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Pessimistic Outlook for US Equipment Aftermarket

In the US the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced the results of a recent member survey showing that suppliers expect business to look a little less than rosy for the automotive aftermarket this year. The results were compiled from quarterly market segment surveys conducted by the three MEMA market segment groups – Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). These member-only industry surveys serve as barometers for the business outlook for the next 12 months.

7th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Fuel Max Joins “Nifty Fifty”

Goodyear’s Fuel Max fuel-efficiency commercial tyre technology, has earned a “Nifty Fifty Award” for best new products in 2007. US Heavy Duty Trucking magazine selected Fuel Max Technology for its “Nifty Fifty Award”, one of 50 new products selected on its “usefulness to the truck operator in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance.” The technology utilizes innovative treads, along with advanced compounds and manufacturing technologies, to help optimize fuel economy while maintaining a low cost-per-mile for fleets and owner-operators.

21st December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Applauds Fuel Efficiency Standards

Alcoa has applauded new vehicle fuel efficiency standards, recently passed in the US House of Representatives as part of a new energy bill. The bill would require 35 miles per gallon fuel average for new domestic vehicles, including SUVs, by 2020 – a 40 per cent increase from current corporate average fuel-economy (CAFE) standards. “Lightweight materials, such as aluminium, play a critical role in making vehicles safer, cleaner and more fuel efficient,” said Kevin Kramer, president, Alcoa Wheel Products. “Light weighting represents one of the most viable options available to carmakers worldwide as they seek to improve the fuel efficiency and environmental performance of their products.”

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres to Spread AIDS Message in December

In addition to being a tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres operates a number of health clinics in India – at present seven are in operation and further establishments are planned. Through this healthcare connection Apollo plans to commemorate World AIDS Day, December 1, 2007, at all its manufacturing locations and clinics through a week-long series of activities.

27th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Eyes Fuel-Efficient Tyres

(Akron/Tire Review) Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced plans to develop more fuel-efficient passenger and light truck tyres. Company officials said that in the near future, Sumitomo will launch new tyres with rolling resistance about half that of existing standard tyres. The planned new radials are expected to improve fuel economy by some 10 per cent, the company said.

24th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

TUV Test: Michelin Tyres Have Longest Life

Michelin car tyres have the longest life according to Auto Express. Tests carried out by independent testing body TUV Sud, and witnessed by Auto Express, compared Michelin tyres with six of their main European competitors. The 15-inch Michelin Energy E3A tyres showed a 35 per cent longer tyre life than the worst performing tyre in the test and a significant 18 per cent advantage over the second best tyre.

26th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Gadsden Plant Plans to Expand

(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. will begin construction next week on a 204,000-square-foot expansion of its 78-year-old plant in Gadsden, Alabama, which company officials say will keep it operating for years to come. The expansion should be finished by the end of the year, and is part of a three-year project to renovate the plant and update its equipment, with an estimated cost of $125 million.

The Gadsden plant, with 2.8 million square feet of floor space, produces light truck, passenger and mini-spare tyres, and has been a dominant manufacturing presence in Gadsden since its opening in 1929. It is the city’s largest employer, with about 1,200 hourly employees, and state and local officials said it was vital to the city’s image and economy to keep it open.

17th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

US Trade Group to Visit Bridgestone HQ

The US state of Ohio is keen to let Bridgestone know that they are welcome in its part of the world. Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Lee Fisher is heading a delegation of almost 50 business and financial development leaders to Japan in order to foster relationships that will create new jobs and investment in the state.

The delegation’s itinerary includes a visit to the headquarters of the world’s largest tyre major. Bridgestone already has a strong presence in the city of Akron and adds much to the local economy. ”Anyone who is here already, we want to thank them for being here and assure them of the state’s commitment to them,” said Carin Rockind from Team NEO, one of the organisations participating in the visit. Rocksin added that if Bridgestone, or indeed any other company, is looking to expand their US presence, ”we want those new investments to come our way.”

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Revised BFNAT Pay Plan Rejected

Workers at the Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire facility in La Vergne voted strongly against a revised contract with the tyremaker on August 23, placing a question mark over the future of the plant and its almost 1,200 non-salaried workers. Employees voted 488 to 225 against a proposal containing provision for an incentive-pay plan linking potential income with productivity.

“We are disappointed. We believe this vote was critical to the plant’s future,” Bridgestone spokesman Dan MacDonald said. “To be successful in a fiercely competitive global economy this plant needs to improve productivity. It is not at a level to make us globally competitive. We don’t set the rules, the marketplace does.” MacDonald added that decisions about the factory would need to be made “down the road.”

President of the local United Steelworkers branch, Gary Manning, said the vote against the contract was no surprise. “Workers didn’t have any real assurances that this would really protect the plant,” Manning said. “The biggest problem here was not knowing what the numbers (would) be, how much these workers would be expected to do and under what terms.”

29th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Tire America Launching New Tyre, Sizes at Truck Show

(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp. plans to unveil its newest medium truck tyre and extensions to existing lines at this week’s Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.

New is the Hankook TL01, a trailer position six-rib radial. Hankook claimed the new tyre delivers low rolling resistance for fuel economy and long life, has multi-angled siping for wet traction, and a groove on the outer rib for irregular wear resistance. The tyre also has stone ejectors to protect against stone drilling.

The TL01 is available in sizes 11R22.5, 11R24.5, 295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5.

Hankook is also adding sizes to existing truck tyre lines, including: AM02 – 445/65R22.5, AM06 – 315/80R22.5 (10,000 lb. load capacity), and AH12 – 275/70R22.5

22nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Truck Tyres Now More Appealing in Nova Scotia

(Akron/Tire Review – Halifax Chronicle Herald) A rule change introduced August 16 by the Canadian province of Nova Scotia will make a double-wide tyre produced by Michelin more attractive to local truckers.

Nova Scotia has increased the weight limit for axles equipped with the new-generation wide-based single tyres to 7,700 kilograms per axle from 6,000 kilograms per axle.

The tyres, called X-One and made by Michelin at its Waterville, Nova Scotia plant, are considerably wider than the older-style single tyres and have been specifically designed to replace dual tyres.

Transportation Minister Angus MacIsaac said the new rules make wide-based single tyres a more attractive option for truckers who want to cut operating costs and energy consumption.

Single wide-based tyres reduce rolling resistance, improve fuel economy and allow truckers to carry additional payload on roads that are capable of handling the increased weight, Michelin claims.

Peter Nelson, executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, welcomes the option. “Next-generation wide-based tyres are to be celebrated for their efficiency and safety,” said Nelson.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Seeks Silver Anniversary Highway Hero

(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is now accepting nominations for its annual Highway Hero Awards – the 25th straight year the tyremaker will recognise the heroic actions of a North American truck driver. Nominations will be accepted through November 30.

To be considered for the award, the nominated driver must be a full-time truck driver; must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada; the incident recognised must have occurred in the U.S. or Canada; the nominee must have been on the job; and the nominee must drive a truck with 14 or more wheels. The incident being nominated must have occurred between November 16, 2006 and November 15, 2007.

“We’re hearing about the brave men and women who make our highways safer and drive our economy,” said Steve McClellan, vice president for Goodyear commercial tyre systems. ”They truly are America’s unsung heroes, and we want to honor them.”

Nomination forms and program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183. Nomination forms are also available at www.goodyear.com/truck/whatsnew/hero.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hendrickson Launches New Automatic Tyre Inflation Unit

US supplier of truck suspension and related equipment, Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems, have introduced a new variation of its automatic tyre inflation system for trailer units. Named the Tiremaax CP (Constant Pressure), the new unit features a more simple design than the original Tiremaax, which has now become known as the Tiremaax EC (Electronic Control).

Both Tiremaax systems draw from the trailer’s air supply to help keep trailer tyres properly inflated. The mechanical Tiremaax CP unit continually checks tyre pressure without pressurising the axle or wheel ends and employs a pneumatic controller to direct air to tyres that fall below a preset pressure level. A signal light illuminates only when attention is required to alert the operator of tyre or system leaks.

The unit’s mechanical design, free from electronics, transducers and pressure switches, allows for easy maintenance of the Tiremaax CP. The CP requires no special tools to adjust tyre pressure settings and operates on either 12- or 24-volt electrical systems.

10th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

TYM International: UK Triangle Truck Tyre Sales up 72%

Tym International has continually improved its truck tyre sales in the last five years, by an average of 41 per cent. This year the company proudly boasts that Triangle brand sales are already up 72 per cent on 2006. Another key part of the company’s offering is its range of Matador truck tyres, which company representatives say can be sold on “name, reputation and quality.” The Matador portfolio starts from the 205/75R17.5 through to 385/65R22.5. The company produces three patterns on most sizes in both drive and steer fitments to meet the needs of customers.
Four years ago, Tym International was invited to discuss importing products produced by the Triangle Tyre Corporation. Like Matador, Triangle’s range is said to be comprehensive to the needs of the UK.

TYM is the only UK company to sign a three-year agreement for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Steve Eke (General Manager) informed Tyres & Accessories: “We at TYM International are continually impressed with the level of commitment Triangle has and with that and the depth of knowledge they have on their products, it is no surprise that the company, indeed the whole of the Chinese economy, is thriving the way it is.”

31st July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Launches New Victra Z4S UHP Tyre

(Akron/Tire Review) Maxxis International USA has introduced the Victra Z4S ultra-high performance tyre, which, Maxxis said, offers handling and traction on wet, dry or snowy surfaces.

The new tyre features a solid centre rib for high-speed stability; silica tread compound for fuel economy and wet and dry traction; reinforced steel belts for high-speed stability and long tread life; multiple snow-biting grooves and “optimal” siping for traction on snowy surfaces; four high-void, circumferential main grooves to expel water; five-pitch tread blocks and two-in-one groove designs for a quiet ride; V-shaped unidirectional grooves for handling on wet and dry roads; Hard bead-filler compound for cornering, acceleration and handling; and reinforced casing and body-ply structure for handling and stability.

10th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors