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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Dudelange, Luxembourg, an operation it calls a “first of its kind” for the company. The inauguration on 5 May follows a US$77 million investment in industry 4.0 digital manufacturing processes at the site.
‘This Is Your Return to The Ring’ is the title of Falken Tyres’ latest Nürburgring 24-hour race film. Its release this past weekend coincided with the qualifying races for the main 24-hour race that will place at the end of May.
Tyrepress has learned from people familiar with the matter that the shareholding of Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group Co., Ltd. has changed recently. After the equity change, Tian Xiuzhen held 50 per cent and became the group’s major shareholder. Liu Zijun and Liu Huiqin each own 25 per cent of the shares.
Times have been tough in the last couple of years, but if the growth of the top 25 tyre retailers in the UK is anything to go by, the nation’s leading tyre retail businesses are taking triumph from adversity. Of course, Halfords’ acquisition of National Tyres and Autocare’s parent company at the end of 2021 makes up a big part of the new UK tyre retail landscape, but it is clear that adding branches to existing networks (either by organic growth or by acquisition) is a common theme across the board.
Lack of vehicle availability is extending commercial vehicle replacement cycles, which results in greater service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs in line with increased maintenance requirements, according to ATS Euromaster.
Continuing our 2022 analysis of the leading UK tyre retailers by branch count, Just Tyres is this year’s number 11, having grown via the addition of two new centres which brings its total to 39. At this rate, Just Tyres is likely to overtake Mr Clutch into 10th position during the next year or two.
Although Russian tyre maker Voltyre-Prom recently spoke of potential opportunities arising from the war in Ukraine and related international implications, majority shareholder Titan International confirms it will not be investing in this business any time soon. Details of Titan’s relationship with the Russian operation were set out in the US-based firm’s 10-Q financial report for Q1 2022 and further commented on during a teleconference held on 3 May.
This year the top 25 table has been characterised by growth virtually across the board. However, something that stands out in positions 15 to 25 is that there have been a couple of new entries onto the ranking in addition to this. Exemplifying stability in the market, In ‘n’ Out Autocentres appears to have remained in 15th position with 27 branches.
Since March 2022, China’s government has imposed strict lockdown policies on several cities in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Shanghai, the economic centre of China, is one of the core lockdown areas. According to information available to Tyrepress, it appears the entire industry is feeling the restrictions hitting production, logistics and retail in Shanghai and surrounding cities.
Several tyre makers plan to offer tyres containing natural rubber from non-conventional sources. Bridgestone Americas has been working to commercialise guayule shrub rubber for a decade and recently announced the upcoming motorsport debut of a race tyre made with guayule rubber grown and extracted at its R&D facilities. It will introduce the new Firestone Firehawk at the Indy Pit Stop Challenge on 27 May ahead of the race tyre’s competitive premiere in August.
OTR tyres, seasonal tyres (such as winter and all-season products) and the tyre retail business are our key features this month. As important as the development of the OTR and seasonal tyre segments undoubtedly is, the combination of tectonic shifts in the UK tyre retail landscape and transport secretary Grant Shapps’ decision to once again suggest changing MOT frequency have stolen my column’s attention this month. On the latter point, NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay was understandably riled to learn that Shapps is retreading the meddling-with-the-MOT path (something readers can read more about in the UK section of May’s magazine). Either way, renewed focus on MOT protocol is firmly connected with the ongoing development of the tyre retail business.
Kumho has been awarded two iF Design Awards. The Korean manufacturer was recognised for its new high-performance tyre, the Ecsta HS52, and one for its latest future tyre concept, Fin-Sread.
Bridgestone has launched the semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race, its first ever tyre day tyre for the replacement market. In testing conducted by TÜV SÜD at the 6.115km Nardo circuit in Italy, the tyre was able to improve upon average times set by three leading competitor tyres over three laps by an average of more than two seconds. It was also ranked second for longevity, and delivered class-leading dry braking at Bridgestone’s European proving ground. The Potenza Race is homologated for public roads, but with performance focussed on track days. Developed and manufactured in Europe, the Potenza Race will be available in 13 popular sizes between 17 and 20 inches from June 2022, supporting the most commonly sighted hot hatchbacks and sportscars at track days.
Point S, the multi-brand automotive services and tyre sales franchise, has expanded its global network into the Brazilian market through a Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) with local specialist, ATO. The agreement represents a significant milestone for Point S, with South America becoming the fifth continent in which the network has a presence.
Reports suggesting UK transport secretary Grant Shapps is once again considering changing MOT frequencies to two-yearly intervals began being published on the evening of 26 April 2022. On the morning 27 April, Shapps was refusing to rule out those changes. Whenever the transport secretary came up with the plans they are old news which has been repeatedly debated, consulted on and ultimately rejected. Such proposals are also “ill-advised” according to the National Tyre Distributors Association, whose chief executive Stefan Hays blasted Shapps’ alleged MOT proposal in a statement released at noon on 27 April.
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