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.
Delphi has appointed Lúcia Moretti as managing director, Delphi Product & Service Solutions Europe, Middle East and Africa. In her new role, Ms Moretti heads up a new structure within Delphi’s aftermarket division, designed to drive the growth of aftermarket business in the region.
A new European Tuning Association has been founded. VATZ (Verband Automobil Tuning/Zubehör – association of automotive tuning/accessories) held its inaugural meeting on the 15th September in Frankfurt. The association will have the task of representing the interests of the entire tuning industry, especially with regard to the legislative bodies, on a national level and international level. As a trade association, VATZ aims to represent the entire spectrum of European tuning providers.
Calling it the “next generation of SUV tyre technology,” Goodyear is introducing the new 4×4 Fortera(R) tyre, featuring TripleTred Technology. The tyre seeks to “respond to SUV drivers’ demands for confidence and security while driving on rain-soaked, snowy or dry roads,” according to Todd Hershberger, Goodyear’s marketing manager, light-truck tyres.
Michelin has launched a new “added-value dealer programme” called Exelagri that will ensure its customers benefit from improved efficiency, service and technical expertise.
The Exelagri programme will enable Michelin to build a network of the best agricultural tyre specialists in the UK and Europe. This in turn will impact on end-users with improved service levels and access to technical information on premium Michelin Group products (Michelin and Kleber).
As the busy summer holiday motoring season draws to a close Kwik-Fit is offering motorists a free battery check-up, explaining that even though most batteries die in the winter, it’s actually the summer that inflicts most of the damage.
According to Kwik-Fit, on a hot summer’s day – with the engine running – temperatures under the bonnet can reach up to 90 degrees centigrade. This extra heat causes the chemical reaction within a car battery to speed up and in older batteries this can lead to a total failure.
Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Keegan announced the appointment of Arthur de Bok (43) as president of the company’s European Union business. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the business is Goodyear’s largest outside of North America with 2004 sales revenues of $4.5 billion.
Staff at Hi-Q Tyreservices in Truro, were astonished recently to discover that they had carried out more than a quarter of a century’s worth of MOTs, on just one car.
The car, a classic 1939 Rover 12 is owned by Truro man Ronald Bucket. Mr Bucket aged 87, has been taking his car to the Hi-Q Tyreservices store in St Austell Street for the past twenty-five years and each year the car has passed with flying colours.
Supply Direct has recently installed the UK’s first robotic wheel aligner. The Nussbaum manufactured ‘WAB01’ is one of less than 30 worldwide and is located in Hodgsons-Toyota in Newcastle, which opens in early October.
According to Supply Direct, the installation of robotic equipment is not only a turning point for the company but also a turning point for the UK motor industry. It has revolutionised wheel alignment, saving time for workshop engineers therefore providing customers with a much faster and accurate service, the company says.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
Continental is celebrating the 2006 World Cup with the launch of a special tyre. In the run-up to world’s most prestigious footballing event (from 2006) the ContiChampionContact will be available from tyre dealers. Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Blatter and Brazil’s legendary Pele will all be using it when they come Germany for the FIFA World Cup 2006, as the tyre will also be fitted to all VIP vehicles and shuttles.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
Newly released data produced by JD Power and Associated, ranks Michelin as the best OE tyre supplier in terms of US customer satisfaction. The study is based on responses from more than 32,000 new-vehicle owners who purchased a vehicle between 2003 and 2004. Overall satisfaction of OE tyres is based on performance in five factors: wearability, appearance, traction, ride and handling.
Michelin achieves the highest OE tyre satisfaction index score in each of the four segments included in the study: luxury/sport; mass-market/non-luxury; pickup/full-size van; and SUV. Michelin leads all four segments in the five factors contributing to customer satisfaction. However, Michelin-owned BFGoodrich did not fare so well, coming bottom in the luxury sport segment and receiving mediocre marks in the mass-market report.
(India/Rubber Asia) TVS Srichakra Ltd, has rolled out seven new tyres for the aftermarket, with a view to increasing its share in the two and three-wheeler segment from the current level of 12 per cent to 20 per cent, according to Mr S Balasubramanian, vice-president (Marketing).
Of the seven tyres, termed by the company as the “Magnificent Seven”, four are for motorcycles and mopeds while the remaining two are for autorickshaws. TVS Srichakra also plans to increase exports from 15 to 40 per cent this year, according to Mr. Balasubramanian.
Snap-on Diagnostics has announced a five year “Peace of Mind” plan for its Sun DGA 2500 Combi MoT-approved gas and smoke diagnostic emissions analyser.
Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics, said that the plan was introduced as a result of the company’s 40 years’ experience in the UK automotive aftermarket and its constant communication with its customers.
He says: “Customers will be able to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their Sun DGA 2500 Combi is protected with a five year parts and labour warranty, five years’ VOSA vehicle limits software updates plus five years’ calibrations, supported by our own UKAS accredited Field Technicians.”
The plan is available at a typical weekly cost of just over £40.
A recent report in US trade magazine, Tire Review, has suggested lead balancing weights could be phased out from the American market in 2009. The report follows the implementation of the European End of Life Vehicle Directive, which banned the use of lead weights on passenger vehicles from July 2005.
The article encouraged US dealers to “start planning now for the same thing to happen here.” It also highlighted the fact that one balancing weight manufacturer, Perfect Equipment Co already produces zinc clip-on and steel adhesive wheel weights for GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler vehicles being exported to Europe.
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