Hankook Launches Two 300 km/h Tyres
Hankook has launched two 300 km/h UHP tyres into the UK market, the Ventus S1 evo tyre and the Ventus R-S2 track day tyre. “The UHP sector is expected to experience growth in the order of 60 per cent or more over the next five years and Hankook is poised to take advantage of this increase, having doubled its UHP tyre sales year-on-year for each of the past three years,” said UK sales manager, Ian Mayoll, explaining the motivation behind the releases.
Continue ReadingWork Presents Two New Alloys
Work has presented two new three piece Rezax II alloy wheels. Offering a design with ten Y-spokes, the wheel features a forged rim spider and is optionally available with a forged RoundRim (18 to 20 inch) or flat-base rim. The wheels are available for almost all standard makes of vehicle. Special runs, without minimum production numbers, are also possible. The 21 inch and 22 inch sizes are designed for high wheel loads and, as such, are also suitable for SUVs.
Continue ReadingPirelli Confirms 2005 Motorsport Involvement
Pirelli Tyres has confirmed its continued involvement with motorsport series across the British Isles. In the 2005 season the manufacturer will support the Kwik Fit Pirell British Rally Championship, The Irish Tarmac Championship and the Maranello Ferrari Challenge, to name but three.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Looks Forward to ‘Winning’ in 2005
Jon Rich, president of Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s North American division, is “extremely bullish” about 2005, according to a Tire Review report. “New products are going to be the lifeblood of the new Goodyear,” Mr Rich, told delegates at the company’s annual dealer meeting in Dallas. The theme of this years conference is “capture the moment, create the future,” assuring dealers there was more to come.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Supports Tsunami Relief
Goodyear Dunlop has teamed up with Southern Vectis providing tyres for ten IVECO 59-12 vehicles that the bus company is pledging to Asia Bus Response, a UK-wide appeal for vehicles by the bus industry.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Maintains Prices
Despite the challenges presented by raw material price inflation, Apollo Tyres has no intention to increase its own prices during the current quarter, India’s Hindu Business Line has reported. “I am not looking at this quarter for price increase. There are too many things happening in the market (budget, VAT etc) that have to be factored in before taking any decision,” Neeraj Kanwar, chief operating officer (COO), told the publication.
Continue ReadingContinental Results Break All Records
Continental AG’s most recent financial results show that the company has broken all previous records, including the one billion euro EBIT barrier. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories, Continental chairman, Manfred Wennemer, explained that the company achieved the one billion euro mark, despite the costs incurred in the partial closure of the company’s Mayfield plant. With regard to US business, Mr Wennemer said that while the company is still in deep water, the situation is considerably better than in recent years. The Continental chairman went on to speak of his belief that this area of business will break even by the end of the year, as has been suggested before. As far as 2005 is concerned, Mr Wennemer is confident that Continental can top this year’s impressive results. Chief financial officer, Dr Alan Hippe, demonstrated this feeling of optimism when he pointed out that company debts had dropped to less than one billion euros. The company’s share value also has the potential to increase by 40 per cent in the next two years, he added. Continental shares are currently trading at 52.50 euros.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Thailand Sales Up 10 per cent
Bridgestone Thailand MD, Tomohiko Yoshimoto, is predicting his companys truck and bus tyre sales will grow at least 10 per cent, Thailand’s Bangkok post has reported.
Continue ReadingVellco Buys REG UK
Yorkshire based Vellco Tyre Control has bought REG (UK). As of today the whole operation will be absorbed into Vellco’s business, a company spokesman confirmed. At the same time REG (UK)’s former managing director, John Campbell, has joined Vellco’s management board as business management director. In this position, Mr Campbell will continue his relationships with existing customers, maintaining his “roving role,” the company added.
Continue ReadingKumho Sets IPO Prices
Kumho will launch initial public offerings (IPO) on both the South Korean and London stock exchanges at $15.58 per share, South Korea’s Dow Jones has reported. The tyre manufacturer expects to raise approximately $400 million (£210 million) in the sale. Kumho Tire Co. is said to be selling some 25 million shares in the simultaneous IPO. “A heavy flood of orders is expected to be placed before the offer close,” Dow Jones reported. The news follows Cooper Tire & Rubber’s early January announcement that it would buy an 11 per cent share of the company, which amounts to 7.5 million shares.
Continue ReadingBandag Profits Increase 10 per cent
Bandag Inc experienced a 10 per cent increase in profits during 2004, Tire Review has reported. According to the magazine, Bandag 2004 results also showed a 5 per cent increase in net sales compared to its 2003 figures. During 2004 Bandag recorded sales of $854.2 million, compared with $816.4 million in 2003, and net profits of $66.9 million, compared with $60.2 million in 2003.
Continue ReadingGoodyear NA in the Black?
Goodyear North American Tire division president, Jon Rich, said his unit’s 2004 financial results would show its first annual profit in three years, according to a Tire Review report. Mr Rich made his comments at the company’s annual dealer meeting in Dallas. Aggressive cost cutting and high sales of Goodyear’s Assurance passenger tyre line led to the improvements in both sales and profits, he explained.
Continue ReadingKumho Tops Magazine Test
Kumhos ECTSA V70A has won a tyre test of road-legal track day tyres. The test, run by German motoring magazine Auto Bild test & tuning, pitted semi-slicks from Michelin, Toyo, Yokohama and Pirelli against each other. Auto Bild testers praised the winning tyre for its excellent lateral and directional stability as well as its dry braking. The magazine awarded Michelin and Toyo joint second place, Yokohama took fourth position, while Pirelli came last. Auto Bild testers also praised the generally high quality of all of the entrants.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Releases Kevlar Reinforced Tyres
In the US, Goodyear has released two new premium tyres aimed at SUV and light truck drivers. The Wrangler and Fortera both feature one of the company’s latest innovations, SilentArmor technology. When Goodyear says its tyres use this technology, it basically means that the products include three distinct features. Firstly they use an “armour zone” that is comprised of a layer of DuPont Kevlar, a material five times stronger than steel. In addition, they feature an extra durable sidewall in order to resist punctures and cuts. On top of this the products include a rugged rim guard that helps protect wheels from rim damage. On the comfort side, the Fortera tyre features a layer that is designed to “soak up” road noise and vibration.
Continue ReadingVredestein to Take Amtel to North America?
Amtel’s acquisition of Vredestein Banden might result in the Russian brand’s introduction to the North American market, Marc Luyten, Vredestein Bandens director of marketing and sales, according to a Modern Tire Dealer Report. Mr Luyten’s suggestion follows the news that Amtel will buy Vredestein and is planning initial public offerings on the London and Moscow stock exchanges.
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