Tyre production at Michelin’s plant in Bad Kreuznach, Germany has been supplemented by a new facility dedicated to making 18- and 19-inch rim diameter tyres. Its entry into operation introduces the larger diameter into the plant’s production portfolio for the first time. The new machinery replaces equipment used to manufacture 14- and 15-inch tyres, products that have seen a significant drop in customer demand.
René Rast claimed his fifth win of the season in the 500th DTM at Lausitzring and extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship. Behind Rast, second to fifth places went to fellow Audi racers Nico Müller, Mike Rockenfeller, Jamie Green and Robin Frijns as the Ingolstadt carmaker secured early confirmation of victory in the Manufacturers’ Championship. In the Saturday race, Nico Müller won to close the gap on Rast, who was forced to retire with technical issues. Frijns and Rockenfeller were second and third to make it a one-two-three for Audi. Track temperatures were high for both races – up to 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday – while Hankook’s Ventus Race tyres impressed with a high level of grip on the smooth surface.
Nexen Tire has extended its sponsorship deal with German football club Eintracht Frankfurt through to the 2021/22 season. With the newly extended contract, Nexen Tire enjoy visibility at the Bundesliga club’s home stadium including in broadcast feeds, perimeter boards and commercials.
Less than three months after extending its VfL Wolfsburg partnership, Linglong Tire has taken a further step with the German football club by becoming its sleeve partner. As of this season, the tyre maker’s logo will appear on players’ left shirt sleeves during Bundesliga and DFB Cup matches.
Kumho Tyre is the new Premium Partner for German football club Bayer 04 Leverkusen and, for the annual DFB Cup knockout competition, sleeve partner. The two-year partnership between the tyre maker and football club got underway on Saturday when the Bayer 04 players took to the field in their new kit for the first round of the DFB Cup, a match that saw them defeat Alemannia Achen by four goals to one.
In just a few months’ time, Toyo Tire Corporation will begin research and development work at a new site in Europe. The tyre maker is setting up an R&D centre in Willich, Germany to support its future factory in Serbia, and intends to start operations there in the autumn. Having a local R&D presence in the vicinity of vehicle manufacturers and related companies will, says Toyo, be beneficial in terms of the quality and freshness of the information gained.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber says its decision to modernise two tyre factories in Germany, and in doing so lay off around 1,100 workers, will cut the tyre maker’s costs by US$60 million to $70 million a year. Chief financial officer Darren Wells anticipates that Goodyear will feel the “full benefit” of these additional earnings by 2022.
The workforce at the Michelin tyre plant in Hallstadt, Germany was told yesterday that tough times lie ahead. These words came from plant manager Jens Schlemmer; he informed employees that demand for tyres from the factory has been affected by the current tense market situation the country’s carmakers and their suppliers are facing.
A German court has ruled that certain Aeolus truck tyres infringe an EU design patent held by Continental. The matter has been resolved by an out-of-court settlement that covers damages and a recall of the products in question.
Kobe Steel, Ltd. established Kobelco Europe GmbH (KEU) earlier this month to serve as the European headquarters for the Kobe Steel Group. Tsuyoshi Uesugi, will serve as managing director. According to the company, KEU has grown out of the existing Kobelco Machinery Europe GmbH (KME) which is based in Munich, Germany. KME was established in 2012 as a base for Kobe Steel’s Machinery Business in Europe, mainly the marketing of nonstandard compressors and tyre and rubber machinery.
Falken Tyres celebrated 20 years at the Nürburgring with sponsorship of the ADAC TOTAL 24-Hour Race (N24), held on 22-23 June 2019. The Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand’s team, run by Sven Schnabl, now fields two cars at the event, and in the VLN Endurance Championship. The UK’s Peter Dumbreck and Swiss driver Alexandre Imperatori drove the BMW M6 GT3 alongside BMW factory drivers Stef Dusseldorp and Jens Klingmann to claim an excellent sixth place finish, having started 31st on the grid, while the new Porsche 911 GT3R, driven by Austrian duo Martin Ragginger and Klaus Bachler supported by Porsche factory drivers Dirk Werner and Jörg Bergmeister, finished the race in 21st, having suffered an off that put paid to its chances of a top-ten finish. Falken also supplied racing tyres to Subaru Tecnica International’s WRX STI. Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Falken Tyre Europe’s new chief operating officer and president, Markus Bögner, on what is probably the rising company’s most important weekend of the year.
Toyo Tires has partnered Tough Mudder in Germany and Great Britain since 2018. Now the tyre manufacturer has announced that it is expanding its partnership with Tough Mudder by extending its 2019 deal into Italy. As a result, Toyo will be an official partner for both of the inaugural Italian events on September 14/15 in Milan as well as on October 26/27 in Rome.
European Fintyre Distribution (EfTD) has appointed Francesco Saccani as its new managing director of RS Exclusiv and TyreXpert. He will report directly to Claudio Passerini, CEO of EfTD Germany, and will be responsible for leading the development and growth of the companies in northern Germany. EfTD added that the companies would seek to “enhance synergies” with the rest of the group.
The UK tyre trade may have to contend with Brexit and cuts within the automotive sector, but at least the army isn’t taking potshots at us. Spare a thought for our counterparts in Germany, who of late have found themselves in the crosshairs of their country’s defence forces.
Liqui Moly will become a name sponsor of the highest level of handball in Germany in July 2019. The lubricant specialist has acquired the naming rights to the men’s highest division, which will then be called the Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga. The contract is valid for three seasons with an option for two more.
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