At the start of May, in the USA, Continental issued a recall of 68,770 two-wheel tyres of which an estimated 10 per cent suffered from cracking in the tread groves during FMVSS 119 endurance testing.
Michelin has produced a new version of its motorcycle racing tyre with an even higher share of environmentally sustainable material ahead of the MotoE World Cup motorcycle racing series. This is the fourth season of the MotoE World Cup electric motorcycles racing series.
Mitas has extended its mousse range with the inclusion a new rally version. The new Mitas Rally Mousse features a durable compound that is suitable to high speeds and resistant to heat and sharp objects. It is designed for use in combination with a range of Mitas Rally tyres including E-12 Rally Star, E-13 Rally Star, C-21 Stoneking and C-17 Stoneater Dakar, and available in the 140/80-18 rear and 90/90-21 front sizes.
During January 2021, Jiangsu Seyoun Tire Co. Ltd.’s phase 2 Suqian City, China factory construction project got underway. According to industry association CRIA, the new tyre production base is expected to manufacture 3.2 million sets of “high-performance all-steel radial tyres” and become an “all-steel radial tyre production base for heavy trucks”.
Apollo Tyres is aiming for leadership in the premium two-wheeler segment in India with the inauguration of a dedicated two-wheel cross-ply and tyre manufacturing operation. India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world, and still has a headroom for further growth. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand has increased as people move away from shared/public transport and gradually moving to own a personal vehicle. However, while India is at the forefront for Apollo’s venture into the two-wheel segment, the company is also hinting that it plans to export two-wheel tyres to Europe and North America.
Maxxis India has announced a partial resumption of manufacturing operations at its Sanand, Gujarat factory albeit with reduced workforce numbers. Maxxis India had shut the operation on 23 March 2020 for a period of 42 days, following government calls for a complete lockdown in order to combat the coronavirus.
Bridgestone’s Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres have been selected as original equipment on the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX sport tourer motorcycle.
“Motorcycle registrations stabilised with a 3.9 per cent sales increase in September following last month’s decline, as both economic and political uncertainty affected demand for bikes”, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK, commenting on figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association.
Goodyear Dunlop has appointed Dave Plummer as sales and marketing manager motorcycle UK and Ireland, which means Plummer will lead the Dunlop Motorcycle division in the UK and Ireland.
Numerous Indian news sources are reporting that Maxxis India has entered into an OE supply arrangement with scooter manufacturer Hero MotoCorp. As a result, Maxxis is set to supply its 90/100-10 M6000 53J front and rear tyres.
“The motorcycle market continued its upward trend in April, with sales up 7.3 per cent ahead of the same period last year and up 9.4 per cent year-to-date”, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK. The figures were released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association
In May Tyres & Accessories reported that Andy Aylward had been appointed as Michelin’s retail programme manager for the UK and Ireland. In this role, the 30-year Michelin veteran is responsible for overseeing the company’s network of over 80 accredited car and motorcycle Michelin Certified Centres, which is now known as the Michelin Automotive Programme. Since then, there has positive feedback from the car tyre retail sign and a number of initiatives have been kick started in the two-wheel as well as car tyre side of things. At the end of November Tyres & Accessories met up with Aylward in order to find out more.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems is investing in a two-wheel tyre factory in India. According to the company, the investment forms part of Trelleborg’s strategy to “strengthen its positions in attractive market segments”. Currently Trelleborg’s mostly makes two-wheel tyres in Europe. Products include tyres for selected niches, such as enduro and motocross, as well as scooters,
mopeds and motorcycles.
“Following a turbulent few months, it is encouraging to see that the motorcycle market bounced back in June with registrations up 7.8 per cent”, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK, commenting on figures published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association.
With the introduction of its two-wheel tyre range, Apollo Tyres now offers its full portfolio in Sri Lanka. As is the case with the company’s other products, the two-wheel range is being distributed within the country by sole national distributor Ideal Wheels & Tyres.
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