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Continental Introduces Three Tyres For US Market

At the Sema show, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) gave debuts to three new uhp tyres, aimed exclusively at the North American market.

Andreas Gerstenberger, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, spoke to T&A about the new tyres, the first of which is the ExtremeContact DW. This tyre, said Gerstenberger, is specially engineered to deliver serious performance on both dry and wet roads and features completely new technology exclusive to Continental Tire. It delivers excellent traction and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions, improved ride comfort, better mileage and industry leading rolling resistance levels.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Sells Share in Sapphire Energy Recovery

Michelin Tyre plc has announced the sale of its share in the Sapphire Energy Recover joint venture. The company, established in 2001 by Michelin together with cement and aggregate producer Lafarge, is now solely owned by Lafarge.

The decision to move Sapphire to sole ownership was made, says Michelin, once the business had successfully achieved its objective of developing a healthy and viable end-of-life process for used tyres. Sapphire provides the items to the cement industry as a waste-derived fuel, and the tyre maker adds that a sustainable market that benefits both tyre manufacturers and cement producers has now been created.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

15 First Stop Branches Sport New Look

Bridgestone’s First Stop network has completed a refurbishment programme which sees 15 stores branded with new signage for 2009. The programme saw 15 of First Stop outlets fitted with new signage as part of the ongoing development to strengthen the brand and its network of quality tyre dealerships throughout the UK. The signage packages included complete First Stop branding for the exterior of the depots as well as the refurbishment of existing signage and exteriors.

As well as the installation of new signage, the past year has seen the opening of the UK’s first ‘model stores’, at Kingsway, Spalding and ETB, Stratford, and the refurbishment of a number of stores for the First Stop network.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Aiming to Half its Tyre Fuel Consumption by 2030

The US market is a significant one for the automotive industry, and therefore annual the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit remains an important date in the motoring calendar. Prominently exhibiting at this year’s show is Michelin, and the president of the company’s worldwide passenger car and light truck tyre business, Florent Menegaux, has taken hold of the opportunity afforded by the Detroit show to discuss Michelin’s technological direction.

“Michelin’s approach to technology is to drive improvements in different areas of performance sometimes seen as incompatible,” said Menegaux during a NAIAS press conference. “The strength of Michelin’s capacity for innovation lies in the ability to produce tyres that deliver not only energy savings but also enhanced safety and long-lasting tread life, ensuring the consumer does not have to sacrifice key performance features for energy-efficiency.

16th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Tyres Get EPA SmartWay Approval

Three Yokohama medium truck tyres have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program, which promotes cleaner, more efficient truck technologies. Yokohama’s RY617 steer tyre, 703ZL drive tyre and RY587MC2 trailer tyre met the SmartWay program’s rolling resistance criteria, the tyremaker said. With the approval, the tyres can be used on trucks that are SmartWay-certified.

“Yokohama is honored to be recognized by the EPA for our efforts to produce truck tyres that help save fuel and protect the environment,” said John Cooney, Yokohama’s director of commercial sales. “Receiving approval into the SmartWay program reinforces our pledge to our commercial customers to produce the most technologically-advanced tyres on the market.” (Tire Review/Akron)

15th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Europe to Launch Ecopia Range in 2009

Starting in April, an extensive range of Bridgestone’s Turanza ER300 Ecopia tyres will be gradually introduced into the European market. The tyres, which use the ‘Ecopia’ name to denote their fuel saving characteristics, were first used on electric-powered cars in 1991, and in 1998 the B381 Ecopia low rolling resistance tyre was fitted as OE to the ‘3-litre’ version of the Volkswagen Lupo – a car dubbed “the most environmentally friendly car in the world” by some due to its consumption of only three litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. Today, certain versions of the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia and Mercedes S-Class are being sold with Ecopia versions of existing patterns, and the Toyota IQ is fitted with an all-new Ecopia tyre.

14th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Agri Range Designed to Offer Greater Productivity

Tests conducted by the tractor manufacturer New Holland have demonstrated fuel savings of 10 per cent using the Michelin XeoBib compared to an identical machine equipped with 65-series tyres.

Michelin’s agricultural range lays claim to providing something for everybody: its six ranges include the AxioBib for very high power machinery; the MachBib for machinery over 200 hp; the MultiBib 65 series; the standard 85 series AgriBib; the 2008-launched 70 series OmniBib; and the XeoBib, which has recently undergone a series of tests by tractor maker, New Holland.

12th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Debuts Energy Saver All-Season Tyre in US

Michelin’s Energy saver all-season tyre will go on sale in North America this summer following its unveiling at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Promising drivers in this market a synthesis of all Michelin’s skills and expertise in tyre engineering and design, the manufacturer states that the Energy Saver combines fuel savings with superior grip and safety, as well as long tread life and all-season performance. The tyre is being targeted at consumers with passenger car vehicles who drive less than 10,000 miles per year and appreciate the environmental benefit of the Energy Saver All-Season tyre, says Michelin.

12th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Interstate’s Newest 4×4 Tyre Now Available

Netherlands based Interstate Tire & Rubber reports that its latest 4×4 tyre, displayed at last May’s Essen show in Germany, is now on the market and available in six popular sizes between 16 and 18-inches. Called the Sport SUV GT, the tyre is Interstate’s first rolling resistance optimised 4×4 tyre, and Interstate thus reports that lower fuel consumption is attainable without compromising tread life or traction.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

No Going Back

“In 2008 the Ultra High Performance tyre market experienced changes unlike any year before it and as a result will never be the same again,” that’s the assessment Sentaida USA general manager Don Mathis recently gave Tyres & Accessories. In other circumstances this may have sounded exaggerated, but with the Bank of England slashing interest rates to their lowest point in the institution’s 315-year history and US interest rates heading even lower, the unprecedented economic conditions seem to suggest the international tyre trade is also entering uncharted territory.

“UHP aftermarket sales have been the main and nearly only shining star in the tyre business for the last eight to 10 years. The margins and growth have surpassed nearly every other segment of the market,” Mathis explained. However, this year has also been unlike any other in the experienced sales manager’s 36 years in the tyre business. He believes the unique combination of surplus capacity in UHP factories mixed with the early year surge in raw material costs, mid-year surge in fuel cost, and the credit crunch halting new car sales and taking aftermarket wheel sales with them means the market has hit a watershed.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

RAC Ranked Top Roadside Service Provider in J.D. Power Study

It’s a hat-trick – the results of the latest J.D. Power and Associates UK Roadside Assistance Study are out, and the RAC has, for a third consecutive year, ranked highest in satisfying UK motorists requiring emergency roadside assistance. The study, now in its eleventh year, measures customer satisfaction with roadside assistance services by examining three factors: timing (the time taken for help to arrive and time taken at the scene); mechanic/vehicle driver (which includes items such as appearance, courtesy and ability to do what was needed); and operator/call centre (including friendliness, reassurance and time taken to answer the phone).

8th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

6 Million Indian Truckers Down Tools

Indian news sources have reported that more than six million of the nation’s trucks are off the road at the beginning of 2009, as a strike has been called following deadlock in union negotiations over the price of tyres and fuel. Talks stalled late on Sunday evening when Road, Transport and Highways secretary Brahm Dutt failed to reach a satisfactory agreement with the All-Indian Motor Transport Congress. The AIMTC’s major targets were a 10 rupee deduction in diesel costs and a rationalisation of tyre prices.

6th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sport SUV Range From Interstate

Interstate Tires has introduced a new line of tyres, called Sport SUV GT, which comprises a number of popular replacement sizes for small and full size SUVs. The tyres are being marketed as Interstate’s first low rolling resistance SUV tyres, with consequent fuel saving benefits, but without sacrificing tread life or traction.

5th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler’s Takeover of Continental Gets EU Approval

The EU Commission has granted approval of the takeover of Continental AG by the Schaeffler Group. According to an official statement released by the company shortly after the approval was granted on Friday 19 December, “the Schaeffler Group will now conclude the takeover without delay.” Schaeffler will pay 75.00 euros per share to the depositary banks of those shareholders who have tendered their shares to Schaeffler, on or around 8 January 8 2009. The depositary banks will then credit these payments to the shareholders’ accounts. According to the company, shares tendered for sale can be traded up until 2 January 2009.

“The takeover of Continental AG is a decision of far-reaching strategic importance for the Schaeffler Group. With Schaeffler and Continental we’re bringing together two excellently positioned German technology leaders. This merger will create one of the most successful global automotive suppliers with outstanding expertise in the high-growth fields of energy efficiency and alternative powertrain systems. It is our target to spearhead the global market,” emphasized Dr. Jürgen M. Geissinger, Schaeffler Group president & CEO.

22nd December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Gear Car Of The Year 2008

Westfield Sportscars Ltd has welcomed the selection of the Caterham Superlight R500 as Top Gear’s Car of the Year 2008. Commenting on the announcement, Julian Turner, Westfield’s managing director said: “As a company already working intensively on the development of a lightweight electric race car, we welcome the recognition by the knowledgeable Top Gear Team of the significant potential performance of a lightweight vehicle powered by a smaller engine. The combination of smaller engines with the lightest chassis possible – without compromising safety, the use of alternative fuels and the application of eco-friendly methods of production; this approach should be a clear choice for the majority of manufacturers.”

22nd December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors