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.
Reports in the Shanghai Daily say that Bridgestone has opened a 1.6 million Yuan (US$ 198,270) “Car Wing” store in Shanghai. The store covers 789 square metres and is Bridgestone’s largest in China. It is also the first built by the tyre manufacturer, as its other stores were built by dealers.
Michelin has put its planned collaboration with Apollo Tyres on hold while the businesses wait for the national radialisation rate to gather speed. The companies maintained that their working relationship was on track, but that demand has to increase before manufacturing work gets underway.
Hankook Tire Co Ltd expects a difficult global market this year due to higher raw material costs and oversupply, a senior company executive told Reuters.
Hankook, which exports up to 70 per cent of what it produces, has also been under pressure from a softer euro against the dollar, which cuts profits for exporters to the region.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has filed a copyright infringement suit against Dynamic Tire Cor. and its president, Robert Sherkin, in the US District Court for the Northern District of New York.
At the same time, MNA’s Canadian unit filed suit against Dynamic, which is based in Toronto, and Sherkin alleging infringement of two Canadian Industrial Designs by Dynamic’s distribution of Triangle TR696 and Triangle TR689 tyres. Michelin also seeks an injunction to halt distribution of these tires along with an award of damages and costs.
Michelin is recalling its Michelin Pilot Sport Extra Load tyres in size 255/35 ZR 20 97Y. According to an official statement, “this decision results from the analysis of customer returns in Europe, which has revealed an anomaly that in certain cases may lead to a rapid loss of air pressure in the tyre. This situation constitutes a potential safety risk.” The manufacturer says it will therefore exchange all of the tyres in question.
As a precautionary measure Michelin has decided to exchange all the subject tyres. UK readers wishing to query Michelin further can phone the following number: 0800 056 7200. Callers in the Republic of Ireland should dial 01 459 5955.
The Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) has strengthened its position as the leading authority for the tyre industry by voting to accept the Industrial Tyre Association, National Tyre Distributors Association, Retread Manufacturers Association and Tyre Recovery Association. The federation now includes all the significant associations within the tyre industry and is representative of the whole tyre supply and disposal chain in the UK.
Audi hopes that its brand-new R-10 will become the first-ever diesel car to be victorious at the Le Mans 24-Hour race next June. The 650 bhp car will be fitted with what are described as “wider and grippier” Michelin tyres.
In 2005 Continental’s capital expenditure increased by 20 per cent and should increase by a further 7 per cent to 910 million euros (6.3 per cent of sales). Over the last three years (2002 – 2004) Continental’s capital expenditure (capex) reached 5.5 per cent of sales, approximately 650 million euros per annum, according to Deutsche Bank analysts.
(Akron/Tire Review) The $85 million expansion program Michelin North America (MNA) announced for its Lexington, South Carolina, OTR plant will see the addition of at least eight new curing presses. And the company said that it could increase capacity further on available land at the plant site.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has confirmed reports that it plans to invest $85 million over the next five years at its OTR tyre production facility in Lexington, South Carolina, increasing production by nearly 50 per cent.
In 2005 Michelin, Europe’s leading agricultural tyre supplier, focused its efforts on promoting its Xeobib and CargoXbib product lines. At the same time the global manufacturer launched the Exelagri dealer scheme as a way of strengthening its relationship with dealers on local and regional levels.
(Akron/Tire Review) ASA Tire Systems is now offering a new interface to Michelin’s BibTread system, which will reportedly allow independent tyre dealers to transfer retread information electronically from the Michelin BibTread software to ASA’s TireMax accounting and point of sale software.
Michelin is to end its Formula One involvement after the 2006 season, the French manufacturer has reported. Explaining its decision, Michelin said it would not supply a single supplier Formula 1 series and was not happy with F1’s new direction, but did not rule out rejoining the series, if the rules were modified.
For many motorsport observers this is a somewhat understated way of describing the rift that has emerged between the manufacturer and the sport’s governing bodies. The manufacturer also complained of “constant changes to racing regulations without warning.” Following a disastrous US Grand Prix, and public disagreements with the FIA chief, Max Mosely, Michelin have obvious decided to leave the Formula 1 circus to the only other act on the scene – Bridgestone.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) said it has consolidated its online communications with its other advertising and marketing communications, awarding all of that business to Campbell-Ewald. The agency has had MNA’s passenger tyre advertising account since 2001.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) said that it will begin selling its Michelin and BFGoodrich branded agricultural tyres in Mexico as of 1 January, 2006. The tyres will be available through a “network of select dealers” in Mexico. MNA will offer radial Michelin brand tyres, and “value priced” BFGoodrich units.
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