European supplies of Federal Tyres’ Formoza AZ01 are expected to begin in December when long-time Federal customer, Van den Ban Autobanden, receives the first Europe-bound container load. Federal reports the Netherlands-based wholesaler’s first order of size 225/50R17 98W XL and 225/55R17 101W XL Formoza AZ01 tyres has been dispatched from its Jiangxii plant in Nanchang, China.
Reuters and Marketwatch have reported comments made by Michelin managing partner Michel Rollier regarding the global tyre market’s general good shape. Reuters quoted Rollier, who was speaking on the sidelines of a Comité des Constructeurs Français d'Automobiles (French Automobile Manufacturers Committee) event, as saying “today, overall, we see a situation which remains relatively healthy with one exception, which is nonetheless a worry, namely the heavy truck tyre market in Europe.” Marketwatch reported that Rollier said the Chinese market remains “very robust” while North America “remains at a good level.” The managing partner however noted, added Marketwatch, that the outlook for 2012 “remains very uncertain.”
National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) figures for October show that average values of used cars sold at auction decreased from £4,718 to £4,558, a 4 per cent decrease. Values for fleet cars recorded a 6 per cent decrease. Year-on-year, the average price of cars at auction has increased just 0.1 per cent from £4,554 a year ago to £4,558 this year.
According to the latest vehicle registration figures, the Volkswagen Golf remains Europe’s best-selling car despite a sales decrease of 2.5 per cent in October compared to a year earlier (its sales also fell 1.8 per cent measured year-to-date). The Volkswagen Polo, with sales up by 1.2 per cent in October, regained second place while the Ford Fiesta claimed third, selling 26,553 vehicles.
Figures released by Michelin indicate year-on-year growth for Europe’s original equipment and replacement consumer tyre markets during October 2011, however the month’s results show growth of less than half the year to date amount. According to Michelin, the European (including Russia and Turkey) passenger car and light commercial vehicle original equipment market grew 2.5 per cent in October compared with the same month of 2010. The replacement market grew 3.8 per cent year-on-year during the same period. Year to date, the original equipment grew an average of 7.6 per cent year-on-year between January and October 2011, while the replacement market grew 7.9 per cent.
Winner of the constructor’s title in the 2011 Maxxis British Drift Championship, Team Japspeed will demonstrate its skills at Top Gear Live, which starts today. The Maxxis-sponsored team will perform drift displays at the NEC Arena in Birmingham on 11-13 November and London’s ExCel on 24-27 November.
Commenting on a half-year that saw the increase in Apollo Tyres’ net profit fall behind sales growth, company chairman and managing director Onkar Kanwar noted that “currency fluctuations, especially a weaker rupee, and continued cost push have impacted our bottom line.” Kanwar described the “near flat growth” in India’s commercial vehicle tyre segment during the first half of the country’s fiscal year as “worrying” and a situation that “could pose a challenge in the coming quarters.” The Apollo chairman said the company’s European business is currently registering strong growth, however his view of the region remains cautious: “We are alert to the broader economic situation there and are keeping a close watch on developments,” he stated.
Yokohama’s BluEarth S34BZ eco tyre has been chosen as original equipment for the 2012 Toyota Prius V. The new crossover, which is known as the Prius + in Europe, is available to US and Canadian purchasers fitted with the BluEarth tyre in size P205/60R16 91V.
Toyota has fitted the Bridgestone B250 Ecopia to its IQ for a couple of years now, and now the tyre has been selected as original equipment on a vehicle that bears more than a passing resemblance to the pint-sized city car. Bridgestone has started supplying the B250 Ecopia as standard equipment for the Aston Martin Cygnet, launched in Europe in September 2011. Each and every Cygnet sold will be delivered with Bridgestone B250 Ecopia tyres in size 175/60 R16.
Results for the third quarter of 2011 show across the board year-on-year improvements at Bridgestone. During the June to September period, the Japanese company achieved sales of 775.3 billion yen (£6.2 billion), a 9.9 per cent improvement over the same three months of 2010. Operating income reached 49.7 billion yen (£396.9 million) in the quarter, reflecting year-on-year growth of 42.4 per cent, while operating profit margin rose from 4.9 per cent to 6.4 per cent. Net income, at 27.8 billion yen (£222.0 million), was up 25.2 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2010.
As of November 2011, former GKN Wheels Carpenedolo sales director Thomas Ruedl will take on the role of group sales director, OEM Key Accounts at Starco. In his new role, Ruedl will report to regional director Jef de Smedt and have overall responsibility for Starco’s existing and future OEM customers. First priority for Ruedl in his new position will be prioritising Starco’s agricultural, industrial and trailers/caravans markets; this will be followed by the horticultural and internal transport markets. The new OEM Key accounts group sales director will work in close liaison with local Starco sales entities, which will also continue their daily contact with global OEM customers as before.
Goodyear is introducing a new programme aimed at OTR tyre users. Called ‘Goodyear at Service’, the internet-based programme will be available to all off-road plant operators in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Goodyear says it will “ensure that each customer gets the best possible expert support when purchasing and operating Goodyear tyres.”
Hankook Tire has established an additional subsidiary in Europe. The opening of the company’s Polish branch in Warsaw is in keeping with the growing demand for Hankook tyres in the European markets. “Thanks to our new subsidiary in Poland we are now also able to provide full service to our partners and customers in the 6th largest tyre market in the European Union. This is in-line with Hankook’s strategy of close market and customer proximity to provide optimal tyre solutions, developed and produced with the very latest in market-specific and innovative technologies, to meet regional requirements and demands,” explains Hee-Se Ahn, vice president for marketing and sales Hankook Tire Europe.
Michelin Tyre has announced the appointment of former Wedgwood and Austin Reed customer service specialist Mike Lawton as its new commercial director of agriculture, responsible for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Lawton joined Michelin’s UK operation, based in Stoke-on-Trent’s Campbell Road, in 1999. He will replace Rob Beddis, who is retiring at the end of the month, after seven years in the role.
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