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Apollo Tyres reports that sales fell in the second quarter – the Apollo Tyres-fiscal year runs from April 2015 to March 2016 – by 10.5 per cent to 29.8 billion rupees (417 million euros). Meanwhile, operating profits of 70 million euros represent a decline of just 2.3 per cent at 5 billion rupees. Net income, however, rose 8.1 per cent to 2.8 billion rupees (39 million euros).
NTDA national chairman Roger Griggs used his speech at the 86th NTDA Annual Dinner to echo many of the sentiments expressed at the Tyre Industry Conference, calling especially for unified voices in tackling industry-wide issues. Encompassing cheap imported products, the under-regulated part-worn tyre market, MOTs and road safety, and the importance of attracting young talent to the industry, Griggs’ speech outlined the evolution of the NTDA’s position over the past year and, most crucially the work it is doing in attempting to bring together a variety of disparate voices. Reinforcing the association’s “growth and renewed energy,” according to Griggs, the dinner was the “biggest… in recent decades, with 620 guests in attendance,” indicating the “value…we all place on spending time together as an industry.
After a decade-long hiatus, the National Tyre Distributor Association (NTDA) resurrected the concept of having an annual tyre industry conference, with a new location and new format at the start of October. The new conference sees the association position its gathering as an industry-wide professional event alongside the NTDA dinner. The decision to re-launch the conference comes at a time when the NTDA dinner has itself evolved significantly – this year some 600 people attended (see complete coverage in the preceding section of this issue). But the most noticeable thing was the concerted effort, especially on the part of various industry associations participating, to present a united front. By doing this they showed that the associations are now more interested in highlighting where they stand together as opposed to where they differ.
The maker of the TreadReader handheld tyre scanner has called for fleet managers to prioritise tyre maintenance, citing economic and road safety statistics in its reasoning. Pointing out that tyres account for around 35 per cent of a car’s overall maintenance budget, SigmaVision says prolonging the healthy life of tyres is sound practice, securing maximum value from a set of tyres. The early detection of uneven wear, for example, means the cause of the problem – incorrect inflation of the tyre, or wheel misalignment – can be corrected. On the safety side, fleets’ tyre care policy has a clear role to play too: more than a quarter of road traffic incidents involve someone who is driving as part of their work at the time.
In addition to closing its Ballymena truck tyre factory, Michelin has announced plans to shutter its Pneu Laurent location in Oranienburg, Germany at the end of 2016 and shift all of its activities to Michelin’s Avallon, France retreading location.
Nico Rosberg won the first Mexican Grand Prix in 23 years from pole with a two-stop strategy. Using soft-medium-medium Pirelli tyres, he beat his teammate Lewis Hamilton to secure a 10th one-two of the season for Mercedes. Rosberg also moved back to second in the driver points standings. Behind them, race strategies were affected by a safety car with just 20 laps to go. This effectively allowed a ‘free’ pit stop, which meant that those contemplating another stop could do so without a big penalty.
Johan Zarco was crowned 2015 FIM Moto2 World Champion in Japan, but the Moto3 World Champion will be decided at the final round for the third consecutive year, in Valencia on 8 November. Only in the first year of Moto3 was the title clinched before the season finale when Sandro Cortese took the win with two round in hand. Since then it has been a battle to the last lap of the season.
Emissions testing fraud should be investigated thoroughly and those responsible should face appropriate sanctions, said MEPs in a resolution passed on Tuesday 27 October. They said that the EU emissions testing system should be strengthened to ensure that EU emission limits are respected and that vehicles exceeding these limits are discovered quickly. They also recommended considering whether to establish an EU-level surveillance authority.
Kal Tire reports that its Mining Tire Group has opened a new off-the-road (OTR) tyre retread and repair facility in Antofagasta, Chile.
Marangoni Retreading Systems has named Boleca S.L. as its partner on the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands, despite the recent economic crisis, still account for an important share of the Spanish market (>10 per cent), due to the islands’ highly abrasive road surfaces.
Sailun has invited its key distributors and partners to participate in its six-month World Child Cancer (WCC) Challenge. Aimed at distributors in the EU, but not discounting partners from other regions, the Sailun WCC Challenge tasks is to raise as much money as possible between 1 November 2015 and 30 April 2016.
Maxam has announced its strategic intent to grow global sales and market shares following completion of an intensive review of its operations. One result of this review has been the move of the operational support team from Luxembourg to Birmingham, where it will link up with the Sailun Jinyu European team, and stand in very close proximity to the nearby Sailun European Research and Development facility. In order to achieve its overall objective, the OTR tyre manufacturer has also planned number of initiatives.
Goodyear has reported record quarterly segment operating income of US$599 million, up 15 per cent compared with the same period. Net income of $271 million was up 68 per cent. North America earnings of $323 million were up 54 per cent and are said to be “a record for any quarter”.
Pirelli is supporting a new initiative between the national motorsport federations of Finland (AKK Motorsport) and Italy (ACI Sport) to provide an innovative rally coaching programme for up-and-coming drivers from both countries.
Hercules Tire will showcase its latest tyres at SEMA 2015 in Las Vegas. Located in Booth #43079, the company will feature new consumer lines, such as the ultra-high performance Hercules Raptis R-T5, new medium truck tyre offerings, and new sizes in popular existing Hercules products.
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