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.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has signed a technology agreement with California-based Tesloop Inc. to model tyre performance based on data generated by the city-to-city mobility service.
Tesloop operates a fleet of semi-autonomous Tesla vehicles, providing a shared passenger transportation service for distances between 50 and 300 miles.
Michelin has begun selling tyres at MichelinMan.com, expanding its online tyre retail trial in North America. As a result, online retail tyre sales for consumers in Southeast markets through MichelinMedia.com. The site aims to simplify the tyre-buying process so consumers can research, select and purchase tyres, as well as schedule installation with a local Michelin service partner all in one location.
Plans to build a precipitated silica production facility in the US state of South Carolina have been officially confirmed by Evonik Industries. The new plant will be located in the Bushy Park industrial area near Charleston, close to the factories of a number of tyre makers, including Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Trelleborg and (as of 2017) Giti Tire. Evonik Industries will invest approximately US$120 million in the plant, which will be completed in 2018.
Since gaining a much greater degree of freedom to conduct business in North America and Europe with the dissolution of its global alliance with Goodyear in October 2015, the Sumitomo Rubber Group has striven to enhance its R&D, production and sales infrastructure to better serve these markets. As part of these efforts, the tyre maker has built a new, 3,500 square metre USA Technical Center on the grounds of its Tonawanda factory in New York State. Sumitomo Rubber Industries reports that this facility will become fully operational in January 2017. The company is also moving forward with the preparations for a Europe Technical Center, which it expects to be fully operational as of September 2017.
Michelin’s Fort Wayne plant in Indiana, USA may benefit from a US$100 million investment in efficiency and quality. Local television channel WANE-TV states that Michelin is looking to spend $20 million on upgrading processes and equipment, $23.5 million on improving production and efficiency, $18.5 million on improving quality verification and $38 on tooling and moulds. It adds that no new jobs will be created as a result of the investment.
Bridgestone Americas has exercised a two-year lease extension option on its Advanced Technology Workshop (ATW) manufacturing facility located in Akron, Ohio.
John Mancinelli is the new vice-president of operations at Alliance Tire Americas (ATA). Describing him as a “logistics expert”, ATA shares that Mancinelli brings with him more than 15 years of experience in leading complex operations, logistics, demand planning and customer support organisation for global leaders in other sectors. Prior to joining ATA in September 2016, Mancinelli was director of customer operations at Welch Foods, and other previous roles include senior positions at Timberland, Procter & Gamble and Gillette.
Up to almost 1,200 original equipment Pirelli tyres are being recalled in the USA due to concerns that cracks may develop in the tyres’ lower sidewall area. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the P Zero All Season tyres in question are size 275/40R19 101W fitments manufactured between 29 February and 29 October 2016 and fitted as original equipment on Maserati cars.
Pirelli will supply a record number of tyres this weekend in Daytona, for the first Ferrari World Finals held in USA. The event, which brings together the European, North American and Asia Pacific editions of the Ferrari Challenge to elect a champion of champions, has previously taken place in Italy and Abu Dhabi. Pirelli adds that it has provided 15,000 tyres across this year’s 18 Ferrari Challenge events on nearly 700 cars on three continents. The World Finals comprises a series of races in equal Ferrari 458 Challenge Evos, and will mark the biggest presence Pirelli has ever had in the competition, with 5,382 tyres being supplied. As well as the Ferrari Challenge cars, there will be an appearance from Ferrari’s Formula One stars and a display of both historic and modern F1 cars.
Sailun Jinyu Group reports that the first all-steel TBR tyre was manufactured in its new factory in Vietnam on 24 November. In announcing the news, the China-based tyre maker notes that it decided to erect a second plant at its Sailun (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. site in order to combat the tariffs in place in the USA. It began work on the factory on 14 March 2016 and produced the first tyre just over eight months later.
Visitors to the US-based onsite.michelin.com website are now being met with the message that “this service is no longer being offered.” The mobile programme, whose pilot rollout began last year, promised to take care of tyre purchasing and fitting in “three easy steps”, with tyres and a fitting appointment selected online and the tyres mounted at a location of the customer’s choosing. The tyre maker hasn’t officially commented on its decision to end its OnSite programme, however US publication Tire Business writes that Michelin was “disappointed that unit volumes did not meet expectations.”
WheelRight is involved in The Ray – a unique project in the USA designed to showcase new technologies that will create a blueprint for the sustainable motorways of tomorrow.
Hoosier has launched a new line of gravel rally tyres. According to the company, the tyres were in development for two years and were tested and raced at stages in the US, UK and South Africa. Indeed, they have already earned approval from the Motor Sport Association of the UK, according to Hoosier.
No review of 2016 would be complete without some reference to Brexit. Before the referendum result on 23 June, few people thought it would happen. Now the vote of 52 per cent in favour of leaving the European Union has long been counted, we can’t avoid talking about Brexit. Furthermore, with Donald Trump having won the US presidential election on 8 November in what he predicted would be “Brexit+++” the impact of the UK vote has taken on even greater significance.
Two new partnerships have deepened Kumho Tire USA’s engagement with the NBA. In separate agreements, the company has become the new official tyre of the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Hornets.
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