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.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has sold its steel cord plant in Scottsburg, Indiana., to Hyosung America Inc. a subsidiary of Hyosung Corp. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal includes a 10-year, $650 million supply contract in which MNA will purchase finished steel cord for tires from Hyosung America.
The FIA senate has recommended that the World Motor Sport Council reverses the guilty verdict it imposed on seven Formula One teams following the US Grand Prix. It is anticipated that this recommendation will be put to the World Motor Sport Council by means of a fax vote in the next few days.
In tyre circles the Kleber brand is a well-known name. And in mature European markets like France and Germany, the tyre is likely to be amongst the top ten brands that dealers call on. But what about the UK and the unique challenges that this market presents? With a new product set to be released in the early part of 2006, Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Kleber’s UK brand manager, Dominic Clark.
(Australia/Australian Tyre Dealer) The Goodyear Eagle Revspec RS-02 has won the best overall performance tyre award in the annual Wheels magazine tyre test for the second year running. The 235/45R17 performance tyre joins the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 as a Wheels award winner.
Michelin Aircraft Tire Corp, based in Greenville, South Carolina, has been awarded a $93 million contract to supply 23 separate naval aviation tyres for aircraft including, F14 and F18 jets.
Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has predicted that they will have a ‘real chance’ to win in Argentina next weekend – and has announced that the team will introduce a new tyre at the Rally Finland in August.
McLaren driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Montoya reportedly told his McLaren team he was going to win the Grand Prix and beat Fernando Alonso before the race started. According to race commentators he did both in style.
Yokohama Rubber has been appointed as the official tyre supplier to the World Touring Car Championship. The manufacturer will replace Michelin for the 2006 season.
The company will also supply the control tyre for the first FIA European Touring Car Cup to be held this October at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.
Michelin subsidiary Pneu Laurent has terminated the production of passenger car retreads at its Avallon factory in France. The decision comes exactly 50 years after the company first entered the business. The company’s sales figures have decreased in the past few years due to the low prices of new tyres, particularly those coming from the Far East.
Pneu Laurent maintains that every one of the 22 workers involved in the division will be relocated within the company. It is not the first company to withdraw from the segment and follows Reiff Reifen, which has also ended the production of passenger car retreads due to the declining trend in the market.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) announced the opening of the first Michelin Tire Inflation Station at the Welcome Center on Interstate 26 in Landrum, S.C.
In the last few days Michelin’s share price has fallen four per cent, prompting analysts to ask questions about the manufacturer’s cash flow. Deutsche Bank analysts discount suggestions that natural rubber price increases are the main reason for the drop in share price. Instead they agree with bearish predictions that despite 9.2 per cent operating profit margin in 2005, the company isn’t generating enough cash flow. However, future labour cost savings coupled with lower capital expenditure will boost free cash flow generation in the next 2-3 years, the analysts believe.
The FIA has proposed an amendment to Formula 1’s tyre rules for 2008 in order to avoid a repeat of the problems encountered at the recent US Grand Prix. The new rule contains a provision for the stewards to exercise their discretion and approve the use of tyres other than those nominated by the manufacturer prior to a race meeting in the event of an unexpected problem.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co is to increase investment at its plant in northeast China by more than 10 per cent between now and 2007. The move is designed to offset rising raw material costs, by increasing the production of premium products, according to the company’s Asia Pacific president, Pierre Cohade. Goodyear hopes to profit by sales of replacement tyres, which now account for about half of China’s tyre market and are growing “sizeably” as Chinese drivers buy new tyres, Mr Cohade told Reuters.
This weekend’s French Grand Prix, was a lot more straight forward than last month’s US race – Renault and Michelin’s Fernando Alonso won what commentators described as an emphatic victory. Mclaren’s Kimi Raikonnen took second place, while Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher filled the last remaining podium position. Jenson Button gained his first points of the season by taking fourth place (Button’s San Marino result was annulled after BAR were disqualified).
Pirelli and Metzeler brand tyres have topped Motor Cycle News’ (MCN) “Ultimate Tyre Test.” Broken into 3 distinct categories – Sports, Performance and Extreme – MCN tested the tyres at Michelin’s purpose built tyre testing facility at Clermont-Ferrand, France. In addition to Pirelli and Metzeler, Michelin Pilot Power, Avon Viper Sport, Dunlop D208, Pirelli Diablo and Bridgestone BT014 tyres were examined. In each discipline the tyre testers looked atride quality, feel under braking, feel turning in, cornering grip, steering precision, flickability, drive out of turns, confidence. A maximum of 10 points were available for each test.
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