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Michelin Deploys Latest Military Tyre

International News, Product News

Weapons manufacturers, government representatives and perhaps, one may speculate, the odd soldier of fortune and terrorist crackpot, are flocking to Paris this week to take part in the Eurosatory military vehicle show. Those perusing the latest additions to our global arsenal were amongst the first to catch a glimpse of Michelin’s new XZL2 tyre. Introduced at the show, the XZL2 is designed for both military and off-road commercial applications, and Michelin states it features a redesigned tread pattern that offers greater speed capabilities and improved tread life over a wide range of terrains.

15th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Le Mans Goes Virtual with Michelin

Isn’t the internet wonderful? Not only has it given us the opportunity to find love, do our shopping and watch endless hours of video from the comfort of our own homes, thanks to Michelin and French motoring association Automobile Club de l’Ouest we can now participate in one of the world’s most celebrated motorsport events without donning a racing suit or even demonstrating exceptional driving talent.

7th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Tenneco to Supply Exhausts to Unipart

Tenneco Inc. is to supply aftermarket exhaust systems to Unipart, the UK's largest independent automotive parts supplier. "We are pleased to partner with Unipart, to expand our reach in the UK with the largest distributor of exhaust products in this important market," said Hari Nair, president, international, Tenneco. "This relationship positions both companies for significant aftermarket emission control growth by combining the strength of Unipart's customer service focus and high consumer recognition with Tenneco's powerful aftermarket brands and reputation as a leading original equipment supplier."

John Neill, Unipart Group CEO, added: "Working in partnership with one of the world's largest and most successful original equipment manufacturers further strengthens Unipart Automotive's position as the number one exhaust choice in the UK aftermarket. We are the best known brand for automotive components and our partnership with Tenneco demonstrates our commitment to providing the best trade partnership to our customers across our extensive branch network."

3rd June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists and Ride-On Form Strategic Alliance

In the US Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, Inc. (AWRS), the world’s largest mobile wheel repair company, and Inovex Industries, Inc, the manufacturer of a high-speed tyre sealant, Ride-On Tire Protection System, have announced their strategic alliance giving AWRS the exclusive rights to introduce Ride-On into the automotive dealership market place. The company will also distribute to the retail tyre, quick lube, and mass merchandiser market segments.

“The automotive retail market place represents an enormous opportunity for sales growth,” says Mark Farkhan, CEO of Inovex, “and due to the vast nature of this marketplace and the resources required to penetrate it, we decided that it was in the best interest of our company to form a strategic alliance with another company that already has sales, marketing, and distribution channels established. We are extremely excited that we were able to form a partnership with a company as committed to providing quality service and cutting edge technology as AWRS to help expand Ride-On’s reach into this $2.4 billion dollar market segment.”

2nd June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Watts Tyre Group Retains Toyota Certified Status for 4th Year

Watts Tyre Group has retained its certified supplier status for Toyota for the fourth consecutive year. The award based on conformance with Toyota Industrial Equipment’s (TIESA France) supplier certification programme, requires that a series of “exacting measures” are consistently met over the course of a year and follows on Watts Tyre Group being awarded Supplier of the Year to TIESA in 2009.

1st June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Adding Retreading Capacity to Wittlich, Germany Plant

In order to address increasing European market demand for passenger car and truck tyres, the Goodyear Dunlop group is increasing production volume at its facility in Wittlich, Germany. To facilitate a higher volume the plant is being expanded and an additional 90 jobs will be created at Wittlich by September 2010.

28th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese Auto Parts is World’s Most Profitable Vehicle Industry

The automotive parts industry in China has reportedly become the world’s most profit making industry of its kind. According to a survey report produced by AlixPartners, the profits of auto parts enterprises in China topped its counterparts in 2009. Average profit levels were 8 – 10 per cent, which is apparently double the global average. In 2009, the revenue of auto parts enterprises in China is said to have reached 1,140 billion yuan, an increase of 23 per cent over 2008. However, supplier sales are said to ahve lagged behind the OEM growth because of a higher decline in exports. Several major domestic auto-parts suppliers are emerging as winners, with companies entering the top 100 global suppliers by revenue.

However, says the study, in order to maintain their profitability, suppliers need to effectively manage rising cost pressures, upgrade their technology, build their aftermarket capabilities and, significantly, find ways to recruit and retain qualified people in what has become a very competitive labour market.

28th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin OE on Cosworth Impreza

Subaru has selected the recently released Michelin Pilot Sport 3 as the sole OE fitment on its new Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. The 395bhp limited edition hatchback is the fruit of a partnership between Subaru in the UK and Cosworth, and makes use of the combination of on-road performance and environmental features offered by the Pilot Sport 3.

27th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Slicks Deliver the Goods Despite Le Mans Heat

Warm weather greeted MotoGP competitors on race day at the Grand Prix De France on May 23 – so much so that the track temperature rose to 48 degrees Celsius, safely the hottest track temperature recorded at the circuit during a MotoGP session. These conditions affected lap times slightly, yet Bridgestone reports that both specifications of its slicks proved their durability and consistent performance. The frontrunners used Bridgestone’s harder option front and asymmetric rear slicks, and it was Jorge Lorenzo of the Fiat Yamaha Team who took victory, ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi and Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso.

24th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Tests: Bad Aftermarket Exhausts Markedly Increase Pollution

Shocking results from one of Europe’s foremost vehicle emissions testing labs have revealed shortcomings in some (legal) replacement exhaust systems. The results show 20 times the level of harmful Nitrogen Dioxide and 50 per cent higher levels of damaging Hydrocarbons being emitted by non Type-approved exhausts, leading to calls from manufacturers such as Klarius for type approval to become mandatory in the UK, as it already is in Europe.

Extensive testing by Longbridge-based Emission Test Facility UK has called the quality of construction, design and materials used in exhaust pipe make-up into question. Emission Test Facility UK’s directors and testers, Tim Colgan and Graham Downing, tested a selection of non Type-approved exhaust systems against an original manufacturers unit and a fully Type-approved replacement model.

21st May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone: Asymmetric Rear Slicks for Le Mans MotoGP

Bridgestone will provide riders at MotoGP’s French Grand Prix with an asymmetric rear option for the first time in the 2010 season. The tyre supplier says the move is made in response to calls from riders during 2009 for greater use of the multi-compound slicks; while the same asymmetric specifications are available as last year (medium, hard and extra hard), they each boast a wider temperature operating range by incorporating the company’s improved soft and medium compound rubber, which makes them suitable for a greater number of Grands Prix. The rear slick tyre option in Le Mans combines soft compound rubber in the left shoulder with medium compound rubber in the right.

18th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Supports Gerry Jones European Freight Expansion

Considering an expansion of its services into new European territories, Gwent-based haulier Gerry Jones Transport was faced with the problem of height restrictions that ruled out its trailers’ conventional setup. The company’s solution is to fit the Michelin X One MaxiTrailer as original equipment on five new Wilson curtainside tri-axle trailers. They say that with a lower profile sidewall than traditional 385/65 R 22.5 tyres, the new tyres offer a reduced ride height of 20cm, therefore allowing increased volumes of nine cubic metres within 40-tonne limits. The tyres will therefore allow Gerry Jones to provide six additional services each week in France, Belgium and Holland.

13th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Al Dobowi to Devote Space to Westlake

While tyrepress.com already reported that the Westlake brand would be represented by its Central European distributor, Diamond Tire, the Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber manufactured brand will also be in Hall 3 at Reifen 2010. The Westlake tyre portfolio is distributed by Eskay Tyres, which is part of the Dubai-based Al Dobowi Group, which promises Westlake will be a “focal” point of its stand – Hall 3, Stand 229.

7th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Rivals Michelin and Bridgestone Cooperate to Catch Spy

Marwan Arbache, a former Michelin executive, has been found guilty of trying to sell industrial secrets to the company’s main competitor Bridgestone. The court hearing in Clermont-Ferrand reportedly delayed sentencing until 21 June 2010. Arbache faces a maximum 10-year jail sentence and a heavy fine.

The case came to trial after Bridgestone tipped off Clermont-Ferrand based Michelin that the company had received an email offering to sell them confidential tyre manufacturing information for about US$150,000 (£99,000; 115,000 euros). The email, sent in July 2007, signalled the beginning of an exchange that could have, said Michelin representatives, “delivered a serious blow to the company” if he had succeeded. Further details of the allegations involved in the case were uncovered in what the companies reportedly called "Operation Fukuda" – a sting operation which saw officials posing as Japanese clients.

4th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Euromaster to Present Franchise Concept at Reifen

Euromaster, has announced plans to present a “comprehensive insight” into its new franchise concept to potential partners at the Reifen 2010 exhibition in Essen, Germany in June. Part of the main Michelin stand (Hall 3 – 219), will offer visitors the opportunity to find “extensive information” about the franchise system and even a personal interview with the franchisor.

30th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors