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(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear India Ltd. has nearly completed a major expansion at its passenger tyre plant in Aurangabad, India, boosting its annual capacity to 1.8 million tyres. Goodyear hopes the increase in radial production, due to start in June, will help it become one of India’s top selling tyre brands.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee, total tread rubber shipments will increase 2.8% in 2006, up from 1.9% growth in 2005. The increase will be fueled by economic growth, a strong demand for OTR tyres and heavy truck-traffic volumes, the RMA committee reported.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to a recent article in The Anchorage Daily News, the worldwide shortage of OTR tyres is forcing Alaskan mining operations to look for new ways to extend tyre life. The Alaskan newspaper reported that “vendors” are saying the situation is so bad that an international black market is emerging, new trucks and earthmovers are being sold without tyres, buyers are paying new-tyre prices for retreads and some companies are buying used equipment just for the tyres.
(Akron/Tire Review) The fourth annual China International Tire Expo (CITExpo), which will be held 6-8 September at the Shanghai Everbright Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China, is expected to be a great success, with 200 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and technology in 8,000 square meters of exhibition space.
For the second year in a row, Tire Review serves as the exclusive US media sponsor for CITExpo. Other key media supporters include Tire Review partners Tyres & Accessories and Rubber Asia.
The alloy wheel aftermarket in the UK has seen a number of changes over the past decade many of which are continuing today. If we go back 10 years, the majority of the wheels sold were sold by tyre dealers. Admittedly, not every tyre dealer felt comfortable selling alloys and many shied away from what they perceived as potential technical problems, but for those who did, it was a nice little earner. The market potential was not lost on the Auto Accessory stores and they began to make inroads.
What was worse from the tyre dealers’ viewpoint was that the Auto Accessory stores more often than not offered a wheel and tyre package, so not only was the tyre dealer losing the wheel sale, but the tyre sale as well. One of the people who supplied information for this article – and I pass on my thanks to those who contributed, whether they asked remain anonymous or not – estimated that nine out of 10 Auto Accessory store sales were wheel and tyre packages, with customers either fitting the wheels themselves, or going to local garages for fitment. Apart from the loss of business for tyre shops, fitting tyres at home offers potential for incorrect fitments, wrong sizes and so on.
The National Tyres ‘Branch Manager of the Year 2005’ award has been won by Michael Gough of the Farnborough branch – along with a brand new Mini Cooper. Michael (53) came in top place for branch manager of the year, achieving record sales and receiving excellent feedback for customer service in the branch. Tony Neill, managing director presented Michael with his award.
The Viking tyre range has been extended to include the new Protech II pattern, replacing the current Protech 500. Exclusively available from Viking International, the Protech II’s advanced asymmetric pattern is the perfect combination for wet and dry conditions.
The outer pattern consists of stiff shoulder blocks and two circumferential ribs to ensure lateral stability and precise steering, as well as optimised grip for excellent braking to give all round excellent dry performance. The inner pattern with its combination of numerous block edges and sipes provides superb grip and handling in wet weather conditions.
Radik Ilyasov, CEO of Russian tyre maker Nizhnekamskshina, has described the company’s plans to build a $180 million new truck tyre manufacturing plant. Iiyasov told CentreInvest analysts that the company will build the plant by 2009 and it will be capable of producing 600,000 radial tyres a year. The project will involve foreign participation, either through a JV or via a licensing arrangement. In line with this, Nizhnekamskshina intends to complete its reconstruction of a $180 million rubber mixing line by 2007.
Michelin is reporting that Anglian Water’s decision to switch its tyre procurement policy to Michelin from another mainstream manufacturer has resulted in measurable cost savings of nearly 16 per cent per year and halved the number of tyre related breakdowns.
The company operates a fleet of 49 waste tankers and tippers, comprising a mixture of Volvos and Scanias, which are responsible for moving solid product from sewage works directly to treatment plants across the East of England, stretching from the Humber to the Thames.
(Akron/Tire Review) The RMA has adjusted its projections for 2006, and now expects total US tyre shipments to increase just 1 per cent compared to 2005, instead of the 2 per cent it had predicted back in December. The RMA said that 2006 should show “steady economic growth in the consumer and commercial sectors,” it has downgraded its shipment prediction because of decreases in OE markets. RMA projects continued annualized growth of about 1.7 per cent for total tyre shipments through 2011. Combined 2006 OE and replacement market shipments – passenger and commercial – should increase by 3.8 million units to nearly 325 million tires, up from 2005’s 320.8 million total units, RMA said. By 2011, shipments should reach 352 million tyres.
Former Budget Tyres and Exhausts managing director, Brian Kidd is to take over the running of Sir Tom Farmer’s Farmer Autocare chain. As the new managing director, he is expected to draw up a strategy to raise Farmer Autocare’s growth rate. Currently Farmer Autocare has 13 outlets despite predicting that it would have 20 by spring 2004. Rather than working as Farmer employees, managers are encouraged to invest alongside the tycoon in up to three local branches with a total capital of £100,000 each.
Goodyear and Dunlop truck tyre customers across Europe will shortly benefit from a major improvement in service through the direct delivery of products from the company’s plants in Germany and Luxembourg. Customers will benefit from reliable on-time deliveries, a vital element of successful tyre management planning.
After a modest start to the season, Pirelli and Subaru were back fighting for victory in Mexico. The Japanese manufacturer’s number one driver, Petter Solberg, led for much of the rally before giving way to Sébastien Loeb due to power steering problems after hitting a rock. The result of the third round in the World Rally Championship is, however, more than positive and underlines the rapid improvement in performance and reliability of the Impreza WRC, supported by its P Zero tyres.
Tyre inflation specialist, PCL, has teamed up with Hi-Q to provide a fast and accurate unit for its mobile tyre fitting vans. PCL’s fixed digital tyre inflator unit has so far been installed in 50 of Hi-Q’s nationwide fleet of over 300 – and has already earned an enviable track record amongst its operators as a reliable, timesaving device. Launched in 2002, PCL’s fixed digital unit is designed for depots, tyre shops, fleets, car dealers, and racing outfits that need fast and accurate inflation.
Pirelli’s reputation as a supplier of high performance tyres for some of the world’s most glamorous cars was enhanced by a number of prestigious fitments at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show.
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