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Team Michelin Drivers Beat Published MPG by 30%

The two teams of drivers Michelin entered into this year’s MPG Marathon scored notable success in the annual fuel economy run, both taking top ten places at their first attempt. Both crews achieved more than 80 miles per gallon, and one team exceeded published figures by 30 per cent, in Peugeot 308s fitted with Michelin’s latest low rolling resistance Energy Saver tyres.

The ALD Automotive Total Excellium MPG Marathon organised by Fleetworld Magazine took 39 competing teams over a “real-world” route from Bristol to Macclesfield and back – a distance of more than 400 miles – with all the normal road traffic conditions of delays, traffic lights, hold-ups and slow moving tractors!

15th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli’s Scorpion Range Rated Highly in Consumer Survey

The Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow and ATR tyres have been ranked first in their respective categories by customers of US e-tailer TireRack.com. In addition, the latter was voted the highest performer among all-terrain tyres by a leading consumer magazine in their November 2008 issue.

The Scorpion ATR scored highly with consumers thanks to its “impressive handling dynamics in wet and dry conditions, cornering stability, noise and comfort, snow traction and its resistance to hydroplaning.” The tyre features a very aggressive symmetrical all-terrain tread, designed to optimise comfort and wear while keeping its all-terrain traction characteristics. The ATR’s special tread compound provides enhanced noise reduction, wear uniformity and aquaplaning resistance. The tyre is available in 15-24″ fitments, either as original equipment or replacement.

10th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

General, Pirelli, Michelin Top LT/SUV Tests

Consumer Reports tapped the General Grabber HTS and Pirelli Scorpion ATR as highest rated all-season and all-terrain light truck/SUV tires in its latest tyre tests. In addition, the Michelin Latitude X-Ice received the top rating among the four winter tyres CR tested. The new test results will be published in the magazine’s November issue.

CR tested 34 all-season and all-terrain light truck/SUV radials, all in size P265/70R17, considering all-season performance, tread life, fuel economy, braking, wet/dry traction, handling, and price, among other attributes. The General Grabber HTS earned the top spot among all-season tyres and the Pirelli Scorpion ATR rated highest among all-terrain tires. Tests were performed on a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, CR said.

“Most of the all-season tyres CR tested performed very well in braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance,” the magazine said. “The tyres produced a wide range of tread life and rolling-resistance ratings. But the fact that a number of all-season models with very good tread-life ratings ranked near the bottom in overall performance, shows that it’s necessary to look at the big picture when choosing tyres.” (Tire Review/Akron)

7th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Observing Profitable Markets

European Commission concerns about competition rules have blocked Michelin from acquiring Continental’s tyre business, but the French company is still showing a strong interest in securing an interest in other competitors. Speaking to Forbes.com about potential expansion into China to offset costs in stagnating markets, Michelin chief executive Michel Rollier said “we have to be pragmatic. If we see a wonderful opportunity we will seize it.

6th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

October 2008 – More Than Just Hot Air

This magazine is not Tyres & Tyres, it is Tyres & Accessories, so true to our name, in October we present a feature not focusing on the round, black, rubber objects. And as there is much worth reporting, our coverage will be – if you will just this once indulge us – exhaustive.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook All-Season Test Success

Hankook’s Optimo 4S has received the best ratings in an all-season tyre test by Auto Bild, the German car magazine, with testers acknowledging “top driving performance under any weather conditions”. The company says that the “exemplary” rating of the tyre substantiates Hankook’s claim to premium standards in its products. The Optimo 4S is also the only tyre in the world to receive the German Federal Environmental Agency’s prestigious Blue Angel mark, attributed because of the tyre’s reduced road and rolling noise, as well as helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent.

Hankook is – According to the US-Magazine Modern Tire Dealer (Jan. 2008) – currently the seventh largest and fastest growing tire manufacturer in the world, and the company is keen to emphasise the “landmark” nature of the results of the tests by Auto Bild, Europe’s largest automobile magazine. Eight all-season-products from various makers were tested on a VW Golf with the dimensions 195/65 R 15 T/H/V. The Optimo 4S (standing for four seasons), was – according to Auto Bild’’s editor – the only tested tyre “that outperforms in any kind of weather”. He also praised its “dynamic handling quality on snow-covered roads as well as short braking distances on wet as well as dry courses,” making the tyre one of only two to receive the magazine’s “exemplary” rating.

24th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Buy Continental CV Unit?

Michelin has sought to play down earlier news reports that suggested the French tyre manufacturer would may acquire Continental’s tyre unit, should the division be for sale. According to German magazine WirtschaftsWoche, Michelin give Continental’s truck tyre unit “a great deal of attention, even though there might be cartel related problems,” quoting Michelin managing partner, Michel Rollier.

However, in the wider context of the article Reuters reports that Rollier was asked by the paper if Michelin would be interested following Continental’s acquisition the company: “The opportunity has not presented it self until now and it would not be a surprise if the Continental tyre business remains a core part of the Conti group,” Rollier said.

A Continental representatives told Tyres & Accessories that while the company has received a number of offers for both its commercial vehicle and ContiTech business units it is not interested in selling and does not comment on speculation.

22nd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Exec Gets Marketer Honor

Phil Pacsi, vice president of consumer tyre marketing for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, was named as one of Brandweek magazine’s “Marketers of the Year.” The award was unveiled in the magazine’s September issue.

“I really view this honor as recognition for the incredible work done this past year by our entire BFNAT marketing team and our agency partners,” said Pacsi. “It’s been a total team effort as we’ve looked for new and creative ways to leverage our new sports marketing partnerships and raise awareness for our Bridgestone brand, drive customers to our dealers and ultimately sell more tyres.”

Pasci was honored for his efforts in aligning the company and its brands with major sports events, such as the NFL and Super Bowl, the NHL, IndyCar racing, PGA golf, team sponsorships and more. (Tire Review/Akron)

18th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Aftermarket Show Returns to NEC

The Aftermarket Show is gearing up for next year’s event, following a successful 2008 exhibition this January. The self-styled “must-attend event for all automotive service industry professionals” takes place at the Birmingham NEC from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 January 2009, and is currently open for trade visitor registration. The event is being supported by Car and Accessory Trade magazine, while the organisers promise a continuation of the Talkshop tool, which provides a free forum for exhibitor-visitor interaction.

This year’s event – held in January – was attended by nearly 4,100 dedicated aftermarket industry trade visitors, in addition to over 23,800 Autosport International trade visitors. More than 56,700 end users of automotive products walked the exhibition floor over the long weekend, representing an estimated spend of £3.2 Million on car and motorsport related products.

10th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Wins Auto Express 2008 Tyre Test

The Pirelli P Zero (225/45 R17), achieved the highest overall score in this year’s Auto Express tyre test, coming top in a comparison test against 15 other competitor brands. The magazine test examined several key disciplines including: dry handling, wet handling, dry braking, wet braking, aquaplaning and rolling resistance. Pirelli achieved first overall in the Dry Handling discipline with Auto Express commenting: “None of our contenders inspired as much confidence as the Pirelli, which felt spot-on as soon as we turned into the corner. Grip was plentiful too”.

2nd September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Report: von Gruenberg Excluded From Conti/Schaeffler Talks

Hubertus von Gruenberg, Continental AG’s supervisory board chairman, has been excluded from negotiations with Schaeffler in spite of his approval of the potential takeover. According to the Financial Times Deutschland report, adviser Perella Weinberg Partners had suggested von Gruenberg and Conti’s personnel representative, Werner Bischoff, get involved to try and help break the deadlock in talks between Schaeffler and Conti CEO Manfred Wennemer.

19th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Points to Tyre Tests to Confirm Rolling Resistance Qualities

The latest 18-inch UHP wide-base tyre test published in Germany’s leading automotive consumer magazine “Auto Bild” shows that paying attention to rolling resistance does not necessarily have to come attached to an unacceptable sacrifice in the areas of handling or braking. Hankook in particular is pleased with the results of this test, having not only achieved an overall “good” test result, but also coming out ahead of its competitors in the rolling resistance category. At the same time the experts testing the tyres attested that the braking performance of Hankook’s new UHP wide-base tyres was excellent both in dry and wet road conditions. In addition, the Ventus V12 evo also impressed the testers with its noise level on rough roads, something that has generally been a problem with wide-base tyres, but is becoming increasingly important because of reported health dangers stemming from the considerable noise created by road traffic. The test was carried out using 225/40 R18tyres fitted to the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz C class.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Truck Force Turns a Corner

Goodyear Dunlop’s detractors would have the truck tyre market believe that there are serious problems in the company’s commercial vehicle department. Goodyear Dunlop UK, managing director, Mark Brickhill, however, paints quite a different picture. In a recent interview with Tyres & Accessories (to be published in our August magazine) Brickhill gave details of progress in the truck business. Firstly, Brickhill told T&A that Truck Force is already showing signs of being a turnaround success story.

Since the commercial vehicle retail arm separated from the HiQ passenger retail business, and the two chains were each allowed to follow strategies tuned to the respective business areas, both operations appear to be better off. Perhaps the best sign of this is the fact that Truck Force, which was once a significantly loss making operation, is now at breakeven and on schedule to enter profit in 2009. But this doesn’t tell the whole story. From Mark Brickhill’s point of view, the fact that Truck Force has evolved into a service-led operation has had much to do with its improved performance.

21st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Makes US Reputation Top 20

Forbes magazine has bestowed the honour of being named one of the Reputation Institute’s most respected American companies upon the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Goodyear is 16th on the publication’s list, details of which can be found on the publication’s website.

The RI’s criteria for ranking include the organisation’s “seven dimensions of reputation”, which comprise products/services, innovation, workplace, citizenship, governance, leadership and performance. The ratings were generated by the RI’s Global Pulse consumer opinion survey, while the company’s score of 76.0 shows an impressive 7.54 increase on 2007’s score. Goodyear is the sole representative of the tyre manufacturing industry on the list.

11th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Appoints New Advertising Agency

Pirelli Tyre has appointed the Tampa, Florida based advertising agency Pyper Paul + Kenny to develop the company’s worldwide branding and creative platforms. PP+K came to Pirelli’s attention through the agency’s work for the Grand American Road Racing Association, whom the manufacturer sponsors.

The Italian firm hopes to develop strategic alliances with the Association and with World Rally Championship through the new appointment. PP+K will simultaneously launch a magazine advertising campaign in various auto-magazines worldwide.

1st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors