North America Archives - Page 66 of 173 - Tyrepress

North America

Posts

Michelin top in J.D. Power US satisfaction survey

The latest J.D. Power and Associates survey in the United States has revealed a growing level of tyre satisfaction amongst owners of domestic and European vehicles. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, released on April 11, levels of tyre satisfaction amongst owners of US-produced vehicles increased to 682 on a 1,000-point scale, up from 659 in 2009. Similarly, tyre satisfaction among owners of European vehicles has increased to 698 in 2011 from 689 in 2009. Tyre satisfaction for owners of Asian vehicles, however, has remained flat, declining just one point between 2009 and 2011 to its current level of 637. Tyre satisfaction amongst owners of Asian nameplate vehicles, J.D. Power notes, is well below average in all segments except for the luxury segment.

13th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli, Rosetta renew North America interactive media partnership

Pirelli Tire North America has renewed its ‘Interactive Agency of Record’ relationship with independent interactive agency Rosetta through 2012. Rosetta began developing an interactive advertising and marketing programme for Pirelli last year, indentifying the tyre maker’s customers and determining how they can be best reached; as part of the strategy developed as a result, Rosetta led Pirelli's search and online display marketing efforts in 2010, the first consistent digital programme Pirelli has executed in North America.

11th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin opens US ‘Advantage Program’ to owner-operators

Michelin North America has extended its ‘Advantage Program’ to truck owner-operators. Initially established for smaller-sized fleets, the Advantage Program offers operators consistent programme pricing on both new tyre and Michelin Retread Technologies products plus no-fee access to the tyre maker’s ‘ONCall’ emergency road service and access to Michelin’s Commercial Service Network. Further stated benefits are resources available through the Advantage Program website, regular e-newsletter updates and – new for 2011 – quarterly webcasts on important tyre topics.

8th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Autopromotec 2011: Organisers expect ‘excellent attendance by foreign exhibitors’

Just six months before the next edition Autopromotec, which will be held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre from 25 – 29 May 2011, the organisers are saying that the numbers of foreign exhibitors and buyer/dealer delegations confirmed so far are a “clear sign that the Bologna event is in pretty good health.”

To date, the number of exhibitors confirmed for Autopromotec 2011 remains at the record level seen at the last show in 2009, with an outstanding 35 per cent of foreign companies to highlight the increasing internationalisation aspect of the event. The increase in exhibition space seems to demonstrate that those who were there last time will be back. Only this time they are said to be booking larger spaces to increase their visibility in the professional automotive aftermarket sector. Indicators of this type, in a period which cannot be referred to as one of economic stability, are seen as ways the organisation committee has channelled efforts in the right direction.

4th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Sale of Goodyear Latin America agri tyre business completed

The sale of Goodyear’s Latin America agricultural tyre business to Titan Tire was completed on April 1. Goodyear reports completing the sale for approximately US$99 million, subject to post-closing conditions and adjustments. The transaction includes the company’s Sao Paulo manufacturing plant, property, equipment and inventories and a licensing agreement that will allow Titan to sell Goodyear-brand agricultural tyres in Latin America and North America.

4th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni enters Kuwait through new Ringtread partner

Marangoni’s Retreading Systems business has won Kuwait’s sole retreader as a retreading partner and brought it into the Ringtread fold. The Italian supplier of retreading materials, tread and equipment reports this deal has been reached as part of its expansion strategy in the near and Middle East. Kuwait, with its modern road network and long transport corridor connecting Iraq in the north to Saudi Arabia in the south, is considered a hub for all transport into Gulf countries.

4th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni establishes new Corporate Center in Rovereto

For more than a year the Marangoni Group has operated its retreading business out of a central holding company. The Italian retreader also recently established a new corporate headquarters at its Rovereto site and consequently closed its centre in Verona. These actions were taken in response to structural changes within the market that necessitate increased speed and responsiveness. In an interview with Tyres & Accessories, Marangoni Group CEO Massimo De Alessandri explained the company’s current position in terms of its consolidation, the motivations driving it and the future facing those parts of the company not belonging to its retreading business.

1st April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Despite Marix, Marangoni’s marketing strategy remains unchanged

A couple of months ago, Marangoni began producing and marketing retreaded truck and OTR tyres under the “Marix” brand, a name previously reserved for passenger car, light commercial and 4×4 tyres. The Italian retreader previously relied upon the strength of its “Marangoni” brand, however it chose to respond to a changing competitive landscape by modifying its brand concept and in future will, according to Brenno Benaglia, pursue a clearer brand concept.

30th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook adverts back in Times Square

Hankook has returned to New York's Times Square. Once again the South Korean-based tyre maker has secured billboards in one of the most famous adversity locations in the world. The latest banner, presented once again in the form of the successful Ventus V12 evo high-performance tyre, is on the facade of the Marriott Marquis Hotel and is designed to “impress millions of visitors” this time for a whole year. Hankook says it is aiming to reinforce and develop its brand profile and image with the latest campaign.

29th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

US tyre shipments up 9.7% in 2010, 3% growth for 2011 projected – RMA

Figures released by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the eleven-member trade association for manufacturers producing tyres in the US, show tyre shipments grew by more than 25 million units, or 9.7 per cent, in 2010 to 285 million units. The RMA projects a further 8 million unit growth this year, an increase of approximately three per cent; if growth follows the association’s projections, tyre shipments will reach 293 million units in 2011.

25th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis receives 2010 Ford Gold Award

At the Ford Motor Company’s annual World Excellence Awards, held on March 16, Cheng Shin Rubber was honoured by the vehicle manufacturer with a Gold Award, the highest recognition to Ford’s global suppliers. The Maxxis brand manufacturer was one of only 15 Gold Award recipients out of the 1,500 or so suppliers Ford obtains components from around the world and the only tyre maker amongst the 15. Wheel manufacturer Ronal also received a Gold Award, while Hayes Lemmerz was one of 26 Silver Award recipients.

25th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Customer feedback is vital, says Hercules Tire International

Hercules boasts a long history in the tyre wholesaling business. First established in the 1950s, today the company sells tyres to more than a hundred countries through its Hercules Tire International division and offers its customers a well-established exclusive private brand. The firm is also active in North America through its own distribution companies there. Tyres & Accessories recently spoke with Rick Dorscht, managing director of Hercules Tire International’s European division, who shared the Hercules approach to long-term strength in the global wholesaling business.

23rd March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

BFGoodrich plant capacity expansion announced

Production capacity at Michelin North America’s Fort Wayne BFGoodrich plant will expand through a US$50 million investment. The tyre maker has announced that expansion work at the Indiana-based facility will begin immediately and includes upgrading equipment at the 40 year old plant. Approximately 35 new jobs will be created through the project.

22nd March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Another Step Forward: Trelleborg explains rationale behind recent acquisitions

Recent months have seen a flurry of expansion and acquisition activity at Trelleborg Wheel Systems. First the company enhanced its position in the European solid tyre market through the acquisition of Watts’ industrial tyre business towards the end of 2010 (it was officially finalised during February 2011). Then came the acquisition of the pneumatic tyre production lines at the former Hebei Starbright plant, which the company bought from Maine Tire in the US. Most recently the company launched its TMBlue eco-concept range at the SIMA show in Paris at the end of February. Tyres & Accessories was on hand to hear further details about the thinking behind the recent developments and noticed a significant nod in the direction of further expansion in the emerging markets.

21st March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Emerging market interest in value-generating products key to expansion – Trelleborg

Emerging markets such as the BRIC countries are expected to drive growth for Trelleborg Wheel Systems over the next few years. In the Trelleborg Group’s 2010 annual report, Maurizio Vischi, president of the business area responsible for producing industrial and agricultural tyres, said “emerging markets as Brazil, China and Russia have begun to show more interest in high-tech products and products that generate value. This provides significant expansion potential through greater presence in these markets.” Vischi admitted that that Trelleborg expects only “restricted” growth in Western Europe and North America, where the business area already counts as “one of the principal players.”

21st March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors