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.
From 2013 onwards, the Lotus on Track Racing Drivers Club will use the Avon Motorsport ZZR range as its control tyre. The track day club has signed a three-year tyre supply agreement with Avon Tyres covering its race championships across the UK and Europe. Avon will supply the ZZR for competitors in the Lotus Elise Trophy and the Lotus Cup Europe; during the deal’s first year it will also provide wet weather racing tyres.
The Euromaster Group, the Michelin-owned fast-fit service provider present throughout much of Europe, including in the UK as ATS Euromaster, has announced its entry into the Turkish market. The company says it has taken on 230 passenger car and truck service outlets in Turkey, the 17th European market where Euromaster is active. In total, Euromaster now operates 2,250 fast fit outlets Europe-wide, 790 of which are owned by franchise partners. ATS Euromaster is responsible for more than 380 outlets in the UK.
UK new car registrations rose 11.3 per cent to 149,191 units in November, on the back of increased private demand. The UK new car market has grown 5.4 per cent to 1,921,052 units during the January-November period, putting the full year market on track to be the best since 2008.
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