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Goodyear SA Invests in Production for Export

Goodyear South Africa’s new managing director, Jean-Jacques Wiroth, has announced an R70-million (£5.4 million) investment in the company’s Uitenhage plant at the first major event he has hosted since taking up the post in early April. These funds are earmarked for the launch of new locally produced tyres – the Wrangler AT/SA for off-road use, the DuraGrip passenger car tyre, and the Duramax G22, developed specifically for the taxi market. These tyres will be exported to sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

“We are investing not only in the Uitenhage plant to produce these products, via new machinery, new moulds and various continuous improvement projects, but also in our people and distribution channels through continuous training and development,” said Wiroth.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GM to Idle Plants this Summer

General Motors announced yesterday that it would idle 13 of its North American plants this summer for stretches lasting as long as 11 weeks. The troubled automaker is cutting production in an effort to burn off existing inventory, some 767,000 cars and light trucks currently sitting in dealer and GM plant lots. The shutdowns, running between three and 11 weeks, will have an impact upon more than 26,000 workers.

GM is still facing the prospects of bankruptcy, which may come prior to 1 June when it supposed to make a $1 billion payment against its current debt. The US government has been working with GM officials to detail out a favorable pre-planned bankruptcy that will see certain GM brands cease to exist. (Tire Review/Akron)

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Launches Special Superbike Tyre for Road Use

Pirelli has launched its Diablo Supercorsa BSB tyre in a special road legal edition, celebrating the company’s second season in sole charge of tyre provision for the British Superbike and Supersport Championships. The tyre is available from dealers in size 12/70ZR17 (front), 180/55ZR17 and 190/55ZR17 (rear).

The director of Pirelli Moto UK Gianmarco Spigolon said that Pirelli had “taken our knowledge and experience from racetracks and the best testers, Superbike and Supersport pilots, to produce a sports bike tyre for road riders.”

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TGI Opens Nicaraguan Office

Tire Group International (TGI) continues to implement its marketing strategy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by opening a new sales office in Managua, Nicaragua. Heading this new office is Rigoberto (Rick) Reyes. Mr. Reyes comes to TGI with over 20 years’ experience in the tire & wheel industry having worked for firms such as Progressive Custom Wheel, California Wheel Corp and Martino Tire.

“As part of our continued marketing strategy, Nicaragua is the next country where we will build a stronger presence which will greatly enhance TGI’s reach through our expanding series of brands and segments. We are convinced that with Rick’s skill-set we’ll start seeing immediate benefits as he promotes our brands and the wide array of solutions and services TGI offers”, said Orlando Delgado, Tire Group International’s Senior Vice President of Business Development.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kraiburg Updates All Three Ranges to Increase Economy

Kraiburg Austria has updated its K_base, K_tech and K_plus range of products. According to the company, the changes it has made are aimed at attaining: “maximum economic efficiency for all involved.” The retreading specialist has updated the designs, widths and lengths of its cut-to-size tread sections and has added new dimensions in some lines. Some designs have been pared down to just one version, such as the KDR and the KZU+. Others have changed segment in response to customer demands. The K47 bus tread designed for road use has been removed from the K_tech technology line, for example, and added to the all-round K_base line. At the same time, Kraiburg Austria announced the autumn launch of the new KST2/K222 tread for year-round use.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreSafe Calls on Experienced Motorcyclists to Promote Tyre Safety

TyreSafe and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) are calling on experienced bikers to help promote tyre safety among motorcyclists. With increasing numbers of motorcyclists taking to the road this spring, TyreSafe and the IAM are advising experienced bikers and biking enthusiasts to help raise awareness of the importance of riding on safe tyres. During April’s Bike Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe is reaching out to motorcyclists of all levels, including enthusiasts, with a reminder that correct tyre maintenance helps keep bikers safe on the road, and may ultimately save their life. As the improved weather conditions attract thousands of bikers to rallies and race meetings around the country, TyreSafe advises checking the pressure, tread depth and condition of tyres before setting off on long journeys.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Ruled Liable for Crash, Despite Speed and Alcohol Factors

Goodyear and US based tyre retailer Big 10 Tire have been informed that they, rather than speed and alcohol, are accountable for a crash that killed one young man and injured two. The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld a US$2.1 million verdict against the two companies originally decided upon in autumn 2006.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Scrappage Scheme “May Appeal to 1.5 Million”

With a UK scrappage incentive scheme to help boost the automotive industry to be introduced next month, information and marketing analysts Experian have evaluated its potential impact. Owners of vehicles over ten years old can claim a £2000 cash incentive to trade in their car for a new one. In order to be eligible for the scheme, the driver must have owned the vehicle for at least 12 months. Experian’s analysis of over 34.7 million vehicles currently on the UK roads has found that 7.1 million privately owned used vehicles will be eligible for the scheme. However, the company’s analysis shows that not all the owners of these vehicles would be in a position to take advantage of the scheme as there are number of other factors to consider.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Govt Ponders PCR Duty

India’s government intends to introduce import duties for passenger car radials in an attempt to protect the domestic industry against the growing quantities of the product being shipped into the country. According to an anonymous official, the Directorate General of Safeguards, a section of the national Revenue Department, is examining an industry filed complaint. Tyre manufacturers allege that the sharp increase in imports over the past year is causing them harm. A formal case is likely to be initiated by the Director General of Safeguards.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Pumps up Road Safety with Tyre Bay Direct

Kwik-Fit has signed a contract with Tyre Bay Direct to supply Uniflate Nitrogen Inflation systems across its UK and subsidiary European centres. The system, supplied exclusively to Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing for the last 17 years was the first nitrogen inflation system ever developed for tyre inflation. Rollout of the system has begun across Kwik-Fit’s 595 UK centres and will be completed by the end of July 2009. Kwik-Fit reportedly chose the Uniflate Nitrogen Inflation system following successful trials in the Netherlands earlier this year, which led to the installation of over 200 systems countrywide.

Adding Kwik-Fit’s UK outlets extends Tyre Bay Direct’s distribution of the Uniflate Nitrogen Inflation system to around 1,500 European outlets, ranging from fast fits, service centres, MOT bays and car dealerships through to independent fleet users and Borough councils. On its website Tyre Bay Direct’s parent company, Pneu-Air, also names ATS Euromaster, Merityre, Selecta Tyre, North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts and Demon Tweeks amongst its customers.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop to Adjust Its Retread Strategy

There is a new message coming from Goodyear Dunlop regarding its European retread brand and product strategy. The retreaded truck tyre business is now clearly seen as an integral part of the group’s new truck tyre business, and it is thus focusing directly on large and small fleets across the whole of Europe, serviced by a professional dealer network. As part of what is called “Goodyear Retread Technology”, the American Corporations’ European subsidiary will now focus more on the complete concept of offering a cradle to grave philosophy. This concept starts with the development of a new tyre with a high focus on fuel saving, mileage and reliability – in other words, using the company’s “MaxTechnology”. Consequently the usage of special compounds, new designs and new casing construction will allow multiple retreading and offer the lowest cost to the customer, points out Danny Van Essche, retread manager at Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Announces New Supervisory Board Members

A number of new Supervisory Board members were named at the April 23 Continental AG Annual General Meeting. These are Dr. Gunter Dunkel, chairman of the board of management of Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale; Dr. Michael Frenzel, chairman of the executive board of TUI AG; Dr. Jürgen M. Geißinger, president and CEO of INA-Holding Schaeffler KG; Prof. Dr.-Ing. E. h. Hans-Olaf Henkel, honorary professor at the University of Mannheim; Rolf Koerfer, lawyer; Dr. Klaus Mangold, chairman of the supervisory board of Rothschild GmbH; Klaus Rosenfeld, CFO of the Schaeffler Group, Georg F. W. Schaeffler, partner in the Schaeffler Group; Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler, partner in the Schaeffler Group; Dr. Bernd W. Voss, member of various supervisory boards. Substitute members are: Dr. h. c. Manfred Bodin, member of various supervisory boards, and Prof. Dr. Hans Heinrich Peters, chairman of the supervisory board of BÖAG Finanzdienst Aktiengesellschaft.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ian Smith Appointed MD at NDI Tyre & Tube

Ian Smith has been appointed as the new managing director of West Midlands, UK company NDI Tyre & Tube Supplies – a subsidiary of Danish importer Nordisk Daek. Smith boasts a substantial amount of experience in the tyre industry, including a twenty-one year spell at Pirelli in departments dealing with manufacturing and development.

Smith is hoping to capitalise on the company’s position as a “multi-brand, multi-range tyres and wheels” wholesaler, suggesting that the appointment endows him with a “fantastic opportunity to further develop a company and realise its full potential across a number of different market sectors.” He took up the position on 2 March, 2009.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Industry Veteran to Head Kenda Sales and Marketing

Bob Phoenix has been named vice president of sales for Kenda USA’s Automotive Tire Division. Phoenix, most recently a regional vice president for Kumho Tire USA, will be responsible for the sales and marketing of Kenda radial passenger and light truck/SUV tyres in the US and Canadian markets. As of 1 May, Kenda will be actively signing distributors/dealers for its lines of passenger and light truck/SUV radials, president Jimmy Yang said. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Leads Clean Air Green Tour

Michelin North America has teamed up with the “Clean Air Green Tour” to educate consumers on the benefits of environmentally friendly products. The 60-city US tour is expected to an average of 1,500 consumers per stop. “Many consumers do not realize the impact tyres can have on the environment,” said Parmeet Grover, brand director for MNA. “Our goal in partnering with the Clean Air Green Tour is to reinforce our message that tyres make a difference.”

In addition to featuring passenger car and light-truck tyres for consumers, the tour will cover more than 30,000 miles in a solar-powered bus fitted with Michelin X One super wides. In its third year, the Clean Air Green Tour launched on Apr. 14 in New York City, and will make stops at 40 Lowe’s stores, 14 Wal-Mart Supercenters and eight major festivals. In addition, the tour will hold tree plantings in five cities and host a community clean-up day. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors