The new Renault Clio, which uses Bridgestone B250 tyres as original equipment, has been named Car of the Year 2006, beating-off stiff competition to win the prestigious title. The supermini has been redesigned with the striking new shape, a range of responsive engines and the comfortable, spacious and stylish interior clearly impressing the Europe-wide panel of judges.
In 2004 the global tyre market for passenger cars, light, medium and heavy-duty truck applications totalled nearly 1.2 billion, of which 857 million (72 per cent) were replacement tyres. According to a new report published by Research and Markets, the world tyre market is essentially a replacement market in terms of volume and value, with OE sales representing only a small but influential quarter of the market.
Beissbarth is at the forefront of catering for the growing interest in Automated Test Lanes (ATL), says the company’s UK managing director Philip Hodges.
Quality and choice are the watchwords for the Beissbarth Testlane system which features advanced technology pioneered by the company. The range of models SL600, Screen-testline 7000, Screen-testline 7060 and the TL600 have been a huge success in Ireland and are having a significant impact on the developing UK market, says Hodges.
Continental AG will make a decision in the next fortnight about whether to cut 10 per cent of jobs (320 positions) at its tyre factory in Hanover-Stoecken, chief executive Manfred Wennemer told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. “The fact is we have an over-capacity of tyre (production),” Wennemer said. “The costs at Stoecken are higher than at any other plant in Western Europe. We are not talking 10 cents higher, but more than a euro higher per tyre produced,” Wennemer said.
The Sibur-owned Ural Tire Plant Ltd in Yekaterinburg, Russia has launched the production of the new Tunga and Tunga-Master winter tyres. A special rubber mixture with enhanced elasticity is reportedly used in the production of the new generation of branded tyres.
Sibur launched Tunga in March this year alongside its Cordiant passenger tyre brand. The first Tunga tyres will be available in size 175/70 R13, while Tunga Master will be released in 185/60 R14. Several new sizes, including Tunga Master 13 and 15 inch variants are planned for next year.
According to market research conducted by steel manufacturer Corus, the automotive industry is demanding premium quality steel at an unprecedented rate. Much of this demand comes from the Far East and Central and Eastern Europe, where tyre production is increasing at a rapid pace. In China alone, consumption of steel tyre cord has increased by 30 per cent a year since 2001. This year, the market is expected to grow to more than 300,000 tonnes. In response Corus has invested £14 million in rod mill enhancements to boost its ability to produce, handle and distribute these premium steels.
Goodyear unveiled a new farm tyre concept OPTITRAC R+ at Europe’s leading agricultural machinery exhibition, Agritechnica. The R+ is an extension of Goodyear’s OPTITRAC family, the one stop portfolio that meets the majority of farmer’s needs both on the field and the road. According to Goodyear the OPTITRAC R+ increases the performance level for tractor tyres significantly: the tyres can carry up to 31 per cent more load, generate 10 higher traction at lower tyre inflation and operate at speeds up to 65 km/h.
Alcoa has announced a US $83 million (Euro 70 million) investment in its Hungary based operation. The injection will modernise Alcoa-Kofem Ltd, expanding its products capability and related infrastructure, and adding new aluminum wheel production.
Dunlop has launched a new website for motorcycle and car enthusiasts. Injection.tv aims to support Dunlop’s ‘Drivers Know’ brand strategy and offers features such as driving simulation, screensavers, driving tips, as well as the latest ‘must-have’ accessories.
Jose D’Alessandro, director motorcycle tyres for Dunlop Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “The new Injection.tv online concept has been launched with the objective of providing our key audience of motorcycle and car enthusiasts with both excitement and the possibility to chill out. A proposition thus far absent from the world of online motoring.”
Omitec has released a “comprehensive software update” for its OmiScan hand-held diagnostic tool. This Version 10 update includes updated Citroen and Peugeot applications covering engine management, ABS, Airbag and some Climate Control systems. In addition, Omitec has developed coverage for Renault TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) on Laguna II and login ECM and re-coding functions for VAG (Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW) control units.
Avon Tyres has launched Ice Touring, a brand new winter tyre range. Designed to cope with the demands of winter motoring, the Avon Ice Touring range comes in a variety of sizes to fit most small to medium-sized vehicles, from the Vauxhall Corsa to the Volkswagen Golf.
According to the manufacturer, engineers developed the bespoke tread, and high silica content rubber, in some of Europe’s most challenging winter conditions. The end result is a tyre that provides exceptional braking in the snow, grip on ice and resists aquaplaning in the wet. The Ice Touring is the result of an 18-month extensive test programme conducted in the demanding Kaunertal glacier region of Austria. The new range will be available across the UK.
The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd posted a 10.7 per cent increase in operating income, to 4.8 billion yen, in the interim fiscal period ended 30 September. The increase is attributed to a 6.1 per cent increase in net sales, to 201.3 billion yen. Furthermore the company reports that growth in unit sales of tyres and progress in reducing costs more than offset increases in raw-material costs. Leading the sales growth were gains in Yokohama’s tyre operations in North America and in Europe. The company also registered growth in sales of tires in Japan. A decline in income taxes was the chief reason for a 12.6 billion yen increase in net income, to 13.4 billion yen.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire Co saw profits increase 16 per cent in the third quarter, reaching $51 million against sales that rose 7 per cent to about $450 million. The South Korean tyremaker said the results were due to increased sales to automakers and price increases.
“Sales rose as Hankook raised prices of tyres in the US two times this year and once in Europe,” said Suh Min Chul, assistant manager of Hankook’s investor relations department. Hankook Tire, he noted, paid 11 per cent to 15 per cent more for raw materials compared to previous periods.
Bridgestone Europe has opened its first European First Stop “Model Store” in Zaventem, Belgium in the presence of Francis Vermeiren, Mayor of Zaventem; Minekazu Fujimura, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe; and Günther F Unterhauser, senior vice president sales and marketing.
CGS Tyres has presented a new tyre brand for agricultural products at the Agritechnica, exhibition in Hanover. In effect the moves equates to the re-branding of its Uniroyal products under the Semperit moniker. According to CGS, the Semperit brand is characterised in particular by an excellent price/performance ratio.
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