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The European tyre market is up, but imports are growing too, meaning ETRMA members are not benefiting from the increase as much as others. At the same time, the retread market decreased for the fourth consecutive year, and in 2015 it expected to plunge a further 10 per cent to 4.2 million tyres.
Bank of England deputy governor Minouche Shafik suggested the UK tyre industry is in the grip of recession-based consumer behaviour during a speech given to the Institute of Directors where she also suggested interest rates could rise faster than initially indicated.
In addition, Dame Minouche Shafik highlighted how consumers are delaying changing their worn car tyres as a prime example of the way the economic downturn has shifted purchasing decisions.
Norbar has warned British drivers to check their wheel nut torque if they are changing their vehicles over to winter tyres in the coming weeks.
The advantages of winter tyres have been understood in Europe for many years, with tens of millions of motorists changing their wheels to those fitted with winter tyres in October or November and back again in the spring. In fact, so great is the change in Europe that it creates a significant spike in torque wrench demand from tyre fitters and drivers, eager to ensure that wheel nuts are tightened correctly.
Falken Tire Corporation has announced a realignment of its business units that accommodates changes brought about by the dissolution of the global alliance between parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Goodyear Tire & Rubber. The realignment will take place in stages and begins on 1 January with the subsidiary’s renaming as Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc.; Richard Smallwood, who is currently CEO and president of Falken Tire Corporation, will hold these positions in the retitled business.
Representatives from Michelin Certified Centres across the UK have further refined their customer service and management skills on a Michelin Auto Professional ‘Advanced Tyre Academy’ training course in France.
The four-strong group was selected for the second stage of the Tyre Academy programme to represent dealerships that completed the previous course curriculum, which featured classroom and workshop-based training at Michelin’s dedicated training centre in Stoke-on-Trent. This year’s four delegates, who all graduated from the first Tyre Academy, were identified as ideal students for the second course by their respective dealerships.
The Sailun Jinyu Group has informed the Shanghai Stock Exchange about plans for its wholly-owned Vietnamese subsidiary, Sailun (Vietnam) Co., Ltd, to invest up to US$200 million in all-steel belted tyre and off-highway tyre production. At a meeting held on 8 December, the Sailun Jinyu Board of Directors unanimously approved the project.
The final round of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship took place at the all-new World RX location in Rosario, Argentina, between 27 and 29 November – with reigning champion and former World Rally Championship star Petter Solberg securing a podium place to retain his crown for a second consecutive season.
US automotive aftermarket chain The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack gives word that its Board of Directors have determined the proposal from Icahn Enterprises L.P. to acquire Pep Boys for US$15.50 per share in cash would be expected to result in a “Superior Proposal” (as defined in the company’s agreement and plan of merger with Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC). This opinion was reached after consultation with the company’s independent legal and financial advisors, however at this stage Pep Boys are still on track to take up the Bridgestone share offer.
The timetable for the relocation of Kumho Tire’s factory in Nanjing, China has been set out. The shift to a new site will take place in stages throughout 2016 and will see the plant set up in an economic development zone in Pukou, some 19 miles (30 kilometres) from the original factory site. Both the passenger car tyre factory and the truck and bus tyre factory should be relocated to the new location by the end of next year.
The ContiTread range of pre-cure commercial vehicle tyre treads has been expanded by a number of new products, including the first ‘third-generation’ treads to be made available for pre-cure retreaders. Continental refers to the enlarged ContiTread range as a “comprehensive portfolio” that caters to a variety of segments and commercial vehicle classes.
More than seven in ten Brits admit their own poor driving adds to road rage as driver error remains the greatest cause of accidents, according to research carried out for Continental Tyres. The study reveals that over 25 million motorists apply double-standards and get sufficiently wound up by the slack habits of others, resulting in them reacting angrily and even driving more aggressively.
Yujiro Kanahara has been named president of Nippon Goodyear Ltd, the supplier of Goodyear tyres to the Japanese market. He joins Goodyear following a 36 year career with Bridgestone Corporation, where he served in executive leadership roles in Japan and key markets around the world prior to his retirement from the company in 2014. Kanahara succeeds Dale Brackin, who served as interim president during the transition period since October when Goodyear acquired Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ 75 per cent interest in the Nippon Goodyear business.
A new line-up of Firestone tyres designed for both on- and off-road use aims to provide users with high levels of durability, long wear life and good grip over a wide range of tough terrain. Upon introducing its FS822 Steer, FD833 Drive and FT833 Trailer tyres, Bridgestone Europe says the trio “bring Firestone’s renowned no-nonsense, cost-effective approach to the on/off segment.”
Goodyear has launched the next generation of its ultra-high performance summer tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3. The tyre is the latest in the Eagle series that has given the manufacturer many test wins and a track record of original equipment homologation. The latest version contains technologies that improve braking, handling and control performance in both dry and wet conditions; characteristics that were benchmark tested independently at TÜV Süd.
With Michelin buying a stake in Allopneus as well as the complete Blackcircles business in the Spring; and with Apollo purchasing Reifen.com in November, it is fair to say we witnessed a trend towards manufacturer investment in online tyre businesses this year. Dig a little deeper and we are beginning to learn more about how tyre manufacturers are approaching this unavoidably important strategic area. With 2015 being something of a landmark year in this respect, Tyres & Accessories met with Blackcircles founder and managing director Mike Welch in Edinburgh to find out more.
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