Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
Michelin has won a significant new ‘pence per kilometre’ (PPK) contract to supply tyres to Pullman Fleet Services (PFS), which manages around 1,100 of the 1,800-strong Tesco.com home delivery fleet in the UK. The contract, previously held by Goodyear, sees Michelin Agilis tyres fitted as standard to all new vehicles joining the fleet, with tyres on existing vehicles being replaced as necessary.
Following a meeting with Olivier Gros, Michelin’s new head of two wheel tyres in UK, Bike Tyrestore is reminding dealers that there is less than a week left to place orders prior to Michelin price increase on 1 October. The French manufacturer’s two-wheel price increase will add 3.5 per cent to product prices. Wholesale representatives report that the Pilot Road and Pilot-Power are selling quickly as a result of buyers trying to beat the increase.
After reaching record levels earlier in the year, natural rubber prices have now fallen to more comfortable levels for tyre manufacturers. On Friday 22 September the price of natural rubber dropped to $1.7, almost 40 per cent less than the peak reached three months ago.
Al Saeedi Group, a leading Dubai-based tyre distributor, has opened a new corporate, service and warehousing complex in the country’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ). The 100,000 square feet facility, was inaugurated by Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ports & Free Zone World in the presence of Y.K. Sinha, Consul-General of India, along with local dignitaries and executives representing world’s leading tyre brands.
A new website (green-car-guide.com) designed to give drivers green motoring information includes advice on tyres. In addition to the usual suggestions of driving in the correct gear and warnings that 4×4 are not the most fuel efficient, a 17-page report on the site also advises motorists to keep an eye on their tyre pressure and condition. Interestingly the report also promotes the use of so-called eco tyres such as the ContiEcoContact and the Michelin Energy products.
Bridgestone Corporation has climbed to number 245 in the Fortune Global 500 in 2006, increasing its lead over Goodyear Tire & Rubber at number 327 and Michelin at number 335. The ranking, which measures the world’s biggest 500 companies in terms of revenue, shows that while Bridgestone moved up 5 places versus 2005, Goodyear gained only three and Michelin slipped back 41 places. In the motor vehicles and parts industry, Bridgestone comes in at number 19, ahead of vehicle manufacturers such as Suzuki, Mitsubishi and MAN.
(Akron/Tire Review) Tuesday’s military coup in Thailand, has forced a number of companies to suspend operations. According to reports, a number of Japan-based companies were impacted, including electronics maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which halted the operations at its 21 Thai plants on Wednesday to ensure the safety of employees. Sony Corp., Sanyo Electric, Hitachi Ltd., NEC Corp., Fujitsu Ltd. and Sharp Corp. also suspended operations Bangkok.
With the European Commission predicting that 81 per cent of freight transport will be delivered by road by 2020, long-distance or highway tyres have become a real focus for the premium manufacturers. Prior to the M749’s official debut at the Hanover IAA Commercial Vehicle show, Tyres & Accessories visited Bridgestone’s Aprilia proving ground to see the Japanese manufacturer’s new highway tyre in action.
Bridgestone’s latest drive axle offering is clearly presented to fight off the company’s number one competitor and therefore it promises much. According to Bridgestone officials the new M749 is more cost efficient because of superior mileage, excellent rolling resistance, and a “high capacity” for re-grooving and retreading. The demonstrations Bridgestone staff gave on the track were particularly designed to show the product also has strengths in “handling and wet safety.”
Although demand for road freight transport in Europe is predicted to increase substantially by 2020, the road ahead looks difficult for many established transport companies. Spiralling fuel prices, increased competition following enlargement of the EU and stricter environmental and safety legislation are squeezing margins. As a result price and overall economy are as important as ever for truck tyre consumers. Tyres & Accessories collated all the recent UK market data and asked what effect this ‘cost culture’ is having on the UK market.
After more than a quarter of a century since the last tyre show in the country, the recent Tyrexpo Africa 2006 held in South Africa was a great success. Based at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, more than a hundred national and international exhibitors took part, including Michelin, Bandag and Vipal as well as many international wholesalers. The show’s floorspace was sold out. The organisers, ECI, were optimistic about the response to the show and said that the next step is to follow this exhibition with an even bigger event in 2008. The first comments from exhibitors sounded positive. The exact visitor statistics will be published later this week.
Nobody would deny the safety and convenience benefits afforded by Michelin’s revolutionary PAX run-flat tyres, which allow motorists to travel safely for 125 miles (below 50 mph) on punctured tyres. More problematical, however, is finding someone who can fix the puncture, or replace the tyre. Good news then for PAX customers in the Midlands – Chemix in Halesowen has now received full Michelin accreditation for the supply and fit, including puncture repairs of PAX tyres.
Romania and Eastern Europe in general are now commonly seen as attractive “manufacturing” countries, but how are they seen in terms of sales and distribution? Alexis Burlacot, marketing manager with the truck tyre unit of Michelin Europe, told Romanian newspapers that consumption within these markets is growing 10 – 15 per cent each year.
Vredestein is celebrating its fifth straight win in the annual Auto Express tyre test. Described as “brilliant in the wet,” the magazine’s only real criticism was of the Sportrac 3’s fuel economy. Continental, only 0.6 percentage points behind, took second place. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the report was Kumho’s Marshal second brand taking third. Auto Express’ remaining recommended rosettes were given to the Bridgestone B250 in fourth and Goodyear in sixth who were only separated by 0.01 points. The Vredestein Sportrac 2 won last year’s test. This year leading premium manufacturer, Michelin, took 15th and last place.
Michelin has come top in JD Power’s latest OE tyre satisfaction survey in the SUV-sized vehicle-based tyre segments, with Pirelli winning in the mass-market segment. The “2006 Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study” was based on five performance factors: appearance, handling, ride, traction and wearability. The study found that tyre wearability continues to be the most important factor in overall OE tyre satisfaction. “In general, tyre manufacturers will see the largest return on investment if they are able to improve in the wearability factor,” said Carolyn McBeth, director of automotive component research for JD Power and Associates.
Click more for the full results.
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA is keeping a tight focus on the tyre pressure monitoring system issue, and is using its Tires at Two seminars at the upcoming SEMA Show to help attendees better understand the technology and service of these units. In addition, TIA is again presenting its highly popular panel discussion “Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets.” TIA’s Tires at Two seminars will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – Oct. 31-Nov. 2 – of this year’s SEMA Show.
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