The Euromaster Group has announced that it is to expand into Portugal, the 16th European country in which it has operations. The Group has a network of 48 locations in the country, and more than 2,000 across the continent. The Group says customers of its UK-based ATS Euromaster stores will be able to access its all-round service options for UK cars, vans and trucks visiting the continent.
The news that the Government intends to go ahead with plans to introduce a charging system whereby foreign operators pay to use UK roads gets the thumbs up from the Road Haulage Association.
Over the summer, Michelin reviewed its capital expenditure programme and 2015 financial outlook. The review followed on from the Group’s interim 2012 earnings performance, which Michelin describes as “robust” and says reflected its strategic vision, competitive strengths and management.
After declining by 7.8 per cent in July, new passenger car registrations in Europe were down by 8.9 per cent in August. Eight months into the year, the downturn reached 7.1 per cent as the EU registered 8,268,642 new cars.
Pirelli has been named world leader in the Autoparts and Tyres sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe indices for the sixth consecutive year, with a score of 86 points compared with a sector average score of 53.
Continental’s employees are on the run – for a good cause. During ContiRunningWeek 2012, which is now underway, around 18,000 Continental employees at 90 sites will set off on runs or walks to raise money for charity. A number of local fundraising activities have been arranged, and Continental Corporation will donate the proceeds from its activities to Welthungerhilfe, a German charity that combats hunger and health issues around the globe.
On 14 September, Titan International announced the proposed issue of up to 6,240,833 new Titan International common shares to Titan Europe shareholders in connection with Titan International’s offer for Titan Europe plc. Under Titan International’s offer, Titan Europe shareholders will receive one new share of Titan International common stock for every 11 Titan Europe shares held. Based on the closing exchange rate of £1=$1.6016 and the closing stock price of Titan International common stock of $20.03 on September 13, 2012, this offer values each Titan Europe share at approximately 113.36 pence and Titan Europe’s fully diluted share capital at approximately £104.8 million. The Titan International offer represents a premium of approximately 15.1 per cent to the closing price of 111.25 pence per Titan Europe share on September 13, 2012.
Japan’s Nikkei newspaper and various Turkish media sources report Sumitomo Rubber Industries intends to invest 40 billion yen (£315 million) in building a tyre factory in Çankiri, about 90 miles from Turkey’s capital Ankara. Construction on the plant is set to start next year and the first phase will be ready in 2014, with further work completed in 2015. Output from the plant will be sold in Europe and the Middle East. No information on planned production capacity has been given.
Maxxis’ range of winter tyres is designed to cope with conditions across Europe, where the manufacturer says they have “proved their reliability”. Designed to disperse snow and deliver improved grip, Maxxis has developed its winter weather tyres with Virtual Intelligent Prototyping technology, engineering them to cope with the most extreme temperatures and slippery surfaces. The range currently includes the MA-PW, the MA-W1, MA-W2 and MA-SPW Wintermaxx range tyres, and the MA-SW Victra Snow tyres.
Following news of his departure from South Korean manufacturer Kumho yesterday, Falken has appointed Matt Smith to lead its activities in the UK and Ireland. Smith brings with him over 15 years’ experience working in the UK tyre industry. Smith is tasked with building sales of Falken’s fresh tyre range that includes five new launches since the start of the year.
Nexen N’Blue HD, South Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen’s European orientated eco-friendly tyre range, came third in the most recent Auto Express ‘Big Tyre Test 2012’. On two assessments (wet handling and curved aquaplaning), the Nexen N’Blue HD came second overall, with the overall result pleasing engineers and managers alike. It was the first time that Nexen Tire has participated in this test.
Hankook is intent on meeting labelling legislation head-on with its latest winter tyre, the Winter i*cept RS. The tyre, designed for small city vehicles up to MPVs is optimised for the moderate climate of Central and Western Europe, the manufacturer says, designed for wet, snowy, slushy and also dry roads. The directional, V-shaped five-rib tread features 14 per cent more kerfs (otherwise known as sipes), which are arranged at lateral angles between 0° in the centre-tread and 15° in the shoulder for greater traction. The tread is wider compared to the previous model, increasing the contact patch. Grip on snow and slush is improved by blocks in a staggered arrangement along the middle of the tread, while corrugated 3D kerfs increase traction and braking performance on all smooth surfaces.
Shanghai-based manufacturer, SD International has introduced winter tyre models across several of the company's established private brands – Pace, Zeta and Maxtrek.
Continental has developed its first winter coach tyre, the HSW 2 Coach. Designed primarily for safety, but with the varying road surfaces involved in coach travel applications, quiet running, comfort and economy also in mind, the tyre, suitable for use on all axles of the coach, uses “intelligent tread pattern design” to provide the characteristics necessary for winter passenger transportation. But the really clever bit is that the tyre has been designed to wear in a way that will make it suitable for continued use when spring arrives.
On 5 September Michelin updated its tyre market statistics, and reported a four per cent year-on-year upswing in Europe’s (including Russia and Turkey) original equipment passenger car tyre market for July 2012. Year-to-date, however, the segment market is still down three per cent. A six per cent decline was reported for Europe’s replacement market passenger car tyre business. Replacement sales are down ten per cent year-to-date.
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