Vredestein has brought back its second brand with the introduction of the Maloya Quadris all-season tyre. The brand, which originated in Switzerland and gained a new homeland with its acquisition by Vredestein in 1993, was absent from the company’s portfolio for the last year and a half. At the time company officials said the name was by no means ‘dead’ and, true to their word, it has been resuscitated.
If better braking and handling on snow and ice covered roads weren’t reason enough to buy winter tyres, Japanese tyre dealer Autoway Tires presents a nightmarish situation that can be best escaped with the appropriate seasonal rubber. In an ad that is definitely not for the fainthearted – it is preceded by a health warning stating this – Autoway Tires demonstrates the ability of winter tyres to get you out of even the most terrifying scrape.
Netherlands-headquartered off-road tyre company Magna Tyres has appointed Latvian wholesaler SIA Latakko its exclusive distributor in the Baltic States region. The two companies had previously enjoyed what Magna calls a “steady and fruitful business cooperation” over a period of several years, and based on this positive experience both companies agreed an exclusive dealership in order to boost the sales of Magna mobile crane tyres, earthmover tyres and port handling tyres in the Baltic region, particularly in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
PCR production drop planned for Goodyear Dunlop’s Wittlich plant
Passenger car tyre production at Goodyear Dunlop’s Wittlich plant in Germany will decrease by at least 30 per cent next year. In local media source volksfreund.de, Wittlich works council chairman Joachim Weberskirch confirms rumours that PCR production “will be reduced from round 4,000 a day to 2,500 to 2,800 a day next year.” Weberskirch says this lowering of production is a response to declining sales of passenger car tyres throughout Europe.
Three tyres have been given a Good Design Award by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) this year. These are the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, the Toyo M929 TBR tyre and the Nexen N9000 semi street racing tyre.
It’s been less than a year since Nitto Tire reported gaining its three millionth Facebook fan, and now the company says it has five million fans on board. Nitto attributes this social media growth to its engagement strategies, including its Nitto Ambassador Program, live multi-player mobile games and a proprietary automotive interest blog, DrivingLine.com. Utilising such tools, Nitto says it has generated a loyal community with fan engagement that goes beyond the traditional likes, shares and comments that exist in the social network platform.
The sale of Apollo Tyres South Africa (ATSA) to Sumitomo Rubber Industries has been closed, report Sumitomo and Apollo Tyres. In exchange for US$60 million, the Japanese firm now holds the rights to the Dunlop tyre brand in a further 30 African and two Indian Ocean region countries. Also included in the deal is the 9,600 tyre per day Ladysmith PCR factory that Apollo acquired as part of its Dunlop South Africa purchase in 2006, the ATSA distribution and sales network, and the ATSA distribution, sales and head office teams. Apollo retains the 2006-acquired Durban factory, which manufactures TBR and off-road tyres.
Yokohama and Kumho sign technology exchange, capital alliance MOU
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. And Kumho Tire Co., Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29 November. The companies report that they have agreed to open discussions relating to technology exchanges and a capital alliance based on “cross-shareholdings”.
Continental Tyres South Africa will reportedly invest more than ZAR100 million (£6.0 million) to expand capacity at its plant in Port Elizabeth. Independent Newspapers’ iol.co.za website reports that these funds will in part be used to establish the facility as a hub for the manufacture of specialty tyres, particularly those used in underground mining applications.
Report: South Korea to grow 5% CAGR from 2013 – 2018
Analysts at TechSci Research have published a new report highlighting the growth potential of the South Korean tyre market. According to the report entitled South Korea Tyre Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018, the tyre market in South Korea is expected to grow at the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent between 2013 and 2018 in terms of sales revenue.
Earlier this year Bridgestone Americas reported completing a capacity expansion project at its Aiken County plant in South Carolina. The US$346 million investment increased output of passenger car and light truck radials by 2,750 units a day. Now local media sources state the company is looking to increase its plant workforce; Leslie Wilhite, Bridgestone Americas’ manager of community and corporate relations, is quoted as saying the company is looking to fill 850 corporate and contractor positions, starting in January.
Decades ago, the advertisement that Bob Jane’s company ran on Australian television claimed ‘not even the tyres can believe the low prices’; now Judge Besanko can’t believe them, either. In the Federal Court of Australia this week he found that the companies Jane established after leaving Bob Jane Corporation have “engaged in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive,” and infringe on Bob Jane Corporation’s trademark rights. To remedy this, Besanko ruled that Bob Jane may no longer use his own name to sell tyres or related products and services.
Sales of locally-produced Continental run-flat tyres will reportedly begin in China before the end of this year. Quoting Jay Dhillon, general manager of Continental Tires China, the China Daily wrote on 28 November that annual output of these products will reach 340,000 units next year and 510,000 units in 2015. Hefei is the fourth Continental plant to begin run-flat production, after Aachen (Germany), Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and Mount Vernon (USA).
Chinese tyre firm Techking has announced it is released an 11R22.5 Super DM tyre designed for mixed road service. According to the company, the groove width has been increased and as a result stones will be much more easily pushed out. Furthermore, broader tread and thicker under-groove rubber have been added in order to ensure the “good performance on rough terrain” as well as prolonging mileage.
Tirendo is raffling the chance for a meet and greet with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel. The face-to-face meeting is set to take place during a Formula 1 event in 2014. According to the company, it will offer the winner and one friend the unique opportunity to meet the professional racer and get to know him from a completely private side.
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