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Michelin Sales 14.2% Down in First Quarter

To call what we have experienced in the first quarter of 2009 a bear market would be something of an understatement. And while in such ursine conditions the 14.2 per cent drop in net sales reported by Michelin is by no means any worse a performance than that experienced throughout the tyre industry, it is safe to say the French manufacturer is eagerly awaiting the next hibernation season.

Group net sales for the three months to March 31 totalled 3.512 billion euros, of which the greatest chunk – 1.946 billion euros – came from the sale of passenger and light truck tyres. Truck tyres accounted for a further 1.006 billion euros, and the company’s specialty tyre business the remaining 561 million euros. All of these segments experienced a year-on-year decline in sales during the quarter; sales of truck tyres, in terms of income, declined 24.2 per cent.

29th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Net Profit Down 52%

Apollo Tyres’ India operations profits were less than half that of last year according to the year-end financial report released today by the manufacturer (April 2008-March 2009). While net sales grew 10 per cent from 36.9 billion to 40.7 billion rupees in the period, operating profit came down to 3.3 billion from 4.7 billion rupees and net profit more than halved from 2.1 billion to 1 billion rupees. Despite the relative gloom of the full year figures, Apollo came closer to matching the January-March 2008 quarterly operating profit in the same period this year, down merely 40 million rupees from 2.14 billion to 2.1 billion. The board of directors recommended a dividend payout of 45 per cent to shareholders.

29th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyrexpo Africa to Add Industry Conference to 2010 Show

Plans for a tyre industry conference held as part of the next staging of Tyrexpo Africa in Johannesburg in March 2010, have been announced by event organisers ECI International. ECI wants to extend the scope and pulling power of the exhibition and has been encouraged to add a conference session by exhibitors and partners in South Africa. The one day conference will focus on key issues in tyre and rubber manufacturing, tyre retailing, developments in technology and the impact of new legislation. Keynote speakers will be drawn from the South African industry, together with major international players. The third staging of Tyrexpo Africa will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 4, 5 and 6 March 2010.

29th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Belshina Boosting its Presence in Canada

Ukrainian tyre manufacturer Belshina is attempting to strengthen its position in the Canadian market. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency reports that Beltyre, Belshina’s export business, has opened an official representative office in Vancouver and from this base will work towards boosting sales through the promotion of tyres best suited to the market.

28th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop to Adjust Its Retread Strategy

There is a new message coming from Goodyear Dunlop regarding its European retread brand and product strategy. The retreaded truck tyre business is now clearly seen as an integral part of the group’s new truck tyre business, and it is thus focusing directly on large and small fleets across the whole of Europe, serviced by a professional dealer network. As part of what is called “Goodyear Retread Technology”, the American Corporations’ European subsidiary will now focus more on the complete concept of offering a cradle to grave philosophy. This concept starts with the development of a new tyre with a high focus on fuel saving, mileage and reliability – in other words, using the company’s “MaxTechnology”. Consequently the usage of special compounds, new designs and new casing construction will allow multiple retreading and offer the lowest cost to the customer, points out Danny Van Essche, retread manager at Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear SA Invests in Production for Export

Goodyear South Africa’s new managing director, Jean-Jacques Wiroth, has announced an R70-million (£5.4 million) investment in the company’s Uitenhage plant at the first major event he has hosted since taking up the post in early April. These funds are earmarked for the launch of new locally produced tyres – the Wrangler AT/SA for off-road use, the DuraGrip passenger car tyre, and the Duramax G22, developed specifically for the taxi market. These tyres will be exported to sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

“We are investing not only in the Uitenhage plant to produce these products, via new machinery, new moulds and various continuous improvement projects, but also in our people and distribution channels through continuous training and development,” said Wiroth.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Sky’s the Limit

Kings Road Tyres, in conjunction with Michelin, has helped a team of British explorers carry out an unlikely journey from London to Timbuktu – not by plane or train, but by flying car. The Parajet Skycar is a road legal version of an off road buggy that can be set up to either drive wheels when on the road or power a rear mounted propeller when it takes to the skies. In flight a large fabric wing gives the Skycar lift whilst the propeller provides the necessary forward thrust.

The Parajet Skycar set off from London at the end of January and travelled down through France and Spain before flying the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco in North Africa. From Morocco the team travelled through the disputed lands of Western Sahara, into Mauritania and across the Sahara to Timbuktu in Mali.

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Bringing the World Cup to Your Mobile

Football fans that can’t get by without their mobile phones will soon be able to gain blessed relief from an online service operated by Continental. The manufacturer is launching a new service that provides news and facts on the Conti sponsored 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Information about tyres and other Continental products will also be available. The website for the company’s German home market has already been launched (http://mobil.continental.de) and Conti says sites for other countries will be introduced in the near future. Additional content is also planned, including a search engine for locating garages, workshops and motorway services.

8th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Wins OE Fitment Contract on Jaguar XFR and XKR

Dunlop has announced that it has been chosen by car maker Jaguar to provide as original equipment the ultra high performance summer tyre Dunlop SP Sport Maxx for both the XFR and the XKR. The new models are the latest additions to the Jaguar line-up, featuring a 375 kW/510 hp supercharged engine and acceleration of 4.8 seconds from 0-100 km/h.

Dunlop states that its tyre’s handling and grip qualities make the SP Sport Maxx an important addition, considering the overall car’s performance. It is noted for its dry handling and its luxury sport vehicle applicability, and is also available in sizes for tuned cars.

8th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BITS Presents Regal and Roadstone Private Brands

Tyre wholesaler BITS ships its private brands Regal – manufactured in South Africa by Dunlop Tyres at its plants in Durban and Ladysmith – and Roadstone – made in Korea by the Nexen Tyre Corporation – from the company’s seven depots across the UK. Each brand contains a wide range of patterns for a number of applications: Regal has a UHP product, a TR-rated passenger tyre and a van tyre, while the Roadstone range features many off-road options, in addition to its road-going tyres.

Dunlop Tyres in South Africa, manufacturer of the Regal brand, is part of the Apollo Group, the Indian Manufacturer. BITS says that the whole range meets the E-Marking, DOT and INMETRO ratings. The flagship of the range is the Premium Comfort, which aims for quiet performance alongside superior handling. The Regal stable also includes a van tyre manufactured with a “Shield” breaker, which provides improved puncture resistance and offers long tread life. The range is completed by the RST 220 manufactured in TR rating and offering excellent wet and dry handling and long mileage. Regal can be ordered exclusively from the sole UK distributor, BITS.

1st April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Manfred Wennemer Nominated to Bekaert Board

Following Julien De Wilde’s decision not to seek re-election to the board of Bekaert, the steel wire manufacturer has nominated ex-Continental AG CEO, Manfred Wennemer as director. The appointment is subject to approval by the general meeting of shareholders, which will take place on 13 May 2009.

Manfred Wennemer was chief executive officer of Continental AG from 2001 until August 2008, when he stepped down at the point that Schaeffler Group’s hostile takeover offer appeared to have reached the point of no return. Wennemer, had previously fought hard for Continental to retain its independence. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Münster, Germany and an MBA from INSEAD Fontainebleau, France.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Middle East

Automechanika Middle East is the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition covering entire UAE, Gulf Countries, wider Middle East and Africa. Automechanika ME 2009 will be held from 31 May–2 June, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE.

Some of the most lucrative export destinations can be reached through the ports of Dubai. Automechanika Middle East is the only platform for the Tyre related companies to target $1.1bn Tyre Industry.

For further information contact:

Jasmeet Bakshi
Show Manager
Automechanika Middle East
Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH
PO Box 26761
Dubai, UAE
Tel. +971 4 3380102
Fax. +971 4 3380041

13th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika ME Sets Venue, Dates

Automechanika Middle East – the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition covering the UAE, Gulf Countries, wider Middle East and Africa – has set its dates for 2009. It will be held from 31 May–2 June, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE. Some of the most lucrative export destinations can be reached through the ports of Dubai, so Automechanika Middle East is set to be a useful platform for companies to target a $1.1bn tyre industry.

More information is available in the “Events” section of Tyrepress.com.

13th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Tyre Exports Decrease 12% Between April & December

A marked decline in vehicle sales worldwide together with tighter import restrictions in some countries is being blamed for a 12 per cent decrease in tyre exports from India in the last three quarters. According to India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), Indian tyre companies exported 2.346 million tyres between April and December 2008, compared with 2.668 million during the same period of 2007. This drop in exports occurred despite a devaluation of the rupee against the US dollar and numerous other major currencies.

3rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Enters Sri Lankan Market

Exports of Apollo Tyres’ products to Sri Lanka have begun following the beginning of a working partnership with local Mitsubishi distributor United Motors. According to the head of International Marketing at Apollo, Rajesh Kumar, the company hopes to export six containers of truck, bus and passenger car tyres to Sri Lanka every month.

2nd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors