Truck Tyres
Pirelli has now been in the truck tyre business for exactly 100 years and the Italian manufacturer enters its second century in the sector by launching several new products. In mid-September the company introduced three tyre lines that round out its ‘01’ series; the FW:01 and TW:01 for winter conditions, FH:01 and TH:01 long-distance haulage tyres, and FG:01 and TG:01 for construction machinery.
Tire Review notes that Michelin North America (Canada)'s price increase was the continent's 86th in 2011. As of 1 October, the unit is increasing pricing on its Michelin and BFGoodrich medium truck tyres by up to 6.5 per cent. Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and MNA’s associate brand passenger and light truck replacement tyres (excluding winter tires) will see increases averaging 4 per cent as of 1 November.
Slovenian tyre brand Sava Tyres – a Goodyear Dunlop brand – launched its new range of 22.5” truck tyres in an event in Ljubljana, including a visit to the Goodyear Dunlop manufacturing facility in Kranj, earlier in the year. The new range, which comprises the Avant 4 steer tyre and the Orjak 4 drive tyre, has been developed to provide enhanced performance and lower cost per mile on both long and short haul transport operations. Goodyear Dunlop also suggested that an upswing in the European truck tyre market would be experienced in the eastern half of the continent.
Techking has launched what it calls a new economic entry level TPMS for truck tyres. Compared with the previous version, the new TPMS, TBR‐03, reportedly has the following advantages: 20 per cent cost saving over previous version (for 10 tyre trucks); upgraded monitor kit, holder for easier installation and “much better” data collecting capacity. According to the company, the platform of Techking TPMS is OE approved, having passed the SAE test in US.
Years after the credit crunch bit and the recession took hold in the North America and Europe, financial analysts are asking if the de-segmentation phenomena that saw cheaper tyre sales increase could be coming to an end. So does this mean premium tyre sales are on the up?
Three members of the board of KRT have completed a management buy-out of the group – UK & Ireland (financed by GE Capital). The new company – Kings Road Tyres Group Ltd will be led by Adrian Bader (managing director), Mark Cooper (commercial director) and Simon Lister (financial director). Bader told Tyres & Accessories that the transition of company ownership is proceeding “seamlessly”, since “most of the people that were running the company before will be running the new company”.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced price increases for passenger and light truck consumer replacement and original equipment tyres in the United States and Canada, effective from 1 November. Prices for Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand passenger and light truck tyres will increase by up to eight per cent.
"Commercial vehicle sales remain strong with around 23 per cent growth in August. Whilst economic uncertainty is ever present, truck and van sales are retaining their strength with all sectors in the market performing better than last year." said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.
The high cost of fuel remains the biggest cause for concern amongst haulage operators, according to the July 2011 update of the Freight Transport Association's Manager's Guide to Distribution Costs. Commercial vehicle operators continue to be squeezed by rising operating costs and pressure for earlier payment terms from suppliers whilst facing downward pressure on haulage rates and lengthening payment terms from customers.
Aeolus Tyres has launched an improved version of its HN364 winter drive tyre. The brand says the improved winter tyre is a result of its intensive research and development programme. It features inter-connected profile blocks, which “helps to create greater stability, while simultaneously improving safety, comfort and longevity,” according to the company. The tyre is available in the three most common drive axle sizes.
Following yesterday’s confirmation of the news that Michelin and Double Coin have entered into a China-based tyre production joint venture, financial analysts shared their views about how this fits into the French tyre giant’s wider strategy. According to Deutsche Bank, the new joint venture run plant is already being built and is expected to cost approximately 390 million euros. The analysts also confirmed earlier reports that the factory will have a capacity of 15 million units annually. For the time being the agreement remains subject to approval by the appropriate Chinese authorities.
Old habits die hard, and for many of us our knowledge about Russia is at best sketchy. Yet much change is taking place there, and the tyre industry is not missing out on this. Europe’s major tyre makers today have, or are in the process of acquiring, a presence within the region, and Russian companies are also working to secure their share of a growing and lucrative market. Keeping track of various deals can sometimes be complicated…
As you might expect, the majority of the forthcoming September issue's winter tyre feature focuses on products designed for use on passenger cars, but what are the latest developments on the commercial vehicle side of things?
Following Continental’s recent acquisition of India’s Modi Tyres Company Limited, the German company has announced plans to expand its Indian market operations. Initial plans involve increasing Continental India Limited’s cross-ply truck and bus tyre production at its Modipuram factory to over 500,000 units per annum this year and further boosting output to more than a million units in 2013. On top of this, more than 50 million euros will be invested to equip the company for passenger car and commercial vehicle radial manufacture; Continental anticipates starting production of these tyres in the second half of 2013.
Continental Tyres has appointed City 1st Tyres in Slough, Berks as an accredited Conti360° Partner outlet. City 1st, which specialise in new truck and trailer tyres as well as retreads, joins Continental's existing pan-European network of outlets that services the tyre manufacturer's fleet customers.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
