Techking made its fifth appearance at Reifen in 2014, with a stand in Hall 3 showing its OTR, TBR and PCR tyre lines. In the OTR segment Techking displayed its Generation II Proadt, Etcrane and Snowking products. The company says that longevity has been the key improvement for its Generation II products; the tyres can now reach 90 per cent of that of a tier one brand tyre, Techking claims, adding up ultimately to a lower total cost of ownership.
The Aeolus stand at Reifen 2014 highlighted the brand’s significant development in various European markets over the last year, with a well-proportioned stand in Hall 3 for the first time. Director of EU and CIS, Chen Lei told Tyrepress that the brand has been promoting its European business with an emphasis on shows in 2014.
A recent study by tyre manufacturer Kumho reveals some worrying statistics about UK car owners. About a third of motorists rely on their annual MOT to discover mechanical faults and to reassure them that their car is fit for use.
London’s largest private minicab firm will fit Michelin tyres to its entire fleet following a three-month test on eight of its vehicles. Addison Lee previously used mid-range tyres on its 4,700 vehicles, which include such models as the Ford Galaxy and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Fleet Manager Rob Daniels explained that the longevity of Michelin-brand tyres had convinced him to make the change.
Falken Tire Corp., a unit of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., will phase out the Ohtsu brand name for commercial tyres in the US market, Tire Review reports. The company will re-introduce it to the market as an associate brand for its passenger and light truck tyre lines. US distribution of Ohtsu CV tyres, a fellow Sumitomo brand, was brought under the control of Falken Tire Corp. in 2009.
Bridgestone has appointed Wim Belckx as its new north region consumer marketing manager. Now based in Leamington, the 34 year-old, originally from Belgium, has worked his way up the Bridgestone ladder since his first job as a marketing analyst at BSEU in 2003. Belckx takes up his position having headed Brussels’ newly created pricing department in 2010.
Volkswagen has delivered nearly two million passenger cars in the first four months of 2014, setting a new record for the period. 1.99 million vehicles were handed over to customers in the period to April, representing an increase of 4.6 per cent (January-April 2013: 1.91 million). Christian Klingler, board member for sales and marketing for the Volkswagen Group, attributed the success to “good sales developments in China and Europe” and “sustained high demand” for heritage products such as the Golf, now in its seventh generation.
Following the news of two new commercial vehicle tyre releases and another European show debut at Reifen 2014, GT Radial has announced that it will complete its new product line-up with a van and a car tyre too. Designed for the growing heavy duty, high speed van market, GT Radial will officially launch the Maxmiler Pro in Essen while revealing their new PCR tyre, designed for “all-round, premium comfort”.
Finland’s Nokian Tyres Group has reported a year-on-year decline in sales, operating profit and earnings during the first quarter of 2014. Despite a growth in sales volumes, currency devaluation – particularly in the Russian rouble – led to net sales between 1 January and 31 March declining 6.3 per cent to €311.9 million. Operating profit for the period was €68.4 million, 10.4 per cent below the same period a year earlier, and profit for the period amounted to €38.7 million, a year-on-year drop of 39.1 per cent. Earnings per share came to €0.29 as opposed to €0.48 a year earlier.
In response to volatility in the European truck tyre market, a segment that remains 23 per cent below its 2007 historic peak, this morning Michelin announced the planned closure of its truck tyre plant in Budapest, Hungary. Alongside such market factors, Michelin says the facility, acquired as part of its purchase of Taurus Rubber in 1996, is located in an urban area and cannot be further expanded; any other measures to improve its competitiveness would require what Michelin considers an “excessive” upgrade with new equipment. The closure will see the loss of 512 jobs.
Sumitomo tyre brand Falken’s European team will present its largest and most diverse range of road tyres ever, highlighting its recent innovations in product development technology. Highlights from the range – encompassing car, SUV and commercial vehicle tyres – will include the first public presentation of both the new Azenis FK453 Run-Flat tyre and energy efficient Sincera SN832 EcoRun tyre, launched at Ascari in spring 2014.
Maxxis will launch its highly anticipated Energtra MEco3 at Messe Essen’s Reifen 2014. The new passenger car tyre comes with an enhanced contact patch for improved handling and wet performance. Maxxis has described its “steely determination to maximise every opportunity that presents itself” at Reifen 2014. The manufacturer’s senior management and research and development teams will be present in order to make the most of having access to so many new and existing customers in one place over the course of the four-day event.
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (YAS) has reported that it has reduced its tyre spend by approximately 20 per cent eight months after ATS Euromaster was appointed to service the Trust’s fleet.
Federal Tyres has announced its intention to showcase and celebrate its 60th anniversary at Reifen 2014. The Taiwanese manufacturer will display a full range of PCR product lines, which includes UHP, SUV, and winter tyres, as well as its extensive motorsport selection.
Taiwanese manufacturer Nankang (Hall 3, 3B27) has announced its plans to introduce three new tyres designed for European conditions from its stand at Reifen 2014. Targeting different functions and applications, the UHP AS-2, eco-tyre NA-1 and all-season N-607+ will “provide comprehensive capabilities without compromising in comfort,” according to the manufacturer. In addition to the new products, Nankang will shine a spotlight on the ECO-2+, “the first tyre produced in Taiwan to be awarded a TÜV performance mark” the company states, at the exhibition.
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