Snap-on Equipment is returning to Brityrex International in October where the firm will be showing its equipment portfolio on stand 11A. Purportedly Europe's leading manufacturer of garage equipment, Snap-on is aiming to make a big impact at Brityrex, showcasing a comprehensive range which includes tyre changers, wheel balancers and alignment systems.
As well as displaying its impressive range of top-quality products on its large stand in Hall 3 at Reifen 2010, Continental’s customer service was deemed award-worthy by the judges for the Innovation Awards. The German manufacturer received the Award for its new electronic invoicing system that provides improved recording and exchange of invoicing and credit notes between Continental and customers in the tyre field. Paper and postage have both been squeezed out of the process, saving money and preserving the environment. Invoices are transmitted securely to prevent data from being stolen by unauthorized viewers.
Alfredo Mate, head of Continental business development for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, accepted the prize: “We're very pleased that our new e-invoicing system has been a hit with both our customers and the jury, making a convincing argument for eliminating paper and exchanging data electronically. Data security was our overriding concern when we were designing the system, followed by a quick and uncomplicated workflow.”
Dinex reports that it has introduced a completely new Euro III program for Mercedes-Benz Econic and also updates for the MAN M2000L Euro II and Euro III systems. The company also says it has developed new heat shield 49811 for MAN TGA made from stainless steel.
Have Michelin-rated chefs been moonlighting as tyre designers? You may be tempted to consider this unlikely scenario upon hearing of a tasty ingredient to be found in the Michelin Primacy MXM4, which Michelin North America is readying for a July 1 replacement market launch – the new luxury performance tyre contains a smattering of sunflower oil.
While Jenson Button’s tyre choice is receiving a measure of credit for the British driver’s victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, the round, black objects are being ostracised as the scapegraces of Michael Schumacher’s first Formula One comeback race. The 41-year old finished the Shanghai race in tenth position, a result the seven-time world champion would have previously considered mediocre or perhaps even agrestic. Nevertheless, Schumi and Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn are determined to address tyre and other issues so the renown driver can disport himself in the manner he is accustomed to during May’s Barcelona Grand Prix.
Hankook is the recipient of more tyre test kudos, this time from Europe’s largest specialist recreational vehicle magazine, Germany’s Promobil. The publication has released the results of its annual tyre test (Issue 4/2010), and has awarded first place to Hankook Radial RA14. The Promobil evaluation examined ten brand-name tyres currently available in the popular 235/65 R16C size, which is suitable for vehicles including the VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (the second of these was used as the test vehicle during the comparative evaluation).
Kumho Tyres reports that late last year it began supplying its Radial 857 light commercial vehicle tyre in size 235/65 R16C 115/113R as original equipment for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (NCV3). The Radial 857 is Kumho’s latest tyre for vans and similar vehicles, and the manufacturer states it offers excellent handling properties, a strengthened casing and high mileage.
Despite what it describes as a “severely deteriorating market”, Conti reports that over the last year its original equipment passenger car tyre market share within the European Union region remained unchanged. With a production figure of 24.4 million units, Continental was able to maintain its market share of 32 per cent, and new original equipment supplies have been arranged with, amongst others, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Ford and Renault.
Despite the continuing automotive industry downturn, Continental says it sees attractive opportunities in the high performance tyre market segment. Continental AG board member and head of the company’s Car Tyre Division, Nikolai Setzer, says new technologies and investment in research and development will aid Conti’s growth in this particular market. He also believes the company can boost its replacement market business through further success with OEM customers.
Following recent original equipment deals Bridgestone claims to be a supplier to every one of Europe’s major car companies and main market segments. These agreements include the first non-Michelin Citroën OEM contract in more than 70 years, the new Potenza S001 and a rash of Ecopia fitments.
Les Smith Haulage Limited’s decision to switch to Continental from another premium brand is said to be delivering 25 per cent longer life on its front steer tyres. According to the company these tyres are achieving over 100,000 kilometres before being changed. Those on the rear axle are reportedly giving up to 400,000 kilometres of life.
The 18 vehicle fleet is made up entirely of Mercedes-Benz Axor two-axle 18 tonners. These typically cover between 80,000 and 100,000 kilometres a year on work throughout the UK which includes both motorway and A road running. A policy of only ever fitting new tyres, correct tyre selection and careful monitoring of tyre condition lie behind the good performance of the Continentals.
Mercedes-Benz is endorsing the benefits of cold weather tyres in the UK through a programme to promote the product through its retailers and official workshops. As Mike Belk, managing director for customer service at Mercedes-Benz UK explains, “Mercedes-Benz is committed to safety, and the safety benefits of using the correct tyre in adverse conditions are obvious, with years of evidence available in mainland Europe.” Retailers and workshops are stocking winter tyres for all models in the current Mercedes-Benz and smart range as well as older models.
ATS Euromaster has taken delivery of 44 new 3.5 tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, after investing £1.7 million in increasing the size of its car fitting by roughly 25 per cent. According to the company, the new vehicles will be used to support “the increased demand for mobile fitments which has been driven primarily by the FN50 [top 50 UK contract hire and leasing companies]”, a sector in which ATS Euromaster has reportedly increased its share from 18 to 28 per cent over the last 18 months.
A mix of fleet additions and replacements, the new long wheelbase Sprinters see the dedicated ‘car’ fleet grow to 128 units, supported by a further 200 dual-purpose mobiles which are equipped to fit both car and commercial vehicle tyres.
2009 may have been a “turbulent time” in the UK passenger car and van tyre markets, but some premium tyre manufacturers finished the year better than it started; and there are signs pointing to the recovery of premium manufacturer’s sell-in sales. That’s the view of Continental Tyre Group executives, who spoke to Tyres & Accessories at the company’s annual market trends briefing in London in December. As well as presenting the company’s influential overview of market sales and general trends, Conti representatives also gave a fascinating insight into how the government’s highly successful scrappage incentive scheme may affect future car sales.
Continental estimates the UK car, 4×4 and van tyre market totalled 33 million tyres in 2009, a slight drop over the final figure from 2008. However, while 2009 is said to have seen motorists hold off getting new tyre purchases, the overall numerical impact on the market is said to have been limited. Instead Continental re-affirmed that the UK tyre market has been experiencing a so-called “de-segmentisation” effect with consumers buying tyres of lower unit value and brand equity than they purchased pre-recession (something Tyres & Accessories first observed in May 2009 following strong Korean-brand tyre sales the preceding March). What is interesting about Continental’s analysis of this effect is that they are the only company so far to suggest that there is a significant group of consumers that are dropping two segments (premium to budget, for example), double de-segmenting if you will.
The establishment of Wegmann Automotive in October 2009 saw some of the world’s leading wheel weight brands (Hofmann, Franken, F-Ecoline and Perfect [US]) reorganised into a single unified group. Now united under the Wegmann umbrella brand, sales and marketing director Thorsten Thom reports that the company is facing the current market challenges well and in certain cases actually gaining market share. Thom also praised the positive impact made by recently appointed UK sales manager, David Peacock. According to Thom, 2009 UK market sales have experienced double-digit growth compared with 2008.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
