François Michelin dies
Earlier today the former Michelin head and grandson of Michelin co-founder Edouard Michelin, François Michelin, passed away at the age of 89.
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How Goodyear’s tyre products and technologies support ongoing growth
Looking around the 2015 CV Show, it’s easy to see that there is a significant amount of Goodyear-shod vehicles being exhibited. One particular example that Goodyear representatives pointed Tyres & Accessories to is the well-known truck manufacturer DAF, which brought a particularly high number of Goodyear-equipped trucks to the show. So, with this in mind, can such a strong showing in the exhibition fitment stakes be seen as a metaphor for the company’s ongoing growth? T&A met with Marc Preedy, Goodyear commercial director UK & Ireland, to find out.
Hankook enters fifth year of DTM partnership at Hockenheimring
2 May sees the beginning of the 2015 DTM season at the Hockenheimring, marking the fifth year of Hankook’s tyre supply to the championship. The brand’s presence in top line German motorsport has functioned as a component of its process of premiumisation – not only has the manufacturer been producing high specification track tyres accepted by DTM; it has been able to function as an exclusive tyre partner with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz within the series.
Tyre retail market in a redistribution phase
While many of the names of the top 20 tyre retail chains will be familiar, the last year has seen the continuation of a number of so-called right-sizing and redistribution trends, especially at the bottom end of the top 15 between places (positions 11 – 15). At the same time, one or two medium sized retailers have grown significantly since the last survey, resulting in greater influence from this part of the market. At the same time as this, the total number of branches controlled by the top 20 chains continues to grow – pushing the balance of power further in the direction of those retail multiples.
First Stop network set to triple in size
Bridgestone’s First Stop network is currently made up of 53 independent member partners, an increase of around 14 in the last 14 months. When you consider that there are a further 16 Kingsway-branded Bridgestone equity-owned branches, this brings the total to 69 and together these two facts suggest that First Stop is currently enjoying a period of growth. Put this figure in the context of the last five years, which weren’t always plain sailing for the retail chain, and you could even describe this growth as a resurgence. With this in mind, Tyres & Accessories spoke with Bridgestone Europe retail business development manager Stuart Eagland.
Large stand drives ‘record visitors’ to Giti at CV Show
Following its week at the Birmingham NEC for this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, Giti Tire said that it “registered record visitor numbers” to its new look stand. The manufacturer was displaying its new GT Radial GDR638 drive axle tyre, among others, from a large stand incorporating its corporate colours alongside its flagship GT Radial branding for the first time. The manufacturer said the use of its Giti branding was part of a plan to raise its profile worldwide in support of global infrastructure projects, such as the new $560m manufacturing and distribution plant in Chester County, South Carolina.
Pirelli OE on Jaguar XE
Jaguar has chosen the Pirelli P Zero as the sole 20-inch fitment for the new Jaguar XE. Jaguar was looking for stability at high speeds and good reactions in the wet from the tyre, and as part of the development process – which took just eight months – the P Zero was tested on tracks in the UK, Germany and Spain.
Double Pirelli victory in semi-slick tyre test – ‘regular’ tyre beats specialist products
The latest issue of Germany’s sport auto magazine (5/2015) has published a test of road-legal size 235/35 R19 91Y semi-slicks. Three candidates were mounted on a VW Golf R and evaluated under a range of motorsport-oriented criteria. In contrast to the weighting system commonly seen in tyre tests, dry road surface criteria contributed 70 per cent to the sport auto test’s total score, while wet surface criteria only carried 20 per cent and environmental factors ten per cent. The clear test winner was the ‘particularly recommended’ Pirelli PZero Trofeo R, which finished ahead of two ‘recommended’ tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and Dunlop SportMaxx Race.
Putting quality to the test – Aeolus seeks brand differentiation with the TÜV mark
The days when a handful of well-known brands dominated the tyre market are long gone, and while consumers are now spoiled for choice, this choice comes with one major hitch – gaining an overview of the good, the bad and the ugly in the tyre world is nigh on impossible. All but a few brand names are ‘unknowns’ to the average tyre buyer, and as a result serious manufacturers can easily remain invisible. Faced with this situation, passenger car tyre sector newcomer Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd is drawing attention to its products through a name synonymous with product quality the world over.
ATS Euromaster piloting new van and truck maintenance services
Yesterday ATS Euromaster announced that it is offering a range of service, maintenance and repair (SMR) facilities for trucks and trailers, designed to make it easy for fleets to get rapid access to expert care for larger commercial vehicles. Six ATS Euromaster centres have been selected to take part in the pilot scheme, in Birmingham, Avonmouth, Liverpool, Rugby, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester.
In addition to offering tyres for trucks and trailers, these centres are now fit replacement air cables, electrical coils and suzie lines – with work carried out either in centre, on-site or at the roadside. They are also offering replacement batteries with two year unlimited mileage guarantees, plus a rapid response service for jumpstarting trucks in need of urgent assistance.
Michelin acquires 40% stake in leading French online tyre retailer
Michelin says its acquisition of a 40 per cent share in France’s leading internet tyre retailer is a way to offer consumers “a simplified and financially-advantageous path” between searching online for tyre information and making a purchase and having tyres fitted by professionals. The tyre maker is investing €60 million for a minority stake in Allopneus SAS, which currently holds a seven per cent share of the French tyre market and sold some three million tyres last year.
Apollo lays foundation of Hungary Greenfield tyre manufacturing plant
Construction of Apollo Tyres’ first European Greenfield plant in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary, officially began on 10 April 2015, with a foundation stone laying ceremony. The international tyre manufacturer’s facility will start production in early 2017. The facility will produce both, Apollo and Vredestein branded tyres and will cater to the entire European market.
Superior Industries prepares shareholders for another AGM showdown
For the last two years, wheel manufacturer Superior Industries International Inc. has faced a shareholder proxy challenge at its Annual General Meeting. On each occasion the company’s largest institutional shareholder, GAMCO Asset Management Inc., presented rival candidates to Superior Industries’ own nominees for directorship. And while GAMCO’s efforts failed both times, it is hoping for third time lucky at the 2015 AGM on 5 May. In strongly-worded letters dated 30 March and 7 April, Superior Industries has urged its shareholders to once again reject the GAMCO-backed candidates and vote for its own nominees.
Kwik Fit benefiting from increased mechanical work
Kwik Fit reports that it is seeing fleet demand for its range of mechanical services increasing and is forecasting further growth in 2015. According to the company, the catalyst for growth was the opening of 20 Kwik Fit Plus centres. Indeed, Kwik Fit Plus centres are said to form a key part of parent company Itochu Corporation’s ongoing network-wide multi-million pound refurbishment and modernisation programme.
Goodyear adds new retread sizes to KMax portfolio
The KMax range of mileage-oriented truck tyres from Goodyear has been extended with the addition of several retreaded products. New arrivals include a pair of KMax sizes in the TreadMax mould cure line-up and two pre-cure treads for Goodyear’s UniCircle portfolio.
