Pirelli USA raises tyre prices 5%
Pirelli Tire North America has announced that it will increase prices in the US for car and light truck tyres. The price increase is set to take effect from 6 April 2020.
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.
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Commercial production starts at Nokian Tyres’ USA plant
After several months of test production, Nokian Tyres’ new factory in the USA has begun making tyres destined for retail sale. Now that the tyre maker has reached this milestone on schedule, it will steadily increase volume throughout the year and will continue growing it until reaching an annual capacity of four million tyres by 2023.
US association welcomes Nokian Tyres as country’s newest tyre maker
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) shares that Nokian Tyres has signed up as its 13th member. The company, which opened its factory in Dayton, Tennessee in October 2019 and is currently preparing to start commercial production, joins an association that represents more than four-fifths of the national tyre manufacturing industry.
Reinventing the simulated wheel
For the generations raised in the late 20th century, the idea of travel simulators raises images of a capsule for eight people moved around with hydraulics to match a film, or perhaps contestants tasked with landing a plane on The Krypton Factor. Since those heady days, exponential increases in computer processing power and the ability to model a rapidly increasing range of sensory outputs from a highly complex web of inputs. Compared to the relatively broad strokes of retro aeronautical simulation, the convincingly realistic representation of the driving environment has become a legitimate source of automotive research and development. The latest simulation technology is increasingly making its way into tyre development as a means of increasing the efficiency of product development. With Michelin’s announcement that it would install a new Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator at its North America Research & Development centre in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, Tyres & Accessories got in touch with its manufacturer Ansible Motion and its international manager for the company’s commercial group, Phil Morse to talk about the increasing prevalence of human-in-the-loop simulation within tyre and vehicle development, and the opportunities it offers.
Goodyear introduces Assurance ComfortDrive
In the USA, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has introduced the Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive – an all-season tyre, which is said to offer Goodyear’s most comfortable ride to date.
Caterpillar ‘Platinum’ certification for 4 Bridgestone tyre plants
Four tyre plants in Japan and the Americas are amongst seven Bridgestone Corporation facilities to receive Caterpillar Inc.’s highest Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) rating. The manufacturer of construction and mining equipment has awarded Platinum Level certification to Bridgestone’s Hofu and Shimonoseki (Japan), Des Moines (USA) and Santo André (Brazil) plants.
New CEO for US tyre retail giant Discount Tire
The world’s largest independent retailer of tyres and wheels has a new chief executive officer. US-based company Discount Tire has promoted Dean Muglia to the role. He succeeds Michael Zuieback, who will retain the role of executive chairman.
Valeo unveils autonomous, electric delivery droid
Valeo has recently unveiled its autonomous, electric delivery droid prototype at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. The Valeo eDeliver4U was developed in partnership with Meituan Dianping, China’s leading e-commerce platform for services, which operates popular food delivery service Meituan Waimai.
Yokohama OE tyre for 2020 Chrysler Voyager
Yokohama Rubber has announced another original equipment supply agreement, this time for North America. Its Yokohama Avid S34RV has been chosen as an original equipment tyre for 2020 Chrysler Voyager models sold in the US and Mexican markets. The Voyager will wear the tyre in size 235/65R17 104T.
Goodyear buys two VI-grade driving simulators for tyre development
Goodyear has purchased new VI-grade driving simulators, including a dynamic model, to enhance its product development. The tyre manufacturer has selected a Compact Simulator recently delivered to the company’s innovation centre in Luxembourg and a Dynamic Driving Simulator DiM250 (Driver-in-Motion) to be installed in Akron, Ohio, in the coming months.
North America launch for BFGoodrich agricultural tyres
Michelin has introduced a further brand to its agricultural segment portfolio in North America. In addition to selling Michelin and Kleber tyres as well as Camso tracks and systems, the company has now introduced farm tyres under the BFGoodrich brand name.
Michelin installs Ansible Motion compact driving simulator to assist tyre R&D
Michelin is installing a new Ansible Motion Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator at its North America Research & Development centre in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. The Theta C simulator offers virtual test driving and evaluation of tyre-road-vehicle interactions in advance and in parallel with physical testing, with detailed simulation environments. Michelin is the first company to take delivery of the Theta C simulator since the product was formally launched.
Asahi Kasei opens Michigan office
Materials maker Asahi Kasei America has opened an office in Novi, Michigan to reach out to the automotive industry in North America. In North America, Asahi Kasei manufactures and sells car interior materials, compound resins, and battery separators, as well as electronic components for the automotive industry.
Bridgestone showcasing global mobility solutions at CES 2020
Bridgestone is making its first-ever appearance at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The company is using an interactive display to demonstrate its mobility solutions for current mobility and future autonomous vehicles. They focus on extended mobility, improved safety and increased efficiency.
Goodyear launches fleet servicing platform at CES
Goodyear has unveiled AndGo, a vehicle servicing platform that combines predictive software and its US service network for consumer fleets, at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Currently available in selected US markets, the company states that it will expand its coverage by the middle of 2020.
