The bigger the tyre brand, the more important marketing becomes in order to communicate its values and its worth. With this in mind, the “marketing” tag collates all the latest marketing-related news and analysis into a single place. This reverse-chronological list of thousands of articles is your go-to source of tyre industry, marketing-related news and information.
A 33 per cent increase in the number of UK First Stop dealerships reaching Bridgestone’s highest customer service standard has topped a memorable year for the thriving network, the company has reported. Eight outlets across the country are now proudly operating as five star dealerships, with an equally impressive 37 having reached the very respectable four star grade.
At the opening of a new development and manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China, Franz Fehrenbach, the Chairman of the Bosch Group Board of Management, announced intentions to significantly expand activities into the region.
The number of Bosch manufacturing facilities in the People’s Republic of China has doubled to 20 in the past five years. At the end of 2004, Bosch had invested some 550 million euros in the establishment and expansion of activities. The company now plans to invest a further 650 million euros during the next two years across the country. “Bosch has a strong focus on China. We see it as a core country for our business in the entire Asia-Pacific region” explained Fehrenbach.
According to a recent survey sponsored by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, almost two-thirds of drivers in the USA admit to fear of an accident while driving in bad weather conditions.
As a way of communicating the effectiveness of their Assurance and Fortera tyres with TripleTred Technology, consumer marketers at Goodyear were interested in finding out how people approach changing weather conditions, and the driving challenges that arise.
In the survey, more than half (53 per cent) of respondents said inclement weather has negatively affected their overall trip experience.
After a four-way agency pitch, Bridgestone UK has appointed Gloucestershire-based Clear Communications to provide above- and below-the-line marketing support. The agency’s remit includes helping to build Bridgestone’s brand equity in the UK and providing tactical initiatives and support for dealers, including the First Stop network. In addition, Clear Communications will help Bridgestone to promote a road safety campaign in the UK, in conjunction with the FIA Foundation (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile). The campaign is entitled “Think Before You Drive.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has introduced three new Michelin X-Ice PAX system winter tyres that can be operated after a puncture for 125 miles at 50 mph, according to MNA. The Michelin X-Ice PAX System 225-700R480A, Michelin X-Ice PAX System 245-680R460A and Michelin X-Ice PAX System 235-710R460A tires are available now for the Nissan Quest, the Acura RL and the Honda Odyssey Touring Edition, respectively, stated MNA.
In a move to raise its profile among the tyre buying public and support its UK distribution network, Maxxis has signed a major sponsorship deal with Premiership football club Aston Villa. Maxxis, an acknowledged specialist in turf, cycle, 4×4, quad, light truck and ATV, has teamed up with Aston Villa FC for the remainder of the 2005/2006 season.
Under the terms of the sponsorship deal, Maxxis is an Official Partner of Aston Villa FC with preferential status as supplier to the club. The company has the benefit of perimeter advertising at Villa Park and corporate hospitality facilities, as well as invaluable mainstream TV exposure.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has appointed Kerry A Barnett as director of financial planning and commercial analysis and Gary C Schroeder as director of credit.
In her new position, Barnett will be responsible for developing annual plans, monthly updates and forecasts for Cooper’s North American tire division and will consolidate operating plans for Cooper-Avon and the company’s Asian operations. Barnett will also oversee customer accounting and customer profitability reporting, commercial analyses and financially related sales and marketing activities, Cooper stated in a release.
Goodyear’s North American Consumer Tire Business has named Brett Ponton to the position of vice president, Goodyear North American Consumer Retail. In this position, he will be responsible for all company-owned Goodyear retail stores in North America. Overall, Goodyear’s retail operations group is responsible for 763 company-owned tyre stores, 139 of them operated under the Just Tires retail format.
(Akron/Tire Review) Treadways Corp. has hired Ed Nini as market development manager for its private brands unit. In his new role, Nini will be responsible for competitive price analysis, market share analysis and coordination, and Treadways’ supplemental pricing programs. Nini is new to the tyre industry and was previously employed with Dow Jones as its senior marketing manager. He will be based at Treadways’ headquarters in East Norriton, Pennsylvania.
Continental Truck Tyres has introduced a ‘cradle to grave’ ContiLifeCycle tyre management concept, which it claims can reduce tyre operating costs by as much as 25 per cent.
The manufacturer’s aim is to encourage hauliers to think beyond the tyre management basics of purchase price, service life and reliability, and to consider the impact correct tyre maintenance can have on vehicle running costs.
MAHA has signed up for next year’s Aftermarket Show. The event, which runs from January 12 to 15 2006 at Birmingham NEC, has grown “rapidly” in recent months, according to organisers.
On display at the MAHA stand will be the LPS 3000 High Power Dynamometer Roller Set and Display Console. The company will be demonstrating the product’s capabilities through pre-recorded results of actual tests. With the roller set on the stand, MAHA will also show the workings of the hardware.
Viking International has appointed a new marketing manager to its team.
Karen Welden who will be based in Stockport, joined Viking International from the Country Range Group, a buying consortium of 16 independent food wholesalers serving the catering trade.
Sameer Africa’s first Kenyan branded and produced tyres have rolled of the production line. The firm’s marketing manager, Jeremiah Siage, said Sameer Africa has the capacity to produce its own brands. The tyres open a new chapter for a firm that had previously been associated with the Firestone brand.
The Yokohama Rubber Co, Ltd, has announced that it will establish Yokohama Rubber (China) Co, Ltd, in Shanghai, China, to exercise overall control of business operations at each of its companies in China. Yokohama Rubber (China) will be capitalised at $30 million.
Yokohama Rubber has engaged in businesses in China through three production and sales companies: Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co, Ltd (established in December 2001), producing and selling tyres for passenger cars; Yokohama Hamatite (Hangzhou) Co, Ltd (established in February 2004), producing and selling sealant for passenger cars; and Yokohama Hoses & Coupling (Hangzhou) Co, Ltd (established in December 2004), assembling and selling high-pressure hoses. As part of its further business expansion in China, Yokohama Rubber says it intends to establish a joint venture company to produce and sell conveyor belts in January 2006, and another joint venture company to sell tyres in April 2006.
(Akron/Tire Review) Siemens VDO’s Service & Special Solutions group has developed a new aftermarket program for TPMS replacement and service parts. The program helps technicians service vehicles equipped with TPMSs made by Siemens VDO, the company said.
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