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 opened a new passenger car tyre manufacturing facility in the Hungarian city of Nyiregyhaza. The French company has invested 14.5 billion forints (£39.8 million) in the new production unit, which is expected to produce 800,000 tyres annually and will employ 217 people.
Michelin has invested in a wind turbine electricity system at its Dundee facility. Two giant turbines, each 400 ft high will be operational as of next February and will provide around a third of the factory’s annual power demands.
In a company statement the manufacturer announced that contracts are being finalised with the developer, Ecotricity, and installation will begin within the next few months. The new turbines will generate 8 million kwh of power.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) rolled out a new urban application truck tire, which it claims delivers “up to a 40 per cent improvement in removal miles.” The XZU3 line was introduced at the American Public Transportation Association Expo 2005 in Dallas.
Certain big names like Microsoft and IBM might be synonymous with information technology, but what about tyre brands? Which ones are the most powerful online and why? Tyres & Accessories asked Internet analysts Envisional to delve deeper into the fast moving world of e-marketing to exclusively produce the following rankings.
Renault driver Fernando Alonso has become the youngest ever Formula One world champion after coming third in the Brazilian Grand Prix. “I am the youngest champion in Formula One and now I need to find new targets because this one is done,” said the 24-year-old.
Michelin has partnered with Cornilleau, the world’s leading manufacturer of table tennis bats, to produce what the companies say is the world’s first range of composite table tennis bats. The move reflects Michelin’s further involvement in the production of leisure products. Interestingly the co-produced bats will feature the French tyre manufacturer’s Bibendum logo.
Cornilleau is reported to have approached Michelin because of its technical expertise in terms of mastering rubber compounds and composite materials. According to a joint-statement released by Michelin and Cornilleau, the two companies worked together for more than 18 months, focussing on the development of a new surface material. The partners claim that the “unique elastomer” surface they have devised offers: “optimum performance in terms of elasticity which gives the player additional speed, power and control.
Interstate Europe’s product portfolio will soon feature two new tyre brands. As commercial director Theo de Vries explains during an interview with Tyres & Accessories, the wholesaler is entering the truck tyre business with a new brand called “Navitrac.” Furthermore, Interstate Europe is hoping to make an impact on Europe’s exclusive brand market with the launch of the “Sceptor” passenger car tyre line. However, exactly when these two brands will be available in the UK and on the European market is not clear. The names of the exclusive distributors that will take on the new tyres in each of Europe’s national markets are similarly undefined.
Dutch wholesaler, Van den Ban, has announced that it will add a new exclusive brand to its tyre portfolio. The new brand, Clear, is already available in a number of sizes. Van den Ban says it intends to introduce further sizes in the coming months ultimately leading to 30-size strong high performance portfolio. A further range expansion is planned for next year.
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).
Michelin has appointed Cape Town based Stingray as official licensee in Southern Africa to distribute its stylish new range of high-performance automotive accessories.
The new products have been created to the highest technical specification, combining innovative features with ease of use and stylish design.
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.
Michelin has confirmed it will end its F1 links with Williams and Toyota in a press conference at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday evening. As expected the company also suggested it would pull-out of Formula 1 altogether if it became a single supplier series. However the sport’s governing body, the FIA, hit back at Eduoard’s Michelin’s statement saying: “If Mr Michelin is not aware of these simple facts he shows an almost comical lack of knowledge of modern Formula 1.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America’s (MNA) Uniroyal brand has added 23 new sizes to its Tiger Paw Touring line, and enhanced the line’s warranty. The new sizes include some V-rated sizes, and will be available to dealers this month, MNA said.
The new warranty program boosts the standard treadwear limited warranty on T-rated sizes to 80,000 miles, which MNA said is the longest mileage warranty ever offered on a Uniroyal tyre. H-rated sizes got a boost to 70,000 miles, as well. The new sizes range from a T and H-rated P185/60/R14 through a V-rated P225/50R16.
While much has been made about the enormous potential of the emerging Chinese tyre market, the opportunities go further than this alone. For every tyre that is produced and used in the People’s Republic there is a potential money-making opportunity for the retreading and collection aspects of the tyre business.
It is not overstating the situation to say there is huge potential for retreading in China. Currently around 265 million tyres are produced in China each year, across all segments. At the same time the domestic market’s 3 million vehicles currently demand 130 million tyres annually, according to a Hong Kong Trade Development Council report.
Tyre supplier Michelin is set to shed at least two F1 teams next year, online news sources have reported. Michelin currently dominates the Formula 1 grid, supplying tyres to 70 per cent of entrants. Michelin CEO Edouard Michelin is expected to announce which teams will swap suppliers to Bridgestone at Spa this weekend. Further speculation has suggested that Michelin may pull out of F1 completely at the end of 2006. Teams tipped to move to Bridgestone include Red Bull and Williams. Toyota is also reported to be under pressure to team up with the fellow Japanese company.
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.