Two further companies have announced higher prices for their North American customers. As of 1 April Goodyear will increase prices on all its consumer and commercial tyres by up to six per cent. The increase impacts all original equipment and replacement market Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly brand tyres sold in the US and Canada.
The comparative tests conducted by German publications carry a lot of weight within the European tyre industry, and therefore manufacturers are keen to spread the word when their products are evaluated favourably. Motorwelt, the magazine distributed to all members of the motoring organisation ADAC, evaluated two sizes of summer passenger car tyre and one 4×4 tyre in its March 2012 edition. Apollo Tyres has already shared news of its 3G Maxx’s performance in the 165/70 R14T class; now Bridgestone reports a strong finish for its Turanza T001 in the size 205/55 R16V category.
The UK’s largest motorcycle and scooter tyre wholesaler, Cambrian Tyres, has just released its 2012 price catalogue – a whopping 192 page tome that list the full ranges available from Avon, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Metzeler, Michelin and Pirelli, as well as a full selection of inner tubes and accessories. Completely re-written for 2012, the price list also features an enlarged fitment guide to aid dealers in selecting the correct size tyres for almost 2,500 different motorcycles.
Octavian Velcan has been appointed managing director of the Goodyear Dunlop Off the Road tyre business for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Velcan will report to Michel Rzonzef, recently-appointed vice president of the Goodyear Dunlop Commercial Business Unit EMEA, which includes the truck tyre, OTR tyre and farm tyre business and customer support services.
Richard Johnson has been appointed Dunlop Motorsport’s sales and product manager, Motorcycle Tyres. The role will cover product management, pricing and strategic planning for its motorcycle range. Steve Male, manager, Motorcycle Motorsport Europe stated: “We are delighted that Richard is able to progress into this role. His appointment brings the knowledge gained in some of the world’s most competitive racing environments and gives us the opportunity to benefit from his vast experience as we grow our motorsport business.”
The UK replacement motorcycle tyre market has been in the doldrums for a couple of years now, which is a shame because, as Bike Tyrestore managing director Peter Smith opines, this past year has been punctuated by outstanding products from all manufacturers. And despite the promise of key new introductions, such as the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20, Smith notes that opinions are mixed as to which way the market will go in 2012.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has expanded its portfolio of Dunlop brand truck tyres with the new Dunlop SP348. The all-position steer tyre is designed for regional fleet, school bus, and pickup and delivery applications. It has a deep tread for increased longevity, a rugged casing design, enhanced shoulder ribs and stone ejectors in grooves.
Dunlop India’s management plans to restructure its Ambattur, Chennai plant, currently closed after labour disputes and a worsening financial situation, under its Falcon Tyres associate company. The truck and bus tyre plant reopened in October 2009 after similar issues had forced it to halt production.
Goodyear Dunlop has promoted Romanian staff members, Alina Mihaescu and Daniel Matei to regional management positions. Alina Mihaescu was appointed commercial marketing manager central and south-eastern Europe (CSEE) starting from January of this year and Daniel Matei is now the trade marketing & customer training manager for CSEE.
The latest tyre tests produced by German motoring association ADAC, in partnership with OAMTC (the Austrian equivalent) were dominated by tyres produced by Continental. But there were also surprisingly strong performances from emerging and second line brands such as Apollo and Barum set against a disappointing result for Infinity.
Dunlop India has announced the suspension of operations at its Ambattur, Chennai facility because of unrest in its workforce. The decision was taken after workers “practically resorted to illegal strike”, and management staff failed to report to work, fearing for their safety, according to local news sources. Dunlop India’s management say that despite a 2009 agreement with the Dunlop Factory Employees’ Union to bring down production cost to the minimum level at the plant, the union had manipulated attendance and payroll, causing the plant to incur heavy losses. While the plant is closed workers will not be paid, concludes the company.
There was a time when four-wheel drive vehicles were direct descendants of hard-nosed ‘working’ and agricultural vehicles – so the choice of suitable tyres was pretty straightforward. These days, though, drivers are faced with what can be a bewildering array of specialist tyres for specific types of 4×4 and SUV – and for an ever-widening range of applications – which makes it challenging for the retailer to stock the answer to every request they’re likely to hear from their 4×4 customers. Stapleton’s seeks to answer these questions with what it describes as one of the widest ranges of on and off-road 4×4 tyres available.
Goodyear Dunlop has launched a new web-based Fuel Efficiency Calculator, modelling the conditions under which Europe’s road haulers operate to predict the effect tyre choice, investments in driver training, and various aerodynamic retrofit solutions will have on fuel bills and companies’ environmental credentials. The calculator was developed alongside Panteia/NEA, which provided detailed market information from across Europe for increased accuracy. It is available free of charge to any European fleet operator or interested person.
At the end of February Dunlop announced the launch of its Sport Maxx Race and Sport Maxx RT products at Spain’s Ascari Race track. Designed to help some of the world’s fastest cars perform, Dunlop says the Race iteration will fit key models such as the Mercedes SLS and C63 AMG Black Series, Audi’s TT RS and R8, the Porsche 911 GT3 and the BMW M5. The RT is aimed at original equipment manufacturers that are introducing 17” and 18” rims ahead of 16”; the Sport Maxx RT is the brand’s attempt to capitalise on the market expansion in these sizes on leading performance brands such as Audi, Maserati, Mini, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes AMG.
Michelin is running a competition through its Facebook page to find motorsport fans’ favourite British racing circuits. Respondents have the chance to win VIP tickets to Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) events held at their nominated circuits, where the Michelin supplied Formula Renault UK and Renault Clio Cup will take place.
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