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Michelin’s F1 Return Dependant on Competition

The rumours continue to circulate about Michelin’s return as a tyre supplier to Formula One, says Tire Review. However, a source with the French manufacturer told Racing Engineering that its return is sure to be partly dependent on competition from rival companies. “We are interested in it but it must be right, who knows what will happen,” the spokesperson said. “Certain things have to be done, we must have competition, and we do not want to be the only supplier.”

12th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Could Return to F1 Next Year

Michelin is reportedly close to returning to Formula One, albeit not as a standard tyre supplier. Although the news remains unconfirmed, Autosport reported that the French tyre manufacturer is in “advanced negotiations with the FIA about the terms of a return for the first time since it quit at the end of 2006.” A formal announcement confirming Michelin’s role is expected this month, according to the reports.

1st April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Rumoured Close to F1 Return

If Autosport has it right, Michelin is not far from a decision regarding a return to Formula 1, although not as a sole tyre supplier. According to the autosport.com website, the French tyre maker may make an announcement regarding this during April.

1st April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook to Build or Acquire South Asia Plant

During an interview with US trade publication Tire Review, recently appointed Hankook Tire America president Soo Il Lee indicated the South Korean tyre maker is looking to extend its presence in the Asian region. “Our next consideration is the southern Asia market,” he stated. “We are trying to find a location there or to buy an existing company this year or next year.” Lee did not disclose what type of products would be manufactured at this new facility.

1st April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Launches DL07 Drive Tyre

Hankook Tire has introduced its next generation of line-haul drive tyre for the North American market at the 2010 Mid-America Trucking Show. The DL07 is initially available in size 285/75R24.5 (14PR), and the range will be expanded by the third quarter of 2010 to include sizes 11R22.5, 11R24.5 and 295/75R22.5. Hankook says the DL07 is intended to compete against the Michelin XDA5 (M/C), Goodyear G372A (G/Y) and Bridgestone M726EL (B/S) – all, the manufacturer notes, come with a higher price tag attached.

30th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Test Praise for Hankook Radial RA14 Wet Performance

Hankook is the recipient of more tyre test kudos, this time from Europe’s largest specialist recreational vehicle magazine, Germany’s Promobil. The publication has released the results of its annual tyre test (Issue 4/2010), and has awarded first place to Hankook Radial RA14. The Promobil evaluation examined ten brand-name tyres currently available in the popular 235/65 R16C size, which is suitable for vehicles including the VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (the second of these was used as the test vehicle during the comparative evaluation).

17th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Report: Tyre Companies Will Increase Prices in 2010, But Not By Much

Will the leading global tyre manufacturers be able to increase product prices during the course of 2010? Yes, but not by much. That’s the view of Morgan Stanley’s financial analysts who published their assessment in an investor report published yesterday (16 March). Affirming the position, widely held amongst financial analysts, that the tyre industry is historically able to maintain “price discipline,” they commented that: “All major companies have already released price increase announcements – the industry is disciplined.”

17th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Sandbichler new Hankook Tire Europe Motorsports Manager

A new man is heading up Hankook Tire’s motorsport activities in Europe. Manfred Sandbichler, who has almost 20-years’ tyre industry experience under his belt and joined the company’s German division in 2003, was named manager of Motorsports on March 15.

15th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Thumbs Up for Hankook Ventus S1 evo in European Tyre Tests

Our neighbours on the Continent are prone to heed the advice of consumer tests than the average shopper in the UK, and tyre tests there are eagerly awaited and the recommendations often acted upon. Therefore a good result is essential for any manufacturer wishing for strong sales in Europe. Hankook reports that its Ventus S1 evo has performed well in the current summer tyre test published by the German automotive magazine Gute Fahrt (issue 03/2010). The VW and Audi focused magazine rated the Ventus S1 evo as one of only two tyres to be “Very Good”.

15th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Makes Oberbeck European Technical Centre Development Head

Hankook has announced the promotion of Dr Claus Oberbeck to head of development at the company’s European Technical Centre. Oberbeck has a strong history of technical research and development in ultra-high performance tyres having worked most recently as the head of an international project team developing new concepts and putting those concepts into practice in series production. His appointment provides further evidence of the company’s continued strengthening of its UHP tyre position, with an engineering team now numbering over 40 members.

10th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Graduation for First Hankook Dunaújváros Students

The first rubber technology engineers studying under the joint education programme run by Hankook Tire Hungary Ltd. and Dunaújváros College have graduated. The tyre maker reports the ten graduates received their diplomas at a ceremony held in February.

1st March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Can Bridgestone be Convinced to Stay with F1?

An article published by Spanish sports publication El Mundo Deportivo indicates concern from Formula 1 teams about tyres for the 2011 season may be behind alleged attempts to woo Bridgestone back into the tyre supply fold. The Japanese manufacturer stated cost as one of the reasons for its decision not to continue with the championship after 2010, however talks are now allegedly taking place to find ways of reducing necessary expenditure below the 55 million euros per annum Bridgestone currently spends.

23rd February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Competition Australia Makes Strong Motorsport Debut

In its motorsport debut, Hankook Competition Australia has claimed a wholly respectable outright fifth place and third place in its class at the Bathurst 12 Hour production car race, held at the Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales. The Hankook team competed in a newly built Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X fitted with its Ventus TD (Z221) tyres – a road legal R-Spec tyre – and the tyre maker said it used the event as an extended test to better understand the new tyre and how it would perform on one of the world’s most unique and demanding race circuits.

16th February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Management Target 11 per cent Price

Hankook Tire’s management are confident they can raise confidence in its ability to their products’ global average selling price by between seven and eight per cent in 2010. According to an investors note published by Deutsche Bank, additional price hikes are possible, with Hankook’s management said to be targeting an 11 per cent increase.

According to the financial analysts, Hankook’s confidence of being able to successfully implement the prices increases is based on the fact that “demand in key markets remain supportive expecting.” In real terms this means managers expect year-on-year sales volume growth of around 14 per cent this year with 100 per cent utilization.

5th February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Reflects on 2009 North American Success, Predicts More for 2010

After attaining its highest global sales to date in 2009, Tire Review believes Hankook Tire America Corporation has reason to expect more success in 2010. Its report quotes Soo Il Lee, the company’s president, who reflected on last year’s growth and shared Hankook’s goals for the coming year with attendees at the tyre-maker’s dealer meeting, held earlier this week in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

4th February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors