Middle East
One of Continental AG’s managers is reportedly under police investigation relating to corruption allegations. Following an article in Germany's Bild newspaper, Bloomberg reported that Frankfurt prosecutor’s office confirmed that such an investigation is underway.
Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer of Goodyear Tire & Rubber, says he is “very pleased” with the tyre maker’s “outstanding second quarter results.” Goodyear’s figures for the three months to the end of June, which were released on July 28, show a 24 per cent increase in sales to US$5.6 billion, despite a two per cent decline in unit sales. The results, Kramer added, “represent another step on the path toward our 2013 targets. They present confirmation that our strategies are right and that they are working.”
Daimler-Smart, manufacturer of the diminutive Smart Fortwo, has granted Yokohama Rubber a third original equipment approval. The Japanese tyre maker has been approved as an original equipment supplier for the current Smart Fortwo and will supply its S. drive AS01 in sizes 175/50R16 77T for the front and 215/40R16 82T for the rear. This latest approval builds upon a relationship with the Daimler AG subsidiary that began in 2002 with homologation of original equipment tyres for the Fortwo Coupe Brabus, and was continued with selection as an original equipment supplier for the Smart Fortwo Brabus in 2007.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has promoted Roberto Fioroni to vice president and general auditor, effective August 1. Currently finance director for Goodyear’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, Fioroni replaces Rich Pegher, who left the company to pursue other opportunities. In his new position, Fioroni will report to executive vice president and CFO Darren Wells and remain part of the Goodyear’s global finance leadership team.
The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), run by the country’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has launched its second annual “Your Safety” tyre campaign in partnership with Al Dobowi Tyre Company. The aim of the Your Safety campaign is to educate taxi drivers on techniques for correctly inspecting tyres before starting a day’s work. Another goal is to stress the important role tyres play in vehicle safety.
The July edition of Tyres & Accessories is now online our e-paper format. July's magazine features special reports on EDIWheel, EM/OTR tyres and manufacturing machinery, plus reviews of Automechanika Middle East, Autopromotec and a preview of the forthcoming CITExpo in Shanghai. Subscribers can simply click more to view the latest issue.
Following a September 15 change in the regulations covering automotive spare parts in Qatar, the importation of used tyres and certain new tyres into the Gulf state is now forbidden. Under the new rules, issued by the country’s Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Business and Trade and Ministry of Interior, no new tyres will be permitted to enter the country unless accompanied by a Gulf Conformity Certificate. Tyres must also carry a 180km/h speed rating in order to be eligible for importation. Balloon tyres intended for use on passenger vehicles are also no longer able to be imported unless accompanied by a certificate of conformity, with the type of tyre engraved in red on the sidewall.
Women in Saudi Arabia are now excluded from working in tyre manufacturing jobs following the release of a list of over 20 jobs deemed unsuitable by the country’s Ministry of Labour. Job number ten on the list compiled by labour minister Adel Fakeih is “Working in the rubber industry for making tyres,” and at a press conference Fakeih claimed the aim is to prevent women from working in jobs they may not be physically suited to undertake. “The Saudi woman has every right to work,” Fakeih stated. “We are only implementing regulations that will protect her and ensure her rights.”
The owner of the Dubai Taxi Corporation, RTA (Road and Transportation Authority), has agreed to trial with Infinity Tyres. “It is the first time that the RTA has accepted testing Chinese made tyres. And we are very proud to say that these are Infinity Tyres,” stated Harjeev Kandhari, executive director of the Al Dobowi Group, which owns the Infinity brand.
Indian-based industrial tyre manufacturer Emrald Resilient Tyres has opened a European operation. Based in Kalmthout near Antwerp in Beglium the business, which was founded six months ago, is headed by V I Srinivas. According to company representatives, the operation consists of a marketing office and warehouse, which contains 4-5 container loads of stock and achieves about the same amount in throughput.
Data released during Automechanika Middle East shows that the overall volume of aftermarket trade that passes through Dubai is heading back to historically record levels following the recession. According to the Dubai Ports and Customs import, export and re-export figures, Dubai experienced its market peak and then decline a year later than in Europe.
Automechanika Middle East 2011 concluded on 9 June with confirmation that it was the largest international automotive aftermarket trade fair in the wider Middle East region. According to data provided by the exhibitions organisers, 17,421 visitors from over 120 countries attended the show, with a 52 per cent of them described as international visitors. In addition there were 1,102 exhibitors from 52 countries.
Following a successful Tyrexpo Asia earlier this year, Zafco, the Dubai based tyre distributor of tyres, batteries and lubricants, opted for a second high profile exhibition stand at Automechanika Middle East. Tyres & Accessories was on-hand in Dubai to find out more.
One collaboration Tyres & Accessories experienced the benefit of during Automechanika Middle East was that of Auto Strategies and CIP Development Services. The two companies work together to produce insights in the automotive markets of some of the lesser reported markets, including many in the Middle East. As well as annual vehicle sales, which are relatively easy to get hold of, the companies reports also look at the car parcs of the markets covered. And data that looks at what vehicles are currently on the market wearing out tyres is obviously of great interest to tyre companies too.
May's edition of Tyres & Accessories featured special reports on Retail/Buying Groups; Industrial Tyres and Van Tyres. Subscribers can view this in our online virtual e-paper format by clicking more.
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