Mercedes-Benz has awarded Continental preferred tyre partner status in China, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This takes effect immediately and is valid until August 2025. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has extended its existing partnership with Continental in the Indian market until August 2024.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company approved “a rationalization plan in Asia Pacific to improve profitability in its Australia and New Zealand operations” on 19 September 2023. The plan exits 100 retail and fleet locations and nine warehouses at the cost of 700 jobs. In other words, it changes the company’s operating model to a third-party distribution and retail sales model instead of a company-owned approach. That specifically means moves such as the recent appointment of National Tyre & Wheel Limited (National) as the exclusive distributor of the Dunlop tyre brand in Australia and New Zealand.
National Tyre & Wheel Limited (National) is to become the exclusive distributor of the Dunlop tyre brand in Australia and New Zealand. Wholly owned subsidiaries of the importer and wholesaler signed agreements with Goodyear and Dunlop Tyres (Aust) Pty Ltd and Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres (NZ) Limited on 20 September.
Goodyear has debuted an evolution of the Wrangler DuraTrac 4×4 tyre that it sells in many markets around the world, including the UK. The improved Wrangler DuraTrac RT is now available in Australia; Goodyear hasn’t yet given word about the tyre’s rollout in other regions.
Teams competing in this year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) will drive on the first motorsport tyres to feature Enliten technology. Furthermore, one of the tyre specifications that Bridgestone custom designed for the 1,860-mile (3,000 km) route through Australia contains 63 per cent recycled and renewable materials.
Effective 1 September 2023, Australia’s RPM Automotive Group Limited is acquiring regional wholesaler and retailer Chapel Corner Tyres. By purchasing this Melbourne-based firm, RPM aims to scale its wholesale tyre division distribution network in the Victoria metro region.
Repairify Australia Holdings Pty Ltd and Capricorn Society Limited have entered into a joint venture agreement to deliver “leading-edge remote automotive repair solutions to repairers across Australia and New Zealand”. Repairify and Capricorn have equal ownership of the joint venture, which will be branded as Repairify and distributed across Australia and New Zealand by Capricorn through the Capricorn Preferred Supplier Network.
Yokohama Rubber has extended its original equipment supply to the Mazda CX-90, the larger sibling of the CX-80 sold in the UK and Europe. Not only is it supplying Yokohama Geolandar X-CV tyres for Mazda CX-90 models sold in the USA, Mazda has also approved the Yokohama Advan V61 as an original equipment fitment for the CX-90 in “Australia and other markets.”
Australia’s National Tyre & Wheel (NTAW) has entered into a strategic alliance with the local Michelin subsidiary as part of a restructuring of its commercial truck and bus fleet tyre business. The Michelin agreement is one of two new initiatives that the tyre distributor has announced.
Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has recognised Bandag as a Circular Economy Collaborator, acknowledging the retreader’s contribution to keeping tyre-derived products and materials circulating in the economy for as long as possible, thereby reducing reliance on raw materials. Announcing Bandag’s induction into the April 2022-launched program, TSA shares that the Bandag process contributes to the association’s vision for a national end-of-life tyre circular economy.
Following twelve months of technology appraisals, meetings with platform developers, due diligence, and alignment of vision and fit, Australia’s Triskel Group has selected end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling technology from UK firm Carlton Forest Group. This partnership will result in a pyrolysis plant being built in Brisbane, with a further five plants following in the next five years.
During March, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., “gradually” launched sales of the new Geolandar A/T XD all-terrain pickup truck tyre in North America and Australia. The Geolandar A/T XD is initially coming out in a range of 16, 17, 18 and 20-inch sizes.
The World Solar Challenge 2023 will take place in October and, following the biennial event’s cancellation two years ago, Bridgestone Corporation returns as title sponsor. Bridgestone views its sponsorship as one that aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
An accolade for Hankook Tire in Australia, with its affiliated tyre distribution brand JAX Tyres & Auto winning in the key ‘Customer Experience of the Year’ category at the Retailer Awards 2023. JAX was recognised for its customer-centric service innovation based on clear key performance indicators and business frameworks.
Kumho has replaced Michelin as control tyre supplier to TCR Australia, adding the race series down under to a touring car championship portfolio that already sees it providing tyres for TCR Europe, TCR South America, TCR Brazil, TCR Spain, TCR Eastern Europe and TCR Denmark. The tyre maker will also supply control tyres for the new in 2023 TCR World Tour.
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