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SRI Increasing Tyre Prices in Global Markets

SRI Tire Trading Ltd. has announced that prices for its Dunlop, Falken, Sumitomo and Ohtsu brand tyres are increasing in numerous markets. The price increases take effect in November, however Sumitomo Rubber comments that the exact date will vary from country to country. The planned price increases apply to the passenger car, light commercial vehicle, truck and motorcycle tyre segments and will take place in Europe, North, Central and South America, Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Near and Middle East.

20th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Steven Zhou Named New Cooper Chengshan General Manager

Chuck Taylor’s time in the role of general manager at Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Co. Ltd. (CCT) is drawing to a close, and Cooper Tire has named his successor. On December 11, new general manager Steven Zhou will take over responsibility for planning, directing and coordinating the manufacturing operations at CCT. Zhou will report directly to Asian Operations Vice President and General Manager Allen Tsaur.

19th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Reflects on Successful Market Debut in China

In general, the largest names in the tyre industry are not present at the China International Tire Expo. This year, however, one of the leading global tyre manufacturers brought its extensive range to CITExpo in Shanghai: Cooper Tire & Rubber. Since the establishment of two joint ventures in China the US based tyre company has also become a leading player in this particular market. As Cooper vice president and general manager for Asia Allen Tsaur emphasised when talking with Tyres & Accessories at CITExpo, the company wants in future to even more heavily focus upon the local Chinese market.

16th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Hikes US Cinturato P5 and P4 Four Seasons Prices 10%

In the US, Pirellli is raising the prices of its US P4 Four Seasons and Cinturato P5 tyres by 10 per cent, effective 1 November 2009. According to the company, the move is a result of “market pressures created by the recent tariff on Chinese consumer tyre imports” as well as increased rubber and raw material costs.

Pirelli Tire North America’s price increase is the first move from the premium sector in response to the recent Chinese import tariff and suggests that, directly or indirectly, the tariff has an effect throughout the market. Pirelli previously said that only very small shipments of certain specific products would be direcly affected by the tariff and that its influence was “not material.”

15th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Global Campaign to Highlight Advantages of Michelin Rubber

Michelin’s first ever global advertising campaign got underway on October 6. The new campaign’s theme – “The right tyre changes everything” – is intended to illustrate the competitive advantages of Michelin tyres in media outlets around the world. The French manufacturer states it decided to launch what it calls an “unconventional” global campaign as a response to today’s increasingly competitive business environment.

7th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Confirms it is Considering 6th Production Facility

When Hankook executives announced details of their plans to expand production at the company’s Dunaujvaros, Hungary factory earlier in September, the Financial Times reported that either an Indian or Malaysian plant are next on the list. In answer to Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com questions, Calvin Pak, Hankook team manager corporate communications, explained that these countries are indeed being considered, but that sites in Mexico and Brazil are also being looked into. Acquisitions of existing plants or companies are also said to be an option. However, no final decisions have yet been made.

28th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hamilton Meets Club Rainbow in Singapore, Hosted by Bridgestone

Bridgestone has been showing that its involvement in Formula One stretches beyond the supply of rubber on race days; the manufacturer hosted an event in which eight of the disadvantaged children of Singapore’s Club Rainbow met up with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton. Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a registered charity committed to helping children and youths suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Established in 1992, the charity currently supports more than 470 beneficiaries and their families.

25th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli to Build Emissions Filter Plant in China

International News, News

In mid-September Pirelli demonstrated its commitment to reducing vehicle emissions in China through the signing of two agreements. On September 15 the Italian firm, along with the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection signed a protocol agreement on the distribution of diesel vehicle emission reduction technologies in China. Pirelli also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hixih Group to set up a filter manufacturing plant in Shandong Province.

25th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Previews Singapore Grand Prix

Following recent revelations about last year’s inaugural Singapore night race, the spectacle of Formula One’s visit to the country has been somewhat tarnished retrospectively. This weekend will see the sport return to the site of Nelsen Piquet Jr.’s act of, allegedly forced, hara-kiri with undoubtedly a similar sense of occasion. Hopefully this year, the drivers will live up to the show put on by the organisers, whose number includes Bridgestone, the Championship’s official tyre supplier, which will bring its soft and super soft Potenza tyres.

24th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ANRPC Annual Conference Looks “Beyond the Crisis

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is hosting its Annual Rubber Conference on 4 November 2009 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This year’s conferences’ theme is: “Beyond the Crisis: Emerging Asia and Opportunities for Natural Rubber.” Hosted by the Government of Vietnam, this one-day Conference will have three sessions followed by a panel discussion. The conference is being held in conjunction with the ANRPC’s assembly session and committee meetings to be held in the same week.

24th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Realigns Global Operations

As of September 1 Hayes Lemmerz International has realigned its global operational sites into three regions. According to company president and COO Fred Bentley, "The purpose of the realignment is to become more strategically focused in the operation of the business by aligning the organisation into specific regions. This realignment allows us to continue our global focus on the customer base while creating additional efficiencies from the functional support groups. This is a great move for our business and allows us to continue to develop our future leaders." Mustafa Zaim, managing director of Turkish Operations, will continue in his present role as managing director and will also assume the additional responsibilities coordinating Global Materials management as well as act in an advisory capacity to the EAAP region on operational matters. Zaim will continue to report to Mr. Bentley.

21st September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Looks to Score in Thailand Market

International News

Looking to capture 5 per cent of Thailand’s tyre market within three years, Continental AG opened its first official sales office in Bangkok. “Within the next two, three years we hope to have captured 5 per cent of Thailand's tyre market, and within five years we will be among the top five brands here,” stated Benoit Henry, vice president of marketing for Continental’s Asia-Pacific region. Thailand has a local market of about six million tyres per year. Continental currently has two tyre plants in Malaysia that can service Thailand, but Continental may consider building a local plant there. (Tire Review)

15th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reports: Hankook to Build Indian or Malaysian Factory

Hankook executives are reportedly planning to build a new tyre production facility in either India or Malaysia. The news follows the announcement that Hankook is investing 230 million euros in increasing output at its Dunaujvaros, Hungary factory to 10 million tyres a year. Speaking to the Financial Times, Hankook executive Calvin Pak explained that the company’s next phase of expansion would be in south Asia “for example in India or Malaysia.” There was even talk of a North American plant “in the longer term.” Calvin Pak reportedly explained that Hankook’s competitive advantage over European manufacturers was that it had won quality accolades but remained “more affordable thanks to less of a brand premium.”

11th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Truck Tyre Replacement Market is Weathering the Storm

In the midst of some of the worst falls in Europe truck tyre production in a decade, opinions about the short and medium term prognosis for the segment remain divided. But while the research available fails to offer conclusive answers to the question of whether or not the truck tyre market has yet “bottomed out”; and fails to clearly indicate whether or not it is yet in recovery mode, there are signs that the worst is over. Looking at the SMMT’s UK commercial vehicle registration figures is a depressing place to start, but it reflects how bad the situation has been up till now. This data shows that there were just 309 3.5 – 6 tonne truck registrations (-35.89 per cent) in August; 7,531 3.5 tonne van registrations (-34.56 per cent); and 1546 heavy truck registrations (-46.49 per cent). Year-to-date registrations aren’t any better and are currently -43.88 per cent, -21.79 per cent and -44.59 per cent for each of those three segments at 203,117; 5,669 and 32,263 registrations respectively. According to SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt, not only are the truck and van markets “dogged by weak demand,” but the outlook is that “van and truck registrations will stabilise at around 45 per cent down” compared with 2008.

9th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Emilio Bolla Takes Over at Marangoni China.

Emilio Bolla has been appointed general manager of Marangoni Group’s Shanghai branch. Marcello Gambarini, who held this position throughout the company’s initial exploration, will now return to Italy, where he will continue to supervise activities in China and follow the group’s development in Asia. According to a company statement, Bolla previously worked as a project product manager, a sales & marketing manager and as a general manager, acquiring “profound knowledge of the Chinese market.”

8th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors