Tyre energy to power vehicle electronics
Solar panels and wind turbines move aside, there’s a new source of electricity in town. It’s none other than the trusty tyre.
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Falken hybrid and electric vehicle tech on show at E-Mobility Days Munich
Falken has showcased its latest technology to support alternatively fuelled vehicles, led by its new Ecorun AA tyre for hybrids, at the inaugural E-Mobility Days Munich event (3-4 May 2019). The two-day programme of activities included specialist lectures on electric mobility, the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles and visit the laboratories of Bundeswehr University, where alternative drive technologies are being researched. Falken also sponsored the event.
ETEL continues to lead top 20 UK tyre retailers 2019
After years of expansion amongst the top 20 UK tyre retailers, the latest data shows that this trend peaked in 2017/2018 when the top 20 accounted for 2014 branches. The same 20 tyre retailers had 1980 branches between them in 2018/2019. And what’s more, the reorganisation of one retailer alone accounted for a 40-centre decline in branch count, with the overall figure remaining positive due to growth at other chains. Here Tyres & Accessories analyses the branch count data in the context of 10 years of comparable research.
Michelin maintains position as world’s most valuable tyre brand: Brand Finance
Michelin has defended its title as the world’s most valuable tyre brand despite a 9 per cent decrease in brand value to US$7.2 billion, according to the latest report by leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy, Brand Finance.
SRI doubles planned capacity for Brazil truck tyre plant
An additional investment is being made in the Sumitomo Rubber do Brasil factory in Fazenda Rio Grande, Brazil, which is scheduled to begin producing truck and bus tyres next March. This investment of BRL 153 million (£28.7 million, US$37.6 million) builds upon the BRL 312 million investment Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) announced in July 2016 for setting up bus and truck tyre production equipment in Fazenda Rio Grande. The extra investment will double the original starting capacity of 500 truck and bus tyres a day – SRI now plans for a daily capacity of 1,000 truck and bus tyres by October 2019.
Falken to exhibit 3 new tyres at The Tire Cologne
Falken Tyre will launch three new tyre models for three distinct applications from its stand (Hall 7, Area A) at The Tire Cologne (29 May – 1 June). The new tyres are the Euroall Season AS210 car tyre, the Euroall Season VAN11 for light trucks and vans, and the Wildpeak M/T01 4×4 tyre for off-road use.
Brand Finance: Dunlop value up 80%, Pirelli falls back
While the headline Brand Finance ranking news is the resurgence of Michelin as well as the growth of the Chinese brands, Dunlop and Pirelli’s performance in the Brand Finance ranking is also worth noting – for completely different reasons.
Michelin becomes world’s most valuable tyre brand
The Michelin brand’s value has grown some 30 per cent to US$7.9 billion in the latest Brand Finance Tyres 10 ranking. As a result Bibendum is now the world’s most valuable tyre brand.
MTS launches new SRI tyres for 2018
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) has begun 2018 with the launch of new tyre products into its distribution line-up, with plans to grow the product lines throughout the year. As well as a new Falken tyre, the wholesaler will commence the distribution of the Sumitomo brand, as discussed with Tyres & Accessories in December, with the BC100 pattern.
Two tyre lines to spearhead Sumitomo launch in Europe
Further to news from Micheldever wholesale director Alan Baldwin that the Sumitomo tyre brand is coming to the UK and Europe and will be positioned as an entry-level mid-range brand beneath the Falken brand, the sales director for Falken Tyre Europe’s replacement market business in Germany has shared details on the range heading our way.
Micheldever to supply Sumitomo brand tyres, marks a year since change of ownership
As we go to print on the December issue of Tyres & Accessories, Micheldever Group is marking a year since Sumitomo Rubber Industries, manufacturer of Falken Tyres for which MTS is UK distributor, bought the UK tyre distributor from previous owner Graphite Capital Management. While the sale was not unexpected, the identity of the new owner may have been somewhat surprising, though SRI’s investment in Falken Tyre Europe following the late-2015 dissolution of its alliance agreement with Goodyear makes the acquisition of a leading distributor a logical move. For Micheldever’s board, SRI was said to be an attractive new owner, with the presumption that it would offer offering longevity, stability, and consistency; as a large, well-established, high quality top-six tyre manufacturer seeking to broaden its knowledge of UK distribution with an already successful business.
Video: Falken at the Nürburgring 24 Hours
Looking back on one of the major events in its calendar, Falken has posted a video reviewing its participation in the 2017 Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand expanded its entry at this year’s event with a new BMW M6 joining the Falken Motorsports Porsche 911.
Sumitomo introduces ‘Sensing Core’ tyre technology
Sumitomo Rubber reports that the company has developed a new tyre-sensing technology called Sensing Core. Sensing Core is designed to detect road conditions, tyre load and other information by analyzing the wheel speed signals that are generated by the rotation of the tyres. Sumitomo says the technology will play a role in the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.
Sumitomo buys brownfield land in USA
Sumitomo Rubber USA has bought 6.4 acres of brownfield land adjacent to its tyre manufacturing site in Tonawanda. According to the New York State-based Buffalo News, Sumitomo’s new land used to be home to a chemical plant that was destroyed by a fire nearly 30 years ago.
Falken Motorsport adds BMW to Porsche at Nürburgring 24H
Falken will line up on the Nürburgring Nordschliefe grid with two premium German racing cars for the first time, adding a BMW M6 GT3 to the Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 991), which debuted at the 2016 event. Falken’s Porsche was the fastest in the 24 hour race, finishing in ninth place overall. Falken will enter both cars in various VLN endurance races as well as the Green Hell event; the team says competing with two different but current GT3 vehicle marques is unusual, but confirms the depth of experience of Falken’s tyre engineers and the wide-ranging performance of the tyres. Falken’s long-term partner, Schnabl Engineering, will supervise and support the two vehicles throughout the season.
