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New Holland Chooses AirBoss Tyres

New Holland in the UK has announced that it is to fit AirBoss segmented tyres as standard on its L160 skid steer loaders for the waste recycling industry. The tyre features puncture-proof segments attached to a specially tailored disc, which AirBoss says will reduce downtime and callout charges for equipment operators. Dave Goddard, senior sales executive at AirBoss said, "If a segment of the tyre does get damaged beyond repair, the operator of the skid steer can easily and safely unscrew the damaged segment and replace it. It is extremely rare for a segment to be damaged, but if it is, the fix doesn't require outside assistance or the replacement of the whole tyre and it can be completed by the operator in minutes".

11th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

6% Rise in August Registrations Could Help Korean Tyre Manufacturers

The latest SMMT figures reveal there was 6 per cent rise in new car registrations in August 2009, with the monthly total growing to 67,006 units. The second successive month of growth in new car registrations is widely attributed to the success of the government’s scrappage initiative, with August’s figures building on on a 2.4 per cent gain in July. As you might expect in light of the scrappage scheme, private purchases of small cars grew particularly strongly with this type of sale accounting for 35,694 (53.3 per cent) of August’s sales, compared to 23,717 (37.5 per cent). However, the recent growth disguises the fact that sales are still 15 per cent off the 78,800 total monthly market average between 1999 and 2008.

Ford and Vauxhall continued to dominate sales in August, however it is the surprise success of the Korean car manufacturers that has the potential to re-shape the UK car parc. And as these car manufacturers are almost exclusively supplied by Korean tyre makers, there is also likely to be a positive effect on Korean tyre sales in the UK.

4th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Proxes A20 Chosen for Lexus HS 250h Option

In the US, the Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tyre has been selected as the 18-inch OE upgrade for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. The first dedicated hybrid for Lexus, it features the optional P225/45R18 Proxes A20, a so-called eco-friendly tyre.
Lexus introduced the HS 250h as the “World’s First Hybrid-Only Luxury Vehicle”. According to the company, it produces the best combined estimated EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the US at 35-mpg and also achieves 35-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.

24th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Supply BMW Driver Training Programme

More than 54,000 drivers have taken part in BMW Driver Training programmes in Europe during the last three years and benefited from its specialised courses to improve individual driver skills, reactions and awareness. In August, Bridgestone announced the signing of a three-year contract to supply tyres to this business group within the German manufacturer’s “M” division. Through the agreement, Bridgestone becomes the exclusive tyre supplier for the BMW Driver Training fleet, which is made up of 1-Series, 3-Series, X5 and X6 vehicles, as well as the BMW M model range.

14th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin’s OE Business 40% Down in North America – Wilkerson

Michelin North America’s Dick Wilkerson has engaged in a further tête-à-tête with his local newspaper, and he is clear that the company is “committed to manufacturing our product in North America and selling it in North America.” The regional operation’s chairman and president told The Greenville News that around 90 per cent of the company’s North American sales tonnage is produced on the continent, including at its Mexican and Canadian plants. These four factories complement Michelin’s 11 major US manufacturing facilities.

20th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Tire Gets Volkswagen OE in North America

This month Hankook Tire began supplying Volkswagen’ Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle cars manufactured at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico plant and destined for North America with Optimo H725A tyres. Hankook already has fitments on Volkswagen cars in other global markets, but this development represents a significant increase in VW fitments on Volkswagens to be sold in Canada and the US, where the Jetta is the highest selling VW model vehicle.

“We are extremely excited to supply the Optimo for Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle exports to the U.S. and Canadian markets. By leveraging our Kontrol Technology in the development of UHP products, Hankook Tire is able to tailor its products to current environmental sustainability standards, and this in turn allows Hankook Tire to deliver quality products to our consumers,” said Seung Hwa Suh, CEO, Hankook Tire, adding: “After working closely with Volkswagen as an OE supplier in other world markets, we have created excellent relationships, and we look forward to earning even more fitments on VW vehicles to be sold in the US and Canada.”

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kenda China Plant Aims for PSR, Company Adds OE

Kenda Rubber Industries’ recently opened tyre plant in China will serve as a stepping stone to growing the company’s presence in that country, officials said. The first phase of the new plant in Teinjin, China, at $23 million, is set to produce bicycle and motorcycle tyres and tubes. Later phases, though, will add production of some five million radial passenger tires per year, Kenda said.

Kenda has also been aggressively pursuing OE positions, and recently landed slots with Iranian car maker Saita Group. Kenda will supply some 200,000 radial tyres per year for Saita’s Pride line. Kenda claims it has also gained OE business with an unnamed Chinese automaker. (Tire Review/Akron)

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Announces Changes to UK Commercial Management Team

Continental Tyre Group has announced a number of changes within its commercial management structure, changes the company says utilise current expertise and commitment to further strengthen its position in the UK market. Barry Guildford, previously a member of Continental’s Industrial division, joins the truck team as general sales manager – Truck Replacement. Guildford has an extensive background in truck marketing and more than seven years’ experience within the Continental group.

14th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BBS OEM Wheel For Performance Lexus

BBS of America has released its latest OEM alloy wheel fitment. The custom designed 10-spoke, 19-inch forged alloy wheels are intended for the 2008 Lexus IS F, the luxury division’s first high-performance sports sedan to carry the new F marque. “The IS F comes standard with serious performance credentials, and the BBS brand’s decades of motorsports success made it the ideal wheel partner for us,” said Brian Bolain, Lexus national engagement marketing manager. “IS F owners enjoy the car’s aggressive character, and BBS wheels ensure that performance is on complete par with style.”

The Lexus IS F’s satin-finished, dark-grey BBS wheels are up to 40 per cent lighter than cast aluminium wheels of the same size, and they are designed to meet rigorous Lexus factory performance standards as well as exceeding stringent international TUV/JWL certification requirements. The BBS engineers have focused on superior light wheel weight, balanced by exceptional strength, the result being a high-performance wheel with an good stiffness to weight ratio, which helps to absorb hard acceleration, forceful cornering and aggressive braking.

29th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TVS Srichakra Looks Towards European OEMs

TVS Srichakra Limited, the largest Motorcycle tyre manufacturer in India, spent its time in Essen promoting the new expansion to its range of OTR crossply tyres. Having achieved the milestone of manufacturing 11.5 million tyres for the Motorcycle and Scooter segments, the company is working towards enhancing their brand TVS Eurogrip. Additionally the company’s display of products on Flotation, OTR and MPT showed off its New Product Development programme to a large extent.

9th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan to Implement OEM Price Increase

Titan Tire Corporation has announced plans to implement a price increase for tyres and assemblies supplied to original equipment manufacturers, effective July 1, 2008. The increase will range from 7 per cent to 37 per cent, depending on the tyre, to offset rising costs for natural rubber, bead wire and oil-based material such as synthetic rubber and carbon black. Overall synthetic rubber shortages have also contributed to rising raw material costs, reports Titan.

These OE price increases follow those implemented for the aftermarket, which took effect June 1. Prices for aftermarket Titan, Goodyear and General branded OTR, farm and construction tyres increase between 4 per cent and 34 per cent.

10th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Prominent European OEM Wheel Lock Supplier Making UK Inroads

Europe’s leading supplier of OEM automotive fixings, Altenloh, Brinck & Co GmbH & Co, is entering the UK market through its wholly owned French subsidiary, ADL s.a.s. The company, which supplies most German and European car manufacturers, will introduce into the UK a range of security wheel locks marketed under the Blocky brand name.

Established in 1973, ADL has quickly become European market leader in the design and production of security wheel locks, which it sells under several different brand names (including Blocky). In the past, however, Britain has not been a major market for ADL products. ADL sales manager Hans Dietmar Fiedler thus is confident Britain presents itself as a major opportunity for the company, as he believes the quality of many wheel lock products currently available here to be substandard. He emphasises the importance of not compromising on product quality in this area, as a security locking wheel bolt is an important component in car safety as well as for security.

21st April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Phasing Out OEM Supply of PAX

Last year’s speculation that Michelin’s feelings towards its PAX run-flat system had somewhat cooled appears after all to contain substance. The New York Times reports that the tyre major is no longer attempting to sell the system to vehicle manufacturers. Michelin spokeswoman Lynn Mann told the newspaper that this decision had been reached as automotive manufacturers have several other run-flat technology choices available to them and due to the “slow growth of the extended-mobility tyre segment in general.”

Only three years ago Michelin predicted that its tyre-wheel combination “could become as commonplace as fold-flat seats,” however the company’s experiences with PAX in the US have been a saga of customer complaints about high replacement tyre costs and difficulties finding appropriate repair facilities. Michelin still faces a number of lawsuits filed by disgruntled consumers. In spite of this, Ms Mann claims these issues played no role in Michelin’s latest decision, and she added that replacement tyres and service would continue to be made available for vehicles already fitted with the tyres.

21st April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Shanghai Baolong Supplies Leading OEMs

International News, News, UK News

As an official supplier of tyre service products to Ford, GM and Chrysler, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation hopes to maximise the value of these contracts when it comes to marketing its Digitire aftermarket TPMS products.

Baolong started its business working with the trade, and now after 10 years of development the company has grown into a corporation covering R&D, investment, production and trade. As a way of offering top quality products to our customers, Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation and its subsidiaries follow the requirements of ISO9002, QS9000, VAD6.1, ISO/TS16949 and established a strict QC system.

7th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Taking Stock of the Industry

Product News, UK News

When Tyres & Accessories last spoke with Rimstock Plc a couple of years ago, the effect of MG Rover’s collapse in 2005 was still fresh in everyone’s mind. Rimstock itself lost 10 per cent of its business overnight when the last remaining domestically owned vehicle manufacturer ended production. Two years later the wheel industry here has not completely rebounded, but the well-known West Midlands wheel producer, Britain’s largest, has managed to carve several successful niches for itself.

2nd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors