(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) have announced price increases on Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, associate and private brand tyre lines. Passenger and light truck, medium truck and bus, ag and OTR tire prices will increase up to 5 per cent. Replacement, OE and export channels are affected by the increases, which take effect 1 May.
Viking International has further extended its best-selling Barum range to give customers greater choice. With a reputation for quality products at competitive prices, Viking International has introduced 12 new Barum sizes in V and W speed ratings to its existing range of 81 tyres. In addition, point of sale material will be made available to support the new range.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), aluminium prices are increasing dramatically and will be nearly double those of 2002 by the end of this year if 2005 price growth repeats. Based on annual averages, mean daily price volatility has increased from 2.31 per cent in 2002 to 6.93 per cent in 2005.
Outlaw Wheels are hitting the trail this spring, with two new designs joining the brand’s 10-wheel line-up. Drawing heavily on Western imagery with a high-octane, scarlet-clad cowgirl fronting the ad and merchandising campaign, Outlaw is aiming to be one of the most sought-after wheel brands of 2006.
Formula One Autocentres’ has heralded the start of its ongoing expansion plans by officially launching three new state-of-the-art Centres in Doncaster, Harrow and Chesterfield. Formula One Autocentres investment programme will see the fast-fit chain increase its network of centres to 43 nationwide. Continued expansion throughout 2006 will see a further seven new Autocentres Centres opened.
(Akron/Tire Review) Federal Tire Corp. announced it would increase prices by 5 per cent to 8 per cent across its full line of tyres, effective 1 April.
Continental has announced a further enhancement of CBS with its ‘DriveOn Time’ guarantee, which reimburses the customer 100 euros should a predefined maximum breakdown repair time be exceeded.
In the event of a tyre puncture, the truck driver can call ContiEuroService (CES), which immediately instructs one of its 4,500 European CES partners to attend the breakdown in the shortest possible time.
Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) is to increase the price of tyres from 1st April by an as-yet-unspecified amount, because of continuing high rubber prices, said managing director Yoshiaki Hirashi.
Sin Hup Huat Company (SHH Co.). has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nankang Rubber Tyres Corporation Taiwan, for SHH Co to exclusively market and sell Nankang’s full range of tyres for Brunei.
The tyre distribution deal will be supported by further contracts that SHH managing director Steven Kuan signed with Brunei’s Hyundai dealer Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. This makes SHH Co. the preferred service provider for tyres, wheel services and roadside assistance for Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. SHH simultaneously sealed a deal with 24/7 Roadside Assist, represented by its managing director Mark Adams. 24/7 Roadside Assist will join forces with SHH Co. as its official affiliate service partner and retail outlet for roadside assistance service and preferred workshop.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is to increase its consumer, commercial vehicle and OTR tyre prices by 4 per cent. The increases will cover all brands and were reportedly caused by escalating raw material costs. The announcement takes effect from 1 April.
Tyre inflation specialist, PCL, has teamed up with Hi-Q to provide a fast and accurate unit for its mobile tyre fitting vans. PCL’s fixed digital tyre inflator unit has so far been installed in 50 of Hi-Q’s nationwide fleet of over 300 – and has already earned an enviable track record amongst its operators as a reliable, timesaving device. Launched in 2002, PCL’s fixed digital unit is designed for depots, tyre shops, fleets, car dealers, and racing outfits that need fast and accurate inflation.
Matador UK has announced a price increase averaging four per cent on its All Steel Truck Tyres, effective from 1st April 2006. The sizes affected are 17.5″, 19.5″, 20” and 22.5″.
High fuel and tyre bills can contribute to forcing hauliers out of business. Yet both these outgoings can be slashed dramatically by paying more attention to the subject of wheel and axle alignment.
The claim is far from new, but in spite of considerable publicity in the 90s it is surprising how few haulage operators put in place a preventative alignment programme. With fuel prices in excess of 90p/litre, and tyre prices going up by 20 per cent last year alone, it may now be worth considering this oprtion.
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental AG plans to increase tyre prices in Europe by 3 per cent to 6 per cent this spring, although an exact effective date has not been revealed. Continental chief executive Manfred Wennemer told media sources of the price increase plan during the Geneva auto show. Wennemer told AFX that Continental’s troubled US tyre operations could break even in 2006, but that it will depend largely on the outcome of its restructuring plans for its Charlotte, North Carolina plant.
(Akron/Tire Review) Citing a number of factors, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. posted a net loss of $9 million for 2005, down considerably from 2004’s net profit of $201 million. The loss came against full-year sales of $2.2 billion, which was up 4 per cent vs. 2004’s sales of $2.1 billion.
Cooper said the 2005 loss was due to a combination of rising raw material costs, lower unit sales, plant inefficiencies and the impact of the strike at its Texarkana, Arkansas, plant last year. Improved pricing and product mix helped boost overall sales, Cooper said.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
