Yokohama OE on Toyota Crown RS “Landscape”
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is supplying 245/60R18 109H Geolandar A/T G015 tyres as original equipment (OE) for the new Toyota Crown RS Crossover “Landscape”, a special edition of Crown vehicle. The new vehicle was launched in April 2024 in Japan.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg and Mitas raise prices by up 5%
Both the Trelleborg and Mitas brands are set to raise prices by up to 5 per cent across all segments. The price increases are set to take effect from May 2024. According to the brands, specific details regarding the actual price change will be communicated directly to customers by representatives in each market.
Continue ReadingYokohama sponsors ATP Tennis Tour
The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. a Gold Partner of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the global governing body of men’s professional tennis. Indeed, Yokohama is now the ATP Tour’s first Official Tire Partner.
Continue ReadingA strange way of price-fixing
At the end of January, the European Commission (EC) announced that it is had begun conducting “unannounced inspections” – commonly known as dawn raids – at the European offices of the world’s leading tyremakers. The investigation intends to find out whether or not “the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices”. In the days immediately after that news broke, it quickly became apparent that (in alphabetical order) Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian and Pirelli all received those visits. All the above companies issued statements denying the allegations and confirming that they are cooperation with the authorities. The EC’s announcement was short on detail and the investigated tyremakers are being understandably tight-lipped about the whole thing, which leaves significant questions about what the grounds for such an investigation were in the first place.
Continue ReadingWheel maker BBS in brand rights dispute with former owner
A set-to is brewing in Germany’s Black Forest. As our German sister site Reifenpresse.de reports, the new owner of wheel manufacturer BBS, Turkey’s ISH Holding, can’t sell and distribute wheels for aftermarket customers. Brand rights appear to lie at the heart of the matter, and although neither former owner Klaus Wohlfarth (KW Automotive) nor the Turkish investor have officially commented, Reifenpresse.de notes that the rumour mill has been churning for weeks. The company’s works council has now spoken out, making an appeal to the previous owner.
Continue ReadingBridgestone presents Paris 2024 Ambassadors
Bridgestone Corporation is partnering with dozens of elite athletes around the world as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner. The company is forming a global roster of Team Bridgestone brand ambassadors on the road to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, with 40 athletes across nine countries and over 20 sports on board. Swimmer Adam Peaty and Charlotte Worthington, who will compete in the BMX Freestyle, represent the UK.
Continue ReadingPirelli adds two P Zero Porsche Taycan tyres to its Elect range
Porsche has chosen Pirelli P Zero R and P Zero Trofeo tyres for its restyled Taycan and has exclusively appointed Pirelli to supply tyres for the Taycan Turbo GT. According to the company, the first tyre is designed for “supercars’ everyday driving”, while the second is a street-legal semi-slick tyre. Both were launched earlier this year and have been specifically adapted in collaboration with the German carmaker. And both feature the Elect marking on the sidewall, indicating a package of technological solutions to suit the characteristics of electric vehicles and made its debut in 2019 on the first generation of the Porsche Taycan. Porsches range includes over 30 Pirelli homologated tyres bearing the Elect designation, accompanying Porsches electric transition on different models, such as the Macan.
Continue ReadingZodo Tire to build tyre plant in Cambodia
Shandong, China-based Zodo Tire Co. Ltd is preparing to set up a factory in Cambodia. According to plans, the tyre maker will build a facility with an annual production capacity of 6 million semi-steel radials and 1.2 million all-steel radials. Zodo Tire has not disclosed how much it will invest in this project.
Continue ReadingSailun delays Vietnam plant expansion
Sailun Group has revised the timetable for expanding production at its factory in Vietnam. Instead of commencing operations by March 2024, the tyre maker now intends to add a further three million semi-steel radials, one million all-steel radials and 50,000 tonnes of off-highway tyres to its annual capacities by March 2025.
Continue ReadingNova Motorsport acquires Camac
Following the news that the company will be producing certain Avon-branded motorsport tyres, Nova Motorsport has announced “its acquisition of leading tyre producer, Camac”. No details relating to the terms of acquisition have been released.
Continue ReadingTyre mould maker EMT now a Continental operation
Continental has acquired EMT s.r.o., a mould manufacturing specialist based in Puchov, Slovakia. The tyre maker and automotive technology company obtained all shares in its long-standing supplier on 2 April 2024 after entering into an agreement with EMT’s shareholders, including majority shareholder Dynamic Design Europe. Beyond confirming the retention of all 107 EMT employees, Continental has not disclosed details of the agreement.
Continue ReadingGlobal car sales to hit 70.4 million units in 2024, still below pre-pandemic levels – Stocklytics.com
The automotive industry faces another challenging year in 2024, weighed down by rising costs, supply chain disruptions, high interest rates, and slow consumer spending. As a result, global car sales will remain below the levels seen five years ago, according to data presented by Stocklytics.com. The company says that although global car sales are expected to increase by 3.6 per cent year-over-year and hit 70.4 million units in 2024, that is still below pre-pandemic levels.
Continue ReadingTRA: UK the ‘environmental sick man of Europe’ if government doesn’t act
“Britain will be the environmental sick man of Europe if government doesn’t act soon to update waste regulations,” according to the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). Revealing the correspondence underway with the Secretary of State for the Environment and his department, the TRA statement makes public the issues the UK government are reportedly failing to engage with.
Continue ReadingMichelin Peugeot 3008 and E-3008 OE tyres being produced in Europe
Following the news that Michelin has been selected by Peugeot to exclusively equip the new Peugeot 3008 and E-3008 sold in Europe, the tyremaker is emphasising that, whether hybrid or 100 per cent electric, all the SUVs in the Peugeot 3008 range will receive tailor-made tyres produced by Michelin via “European manufacture as close as possible to the markets”.
Continue ReadingKumho becomes Formula Drift tyre supplier
Kumho Tire USA reports that Kumho has become the official tyre of Formula Drift as a major sponsor of the Formula Drift Pro Championship. “As an ‘Official Tire of Formula Drift,’ this will provide a national footprint to elevate the brand in the United States, reaching millions of motorsport enthusiasts,” said Shawn Denlein, president of sales and marketing, Kumho Tire USA.
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