Continental recalls 12,000 car tyres in the US
Continental is recalling approximately 12,000 Continental and General brand passenger car and light truck tyres. The recall is voluntary and there haven’t been any reports of accidents.
Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
Continental is recalling approximately 12,000 Continental and General brand passenger car and light truck tyres. The recall is voluntary and there haven’t been any reports of accidents.
With the 2020 US election shaping up to be the closest in the last two decades, no-one can yet say who will be the winning. However, share price analysts that are literally experts at hedging their bets, have compiled a list of post-Election share picks. In short, while growth is expected across the board in 2021, the recently-berated Goodyear is not the only tyre brand that would stand to gain from the end of Trump presidency.
Bridgestone has formed a partnership with the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC). The global competition for university teams challenges students to programme a modified Dallara IL-15 race car and compete in the world’s first autonomous high-speed, head-to-head race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Bridgestone will exclusively supply tyres for the event, scheduled for 23 October, 2021. The tyre manufacturer said that it will work closely with the IAC and its participating teams “on a collective vision to push the boundaries of self-driving car technology.” Bridgestone added that it wants the partnership to “increase public awareness of the impact that automation can have on society.”
Electric vehicle start-up Rivian’s R1T pickup, which begins production in June 2021, and its R1S electric SUV will roll off production lines on Pirelli’s Scorpion range. The premium tyre manufacturer has developed special versions of its Scorpion Verde All Season, Scorpion Zero All Season and Scorpion All Terrain tyres to meet the OEM’s specifications. The OE fitments follow its “Pirelli Perfect Fit” strategy – all Pirelli tyres developed for Rivian have a special marking on the shoulder: RIV and Elect. The latter denotes Pirelli’s development of tyres for electric vehicles, which play a crucial role in key EV performance goals; safety, performance, and range optimisation.
Camso, the off-road tyre specialist acquired by Michelin in 2018, has grown its off-highway transportation tyre service and distribution presence in North America with the acquisition of two material-handling solutions businesses from Metro Industrial Tires. These businesses are based in Chicago and provide service to the market via their own press truck fleets.
Accuride Corporation reported this week that three of its facilities, including two of its wheel plants, have received 2019 Masters of Quality awards from Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA). The awarded plants are the Accuride de México facility in Monterrey, which supplies DTNA with aluminium and steel wheels and is a seven-time awardee; the Henderson plants in Kentucky, USA, which supplies DTNA with steel wheels and is a three-time award recipient; the Rockford factory in Illinois, USA, which supplies Gunite wheel hub, drums, and brake rotors and is a fifth-time awardee.
Tyrata Inc. and Marubeni Corporation are collaborating in the distribution of Tyrata’s IntelliTread drive-over tread-depth reading system. Specifically, Marubeni will be introducing the technology to its customer base in Japan. Marubeni will begin selling units in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Vipal Machinery is reporting growing sales in the USA, having sold five machines so far this year in the world’s largest tyre retreading market. According to the company, four major North American retreaders acquired the five pieces of machinery including Pete’s Road Services based in Corona, California.
One way or another 2020 has been an eventful year for all of us. The same is true at Apollo Tyres where, at a global level, the company has had to navigate pandemic-related production pauses and restarts along with new factory openings and the decision to enter the two-wheel segment. At the same time as continuing to develop the Apollo brand, the company has also given the Vredestein brand a big push during the last month or so. First, with the launch of a new all-season range, then with the introduction of a new North American tyre line-up and – in order to support both – a pitch-side advertising partnership with Manchester United football club. Tyres & Accessories recently interviewed Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd in order to find out more.
This interview appears in full in the November edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Marangoni Tread North America reports that an RDG 200 Ringtread Drive retread has been driven for over 500,000 miles. The RDG 200 Ringtread is a closed shoulder drive tread uses particular compounding technology for “extreme mileage”. The RDG 200’s original tread depth is 27/32nds (21.5 mm).
Effective immediately, Anna Hyvönen, SVP Nordics and Vianor and member of Nokian Tyres Management Team, has been appointed SVP North America, Nordics and Vianor. The shift was precipitated by the departure of Mark Earl, who had been Nokian Tyres SVP Americas, who has decided to leave the company to “pursue other career opportunities”. Tommi Heinonen, Head of Sales, North America, will start reporting to Anna Hyvönen.
In the USA, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has issued notification to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it is recalling 1,983 Cooper CS5 Grand Touring and Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring tyres. The affected tyres are 225 55R17 products, with DOT codes 2920 through to 3220.
Kumho’s next generation e-NIMF and e-TOPS tyres have been honoured with 2020 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). Having already received iF and Red Dot accolades in February and March respectively, has now won three of the world’s top design awards in the same year.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company released its eighth annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Report – “Responsibility the Cooper Way” – on 21 September.
Double Coin has expanded its distribution infrastructure in the USA with the addition of a new warehouse in Houston, Texas. The new facility, Double Coin’s largest warehouse in North America, began operations on 15 September 2020. It includes office space, 29 dock doors and two drive up ramps. According to the company, the warehouse will serve the growing demand for Double Coin’s comprehensive range of truck and OTR tyres.
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