partner is “a welcome acknowledgement of the achievement of Starco Sweden, proving that the presence of a special wheel and tyre company in the Swedish market is worthwhile.”
Continue ReadingPirelli may reduce 2014 sales goal due to Russia, emerging market pressures
While Pirelli’s recent sale of a 13 per cent shareholding to Russian petrochemical giant Rosneft brings it access to 2,800 petrol station/tyre points of sale, some industry observers are also warning that the political environment and the deal itself are on shaky ground. On the one hand the collaboration is expected to put Pirelli on a par with the premium leader in Russia, Finnish tyremaker Nokian Renkaat, in terms of a distribution network size there is more than one way to skin a cat in terms of distribution and other factors could end up affecting Pirelli’s overall sales targets. The company is set to publish its full year 2013 results this evening, along with its 2014 outlook commentary.
Continue Reading![Maxam Tire on show at Conexpo](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Maxam_Conexpo.jpg)
Maxam Tire on show at Conexpo
Maxam Tire personnel have recently returned from the USA, where the company took part in the Conexpo exhibition, held from 4-8 March in Las Vegas. Conexpo is one or the world’s premier shows for the construction, mining and earthmoving sectors, held once every three years and attracting over 2,400 exhibitors and more than 125,000 visitors over the five days of the show. The Maxam stand was 164 m2 (1800 sq. ft) in area and on show were 10 of the extensive ranges of Maxam construction and radial OTR tyres.
Continue ReadingConnell Brothers to market Lehigh tyre industry raw materials in SE Asia
Connell Brothers (CBC), the largest distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients in Asia-Pacific, has announced a partnership with specialty materials company Lehigh Technologies to market Lehigh’s PolyDyne micronised rubber powders (MRP) to the tyre and rubber industries in Southeast Asia.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone highlights congruence between winter sports, product with ski sponsorship](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Bstone-Alpine-Ski-season.jpg)
Bridgestone highlights congruence between winter sports, product with ski sponsorship
As the first athlete took to the slopes on 23 October 2013 to begin the 2013/14 season of the FIS Audi Ski World Cup, tyre manufacturer Bridgestone began its third season of support for the winter sport tournament. The manufacturer says the event offers international coverage, while also displaying characteristics congruent with its winter tyres: safety, control, grip and balance.
Continue ReadingEC to investigate anticompetitive practices in automotive exhaust sector
Only days after five companies were fined a total of €953 million for participating in a cartel within the automotive bearing market, the European Commission has reported its concerns that a number of companies in the automotive exhaust systems segment may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels, restrictive business practices and/or abuse of a dominant market position. On 25 March, officials from the European Commission undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in this sector. The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.
Continue ReadingUrbanising Kuwait fuels continued imported passenger car tyre demand
Kuwait’s high rate of urbanisation and purchasing power will lead to continued opportunities for imported passenger car tyres, a new report on the country’s automotive segment has revealed. With about 95 per cent of the country’s population residing in urban areas, and private car demand rising, imported PCR tyres have led tyre demand, though the TechSci Research report also suggests that commercial vehicle demand could follow increased mining and oil drilling investments.
Continue Reading![Hercules launches Ironman brand I-Series medium truck tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/I-601.jpg)
Hercules launches Ironman brand I-Series medium truck tyres
Hercules associate brand Ironman has unveiled a new range of medium truck tyres designed to offer very competitive cost per mile averages in the North American market. The I-Series offers more than 30 SKUs comprised of highway, open shoulder drive, closed shoulder drive, mixed service and trailer options, some of which are SmartWay verified. The […]
Continue Reading![Pirelli reports strong results in international tyre tests](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/zarulem.jpg)
Pirelli reports strong results in international tyre tests
Italian tyre firm Pirelli has recently scored well in test results carried out by Russian and Swedish publications. The tyres tested were both from the Cinturato family; Russia’s Za Rulem tested the Cinturato P1 while Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet tested the Cinturato P7.
Continue ReadingFederal aiming for 10% of Russian tyre market by 2019
Taiwanese tyre maker Federal Tyres states it has “set its sights on ten per cent market share in Russia” and aims to double the number of wholesalers it works with there (currently nine in eight cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg and Ekaterinberg) every year for the next five years to help achieve this objective by 2019. The company has been present in the Russian market since 2004 and its products are available at over 10,000 retailers across the country. It has now launched a brand new website, www.federaltyresrussia.com, VKontakte page, vk.com/federaltyresrussia, and 2014 campaign slogan that capitalises on Federal’s sponsorship of Manchester United: “Awaken the Champion inside” (Пробуди в себе Чемпиона).
Continue ReadingVMI Group expands following strong sales growth
Leading tyre building machinery maker VMI Group is planning to “significantly expand” its operations. This means a new factory building will be constructed in Epe, The Netherlands and current buildings will be restructured to enhance lean production. A new R&D and engineering office will also be built. In China, VMI reports that it is working with authorities to expand its facilities there. According to the company, the expansions follow “strongly increased turnover” at VMI.
Continue Reading![‘SmartWay’ verification for Vipal tread](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/vipal-smartway.jpg)
‘SmartWay’ verification for Vipal tread
Brazil’s Vipal Rubber reports that its VL130 ECO pre-cured tread has become the company’s first product to be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership. As expected from a SmartWay approved tyre, the tread’s design and compound aims to maximise fuel efficiency; Vipal reports that the trailer axle tread has a low bearing resistance that generates less heat, thus ensuring less casing fatigue and helping to improve retreadability.
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