Over the last two years, Continental has introduced its fifth generation of tyres. Representing the high performance segment is most notably the ContiSportContact5 and ContiSportContact 5P. A third, recently introduced addition to Continental’s high performance range is the ContiForceContact. Tyres & Accessories spoke to Continental brand manager Peter Robb about the line-up.
Hankook reports that five per cent of its annual revenue is directed towards research and development, an investment it says allows the development and production of the very latest in market-specific tyre solutions. Such investment is considered by the Korean manufacturer as key to ensuring optimum quality and technology within its high performance portfolio – a range it says is specifically designed to suit all types of motorists.
The successor to Falken’s flagship FK452 is now available in the United Kingdom. Deliveries of the Azenis FK453 began in May, and shortly before the range’s local launch, Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to speak with Falken tyre development engineer Sven Kruse, who is part of the Japanese tyre maker’s Frankfurt, Germany-based engineering team. Kruse talked T&A through the company’s new top high performance tyre, and explained the differences those familiar with the FK452 can expect.
Pirelli has more than 125 years of technical excellence and innovation under its belt and for many years its focus has been on the premium and performance end of the market. The furthest evolution in its current high performance P Zero range is the P Zero Corsa System. With a directional tread pattern for front axle fitment and an asymmetric pattern for the rear axle, this tyre is designed for both road and track. Paired with a racing tread compound, P Zero Corsa System is viewed as ideal for the most powerful cars in the ultra high performance sector.
According to Michelin commercial director Malcolm Scovell, 17-inch and larger passenger car tyre fitments – the sizes considered high performance – now account for approximately 25 per cent of the UK market. And despite a nine per cent decline in the overall passenger tyre market in 2011, this particular segment grew some 17 per cent. New high performance sizes are regularly added to what is becoming a market rich in individual fitments.
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After years of relative quiet regarding speculation about ownership of Continental AG, a relatively weak first quarter at the company’s majority shareholder (Schaeffler) has kick started the rumour mill. The thinking is that the shareholder will off-load some of its share to free up cash flow and support the valuation of Conti as it re-enters the Frankfurt-based DAX German stock exchange.
Research and Markets has published a report analysing key elements of the five leading tyre markets in Europe during the period 2011-2015; the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. The report notes the “significant impact” of the 2008-2009 economic crisis, during which all countries experienced reduced sales in 2008 and 2009, which was followed by uniform recovery through 2010, based on essential replacements. Each country went on to experience various levels of sales downturn in 2011.
Falken is preparing for the UK launch of what it calls its strongest and quietest ultra high performance tyre, the Azenis FK453. The new tyre succeeds, both numerically and in Falken’s line-up, the FK452, a tyre Falken says has been revered by many car enthusiasts for its blend of performance and affordability. With the launch of this latest product, for the first time the Japanese tyre maker is offering Y speed rated fitments suitable for use at up to 186mph or 300km/h. The new range will be available in a total of 62 sizes, including a 20-inch version, to fit sports and performance cars such as the VW Golf GTI, BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Porsche 911 and Audi RS5.
Pirelli & C. SpA has announced first quarter revenues of 1.556.5 billion euros, up 11.1 per cent compared with 1,400.9 million euros in 31 March 2011. Pre-tax profits (EBIT) after restructuring charges grew by almost half to 209.4 million euros (up 46.1 per cent compared with 143.3 million in the first quarter 2011).
Deutsche Bank analysts have raised their target price for Cooper Tire & Rubber shares to US$19.00. In an investors’ note published 3 May, the analysts stated that Cooper Tire “reported stronger than expected Q1 earnings of $0.34 versus our $0.27 estimate. Margins were significantly higher than we expected (operating margin was 4.8 per cent versus our 3.9 per cent estimate). All of the upside versus our estimates was derived from lower than expected raw material inflation. Nonetheless, the results were impressive considering that they were achieved despite $0.32 of strike related costs. This reinforces our view that tyre companies are becoming more profitable at any volume. We maintain our Hold based on uncertainty surrounding structural industry changes.”
Although expansion work at Lanxess’ butyl rubber facility in Zwijndrecht, Belgium has been complete for some time now, today the company officially opened the upgraded plant. Reporting on the improvements at Zwijndrecht, Lanxess shares that capacity is now up ten per cent to 150,000 tonnes of butyl rubber per annum. The expansion, carried out at a cost of 20 million euros, was completed several months ahead of schedule at the end of 2011. Work involved expanding the existing plant’s production capacity and building two new pilot plants for developing butyl rubber production technology.
Fan Rende, chairman of the China Rubber Industry Association, shares that China has launched a plan to develop ‘green’ tyres. The plan calls for half of China’s tyre makers to be capable of manufacturing fuel-efficient tyres by the end of the country’s current five year guideline in December 2015, and for half of these tyre makers’ output to be green tyres by the same date.
After reading the facts unearthed by the latest Kwik Fit survey, you’d be forgiven for wishing some British motorists stuck to public transport. The study of 2,027 adults carried out for the fast fit network shows that four per cent of respondents – a proportion representing 1.3 million British motorists – don’t even know if their vehicle has a spare wheel. Three per cent – think a million motorists – confessed to not having any provision whatsoever for a flat tyre.
The UK’s leading powered access platform provider – Nationwide Platforms – has signed a deal with ATS Euromaster, which will see the tyre services provider manage tyres on a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles. As part of the agreement, ATS Euromaster will monitor tyre wear and usage, carry out repairs and fit replacements across the company’s fleet. This includes around 160 cars, 170 vans, 120 trucks, 50 trailers and 610 specialist pieces of vehicle mounted plant.
GT Radial’s representatives presented details about the company's new GT Radial WinterPro HP during the dealer visit to its winter testing facility in Ivalo, Finland. A “high performance winter tyre” that was under development in Ivalo this winter, the tyre will be manufactured in Indonesia.
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