North America
Pirelli Tire North America and the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) have teamed up to produce 15-second public service announcements with leading Hip Hop artists encouraging young people to register and get out to vote.
The Finnish tyre manufacturer, Nokian, is reporting new record figures. The company’s turnover increased by 15 per cent to 39.8 million euros in the first nine months of 2004. Operating profit was also on the up and increased by 57 per cent compared with the first nine months of last year to reach 6.2 million euros. Management confirmed that they had significantly outperformed last year’s record results.
A report by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that the use of ESC systems can reduce the risk of fatal crashes by 34 per cent, the risk of single-vehicle fatal crashes by 56 per cent and thereby save thousands of lives a year.
After “exceptional growth” in the first half of 2004, Group Michelin has posted third quarter results that show slowdown in sales growth.
Cooper Tire and Rubber has reported a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in its net sales, breaking its previous record for tyre operations.
Goodyear has received an award at the American Point-of-Purchase Show for the “creative merchandising and selling tools” that it used to support its line of Assurance tyres.
The show focuses on the best in-store marketing ideas used and three of Goodyear’s Assurance items were honoured with awards.
Treadway Exports Limited, one of the largest tyre wholesaling companies in North America, has announced that it will be changing its name. From 1 November the company will be known as Hercules International. According to Treadway, the name change is designed to align the parent company with its export division.
At the end of September Michelin Tire North America announced that it has recalled 46,000 passenger car and light trucks. Now the company is extending that recall to include the other markets that the tyres were supplied to.
Pirelli Tire, has selected Kuehne + Nagel to implement a new North American supply chain solution, including optimisation and management of its warehousing and distribution network.
Michelin is fending off critics by reassuring all interested parties that its earnings and sales will improve this year, despite reiterating the fact that it expects higher raw-material prices to limit its growth in the second half.
“Raw-material prices are and will continue to rise and put pressure on margins,” Michelin’s CEO Edouard, told French newspaper Le Figaro.
In the future Mitas US will be known as CGS (Ceska Gumarenska Spolecnost) Tires US Inc, said Mitas president Dennis Vavrik.
Canadian Treads has signed with Michelin Retread Technologies Inc (MRT), Michelin’s fifth MRT franchise in Canada.
Union representatives from Continental’s Mayfield tyre plant have asked company officials to reconsider a decision to close its Mayfield plant.
Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. is searching the highways for a driver worthy of the 50th Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The 2004 campaign was launched this week and will recognize a commercial truck driver who exhibits courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency. Nominations must be received by October 15, 2004, writes Today’s Trucking from Canada.
According to the US Tire and Rim Association the number of auto tyre sizes has jumped 120 per cent since 1991 to 249 different sizes. The association claims that 82 per cent of this growth has come in rim sizes of 17 inches or more and it believes the increase is due to the automotive industry’s passion for performance.
Statistics show that about 59 per cent of the increase run in rim diameters of 18 inches or more. However, the total number of tyre sizes actually decreased last year due to a sharp fall in 13 and 14 inch sizes. The number of 15 and 16 inch tyre sizes has also levelled out in that time.
The demand for high performance tyres with their wide, low profile stance is inspired by motorsports, says Warren Croyle, marketing manager for Dunlop tyres in North America. As the industry has increasingly fitted HP tyres as original equipment on everything from the sports coupe, to the family sedan, the effects have had a dramatic impact on the tyre industry and tyre buyer alike, explained the company representative.
As high performance tyres have become increasingly important to consumers so have they to manufacturers. “Dunlop sizing, in particular, enjoys an advantage as the industry trend continues toward lower profile applications,” said Mr Croyle. “We’re well-positioned now, and we plan to introduce even more low profile sizes this year and next. Using technology derived from Dunlop’s experience with low-profile race tyres, engineers are finding new ways to improve the handling capabilities of today’s high performance automotive fleet.”
The tyre manufacturer claims that growth among 17 and 18 inch wheels is slowing. It predicts that by 2008 18 and 20 inch tyre sales will amount to 6 million units; however, 22 and 24 inch sizes are expected to be the fastest growing sizes.
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