Bridgestone has released the latest product in its Ecopia range of environmentally friendlier tyres. The Ecopia EP150 was released at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and the manufacturer notes the new tyre meets the “challenging and previously contradictory objective” of combining safety in wet conditions with reduced rolling resistance.
With an ever-growing awareness of the ecological climate, as well as a new precedent currently being set for economical measures introduced specifically for levies on manufacturers of tyres in the Far East, those wishing to import tyres to Europe and the USA need show an awareness of current regulations governing the properties of their products. This has not passed Federal Corporation by: “In an effort to contribute to the conservation of the environment and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to a safer and greener society,” Federal announces it is “to phase out use of the PAH rich extender oils by shifting all categories of tire segments to HA oil free tires following the REACH regulations.” The implementation of the environmental initiative, the company continues, is in compliance with EU directives concerning the tyre industry and is clearly designed to show how the Far East is by no means standing still when it comes to the use of new technologies to meet EU regulations.
President Barack Obama’s decision to apply a 35 per cent import duty on all passenger car and light truck tyres from China for a period of three years may have been intended to “remedy market disruption caused by a surge in [Chinese] tyre imports” into the US, but it has also provoked a sharp response from the Chinese ministry of commerce and played havoc with the share prices of Far Eastern tyre manufacturers. China’s state media said the US import duties would cost 100,000 jobs and $1 billion (£600 million).
Announcing the decision (on Friday 11 September 2009), the White House explained that the 35 per cent ad valorem levy would be placed in addition to the existing 4 per cent import duty on imports of Chinese-product passenger car and light truck tyres. The duty will reduce to 30 per cent ad valorem in the second year, and 25 per cent ad valorem the third year. The US International Trade Commission had recommended a 55 per cent tariff in the first year, 45 per cent in the second year and 35 per cent in the third year.
Euro Car Parts, an independent supplier of car parts, accessories, tools and equipment in the UK, has recently secured a distribution agreement with Klarius UK to supply the Timax range of exhaust systems, and exhaust mountings via its 60 UK branches. Klarius is one of Europe’s major manufacturers of ‘type approved’ aftermarket exhaust systems and its current catalogue lists over 5,500 part numbers. The company’s products are compatible with 97 per cent of the UK car parc.
Thule has added a line of snow chains to its UK vehicle accessories range. Produced in Thule’s Italian manufacturing facility, the extensive range of snow chains will be available from selected recognised dealers from October. The UK launch coincides with a reported rise in demand across Europe and the UK for high quality snow chains.
Peter Barker, UK general manager, commented: “For Thule, the manufacture and distribution of snow chains is a welcome addition to our sports and leisure equipment transportation range. Snow chains are a vital part of ski-drive holidays and are required by law in many destinations. We have seen a demand for a high quality chain by our customers, and are confident the Thule snow chains will not disappoint with their quick and easy application and durable, superior materials.”
The K-Summit snow chain is a key model in the range. With a patented rachet system the chain is designed to fit over 250 wheel sizes, with just eight chain lengths, mounting to the wheel in three steps. Once fitted, the ratchet system centres itself as you drive. The K-Summit has zero clearance, which means no part of it touches the inner side of the tyre, so it can be used on cars with limited space around the wheel arch.
Carlisle Companies has opened Carlisle Tire and Wheel Europe BV a distribution centre and sales office strategically located in Zevenaar, Netherlands. According to the company the move is designed to provide better, faster service to Europe. Writing in an official statement detailing the opening , Garry Dietz Sr. (director of European Business Development at Carlisle) said: “The establishment of Carlisle Tire and Wheel Europe BV adds yet another stronghold…This addition to Carlisle’s portfolio of global companies will stimulate even greater operational synergies in the delivery of product and service to our customers, everywhere.”
Since the beginning of 2009, West Midlands based NDI UK has been evolving from a small regional tyre wholesaler/distributor into a nationwide tyre wholesaling option. According to the company, this progression can be directly attributed to the fact that it is part of one of Europe’s most competitive tyre distribution groups – Nordisk Daek Import A-S in Denmark. Ian Smith, managing director of NDI UK commented: “Up to the end of 2008, the company had been well known throughout the West Midlands but now we intend to work more closely with NDI Denmark in order to gradually become a respected wholesaler specialising in all market sectors from a small implement tyre right through to large earthmover patterns serving the entire UK market. Like NDI Denmark we intend to develop into a fully active multi-brand specialist offering a competitive combination of major ‘A’ brands plus numerous mid-range brands to suit all applications.”
All tyres on HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) cars are now automatically scanned as the cars drive into the pit lane, in what tyremaker Dunlop says is a world first. This technology ensures that each car is using the correct and allocated tyres at all times.
The scanning is achieved by a miniature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag embedded inside every tyre allocated to every car. The tag – just one centimetre in length – enables officials from computer systems firm Datalinx, which has been central to the development of the technology, to track every tyre from production and allocation to each team right back to their return to Dunlop for recycling.
After five years of partnership, Nitrogen inflation specialists at Tyre Bay Direct are reporting that using their Uniflate system has helped Merityre Specialists Ltd, the largest independent tyre specialist in the Home Counties, stay ahead of the game. Established in 1963, Merityre now has nineteen service centres across the region. Staying ahead of the market is clearly a big consideration for the company, with their stated aim to exceed customer expectations and the presence of a well-established customer care programme to back this up.
Kumho Europe representatives have quashed rumours that the South Korean tyre manufacturer is negotiating with Bridgestone over the sale of its new Vietnam factory. Wi Yun, Kumho Europe’s marketing manager, told Tyres & Accessories the suggestions published by Jaccar Investment are “a completely wrong statement.” Dismissing the report as “rumours” Wi added: “There have never been any negotiations nor discussion concerning this matter.”
Euro Car Parts has launched a new battery catalogue and announced a buy now and pay later promotion. According to the aftermarket parts supplier, one of the largest independent distributors of batteries in the UK, customer demand has led Euro Car Parts to produce its own 40-page ‘Battery Application Guide 2009/2010’. The guide covers all car marquee applications, from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, including all the technical specifications one would expect, covering brands by Bosch, Exide and Lion. Also included are sections delivering comprehensive safety advice and regulations for lead-acid batteries as well and instructions for using starter batteries.
ECP has also launched a customer buy now and pay later battery promotion, offering the customer the chance to bulk buy on batteries from leading worldwide brands. Customers signing up for the promotion have the chance to receive a free battery stand, point of sale items, and an advanced battery tester.
Following a decade of steady growth in demand averaging 10 per cent, last October the financial and economic crisis pushed European retreading markets into a freefall. The largest decline was listed by market participants in the opening quarter of this year, and according to Marangoni demand for retreaded tyres in Europe reduced by a quarter. Yet at the same time, the market for new truck tyres dropped some 30 per cent. In the second quarter, demand was still some 15 per cent below that of the previous year, while the new tyre industry recorded sales a clear 25 per cent worse – another result reflecting the new tyre industry’s greater difficulties.
Global OE tyre demand remained week in July, according to figures released by Michelin. However, the data also shows that, while global OE tyre demand continues to take a beating, there are signs of recovery in most replacement segments. However, Some of the least improved figures are in the European truck replacement market, where analysts described the status quo as “very poor.” Here July’s sales were -17 per cent down (-29 per cent year-to-date).
From 2012 all new cars sold in Europe will have to be fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as standard. However, leading TPMS-maker Schrader Electronics believes the legislation passed by the European Parliament earlier this year is flawed and could even compromise road safety. The concerns centre on the fact that the forthcoming rules make two types of TPMS technologies available to car companies – direct and indirect measuring systems. The tyre and TPMS industries favour solutions such as the direct system which places a pressure sensor in each wheel and transmits reliable pressure measurement information back to the car data centre which then informs the driver immediately about the condition of its tyres.
General Motors Co. has confirmed it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Koenigsegg Group AB regarding the sale of 100 per cent of the shares of Saab Automobile AB. The deal is expected to conclude in the next few months and will then secure Saab's future. The stock purchase agreement will be subject to agreed closing conditions. Conditions to close the sale include expected funding commitments with Swedish government support and guarantees, as well as transitional assistance from GM, as Saab becomes independent. Saab is about to launch several new cars, developed with General Motors, that are in the final stages of development.
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