car tyres Archives - Page 95 of 122

MAI Sees Positive Results From Chinese Takeover

Since the Italian MAI Group acquired the OTR assets of China’s Shandong Jinyu Tire Co. Ltd. one and a half years ago, a few developments have occurred at the company's new production site. According to Ian Thomas, the Italian OTR tyre specialist’s head of sales and marketing, over the last 18 months production technology at the Dongying (Shandong Province) site has reached European levels. Investments have been made in shearography equipment and today in China the company is able to examine 100 per cent of the tyres it produces before delivery. Furthermore, MAI has placed several of its own top people into the acquired factory’s management, and the majority of engineers in its R&D department come from Turkey, where the Mai-Group already operates its second factory. Equally positive are the developments made in the compound used in China. “We are a European tyre manufacturer with a factory in China,” clarified Ian Thomas – the company, it would seem, has nothing in common with the “usual suspects” in China.

20th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Aufine Presents an Extended Truck Tyre Range

Ever since the Aufine Group owned factory in Dongying, Shandong Province entered operation in 1986, it has specialised in truck tyres. Nevertheless, the company has considered broadening its range. As general manager David Sun explained during the CITExpo exhibition, Aufine – whose name was chosen due to its phonic similarity to the words “all fine” – has recently mulled over the idea of a passenger car tyre factory. According to Sun, Aufine calculates an RMB 700 million investment (£63.6 million) is required to establish a planned factory capable of producing five million passenger car tyres per year. These plans, admittedly, have been laid on ice indefinitely due to the global recession. If and when the Aufine Group finally presses ahead is a decision heavily dependent upon the future development of global markets, not least the US market. Should the decision be made to press ahead with the new factory, the company’s aim is to produce “high quality tyres in China,” David Sun emphasises.

16th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Reflects on Successful Market Debut in China

News

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%

News

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

India Drops Investigation into Chinese Tyres

News

The Xinhua News Agency, China’s official press service, reports the country’s Ministry of Commerce “appreciates” India’s decision to terminate a trade investigation into Chinese manufactured passenger car tyres. According to Xinhua, a statement on the ministry’s website says the decision “decision would not only help boost the steady development of bilateral trade ties, but also benefit the downstream businesses of India.”

12th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Announces Next Generation Dunlop Run-Flat

News, Premium

The development of a fourth generation run-flat tyre has been announced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The Japanese firm reports its proprietary ‘Thermal Control Technology’ has been utilised to produce the new run-flat, and it says this technology provides excellent ride comfort equivalent to or better than a standard tyre while maintaining its run-flat performance. Sumitomo reports that following a loss of tyre pressure, motorists using this fourth generation run-flat are able to travel 2.3 times further than with the previous generation tyre.

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12th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Fairs Well in Consumer Reports Tests

News

US based publication Consumer Reports has rated four Michelin tyres the top spots in North American market all-season (S and T speed ratings) and performance all-season tyres (H and V speed ratings), and winter categories in the magazine's November issue. Each of the four Michelin models received an "Excellent" rating. The Michelin tyres bested tests of 69 models – the largest group ever tested by Consumer Reports. That includes all-season and winter passenger car and SUV tyres.

6th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Excellent Turnout for 80th NTDA Annual Dinner and 2009 TAFF Awards

Company News

Around 400 guests filled the Deansgate Suite at the landmark Manchester Hilton Hotel to celebrate the 80th NTDA annual dinner and the 2009 Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) awards ceremony. The event, held on the evening of 23 September, saw the industry’s brightest and best gather to celebrate the successes of an industry that is determined to tough out the recession. The turnout alone spoke volumes about the attitude of the business’ leaders, with NTDA chairman Peter Gaster’s speech highlighting the challenges and successes of the industry; and the TAFF awards themselves recognising the achievements of companies within the business. This year’s event was sponsored by ECI International (the organisers of Brityrex, Tyrexpo Asia, Tyrexpo Africa and now Tyrexpo India); well known logistics firm DHL and Tyres & Accessories (and website tyrepress.com), the industry’s leading tyre trade publications. The TAFF awards themselves were compered by Mark Harrison on behalf of ECI International and after dinner entertainment was provided by Ian Irving.

Following the publication of 20,000 voting slips by Tyres & Accessories and the NTDA, and after hours of dedicated vote-counting, the 2009 awards were presented to successful candidates with tyre industry equivalent of “the red carpet treatment.” The fifth NTDA TAFF Awards also differed from previous competitions as it was the first time online voting had been included. In addition to the awards decided by the normal one industry member one vote system, and the NTDA nominated chairman’s award, 2009 saw the introduction of an expert judging panel to decide this year’s innovation award. The panel was made up of the representatives from associations and trade publications including NTDA, TIF, GEA and Tyres & Accessories. And now the results…

1st October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Market is Ripe for Korean Tyre Makers

International News, News, UK News

2009 could be a breakthrough year for the Korean tyremakers. A collection of circumstances (some clearly the result of famed Far Eastern forward planning, and others distinctly more fortuitous), mean Kumho, Hankook and Nexen have found themselves poised to sell increasing numbers of replacement tyres in the UK and Europe. In addition, their successful efforts in the OE department – ironically helped along by the shaky macro-economic environment – mean this perfect storm of variables could leave the Korean manufacturers in an even stronger position when the dust settles. In the UK, a market where mid-range and economy tyres make up around 60 per cent of unit sales, official figures show that 4.7 million passenger car tyres of South Korean origin were imported last year. However, this cannot be the complete total because it only includes tyres imported from factories actually situated in South Korea. Owing to the fact that all three have significant manufacturing presences in China, and tyres often enter the market by “indirect routes,” it is likely the true total is a lot more.

30th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Auto Bild Impressed with Hankook Tyre Test Winner

News

Hankook’s Optimo 4S was named the champion of Auto Bild’s major All-Season Tyre Test, with testers noting the tyre’s “absolutely impressive all-round talent.” The all-weather specialist was named the overall winner, having taken first place in five individual categories, and won the label of “Exemplary” over the rest of the competition. Like last year, the Auto Bild editorial desk confirmed that the Optimo 4S delivers peak performance in categories including braking, traction on wet surfaces and hydroplaning. The tyre also received special praise for having the lowest rolling resistance in the test, beating all of its competitors. The company was keen to stress this aspect of the test most in its press release after the award, saying that, in the vehicle segment tested – exemplified by the Ford Fiesta –fitment of its tyres could lead to average savings of more than 50 litres of fuel and 120 kg of CO2 over the life of the tyre.

29th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Basks in Auto Express Test Win

News, Premium

Continental is rather pleased to have Auto Express magazine declare its ContiPremiumContact 2 the winner in this year's summer tyre comparative test. In their summary, the Auto Express tyre testers stated "The Continental is the best all-round summer tyre you can buy." Twelve tyres in the popular 205/55 R 16 size, all fitted to an Audi A3, featured in the test.

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25th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Targets TV to Showcase Brand

News

Marangoni has teamed up with premier drag venue Santa Pod Raceway and experienced TV production house Pulse 8 Media to create two unique ‘magazine’ style car shows that will be airing throughout the latter half of the year on both Eurosport and Motors TV channels on the digital platform.

Investing significantly in the move, Marangoni and Santa Pod Raceway acquired no less 36 hours of broadcast time for two shows that showcased their ‘Marangoni Fast Show’ and ‘Marangoni Ultimate Street Car’ sponsored events. The programmes show every aspect of the events from the ubiquitous racing, to the nightlife and lifestyle elements that proved so popular with the capacity crowds. Naturally, Marangoni branding, demo cars and products are liberally sprinkled throughout.

22nd September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Gears up for Winter

News

The Marangoni Group research centre is located in Rovereto, Italy, at the foot of the Alps, where snow covered and icy roads plus below-zero temperatures are normal for many weeks of the year. According to Marangoni, everyday driving experience in these conditions acts an additional tool available to the engineers who design its winter tyres. As a result, the company reports its expertise and skills in producing tyres that work well in the conditions they were designed for are greatly enhanced. Exploiting their experience, engineers at the Marangoni Car Tyre research centre have designed and developed a range of tyres that covers all car segments. This line-up is divided into series suited for continental European climates and the harsher winters of northern Europe.

21st September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone unveils Ecopia EP150

News

Bridgestone has released the latest product in its Ecopia range of environmentally friendlier tyres. The Ecopia EP150 was released at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and the manufacturer notes the new tyre meets the “challenging and previously contradictory objective” of combining safety in wet conditions with reduced rolling resistance.

21st September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Tyres Offer Slush-Planing Protection

News

Nokian has introduced new sizes of two "green" high performance winter tyres, which the company says are its safest yet – the WR G2 and, for SUVs, the W RG2 SUV. The WR G2, says Nokian, is particularly effective against "slush-planing" and aquaplaning and offers a shorter braking distance in the wet as well as improved snow grip. Its eco credentials include reduced fuel consumption, thanks to the tyre's reduced rolling resistance, plus it has a longer tread life. Three new 15" and 16" sizes have been added to the WR G2 range, which now comprises 67 sizes for rims from 14" to 20" and speed ratings from T to W.

17th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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