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Kumho Gets Top Reviews From German Mags

Kumho Tire received some favorable press in Europe recently, earning honors in tyre tests conducted by German automotive magazines. The company received an overall assessment of “very recommendable” by Autozeitung, and its Road Venture MT KL71 was selected as “Off Road Tyre 2009” by German 4×4 magazine “Off Road.”

“European automotive magazines from Germany, Great Britain and Sweden hold tests several times a year to compare and rank performance of recommendable tyres,” said N.W. Cho, senior researcher for Kumho. “The tyre test results influence the purchasing decisions of European consumers, as they are an official recognition of performance and quality.” (Tire Review/Akron)

2nd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler Confirms Hetmann Has Resigned

Schaeffler Group has confirmed that the company’s chief financial officer, Thomas Hetmann, has left due to “differences of opinion regarding the future strategic concept of the Schaeffler Group.” According to an official statement released by the company, Hetmann has left by “mutual agreement” and will be replaced by Mary Jo Gresens, who will act as a consultant. Gresens was previously CFO at the automotive supplier between 1999 and 2006.

Meanwhile, Forbes has reported that Schaeffler is to present a revised restructuring plan to the German government in the next two week. A source “familiar with the matter” told the business magazine that the move, a requirement for receiving state aid, follows a 20 per cent drop in new orders at the company.

18th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SPD May Support Schaeffler State Aid

Germany’s Social Democratic party (SPD) is reportedly “open in principle” Continental AG major shareholder Schaeffler Group with state aid, SPD chairman Franz Muentefering told reporters in Berlin. “Situations can arise in which you need to help many, many families in order to prevent a catastrophe…Then you need to do it,” Muentefering added. The politician didn’t give any details of how government discussions on how the government’s discussions with Schaeffler could work out.

16th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

STL Gets Global Award Nod

Standards Testing Laboratories was nominated for a Tire Technology International Award for Innovation and Excellence in the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year category. The awards are sponsored by Tire Technology International magazine, and will be presented on 18 February in Hamburg, Germany.

“We’re honoured to be considered for the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year award as we focus on company growth that allows us to serve tyre and wheel customers throughout the world,” said Cheryl Schnuth, STL vice president of marketing. “Our expert team of engineers, scientists and technicians devotes each day to conducting high-quality, unbiased testing that delivers accurate, reliable data.” (Tire Review/Akron)

16th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Trumpets Test Triumph

It’s a rare person that isn’t pleased with a good test result, and German tyre manufacturer Continental is clearly chuffed with the outcome of Autocar magazine’s recent tyre comparison. Indeed, a Conti press release highlights the ‘staggering’ difference in quality between tyres made in Europe and budget segment Asian imports.

Autocar experts travelled to Continental’s Contidrom in Germany and tested five Asian made summer tyres, using the ContiPremiumContact 2 as their reference tyre. As Conti reports, tests revealed that the imports encountered safety problems, mainly in wet driving conditions, but were also outperformed by the European tyre in terms of braking distance on dry asphalt. High-speed tests showed yet more problems, with four out of five of the import tyres failing to make the grade at top speeds.

13th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Takeover Rumours Cause Conti Shares to Rise

Shares in Continental AG rose 11 per cent on February 6 in response to circulating rumours that Pirelli & C SpA may wish to acquire the company’s tyre business – a move that, should it take place, would give the erstwhile competitors a comprehensive product portfolio. Reuters quoted an unnamed trader as saying “There is a rumour that Pirelli may be interested in Conti’s tyre business.”

Italian magazine Il Mondo has reported that banks have approached the Italian company about buying the Conti business, however neither Pirelli nor Continental have confirmed or denied any such activity. The Il Mondo article claims that Pirelli executives have conducted, on separate occasions, meetings with JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Mediobanca and a number of advisers.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Truck Tyre a ‘Nifty Fifty’ Recipient

The Nifty Fifty awards are held each year by US based magazine Heavy Duty Trucking to showcase the editors’ favourite new products from the previous twelve months. Named as one of these fifty favourites in the 2008 awards has been Yokohama’s 103ZR commercial tyre.

The ‘Nifty Fifty’ are selected from hundreds of new products reviewed by the magazine during the year and evaluated for their utility to truck operators in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance. The Yokohama tyre was chosen, say the editors, on the merits of its longevity and fuel-efficiency. The manufacturer also made it onto the list in 2007, with its 703ZL tyre.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Is Schaeffler Seeking Complete Control of Conti?

Speculation is mounting that Schaeffler Group executives are positioning themselves for a complete takeover of Continental AG. Following the ball-bearing maker’s successful bid for just under half the company, Schaeffler Group, is now responsible for 11 billion euros ($14.3 billion) of debt relating to the deal. However, the increasing negative global economic climate, especially with relation to the automotive supply business has led some observers to characterise Schaeffler as being backed into a corner. According to Bloomberg, “Schaeffler has one way out: gaining full control of Europe’s second-largest car-parts maker.”

Continental will now hold an emergency supervisory board meeting on 24 January (tomorrow), a gathering that has been arranged in the wake of Schaeffler’s reported demands for the resignation of Continental supervisory board chairman Hubertus von Gruenberg. According to the Financial Times this threat was delivered alongside an ultimatum – either Continental forces out von Gruenberg and gives Schaeffler representatives four seats on the board or the ball bearing member will push for the replacement of all 20 investor representatives on the 20-member board.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Lunar Wheel Shown Off During Obama Inauguration Parade

Barack Obama may have travelled on Goodyear truck tyres to his January 20 inauguration, but competitor Michelin was by no means left out in the cold during the day’s festivities. The manufacturer reports that NASA astronauts piloted their latest generation moon vehicle, the Small Pressurized Lunar Rover, in the Washington D.C. inaugural parade. The lunar rover rode from the US Capitol to the White House upon a specially engineered Michelin Tweel assembly.

“Michelin and NASA have a long history of successful collaboration. For more than 20 years, Michelin has supplied tyres for the space shuttle. Over the past three years, we have also worked with NASA to develop a revolutionary tire/wheel assembly for the next generation of lunar rovers,” said David Stafford, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Research Company. “We are pleased that NASA, one of the world’s most demanding customers, has selected Michelin to accompany them as millions see this amazing vehicle showcased for the first time.”

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear, Dunlop Tires Named ‘Best Buys’

In the US, the February 2009 issue of Consumers Digest showcases the best tyres on the market, as rated by the magazine’s editors, and a handful products from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. made the list. For the “All-Season Car Tires” category, Goodyear’s Assurance TripleTred is the premium selection. The Goodyear Fortera TripleTred is the premium choice in the “All-Season SUV/Truck Tires” category. On the Dunlop side, the SP Sport Signature was is the midrange selection in the “Performance Car Tires” category, while the Dunlop SP 60 is the economy choice in the “All-Season Car Tires” category.

The Consumers Digest comparison list shows top-rated tyres in premium, midrange and economy segments. According to the magazine, best buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money. “We are pleased that yet another independent source has recognized the tremendous value of our tyres,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director.

“Goodyear’s product development efforts have focused on an application of relevant technology – advancements that are technologically innovative, but which also offer discernible benefits to those who drive on our tyres.”

“This is another great recognition for Dunlop’s outstanding product line. We are pleased when independent sources and consumers recognize the performance of our tyres,” said Todd Hershberger, Dunlop brand director. “Dunlop’s prestige and passion are evident in the continued high level of our products, including the industry-leading original equipment fitments on some of the world’s best automobiles.” (Tire Review/Akron)

20th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

MCN Gives Maxxis Supermaxx Sport Rave Reviews

MCN, the UK’s number one consumer motorcycle magazine, has published a string of complimentary comments about Maxxis’s Supermaxx sports radial, which it is currently putting through its paces on a 172mph Yamaha R6. Journalist Chris Newbigging has been testing the Maxxis Supermaxx Sport – improved for 2009 with a multi-section construction – since October and his verdict is that the tyres are ‘stable and grippy on wintry B-roads’.

According to the magazine, while the track-biased Dunlop Qualifier RRs that were previously fitted on the bike ‘couldn’t cope’ with gritted roads, the Supermaxx Sports came into their own: “…their lower operating temperature means they hook up and take the worry out of wet riding – bloody impressive,” Newbigging enthused.

19th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone a Strong Performer in Magazine Motorcycle Tyre Tests

2008 ended on a high note for Bridgestone UK, with the company’s products fairing well in recent tests performed by RiDE and Bike magazines, which put a range of motorcycle tyres through their paces.

RiDE magazine’s RiDER Power survey, the largest consumer survey of riders on all aspects of motorcycling, from top dealers to the bikes themselves, assessed the tyres on a range of criteria from grip to longevity. Bridgestone reports its tyre came top in several categories, including tyre life and wet and dry grip. Bridgestone’s Trial Wings and Battle Wings tyres dominated the top ten in the tyre life category, scooping the top spots in the front and rear categories respectively, with the BT-045 and BT-057 also making the top twenty. The BT-090 topped the tables for dry grip and a number of other tyres in the range also rated highly in the wet and dry grip categories.

15th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Gets Adrenalin Pumping in Australian Tyre Test

An evaluation of 14 tyres conducted by Australia’s Motor magazine for its annual Tyre Test has seen Bridgestone’s Potenza Adrenalin RE001 dominate proceedings. In a range of tests including wet and dry slalom, wet and dry braking, lateral G-force measurements and overall lap times, the Adrenalin scored a total of 120.1 points, almost five points ahead of its nearest road tyre competitor.

“We’re happy to applaud the Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE001 as this year’s performance road-tyre winner,” stated Motor magazine journalist Sean Cleary. “It demonstrated outstanding consistency and even offers decent value against its competitors.”

15th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Bestows Manufacturer Awards

Apollo Tyres and leading national automotive magazine Auto India have on January 8 held their “Apollo Tyres Auto India Best Brand Survey Awards”, recognising the merits of various Indian market two and four-wheel vehicle manufacturers. The recipients of the awards were decided upon based on questionnaires filled in and returned by approximately 1,072 Auto India and Business India readers. Award categories included, amongst others, “reliable”, “well-made product”, “good customer service and advanced technology”.

13th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Announces New Sizes in Sport Maxx Range

A year on from the launch of the company’s Sport Maxx TT range, featuring Kevlar in its construction, Dunlop has unveiled an extended range of sizes that make it possible to apply this acclaimed technology to a wider range of performance cars. It is now available in 21 significant new sizes ranging from 195/40R17 to 245/45R18, adding to the 20 popular sizes available at launch.

8th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors