Toyo Tires is giving three new tyres their global premiere at Reifen 2012. Senior development personnel from the company’s Toyo Technical Centre in Itami, Japan are attending to introduce the products and answer questions.
At the opening round of the GT Asia championship, held in Malaysia on 25 May, Yokohama Rubber began in its new role as control tyre supplier. The Japanese tyre maker supplied its Advan A005 for dry conditions and the Advan A006 for the wet.
When Federal Tyre returns to the Reifen show in Germany this June, the Taiwanese manufacturer will showcase its Himalaya ICEO winter tyre, which is aimed at consumers in Northern Europe, Russia/CIS and Japan. Sizes initially on offer range from 155/70R13 through to 245/45R18, and Federal says the range will continue to be expanded throughout the rest of the year.
The Firenza high performance brand has steadily grown within this competitive sector and is now a popular choice with discerning drivers who insist on a combination of speed, comfort and safety at a realistic price level. The company reports that its latest UHP pattern, the ST05A, is expertly manufactured incorporating up-to-the-minute tyre production technology from Japan and is currently on offer in 26 size options from 15 up to 18 inches and both V and W speed ratings. The company also intend to introduce a further eight additional 19 and 20 inch sizes in the near future.
Last year Michelin introduced a new motorcycle tyre – and it has now launched a dedicated Facebook application to go with it. The tyre part of the package is called the Commander II, a product designed for cruisers in the over-650cc category. The Commander II Facebook platform, on the other hand, is available at http://michelin-commander-2.com and enables users to share views, technical information and interests. Michelin describes the platform as a social networking tool that brings the riding community together, in the same way that associations, clubs and recreational events do. The tyre maker notes that one of the application’s most entertaining features allows users to star in a customisable animated film using their picture and other details from their Facebook profile.
During last month’s Daimler Supplier Award ceremony in Germany, the vehicle manufacturer bestowed a “Special Award for Partnership” upon its Japanese suppliers, including Bridgestone. The award was given to 34 Japanese key suppliers in recognition of their efforts to overcome the disruption caused by last year’s earthquake and tsunami and for the solutions they found to keep the supply chain running, with minimal effect on Daimler business.
MotoGP’s pre-season testing has concluded at Jerez with a late dash by Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner confirming the Australian’s place at the top of the 21-rider lap-time table. Jerez was the first time all twenty-one riders campaigning the upcoming MotoGP season shared the same circuit, and the reigning champion’s 1:38.780 ensured he was the fastest man at each of the IRTA pre-season tests. Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, the 2010 champion, achieved a best time of 1:38.953, showing potential and promising some exciting duels throughout the upcoming season. Shinji Aoki, manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department, said that the company will “leave Spain having achieved all our technical objectives.”
Hankook reports its Enfren Eco H433 has been given the top grade for energy efficiency in the ratings set out by the Korea Energy Management Corporation. The tyre maker says the H433 is the first tyre from a Korean manufacturer to receive this grade. In December 2011 the tyre also received the highest AAA rating for rolling resistance in the labelling system set up by the Tire Fair Trade Commission in Japan.
Global demand OTR radials for use in construction and mining applications is growing, and to meet the needs of a hungry market, Bridgestone intends to build a new production facility in Thailand. On 5 March the Japanese tyre maker announced plans to invest around 50 billion yen (£385.6 million) setting up the tyre plant in Rayong, and production there is expected to begin in the first half of 2015. Production capacity at the new plant is expected to reach approximately 85 tons per day by the 1st half of 2019, when scheduled capacity increases are completed. In addition, Bridgestone will also erect a steel cord manufacturing facility through its cord manufacturing subsidiary.
The official opening of Continental’s new winter test centre in China’s Heilongjiang Province was held on 23 February. The Heihe-based facility, operated by the company’s Chassis & Safety Division, is located in what Conti calls a “favourable environment for cold weather testing” and is made up of a 7 million square metre lake and 30,000 square metre land area. The Heihe winter test centre is the German company’s fourth ABS and ESC test facility; the others are located in Europe, the US and Japan. The focus for activities at the centre will be testing vehicle stability in all driving conditions, especially on low friction surfaces.
Europe is to become the first international market for Yokohama’s new Geolandar SUV range. The 4×4 tyre went on sale in Japan this month and when it arrives here in March the Geolandar SUV will be available in 27 sizes from 245/50R20 102V to 205/70R15 96H. Following its European release, the energy efficiency-themed tyre will be gradually launched in other global markets.
A new Bridgestone radial for larger scooters is due for release this year – The new Battlax SC will be launched in Japan on 1 April and will also be introduced into other global markets during the course of 2012, including North, Central and South America, Asian and Oceania. In Europe it will be available as a replacement tyre for maxi scooters of 300cc and above.
China tyre manufacturer Techking reports that it is successfully supplying a customer in Japan in conjunction with a local partner. Together the two companies have reportedly supplied the unnamed Japanese customer with Techking 16.00 R25 ETADT tyres, complete with service support.
The first nine months of Japan’s 2011 financial year have been described by Toyo Tire & Rubber as being a “severe” business environment. During the nine month period between 1 April and 31 December 2011, the company experienced a 19.4 per cent year-on-year decrease in net income despite rising sales. Net sales increased 6.7 per cent during the timeframe in question, to 241.7 billion yen (£2.0 billion), while operating income and ordinary income rose 10.4 per cent and 11.9 per cent respectively, to 11.59 billion yen (£95.8 million) and 8.99 billion yen (£74.3 million). Despite stronger sales, net income sank by 985 million yen to 4.11 billion yen (£33.9 million) during the first three quarters.
Bridgestone has developed what it calls a “next generation” compound for its Blizzak winter tyres designed to grip like a studded tyre. Called Tube Multicell, it contains thousands of microscopic tubular cells and “bite particles.” Together with other technologies, the Tube Multicell compound is applied in the new Blizzak WS70 in a bid to offer motorists superior handling in Nordic winter conditions.
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