North America
Bridgestone Americas is one of the defendants named in a lawsuit filed by Sony Computer Entertainment America. The tyre maker is in hot water along with Wildcat Creek, Inc – a company owned by actor Jerry Lambert – for using Sony-developed character Kevin Butler to sell non-Sony products.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added to Bandag retread products, the B710 FuelTech and B197 FuelTech, to its list of SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tyres. Announcing the additions, Bert Jones, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions manager, Product Marketing, TBR, commented: “We are constantly striving to develop eco-friendly products and processes while meeting the fuel saving needs of our customers.”
SD International was established ten years ago and in headquartered in Shanghai, with sales offices in the UK France, Slovakia, Argentina and Dubai. The contract tyre manufacturing specialist has a wide portfolio of private brands, including Maxtrek, Pace, Briland, Zeta and Autoguard.
The now-expired US tariff on consumer tyres imported from China failed to save or add new tyre industry jobs in the US, the Tire Industry Association said on 27 September. Reporting the end of the tariffs, the association reiterated its opinion that “free and open markets with level playing fields are best for the consuming public and the local tyre dealership in providing the best price for the best product possible.”
According to US industry publication Tire Review, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber plants to establish a foothold in the US next year. The Chinese manufacturer is said to be looking at opening a sales and distribution subsidiary, and according to reports is considering locations in Southern California. It is not yet clear whether Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber will offer a full line of passenger, light commercial vehicle and medium truck products in the US market, or will initially focus on one specific segment.
An additional US$27.3 million will be directed towards expanding Bridgestone’s OTR tyre plant in Bloomington, US. The investment, announced during a press conference at the MINExpo show in Las Vegas, will primarily go towards new machinery for the production of giant loader tyres (GLT). The Bloomington plant currently specialises in producing cross-ply GLT, and therefore Bridgestone considers it the “ideal location” to increase production of these tyres. The expansion will create approximately 47 new jobs.
During the US-based MINExpo International trade show, Bridgestone Corporation unveiled its market-ready tyre pressure monitoring system for OTR radials. Marketed under the B-TAG (Bridgestone Intelligent Tag) name, this new system functions by utilising Bridgestone-developed sensors to measure and report both tyre pressure and temperature in real time.
Former champion of the US tariff on Chinese-made consumer tyres, the United Steelworkers, claims the trade barrier is no longer needed. In this, the week in which the tariffs first introduced on 26 September 2009 are due to expire, the USW issued a statement addressing its right to request an extension. The USW shares that it told the US Government as far back as March that it would not seek an extension.
Over the last decade China’s tyre industry has worked hard to overcome the scepticism of many market observers in the West, and today the country boasts a number of brands established as credible players in Europe and North America. Their journey to domestic and international success has been aided by Chinese trade shows, including the annual China International Tire Expo, or CITExpo show. In September, the tenth edition of CITExpo took place in Shanghai. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories at its conclusion, the managing director of the company behind CITExpo reported a very successful show.
Over the summer, Michelin reviewed its capital expenditure programme and 2015 financial outlook. The review followed on from the Group’s interim 2012 earnings performance, which Michelin describes as “robust” and says reflected its strategic vision, competitive strengths and management.
Several new Chrysler models in the US will be fitted with Hankook tyres as original equipment; the tyre maker says it will supply Chrysler Group with its Optimo H725 touring all-season tyre as original equipment for the 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD models and 2013 Dodge Charger SXT, SXT Plus, and R/T AWD models. The tyres supplied will be for the Pentastar V-6 and V-8 versions of these Chrysler and Dodge AWD flagship saloons in size P235/55R19H.
US-based company Act(s) Marketing has been named the sponsorship marketing agency of record for Continental Tire in the US and Canada. In this capacity, Act(s) will serve as the official and exclusive agency representing Continental Tire in the ongoing activation of current sponsorship programmes along with exploration and evaluation of potential new partnerships throughout the region.
The point S network has extended its presence in North America by joining forces with Pneus Unimax, on of the largest independent Canadian networks. Pneus Unimax operates in Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces and Ontario, and is owned by 77 independent tyre dealers who manage 133 outlets under the Unipneu banner. This alliance with Pneus Unimax means that point S is now present in 27 countries worldwide with 2,500 points of sale and combined annual purchases of 15 million tyres.
On 5 September Michelin updated its tyre market statistics, and reported a four per cent year-on-year upswing in Europe’s (including Russia and Turkey) original equipment passenger car tyre market for July 2012. Year-to-date, however, the segment market is still down three per cent. A six per cent decline was reported for Europe’s replacement market passenger car tyre business. Replacement sales are down ten per cent year-to-date.
The college football season is getting underway in the US and Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced a number of sponsorship agreements. The tyre maker will soon commence is sixth year as exclusive tyre sponsor of the ABC College Football Halftime Show and it has inked new agreements with select colleges in the Big Ten, SEC and ACC conferences; these deals are expected to connect the Cooper brand with fans on a local market basis.
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