Michelin Adds to X One Line
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has added the Michelin X One XDA-HT Plus drive tyre to its X One line of wide singles.
North America
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Bridgestone North America Raises Prices
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that it was raising prices on its Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, associate and private brand tire lines by up to 8%.
Toyo Fund Supports Overseas Projects
Product NewsThe Toyo Environmental Protection Fund has decided to expand its giving to not-for-profit orgnisations beyond Japan. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary year of Toyo Tire & Rubber’s foundation, this move demonstrates the collective commitment of the Toyo Group to playing a public service role commensurate with its growing presence in the world.
Will Bridgestone and USWA Resolve Differences?
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Even after reports that negotiators had to take a break to accommodate the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball championships in St. Louis and the United Steelworkers of America’s (USWA) April national convention in Las Vegas, there remain concerns on whether the USWA and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) can resolve their apparently deep differences and reach agreement on a new master contract.
Michelin Introduces New OTR Tyre
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America’s (MNA) earthmover group has introduced a new OTR tyre and expanded the size offerings of its X-Haul radial tyre.
The new X-Super Terrain AD tyre, available in size 23.5R25, was unveiled at the ConExpo show in Las Vegas. According to MNA, the new tyre is designed for use by articulated dump trucks, scrapers and loaders. Its deep tread and durable compound is said to extend tyre life, and its “rugged” shoulder and sidewall design provide protection from road hazards, the company said. Traction is enhanced by an “aggressive and self-cleaning tread design.” The Michelin X-Super Terrain AD tyre is an E4 radial tyre that reportedly reduces vibration and aids fuel economy through low rolling resistance.
Goodyear Results Led By Assurance
Product NewsGoodyear’s Assurance played a key role Goodyear’s recent financial improvements, according to a report in the Akron Beacon journal. Goodyear first rolled out the products a year ago in an effort to generate excitement for its flagship brand.
Finalists Chosen for Goodyear Highway Hero Award
Product News(Akron/TR) Finalists have been selected for Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s Highway Hero Award, given to a professional truck driver who shows heroism in his or her work. Journalists from the trucking industry are voting for the one driver who will be selected as the 2004 Goodyear North America Highway Hero and presented the award at the Truck Writers of North America annual banquet, Goodyear said.
For Tyre Companies 2005 is A Year of Celebration
Product NewsThis year the General brand is celebrating its 90th anniversary, while Toyo Tire & Rubber Co will enjoy its 60th birthday this summer. At the same time Yokohama Tire Corp is celebrating its 35th year of doing business in North America. 2005 must be the Year of the Tyre Company, writes Tire Review.
2005, Pirelli’s Year of Innovation
Product NewsWhile exhibiting at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, Pirelli highlighted 2005 as “the year of innovation.” In the wake of strong business results (the company recently reported a 42 per cent increase in operating profit), Pirelli Tyres reports that it has begun 2005 with a strategy of expansion in some of the faster growing emerging markets plus North America, as well as extending its MIRS automated production process in the United Kingdom, Germany and the US. And that is not all. The company says that its research into tyres of the future will reach concrete conclusions in 2005. Pirelli goes on to explain that this year will see the start of a series of products that will “revolutionise the concept of the tyre, which will become a more active product that ever before, and will be able to communicate with the car and driver.”
Major CEOs Agree to Address Policy Issues
Career TracksThe Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has reported that 11 CEOs from tyre companies in Europe, Japan, South Korea and North America met in Geneva during the Geneva Motor Show to discuss common global policy issues faced by the industry. According to news published by Tire Review, the CEOs discussed environmental and health and safety matters, and reached a consensus on two major issues.
The companies agreed to address industry policy issues of tyre materials and tyre wear particles. As part of that, they agreed to initiate independent research on these issues by establishing two project teams that will report back to the group. Participating in the discussions were the chief executives of Bridgestone Corp., Continental AG, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Hankook Tire Co., Kumho Tire Co., Groupe Michelin, Pirelli & Cie SpA, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., and Yokohama Rubber Co.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Association of the Rubber Industry – BLIC, the Japanese Automotive Tire Manufacturers Association, the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association and the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
CTNA/Union Representation Vote Results Certified
Product NewsAmerica’s National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the results of a union representation vote at Continental Tire North America’s (CTNA) Mount Vernon, Illinois, plant. Tire Review reported the news following claims by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) union that the manufacturer interfered with the vote. The NLRB issued is decision, overruling the union’s claim on 23 February, but CTNA did not issue a statement about the results until 3 March.
‘Think Before You Drive’
Product NewsBridgestone and the FIA have launched a joint global road safety campaign. Designed to help reduce road deaths, the ‘Think Before You Drive’ campaign is due to be launched in May at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in Barcelona.
TIA Names Summit Participants
Product NewsTIA has named the participants in the first Commercial Tire Executive Summit, which will be held April 20 during the forthcoming World Tire Expo at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Lousiville. Tire Review has reported that the summit, entitled “The Commercial Truck Tire Industry: Here and Now,” will include “an energetic discussion of current issues and how they are impacting the commercial tyre industry right now,” according to TIA.
SmarTire Supplies North American Coaches
Product NewsSmarTire has signed an agreement with North American company, Motor Coach Industries International (MCI), for the supply of its bus tyre monitoring system.
MCI designs, manufactures and markets coaches and coach-related parts and services for the market, it currently produces approximately 1400 new coaches per year. The agreement covers both aftermarket installations on existing MCI coaches and original equipment installations on at least one of the company’s production lines this year.
Maserati Return to Sebring with Pirelli
Product NewsMaserati is to participate in the entire 2005 American Le Mans Series race calendar, following discussions between IMSA and Maserati Corse. After 48 years absence from Sebring the team will make its debut on 19 March with a factory racing car and has teamed up with Pirelli.
