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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max OE on US Ford Fusion S

When Ford decided they needed a tyre to back up its Fusion S model’s claims of best-in-class fuel efficiency from its six-speed transmission and 2.5-litre engine, it decided the best way to go for that positive reinforcement was Goodyear’s new Assurance Fuel Max, as original equipment for the 2010 iteration. The tyre, which claims fuel-efficient properties through a compound designed to yield less rolling resistance, will be sized P205/60R16. The 2010 Fusion S is in production and has begun arriving at US dealerships.

The Assurance Fuel Max features, alongside its energy-saving compound, wet and dry tread zones to enhance all-season traction. The wet tread zone features dual “aquachannel” grooves to help evacuate water when driving on wet roads. The dry tread zone helps enhance handling and grip in the dry. The tyre is also available on the replacement market.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Workers Strike at Kumho’s Korean Plants

On July 24 Kumho announced that its three South Korean factories will remained closed until July 26 due to strike action. Unionised employees went on strike earlier that day after talks with management on pay increases and further incentives ended in failure. In a regulatory filing Kumho said that its Gwangju, Gooksung and Pyungtaek plants will resume production on Monday July 27.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

3 Motorsport Series Commit to Dunlop Great and British Till 2012

Dunlop are to support the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) organized Great and British Festival package for a further three seasons, and three leading UK Championships have committed to be a core part of the programme for the next three seasons till 2012.

The Radical Championships, Mini Challenge and the BARC Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup have proved to be popular with competitors and spectators alike, and will form the core content on the package for a further three seasons. The package was launched in 2006 with the mission of ‘putting national racing back on the map’ and has carved its place in the UK motorsport hierarchy, complementing the TOCA British Touring Car Championship package that is also supported by Dunlop and organized by BARC.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli to Supply BRC Control Tyre for 3 More Years

Pirelli is to continue as the Official Control Tyre Supplier to the MSA British Rally Championship for a further three years. Dominic Sandivasci, managing director of Pirelli Tyres Ltd said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to continue our long term relationship with the British Rally Championship. This is good news for Teams and Competitors alike, as it provides stability and a foundation which will allow the Championship to continue to flourish. Pirelli is committed to developing young talent with a view to driving the sport forward and our new agreement allows us to continue to do this within the BRC.”

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hurricane Damaged Firestone Retail Centre Re-Opens

Four years after Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage throughout the city of New Orleans, Firestone Complete Auto Care has celebrated the reopening of one of its centres in the city. The outlet on Carrolton street was forced to close its doors due to damage received on August 29, 2005, and to-date has been one of only a handful of automotive retailers to have returned to the area.

“Our Firestone Complete Auto Care stores are important parts of their communities,” said Ottis Lewis, vice-president, South Central Zone, Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO). “Our teammates not only care about our customers, but we care about the communities that we call home. Since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it has been BSRO’s goal to reopen this store – we are thrilled to be able to serve this close-knit community once again.”

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tire Maker Gajah Tunggal To Roll Out Bond Exchange

Indonesia’s PT Gajah Tunngal has said a plan for restructuring its debt will probably gain approval with investors following changes made to a bond exchange offer. A second bondholder meeting was held on July 21 after a quorum was not previously reached. The company intends to swap US$420 million of 10.25 per cent bonds due in 2010 for new notes maturing in 2014.

“In the absence of any substantial blocking votes, the issuer and the company expect to reach the requisite quorum and approval,” a company release stated.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Trelleborg Reports Improved Operating Margin in April – June Period

In its interim report for the months between April and June 2009, Trelleborg reports that “in a difficult market situation, we have successfully managed to generate a continued strong cash flow and improved our operating margin compared with the first quarter of 2009.” The company also states that effects of its “capacity adjustments” are gradually increasing, although the sense of uncertainty regarding the future remains “great”.

Net sales in the second quarter of 2009 totalled SEK 6.867 million, down 17.5 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Operating profit, at SEK 159 million, decreased 52.8 per cent year-on-year.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Net Sales Up 24% in Q1

The unaudited Apollo Tyres results for the first quarter of the 2009-10 financial year, announced on July 23, show an overall year-on-year 24 per cent growth in revenues to Rs 16.3 billion (£204.8 million). Operations within India alone generated sales of Rs 11.8 billion (£148.3 million). Earlier in the day, shareholders approved an annual dividend payout of 45 per cent per share for the year ended March 31, 2009.

“Your company’s continuing attention to increasing efficiencies across the board and re-aligning costs to protect margins have paid high dividends,” commented Apollo Tyres chairman Onkar S Kanwar. “This has assisted us in improving margins and enabled your company to remain competitive.”

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Awarded for Performance in Philippines

Established in 1996, Yokohama Tire Philippines was the first international company to establish a presence in the Clark Freeport Zone, the redevelopment of the United States Air Force’s former Clark Air Base. In acknowledgement of its long-term contribution to the zone in terms of investment, employment, environmental management and employee heath and safety, on July 13 the company received an Outstanding Recognition for Overall Performance award from the Clark Development Corporation (CDC). At the ceremony, Philippines president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented the certificate of commendation to Yokohama Tire Philippines president Takayuki Hamaya.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falcon Tyres Divesting to Remain Listed

A chunk of Ruia Group company Falcon Tyres will be sold in order to increase ouput at its factory in Mysore, eastern India, and to ensure its promoters shareholder remains below the 75 per cent required to stay listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The share, according to Indian media, is to be sold to a private equity firm for Rs 1 billion (£12.6 million).

“We are in the process of preparing our presentation and hope to be through with the placement within the next two months,” Falcon Tyres chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia told the Hindu Business Line. Ruia reports that the promoters’ share in the company went up to 86 per cent following the recently concluded open offer requiring either a public issue or private placement.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

More US Miles Logged in May

After April 2009 broke the nearly year-and-half streak of falling year-over-year monthly mileage, it is welcome news that May continued the trend. Preliminary total vehicle travel reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation show a 0.07 per cent increase compared to May 2008. The year-to-date total remains down, 0.82 per cent compared to the same time in 2008, however that is also an improvement. In May of 2008, year-to-date travel was 2.5 per cent lower than 2007 levels.

Total travel in May was 257,311 million miles, and 29 states posted increases in mileage. Rural travel increased by 0.83 per cent, while urban travel fell 0.17 per cent compared to May 2008. The rolling 12-month total is 2.77 per cent lower, however last month it was down 3.1 per cent, so the trend is certainly positive. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Appoints New Operations VP, Plant Manager

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. appointed John Bodart as vice president of its North American tyre manufacturing operations and Alex Perry as plant manager at the Texarkana, Arkansas, manufacturing facility. Bodart will oversee North American tyre plant managers, operations excellence, reliability engineering and lean engineering. A 20-year Cooper employee with experience in plant management, quality assurance, mold operations, tyre testing and product development, he most recently worked as plant manager in Texarkana, Cooper said.

Perry will relocate from Cooper’s manufacturing facility in Melksham, England. Perry previously served in manufacturing operations, assembly operations and production roles in Melksham and Texarkana. Before joining Cooper in 2001, he spent several years in the British Army as a bomb disposal officer, reaching the rank of captain prior to his retirement. He also has prior experience with two other companies in management roles. Perry is the first Cooper employee to become certified as a black belt under the Cooper Tire Lean Six Sigma program, the company said. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Magna Launches 3 New Solid Tyre Sizes

Magna has launched three new solid tyre sizes – 26.5-25; 29-5-25; and 35/65-33. According to a company press release, the new tyres are of “superior quality for the toughest applications on industrial vehicles with risks of impact and damage.” The tyres are reportedly stable, puncture resistant and maintenance-free with “high loading capacity” for forklift trucks and other industrial applications.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Names New Commercial Director

Bill Schafer, 42, has been appointed commercial director of Michelin’s truck and bus operations in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Schafer previously spent five years as vice president of Michelin’s North American agricultural division based in Greenville, South Carolina.

Schafer brings 16 years of experience within the Michelin Group and most recently held roles including three years as European key account manager for Michelin Fleet Solutions based at the company’s worldwide headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, prior to which he was commercial irector of Michelin’s truck operations in Mexico and Central America.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Receives Daimler Truck Award

Hayes Lemmerz International has become one of a small number of companies acknowledged by Daimler Trucks North America for meeting its rigid quality requirements and expectations. This recognition came in the form of a Masters of Quality Award for 2008.

“It is a great honour for us to receive this high recognition for quality excellence from one of our valued customers,” said Donald Hampton, Jr., Vice President, North American Operations. “We are proud of our Akron facility’s accomplishments. Our Akron facility, like all of our global facilities, is committed to continuing to deliver world-class products to Daimler Trucks and all of our global customers.”

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors