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Maxxis Expands Consumer 4×4 Ad Campaign

Alongside its innovative trade press advertising, Maxxis is actively promoting its 4×4 range to consumers – highlighting key benefits for both 4×4/SUV drivers and dedicated off-road enthusiasts and underlining the wide range of sizes that are readily available.

“Our 4×4 tyres offer excellent traction and handling stability in all weathers plus real reliability, thanks to their enhanced puncture and abrasion resistance qualities, and we are keen to spread the word among an increasingly knowledgeable consumer audience,” says Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.

“Eye-catching full page colour advertisements in the leading magazines that tackle 4×4 issues are enabling us to raise our profile in this key sector and complement our ATV sponsorship.”

6th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

F1 Tyre Rule Change for 2008 Rumoured

A German motor racing magazine has disclosed that Formula One decision makers may be in favour of modifying the championship’s tyre regulations for the 2008 season. Auto Motor und Sport magazine reported on July 30 that Bridgestone could be asked to offer a wider selection of tyre compounds at each grand prix – a move intended to increase the strategy options available to participating teams.

The championship’s smaller teams are reportedly more strongly behind the idea, while the major players have given a lukewarm response to any such changes. Bridgestone too is said to be less than enthusiastic, as implementing the proposed changes for next year’s season would involve additional expense and preparatory work.

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Launches “New Generation” of Tyre Retail

On the same day that Which? Magazine published details of disappointing franchise dealer inspections, HiQ has started what it calls a “revolution” in fast fit retail. According to the company, the launch represents much more than simply a new look, but a completely new concept in tyre retail, designed to counter negative consumer perceptions of the industry. The concept also features a greater emphasis on using Internet technology, offering HiQ franchisees a share of the margin generated from each tyre sold online and then fitted in store. Describing the current stage of the retail business’ development as “exciting times,” HiQ managing director, Neil Burrows invited journalists to tour the flagship Nottingham retail centre.

Viewing the brand new HiQ it is clear that great attention has been paid to developing a retail experience that is at odds with the perception of tyre buying being a distress purchase. For a start the design is light and bright. Then there are entertainment features such as a plasma screen TV, a Playstation and broadband Internet access. But dig a little deeper and you see that the HiQ concept is also driven towards demonstrating that consumers are getting value for money – next to the plasma screen is a smaller flat screen monitor displaying the results of Pro-Align fitted Hunter DSP600 wheel alignment process in realtime. Gone are the days of “oh yeah, we did the tracking mate.”

For full details of the new HiQ network, franchise concept and the new Nottingham branch, see the complete article in the September issue of Tyres & Accessories.

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Welsh JV Liquid Nitrogen Facility Opens

TyreGenics’ new £4 million recycling facility in Wales opens today. The facility, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze shreds of tyres to below –80C before pulverising them into tiny crumbs, is the first facility of its type in northern Europe.

The new plant is said to have a capacity of 80 tonnes per day and will employ approximately 30 people. Tyres & Accessories has travelled to Baglan, near Port Talbot, for the facility’s opening ceremony, and will provide in-depth coverage of the occasion both online and in our August magazine.

25th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Appoints New International Press Officer

Continental has made a new addition to their Passenger & Light Truck Tire division’s press team. Starting July 1 was new international press officer Ansgar Wilkendorf (48). Wilkendorf’s main duties are coordinating activities between headquarters and the international market organisations for passenger and light truck tyres and providing assistance in the day-to-day business.

“I am very much looking forward to this new challenge with a leading German tyre manufacturer,” said Wilkendorf. In the past fourteen years he worked as a motoring journalist, since 2002 as editor-in-chief of a major European magazine reporting on the automotive world. Trained as a motor mechanic, Wilkendorf’s life has revolved around motor vehicles, and he is thus well acquainted with the needs of the groups he will be working with. As international press officer, Wilkendorf reports to the head of Public Relations – Passenger and Light Truck Tire, Alexander Lührs.

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Insurance Gains Industry Accreditation

Kwik-Fit Insurance was recently rewarded for its continued focus on training employees to deliver the highest levels of customer service. The company’s 12-week induction training has now been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Insurance, recognising the professional training delivered to new insurance advisors upon joining the company.

Head of HR and Training for Kwik-Fit Insurance Lynne Miller, commented: “Our people are trained to a very high standard not only to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the job in hand but to instil confidence that their knowledge and skills are extensive enough to accommodate almost any customer enquiry.

“Our people are some of the best trained in the industry and it’s great that this been recognised by the CII.”

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

How Blackcircles uses Conventional Media to Boost Online Sales

Blackcircles.com’s rapid success, gained through adapting dotcom technology to suit the tyre business, is well documented. According to Plimsoll’s 2007 analysis, the online tyre enterprise is the 32nd fastest growing company in the UK tyre business and blew away industry sales averages by posting sales growth of 80 per cent. So what’s the secret? The ever-increasing number of “fitting stations” listed as Blackcircles franchisees is one reason for the business’ rapid growth, but the company’s use of conventional media strategies appears to be another way it has kept traffic coming.

As Blackcircles prepares to sign-up its 300th franchise garage, the company has also launched a service designed to give consumers instant access to mechanics across the UK. The move follows the launch of www.mechanic-torque.co.uk in which consumers can post queries about their car and receive an expert answer from a Blackcircles franchise mechanic. Since launching in early 2006, the Blackcircles franchise network has spread across the UK. The franchise arrangement sees local independent garages retain their identity, but gain access to Blackcircles’ stock checking and ordering systems. Blackcircles plans to increase the number of franchises to 500 by December and 800 within a year.

28th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Gets Top Spot in Enthusiast Magazine Survey

(Akron/Tire Review) Falken Tire Corp. was selected as “favourite tyres” in the 2007 People’s Choice Awards conducted by C16, a digital automotive enthusiast magazine. C16 polls its readers each year, asking for their favourite brands in categories such as “Car Care” and “Car Handling.” Last year was the inaugural year of the People’s Choice Awards.

“It is victories like this one that prove that Falken Tire has consistently gained the most brand equity in the last few years,” said Nick Fousekis, Falken’s brand manager.

11th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sportrac3 Rated a ‘Winning Tyre’ in Auto Express Product Honours

Auto Express magazine has named a Vredestein product as top performer in the tyre segment of the magazine’s Product Honours 2007 awards. The Vredestein Sportrac 3 performed well in the 15-brand tyre test that covered wet cornering, wet handling, dry handling, aquaplaning, wet and dry braking, noise levels and rolling resistance, coming out in the lead in all areas with the exception of dry braking and rolling resistance.

“The Sportrac3 stars on wet surfaces and is a worthy champion. A great tyre at a good price,” said Kim Adams, consumer editor of Auto Express. The report further added that “new Russian owners haven’t stopped the Dutch brand’s ability to produce a winning tyre, as this is Vredestein’s third victory in as many years.”

“Our engineers have once again achieved a remarkable success in producing tyres that are the best in an important and growing segment of the market,” commented Bert Stellinga, managing director of Vredestein UK, who further claimed “Our network of specialist tyre retailers throughout the UK can confidently promote Vredestein car tyres as the very best quality in the market today.”

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Bidding 11b Euros for Siemens VDO

German business publication Manager Magazin reports that Continental AG is bidding nearly 11 billion euros for the Siemens’ VDO automotive electronics business. According to a summary of a story scheduled for publication in the magazine’s May 25 edition, Conti’s main rival for the acquisition of the Siemens division, US based TRW Automotive Holdings, has also made a comparable bid for the business. Private equity firms KKR and Permira are also interested in acquiring the business, the magazine added.

A Siemens spokesman has reportedly stated “The preparations for the planned stock exchange listing of Siemens VDO are running full steam ahead,” No further comment was made by either Siemens or Continental, and no representative from TRW could immediately be reached for a statement.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Sava Sporty 3+ Sizes

Savatech has announced that, in order to “make an impression,” the company will expand the Sporty 3+ range to include140/70-12 65P, increasing the number of possible fitments. The company is also reporting that feedback about the launch of its MC29 Sporty 3+ scooter tyre is highly positive with the tyre being considered to be innovative and technically advanced whilst great value for money.

“Last year we predicted that Sava MC29 Sporty 3+ would succeed with its attractive design, inclusive range of sizes and astonishing handling characteristics. Our confidence in this new product has been confirmed now that users have been able to put it to the test and report that the most outstanding feature of the tyre is its sporty and dynamic handling, enabling quick changes of direction,” company representatives told Tyres & Accessories.

20th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Progetto Marangoni Ready to Deliver

Italian manufacturer Marangoni Tyre is claiming its recent Progetto Marangoni partnership with Redline magazine is already bearing fruit at the retail level. As redline’s Toyota Yaris project car nears completion, Derek Carruthers, Marangoni (Car Tyre Division) Sales & Marketing Director, commented on the brand visibility that has been achieved through the project: “This unique media/tyre company partnership has really caught everyone’s imagination. For Marangoni it is proving a fantastic opportunity to communicate our message to a new, demanding and highly influential market, while for Redline it dramatically shifts their ambitious project car programme to a new and elevated platform.”

The Toyota Yaris has been stripped of its original engine and gearbox and all interior trim. The MR2 donor car has been purchased, its much-modified turbo already boasting printouts of 298bhp. Redline will add a chargecooler and a few hush-hush mods which will boost output to well over 300bhp.

19th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop GP Racer Wins Magazine Tyre Test

Dunlop, fresh from victory in the opening two rounds of the 2007 British Superbike Championship, scored another win in an independent test of superbike tyres. The test was conducted by leading UK monthly magazine ‘Superbike’, who tested the leading fast-road and track day tyres on the market. All the tyres tested were road-legal but aimed at the fast-growing track day market, where owners take road bikes onto race tracks where they can exploit the full-potential of their bikes.

‘Superbike’ tested eight different tyre brands at the demanding Albacete circuit in Spain. The magazine mixed subjective feedback with measured lap times, using three expert riders and a Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike. The Dunlop GP Racer was declared equal first in the test, and also secured the fastest average lap time of the eight contenders. Superbike’s Jon Pearson declared the Dunlop-shod bike to “feel planted at full lean, especially on the faster, longer corners.”

16th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Names New Project Manager of Events

(Akron/Tire Review) Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has named Michael Shin project manager of events.

Shin will specialize in the import lifestyle segment by supporting drifting, drag racing and sport-compact-related shows. Shin co-founded JTuned, an online magazine focusing on the Japanese performance automotive aftermarket.

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Matador’s Hectorra 2 Rated Well in Independent Test

Matador’s new MP 46 Hectorra 2 high performance tyre has been rated very highly in an independent test conducted by the Czech Republic motoring magazine Auto Motor a Šport. Following a comparative test evaluating each tyre on a number of criteria, the expert evaluators labelled the Hectorra 2 as “recommended.” The comparative test revealed the tyre’s greatest strengths lay in the areas of low rolling resistance and short braking distance on wet and dry surfaces. This Hectorra 2 was also rated one of the best handlers.

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors