Following a run of exhibition involvement in 2011 at Autopromotec (Bologna) and SEMA (Las Vegas), Chinese-produced tyre brand Sailun has decided make its debut at the European industry’s biggest show by exhibiting at the forthcoming Reifen 2012 show. It is also rumoured that a new UHP passenger tyre will be unveiled.
Recent growth in European market sales across both the passenger car and radial truck tyre sectors has led to an upgrade of the Sailun’s tyre logistics strategy.
According to the company, in order to meet increased demand and to maintain service level agreements and delivery standards, Sailun has opened a new enhanced warehousing facility next to its Qingdao research, development, testing and manufacturing centre.
Vehicles fitted with run-flat tyres as original equipment, such as the various members of the BMW range, are now entering the used car market in increasing numbers and being purchased by drivers with more limited budgets than the first owners. To cater for these motorists’ tyre needs, Bridgestone has launched its first Firestone-branded run-flat for the European market. Called the Firehawk SZ90µ RFT (Run-Flat Technology), the replacement market tyre is available in six sizes for 16- to 18-inch, 40 to 55 series, and features a reinforced sidewall rubber construction for continued safe driving if the tyre deflates or suffers a total loss of pressure.
BKT reports it has produced its first test batches of solid tyres at the company’s new Bhuj factory in India’s Gujarat state, and commercial production of tubes manufactured there has already commenced.
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show sales overall were up 1.4 per cent against February 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down 15.8 per cent in February, while over 50cc motorcycle sales have increased six per cent.
"February 2012 sales figures saw a dip in the overall commercial vehicle market after a period of strong recovery in 2011. While truck registrations continued to rise, up 26.4 per cent in February, van registrations fell by 26.4 per cent" said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT's van and truck registration figures.
Mercedes-Benz UK has maintained its record 4.8 per cent market share in February and year to date (YTD), according to figures from SMMT. February 2012's new car registrations showed an 11.0 per cent increase for Mercedes-Benz, to 2933 new cars. The year to date figure of 9,182 vehicles is a rise of 17.2 per cent, compared with the first two months of 2011. During the same period the overall new car market was down 0.7 per cent.
Titan International has recorded a record fourth quarter and full-year 2011. The US firm says its year to date 2011 sales were the highest in company history and increased 69 per cent year-on-year to US$1.487 billion. Gross profit for 2011 amounted to $232.1 million, or 15.6 per cent of net sales, a year-on-year rise of 123.0 per cent. Net income for the year was $58.2 million, compared to a loss of $5.9 million during the 2010 financial year. Fourth quarter results tell a similar story: Sales during the three months to 31 December came to $402.9 million, up from $232.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Income from operations increased from $16.2 million in the final quarter of 2010 to $58.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
A recently published report by TechSci Research suggests that the Brazilian replacement tyre market will grow as the country’s increasing prosperity encourages drivers away from retreaded tyres. Karan Chechi, research director with TechSci Research argues: “The Brazilian tyre market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 13 per cent for the next five years. It is forecast that its replacement tyre market will grow at a much faster pace than anticipated earlier due to the increasing number of automobiles on Brazilian roads, [which is expected] to reach 63 Million units by 2016.”
Indian off-road tyre specialist BKT appears on track to reach its market share goal ahead of schedule. In a statement released on 17 February, company vice-chairman and managing director Arvind Poddar announced that due to current growth the tyre maker’s aim of becoming a global leader in off-highway tyre solutions with a ten per cent market share should be reached in 2014 rather than 2015.
Firestone has launched a new agricultural tyre in its Performer range for medium-sized tractors. Firestone has announced the details of the Performer 65 at the 37th International Fair of Agricultural Machinery in Zaragoza, Spain. Firestone is exhibiting its range of agricultural tyres between 14 and 18 February.
Johnson Controls Batteries has appointed Mike Hall as managing director to develop new market share growth strategies in the UK and Irish aftermarket. Prior to his new appointment, he was Sales Director for Europe and Africa within the Building Efficiency Division of Johnson Controls.
This week the millionth truck-bus radial came off the production line at Apollo Tyres’ Chennai manufacturing facility. The TBR unit entered service in April 2010 with an initial production of 250 tyres a day; following a series of gradual ramp-ups a total of 4,000 tyres are now produced there each day. TBR tyres now account for 19 per cent of Apollo’s total commercial vehicle tyre production, a figure that mirrors India’s overall 20 per cent commercial sector radialisation level.
Luton-based Vauxhall Commercial vehicles sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other manufacturer, says the SMMT. Van sales during the year totalled 11,436 – a 25.05 per cent rise over the previous 12 months. To put this in perspective, the market grew by 8.32 per cent.
On 2 August the Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Wheels Task Force announced plans to begin a lightweight high-strength steel wheel development project, with a “cost-effective design and manufacturing” process. As well as developing the next generation of steel wheel products, it appears that the group also wants to rejuvenate the OE steel wheel market that has faced strong competition from cast and forged aluminium alternatives in recent years. Project results are expected in the Autumn.
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