A new report published by Bharrat Books predicts that the Saudi Arabian tyre market revenues will grow 12 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the period between 2013 and 2018.
The tyre market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12 per cent between 2013 and 2018. That’s according to research published 6 January by TechSci market analysts. According to the TechSci, the strong growth rate comes as a result of continuous growth in automotive sales coupled with the increasing demand for tyres in the replacement market. The report, “Saudi Arabia Automobile Tyre Market Forecast and opportunity, 2018”also says that the majority sales in the country’s tyre market are contributed by the passenger vehicle segment.
Those living in the seven emirates that make up the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain – are certainly no strangers to high temperatures. While the mercury rose to 47 degrees Celcius and above this summer, pressures caused by the global economic crisis, which triggered a local property collapse in its wake, have also put the heat on the domestic new tyre and retreading markets. Tyres & Accessories recently visited to the country’s largest Emirate by population (Dubai) to learn more about the local and regional retreading and new tyre markets.
Women in Saudi Arabia are now excluded from working in tyre manufacturing jobs following the release of a list of over 20 jobs deemed unsuitable by the country’s Ministry of Labour. Job number ten on the list compiled by labour minister Adel Fakeih is “Working in the rubber industry for making tyres,” and at a press conference Fakeih claimed the aim is to prevent women from working in jobs they may not be physically suited to undertake. “The Saudi woman has every right to work,” Fakeih stated. “We are only implementing regulations that will protect her and ensure her rights.”
In recent months, Marangoni Retreading Systems has taken on a number of new partners in the Middle East and signed agreements with a number of important retreaders within the region, including Al Zahem Industries in Kuwait. Through this particular contract, Marangoni Retreading Systems has been able to enter the Kuwaiti market with the backing of the experience and skills possessed by the country’s sole retreader.
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe has introduced a new 22.5 x 11.75 wheel with 120 mm offset and a 5000 kilogram load index. The product, which is designed for truck front steer axles and trailer axles, reportedly weighs just 23.6 kilos and is available with 26 mm mounting holes in four finishes – Brushed, Mirror Polished, Dura-Bright and Dura-Flange.
The rising cost of steel will result in extra demand for forged aluminium wheels according to Motor Wheel Service (MWS) managing director, John Ellis. Over the last 12 months the price of steel billet has risen from $395 to $475 per tonne, rising as high as $600 per tonne in April 2010, and both the OEM industry and tyre manufacturers have been warned to expect price rises of up to 20 per cent for steel wheels come 1 September 2010. The company believes that when the increase takes effect, the difference between the cost of a steel and a forged aluminium wheel will be at an all time low, making the lighter and traditionally more expensive products a far more attractive proposition for commercial vehicle operators.
Pirelli is considering setting up a joint venture tyre manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. UAE based newspaper Gulf News has reported on the tyre maker’s desire to capitalise on the abundance of raw materials available in the Persian Gulf city of Jubail. A Pirelli delegation visited the city in December and held discussions with officials from the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu.
Turkish bus company, HAS Turizm is claiming increased tyre life after switching to Alcoa forged wheels. The groundwork for the changeover was laid a couple of years ago after a visit from Alcoa’s Turkish distributor Otomotiv Lastikleri Tevzi AS (Oltas), who reportedly explained the benefits of Alcoa forged aluminium wheels. As a result, HAS decided to test the products themselves. “After several months, we realized that the buses, equipped with Alcoa wheels, use around 1 per cent less fuel compared to buses on steel wheels. Another advantage we discovered is the longer life time of the tyres. Today almost all of our vehicles operating in Turkey are equipped with Alcoa wheels. All new vehicles are specified on Alcoa wheels as well.”
The Abu Dhabi Police’s traffic and patrol department has recorded 1,056 offences relating to faulty tyres since the launch of a safe travel campaign on June 1. Citing burst tyres as one of the main reasons for fatal accidents, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Al Shehi, director of the Capital Traffic Department, told Dubai based newspaper Gulf News that three people were killed and 72 people were injured, eight seriously, in tyre-related accidents between January 1 to June 30 this year. In 2007, such accidents claimed the lives of 24 people, while 152 people were injured – 29 seriously.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised preparations for the launch of a two-month campaign to create awareness about the importance of tyre safety in order to avoid accidents. According to the Khaleej Times, Maitha bin Udai, executive director of the Traffic and Road Agency, RTA, said the campaign would feature a comprehensive programme, including a permanent traffic exhibition. A message, to be displayed at more than 300 sites, will tell motorists that excess luggage and passengers or failure to make proper maintenance of the vehicle run counter to traffic safety rules.
She said the campaign, which will be launched in association with the Nasser Abdul Lateef Al Serkal Establishment and a number of companies connected with road users’ safety, will conduct random patrols to advise motorists on the validity and road-worthiness of their vehicles’ tyres. These patrols, she said, will comprise supervisors from the RTA awareness section and tyremaker, Bridgestone. They will offer a tyre examination service to all motorists regardless of the brand of tyres.
(Akron/Tire Review) Red Cap Total Car Care, reportedly the largest tyre dealer and service centre dealer in the Middle East, has implemented a point-of-sale (POS) solution from TireWare Inc. across its chain of retail stores. Red Cap, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is a division of the Tamimi Group.
In Tokyo, shares in Bridgestone have risen 3.09 per cent to 1,300 Yen, having recovered from an eight year low earlier this month of 1,067 Yen. This comes despite the news that Saudi Arabia has banned Firestone tyres; an action described by Bridgestone as “uncalled for and extreme”.
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