Dunlop says it has completed its current touring segment offering with the introduction of the StreetSmart. This new range, which was introduced on 1 January, has been specifically designed to meet the fitment needs of classic bikes, targeting a market that is growing year-on-year.
Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi has extended his agreement with Bridgestone Europe to act as motorcycle tyre development adviser. As under the previous agreement, Rossi and the tyre maker will work together to, in Bridgestone’s words, “promote the passion of motorcycling to bikers and enthusiasts throughout Europe, directly supporting the Bridgestone ‘track to street’ concept.” Rossi will act alone as a professional rider; his MotoGP team and sponsors are not involved in the deal.
The fact that Matteuzzi Srl has always been focused on international markets means that the company has no fear of the current financial crisis. While many Italian companies have pursued internationalisation in recent years as a lifeline out of the difficulties of the internal and European markets, Matteuzzi has been working this way since the early 1970s, making it a key part of its business. Today, with communications even easier thanks to the internet, the Bologna-based company exports 95 per cent of its production and offers customers an English-language website.
As tyre pressure monitoring systems become obligatory at the OE level throughout Europe, Tech Europe reports that it is offering what it says is “the most comprehensive range of TPMS products in Europe today, and a TPMS programme recently nominated for the ‘Product Innovation’ award at the annual NTDA TAFF Awards.”
Continental has commented on the selection of the ContiWinterContact TS850 as one of Auto Express magazine’s Editor’s Choice 2012 products. Peter Robb, brand manager at Continental said: “We are delighted to have been commended by Auto Express. The ContiWinterContact TS850 has taken the winter market by storm. In a string of tyre tests in Europe, the tyre has consistently beaten the best to take top spot. This award from Auto Express is another testament to its outstanding performance.”
Late last year Goodyear Dunlop introduced PrecurePro, a further development of its commercial vehicle tyre retreading programme. The tyre maker describes PrecurePro as a “comprehensive range of pre-cure retreading solutions that reduce vehicle operating costs and support retreading partners and fleets.” The ultimate goal of PrecurePro, it adds, is to give partners the required edge in a competitive market.
After four years as president of Kumho Tire North America, J.B. Kim is to return to Korea and head up the company’s original equipment sales division and Korean market replacement sales division. The position left vacant by Kim in the US will be filled by Hai Eok "Harry" Choi.
Following recent claims of label ‘falsification’ by Germany’s AutoBild, the Europe-based supplier of the tyre brand in question has commented on the issue. A statement released by Belgian wholesaler Deldo, whose Imperial private brand was singled out by AutoBild as being the first case of label falsification, indicates that the tyres involved were produced before 1 July 2012 and therefore were neither labeled by the Chinese manufacturer nor Deldo. The wholesaler believes the label found on the tyres may have been added by a tyre dealer in Germany.
German publication “AutoBild” reports it has uncovered the first case of sham tyre labelling. Shortly before Christmas, AutoBild posted news that “the first falsification has found its way from China to Europe.” According to AutoBild, a range of tyres produced by a particular Chinese manufacturer feature a label bearing a wet braking pictogram that differs from the one approved for use with the EU tyre label. Other aspects of the label that was used, including size, colour and form, are also unrepresentative of the label approved under EU regulations.
At its Capital Markets Day earlier this month, Swedish firm Trelleborg outlined a new organisational structure. As of 1 January 2013, the Trelleborg Group will be divided into five business areas; Trelleborg Coated Systems, Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Offshore & Construction, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Wheel Systems. The company says the new arrangement makes for a “more focused” organisational structure.
The Škoda Citigo will roll off the production line fitted with Falken Tyres’ Sincera SN831A Ecorun. The Japanese tyre manufacturer has been increasing its OEM business this year, including deals to supply the tyre to the Seat Mii and the Volkswagen Up!, as well as having its Eurowinter HS449 winter tyre approved for Polo fitment, making this the fourth VW Group vehicle to run on Falken tyres as standard since June 2012. Falken supplies a 165/70R14 81T tyre to the Czech manufacturer.
Nexen Tyre Europe GmbH has appointed Joo Ho Song as its new president. Song has reportedly already started carrying out “a comprehensive package of measures, focusing on Nexen’s ambitious goals in Europe and implementing relevant strategies quickly.” The measures include increasing personnel at the European headquarters in Eschborn.
Bridgestone has expanded its new motorcycle tyre website across Europe with the addition of six new country versions and eight new languages. The site was launched in June 2012 in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, with content adapted to Europe’s five largest markets. As of 1 December the site has been available in a total of 13 languages, with Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish added to the initial five languages. At the same time, specific product-related country versions have been added for Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Ireland.
On 1 March Bridgestone will launch its latest sport touring range in Europe. The Battlax Sport Touring T30 radial will be marketed in ten front and 13 rear sizes. The Japanese manufacturer says the Battlax Sport Touring T30 is a “premium brand steeped in technology refined through the company's development of MotoGP race tyres” and is intended for use on medium to large motorcycles.
Hankook Tire is tweaking its global management team. Soo Il Lee, who is currently president of Hankook Tire America, will as of 1 January take on the position of president and COO of Hankook’s China regional headquarters. The person he’s replacing, Byeong Jin Lee, has been appointed Soo Il Lee’s successor in the US-based position.
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