Truck Tyres
Michelin has dashed union and works council hopes of reversing the planned end of truck tyre production in Germany, with company management rejecting a more than 100-page document outlining alternative concepts for maintaining the plants. The IGBCE union and works councils presented the document to the tyre maker last month; according to the union, Michelin management rejected all proposals at the beginning of March.
The Fortune brand is a relative newcomer in the UK commercial vehicle tyre market, but behind the range is one of China’s largest and fastest-growing tyre makers. Prinx Chengshan produces the entire Fortune truck tyre line-up in a state-of-the-art facility in Chonburi, Thailand, and recently invited distribution partners from the UK and Europe to see the technology behind this Industry 4.0 plant for themselves. This visit also served as an opportunity to forge stronger business ties as well as to present the latest products within the Fortune portfolio.
Anyline published the results of its recent US fleet survey at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. The research found that the US fleet sector had a “mixed approach to ensuring vehicle safety and operational efficiency.”
Netherlands based Magna Tyres has expanded its range of commercial vehicle tyres. The M-Truck has been designed for various haulage applications – long haul, regional and construction operations – in steer, drive, all position and trailer fitments. The range incorporates a variety of features from its steel belted casing to the rubber compound designed for high resistance against punctures and other field hazards. The Magna M-Truck range is currently available in eight pattern options: RG10, RG11, RG20, RG30, RG31, CO10, C020, and CO30. The manufacturer adds that it is seeking to appoint distributors in various markets. Magna will display its truck tyre range among other products at The Tire Cologne.
During a ceremony held in China on 6 March, TÜV SÜD Group acknowledged Prinx Chengshan with certification that will “serve as a milestone” to “accelerate” the tyre maker’s entry into the European market. The certification agency awarded Prinx Chengshan the VECTO-based (EU) 2017/2400 carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption certification for three commercial vehicle tyre models sold in Europe under the Fortune and Austone brand names – AR 603, TH 135 and TH 155.
Netherlands-based tyre company Magna Tyres confirms its presence as an exhibitor at this year’s The Tire Cologne in Germany, stating that participation in the tyre industry show aligns with its “ongoing brand image momentum in the heavy tyre market sector.” The Magna Tyres sales team will present a range of products for mining, earthmoving, industrial, port handling, crane operations and agricultural applications. They will also highlight two recent additions to the product line-up, the M-Truck tyre series and Magna’s proprietary Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
Visitors to three trucking events taking place in the UK this summer will have the opportunity to get better acquainted with the Hankook and Laufenn truck tyre ranges. In addition to continuing its support of the Devon and Cornwall shows, as of this year Hankook Tyre UK has announced its sponsorship of the Best of the Best event.
Linglong Tire is relocating the production of truck tyres for the European market to its newly inaugurated factory in Serbia from their previous production base in China and Thailand, Tyrepress sister website Reifenpresse reports. According to the Chinese manufacturer, the Serbia plant is “one of the most modern tyre factories in the world.” With four new tyre series and a total of 47 new products or product sizes, the product range includes truck tyres for all purposes, all of which were “developed specifically for the European market.” Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić told Chinese media that Linglong could become the country’s “fifth or sixth-largest exporter” thanks to the new plant.
With commercial fleet customers facing unenviable cost pressures, Bridgestone has sought to demonstrate why its lowest total cost of ownership philosophy makes financial sense for fleets. The tyre supplier offers a complete package of fleet commercial support to promote maximum efficiency, convenience and sustainability, beginning with its premium truck tyres.
Yokohama has introduced its latest comprehensive range of truck and bus tyres to the UK. The manufacturer’s commercial vehicle tyre lines, which are distributed nationally by wholesaler RH Claydon, have undergone a “significant expansion” alongside an extended service offering. The range has been designed using Yokohama’s latest innovative technologies to help commercial vehicle and fleet operators get the best return from their tyre investments, helping to overcome several key challenges such as extending mileage, making wear more even, and lowering maintenance costs.
Prometeon Tyre Group launched the first Prometeon-branded Serie 02 tyres, the S02 Pista, into one of the toughest testing crucibles in the world, the Saudi Arabian Dakar Rally. Four Italtrans and Tibau team trucks equipped the Prometeon S02 Pista on 5-19 January, marking Prometeon’s first official participation in a competition. Roberto Righi, CEO of Prometeon Tyre Group, said launching “a product in what is regarded as the world’s toughest race for trucks” marked “an important step” in the company’s history.
The rapid growth of a manufacturing base largely across Asia has seen a swift evolution in the source of truck tyre imports in the European Union and UK. A new analysis conducted by leading tyre market analyst Astutus Research for Tyres & Accessories shows that Thailand has soared into a leading position in this segment, accounting for 26.3 per cent of truck tyre imports in 2023. Turkey (20.6 per cent) and more recently Vietnam (15.0 per cent) have also overtaken the previously dominant China (14.5 per cent) as leading sources of truck tyres in Europe (defined as the EU27 plus UK).
After more than 10 years of business collaboration, MobileITApps has renewed its agreement with Bridgestone Europe, enabling full connectivity between the FleetBridge system into the e-jobsheet all-purpose tyre service app powered by the TiDaeX platform, including plans for RFID integration. The agreement covers 31 European countries.
Bridgestone’s subsidiary in China announced that it would officially terminate its commercial vehicle tyre (TBR) business on 27 February. The move means that the tyre giant will no longer produce and sell TBR products in China, at least in the short term. The company states that “strategic resources will be focused on the high-end PCR market where growth is expected.”
The Continental TireTech app serves as a valuable tool for fleet managers, drivers, retailers, and tyre workshops wishing to optimise tyre performance and enhance fleet efficiency. Continental has now added extra functions to the app that broaden its appeal, introducing several new features tailored for truck and bus tyres and expanding its reach to include the burgeoning van and camper van tyre segments.
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Bridgestone
Yokohama
Prometeon Tyre Group
Prinx Chengshan
Stephen Goodchild / Tyre Industry Publications Ltd