Despite the absence of some international visitors due to European flight restrictions, the Bauma 2010 show in Munich, Germany got underway on April 19. The specialist off-road and mining equipment exhibition has attracted a number of exhibitors from the tyre sector, including Bridgestone Europe, who has introduced a number of new sizes to its off-road ranges at Bauma.
Located in Beijing, Best Choice is a leading international tyre wholesaler in China having long term close cooperation with domestic manufacturers and overseas tyre distributors. "Best Choice is able to offer a range of excellent quality products that are economically priced. In 2009, the company exported over tyres to the value of over 50 million US dollars," said managing director Stephen Wu.
Reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button used Bridgestone's soft compound and intermediate tyres to win the Chinese Grand Prix in mixed weather conditions at Shanghai International Circuit on April 18. The British driver piloted his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes across the line just one and a half seconds ahead of team-mate and fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton. Button started the race using soft dry compound tyres, with two sets of intermediates seeing use later in the day. Hamilton made four stops, employing a soft-intermediate-hard-intermediate-intermediate tyre strategy.
Cooper Tire stockists are giving customers buying a set of four designated Cooper tyres between 2 April and 15 May the chance to win a trip for four to one of horse racing’s most glamorous events: Ladies Day at Ascot on 17 June. Purchasers of four qualifying tyres from Cooper’s high-performance or 4×4 ranges will be entered into the free draw to win the prize, which includes a full Royal Ascot hospitality package for four people, plus hotel accommodation and £50 worth of betting vouchers. In addition, the retail site providing the most competition entries will also receive a package for two people.
Former COO Richard J. Kramer has taken over as president and chief executive officer of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Kramer, who becomes the 19th president since the company’s foundation in 1898, follows Robert J. Keegan who remains with the company as executive chairman.
Speaking at Goodyear’s 2010 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Kramer described the tyre industry as one of very few industries that has been and remains a growth industry after more than 100 years: “I am privileged to lead a team whose dedication to Goodyear and commitment to success is second to none,” he said, thanking Keegan and the board of directors for their confidence in electing him to lead the company.
The second season of the Pirelli Star Driver programme gets underway on April 15 at the Rally of Turkey, and Pirelli Star Driver supervisor Phil Short anticipates his fresh charges’ first taste of World Rally Championship action will teach them plenty. “I’ve already suggested to them that they treat the Rally of Turkey as an extended test session, to get more distance and time in the car under their belts – and to think about bringing the cars to the finish with a solid result,” he advised, adding: “You don’t learn too much when your car is on a trailer.”
Volvo Group Europe has extended its established tyre supply agreement with Continental Truck Tires for a further three years. Continental will remain original equipment supplier for commercial vehicles from all Volvo Group Europe brands until at least 2012. Following the signing of this latest agreement, the German tyre manufacturer mentions that in future, customers will still not have to pay extra to have their vehicles equipped with Continental tyres.
Belgium’s Prime Minister Yves Leterme has paid Bridgestone Corporation’s headquarters in Tokyo as part of his April 7 to 10 visit to Japan. During the visit, Mr. Leterme met with Shoshi Arakawa, Bridgestone’s chairman of the Board, CEO and president, and several other company executives.
Like most companies Trax JH, Europe’s second largest wheel balancing weight manufacturer, experienced a drop in sales during 2009. However, that hasn’t stopped the company, which exports 70 per cent of its production output to carmakers and aftermarket distributors around the world. During the last 12 months the company maintained investment in production, and if the rumours Tyres & Accessories has heard are true, has some more announcements to make at June’s Essen show. Following a slight pickup in sales during the first quarter of 2010, the Newtown-based company hopes to achieve further OE and aftermarket growth in the rest of 2010, with addition export growth across all markets moving forward.
Toyo Tire Europe has announced the Spring 2010 European launch for two of the company’s tyre ranges. The Proxes C1S and Proxes T1 Sport are both scheduled for release in this region, thereby strengthening Toyo’s high performance offering here. The Proxes C1S is described as a UHP comfort tyre designed for powerful executive cars. Toyo states that the Proxes C1S blends a refined, quiet ride with outstanding high speed manoeuvrability plus reduced rolling resistance.
Marangoni Retreading Systems reports that it is a strong position to capitalise on the initial recovery of the Russian truck market. The company reports that reliable estimates on the retreaded truck tyre sector, in the absence of official figures, show a market volume of around 150-200,000 tyres, half of which are retreaded locally and the other half imported, mainly from central and western Europe.
Marangoni Retreading Systems, which has been operating in the Russian market for over a decade, has made significant investments in developing important local retreaders, apparently achieving good results quickly.
On Saturday 27 March 2010 Yokohama Europe GmbH opened the "Yokohama Store" at the Nurburgring in Germany, one of the most well-known racing circuits in Europe. President Osamu Mikami of Yokohama Europe GmbH and many representatives of local media were present at the opening ceremony on the 27th. Yokohama Rubber is the first Japanese tire manufacturer to open a directly managed shop at the circuit.
Roger Everson, sales and marketing manager with Avon motorsport, the competition division of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe, has announced he will retire in March, after 27 years working for the company.
The last chapter in the extremely well documented scrappage scheme draws to an end today with car manufacturers calling last orders on Tuesday 30 March and the government releasing figures relating to the effects of scheme. Apparently the scheme, which offered around £2000 to motorists in exchange for them trading their car in for a new one, has helped some 400,000 customers to buy a new motor since it began.
The latest figures show that scrappage contributed to approximately one fifth of all new car registrations since the scheme started. Half (54%) of scrappage buyers surveyed had never bought a new car before and more than half (56%) of those surveyed said they would not have bought any vehicle at this time if the scrappage scheme had not been introduced.
Increasing numbers of UK fire services are choosing Bridgestone UK for their front line appliances. According to the company, fire services in Essex, West Sussex, East Sussex and Hampshire have all selected Bridgestone products due to the “enhanced performance, and improved life of their tyres.” Many fire services are changing to use the popular R249 truck tyre. Bridgestone UK’s popularity is said to be still on the rise, with more UK fire services either testing or using the company’s tyres.
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