During the first quarter of 2011, Bridgestone will implement price increases on all consumer, commercial, retreaded and specialty tyres sold in Europe. Prices will rise by an average of six per cent, however this will vary between markets and product categories.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres reports securing a major deal to support the new fleet of Bombardier CRJ1000 Next Gen regional jets operated by Spanish carrier Air Nostrum. The Valencia based airline operates as a franchise of Iberia Airlines and has 20 of the new aircraft on order, with options on a further 15. This will be the largest fleet of CRJ1000s in the world and Air Nostrum will take delivery of its first aircraft later this month. Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will supply the two nosewheel and four mainwheel tyres for each of the 100-seat aircraft.
In addition to price rises in the US, as of January 1 Nexen has increased tyre prices in Europe. According to Nexen Tire Europe, prices for all product segments, including passenger car, 4×4 and light commercial vehicles, have gone up by at least nine per cent. The company says it was compelled to take this inevitable measure as “in the previous few months raw material costs, above all for natural rubber, have skyrocketed.” The company notes that in addition to natural rubber, prices of all products necessary for tyre production have increased.
Thanks to a combination of bad weather and economic gloom, most sectors of the motorcycle and scooter tyre replacement industry suffered during 2010. So it is good to hear of one manufacturer reporting a large growth in sales. This manufacturer is the maker of Sava tyres. And while Bike Tyrestore, the UK trade distributor for the Slovenian produced brand, comments that Sava is not yet a “household name”, it notes that its products are approaching dominance in the UK motor scooter replacement tyre market and Sava is also making strong progress in the fields of light motorcycle and on/off road tyre sales.
Audi’s new A7 Sportback, released in Europe in Autumn 2010 and now being introduced into global markets, is to be fitted with Yokohama Advan tyres as original equipment. Yokohama Rubber reports its Advan Sport in size 265/35R20 99Y XL has been selected for the four door coupe, the fourth Audi model to be shipped with Yokohama tyres as original equipment.
During times of snow such as we have recently been experiencing in the UK and across larges swathes of Europe, chain maker RUD-Erlau is recommending that, as in Scandinavia, all commercial and rescue vehicles should carry a set of traction chains. While snow may be fun for the kids, “the last thing you want to be is either sliding on the stuff or stuck fast with nothing but a thermos for company” the company said in a statement, addressing those of us with both safety concerns and tight schedules to meet.
Europe’s passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre markets returned to year-on-year growth in November, reports Pirelli. The Italian tyre maker estimates a three per cent year-on-year growth in the region’s (excluding Russia) original equipment market plus replacement market growth of 15 per cent. Year to date, Pirelli’s estimates peg European OE market growth at 13 per cent and the aftermarket at eight per cent.
During recent years Vredestein has steadily built up its Eastern European business and overseen this region from its operation in Poland, which was established three years ago. Now, from January 1, 2011 onwards, Apollo Vredestein’s markets in Eastern Europe and the CIS will also be serviced by a second “Area Manager Export”, who will take on the responsibility of building up the company’s activities and structure within the region. Stepping into this role is Thomas Mittendorf, who is currently Apollo Vredestein’s public relations and media manager. Mittendorf explained to Tyres & Accessories that he will mainly take care of tyre markets in the Baltic States, the Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Belarus – markets where Apollo Vredestein currently operates no marketing organisation of its own.
Nissan’s ‘Leaf’ electric car goes on sale in December 2010 and will hit the streets fitted with tyre’s from Bridgestone’s Ecopia range as original equipment. In Europe and Japan the Ecopia EP150 is being supplied to Nissan in size 205/55R16 91V while North American customers will receive their Leaf fitted with a size P205/55R16 89H version of the Ecopia EP422, a product designed for all-season use in this particular market. Beyond this fitment, Bridgestone states it will “continue working to bolster its line-up of Ecopia tyres, roll them out globally, and increase their use as original equipment.”
Cooper Tire will continue as the official control tyre supplier and title sponsor of the prestigious British F3 International Series until at least the end of the 2014 season. Cooper took over the supply and sponsorship of British F3 in 2009 from its Avon Tyres brand, which had previously been sole supplier to the series for 27 years, and now supplies the British GT Championship. The Cooper Tire British F3 International Series is widely acknowledged as one of the toughest domestic single-seater championships in the world and is a recognised route to the pinnacle of the sport for aspiring Formula 1 drivers, having produced 2009 FIA F1 World champion Jenson Button, and current F1 drivers Mark Webber, Rubens Barrichello, 2008 British F3 champion Jaime Algersuari, and newly signed Sauber driver and 2007 National Class champion Sergio Perez.
Tyre manufacturer Maxxis International has received original equipment accreditation from PSA. The company says it has developed its MA-510 tyre in conjunction with PSA specifically for the European OE market – it already complies with the European type approval standard 661/2009 – and is supplying the tyre in size 175/65R14 on the Peugeot 206+.
Since Avon Tyres began supplying control tyres to the British GT Championship in 2006 drivers have clocked up some 200,000 racing miles on its products. Now they’ll have the chance to add a few more miles to the tally following the signing of an agreement to extend the tyre maker’s title sponsorship and control tyre supply until the end of the 2014 season. Avon’s first outing under the new agreement will be at Oulton Park on April 23 to 25 next year.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems’ TM900 High Power super single tyre is designed to fit the most advanced high power tractors, and now an extra large size (900/60R42) is on the market for the New Holland T9 from 350 to 500hp and the Case Steiger from 350 up to 450hp both in Europe and North America. At higher horsepower, tractors require dual tyres, which are typically recommended for field application only; Trelleborg says its super single 900/60R42 TM900 High Power has been engineered to combine outstanding performances both in the field and on the road.
The UK's automotive components industry is at a critical "tipping point" and could vanish by the middle of the decade without urgent action, members of the Welsh Automotive Forum were warned. It wouldn't run down gradually but, like a ship sinking, would suddenly vanish, said Prof. Garel Rhys, chairman of WAF. "In 2008 the automotive manufacturing sector employed more than 163,000 people but two years later it was down to 116,000 – that's a 28 per cent cut and an absolute blood letting," he said speaking at WAF's winter networking dinner.
CGS Tyres has notified its customers that prices for all its products in all markets, including Europe and North America, will increase by 7.5 to 10 per cent. This price rise, which will take effect January 1, 2011, is being taken in response to rising raw materials prices.
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