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.
Hankook Tire America Corp. has announced two changes to its management team. Kyuwang (Ken) Cho is the business’s new Vice President of U.S. PC/LT Sales, with overall responsibility for the market. K.C. Jensen takes on the role of Vice President of PC/LT Sales, focusing on Hankook Tire America’s West region as well as other strategic initiatives.
Yokohama Tire has added Isenhouer Brothers Racing to its line-up for the annual King of the Hammers race. They will join veteran Team Yokohama members, including Wayne and Kristen Matlock, Levi Shirley, Apdaly Lopez, and Jonathan and Jordan Brenthel, competing on Yokohama Geolandar off-road tyres. The Isenhouer Brothers will compete in the Spec TT class, while Shirley heads up the 4400 class. Both will be on purpose-built Geolandar MT-R 40X13.50R18 tyres. “We are pumped to put these new 40-inch Geolandars to the test, not only on the racetrack but also get out there in the rocks and to do some 4×4 adventuring this year,” Isenhouer said.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating imports of truck and bus tyres from Thailand after the United States International Trade Commission determined that the domestic tyre industry is materially injured by tyre imports sold in the USA at “less than fair value.” The Department of Commerce’s preliminary antidumping duty determination is due on or about 25 March 2024.
In 2021, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company began collaborating with Netherlands-based research organisation TNO into solutions that facilitate communication between a vehicle’s tyres and its anti-lock braking system (ABS). More than three years later, the partners are showcasing their work on integrating tyre intelligence technology into the ABS controller of a test vehicle.
With the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) now in full swing in Las Vegas, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has taken the opportunity to talk about its work in the field of tyre intelligence technologies. This includes new joint development with specialists such as TDK Corporation and, separately, ZF.
On 2 January, the US Department of Commerce announced that it would launch the first anti-dumping and countervailing sunset review investigation into truck and bus tyres (TBR) imported from China. Stakeholders should register a response to the US Department of Commerce before January 12 (within ten days from the date of the announcement). According to the China Rubber Industry Association, the North American trade union organisation USW (United Steelworkers) has submitted a registration to respond.
Roughly six months the introduction of the Advan Sport EV in Europe, and less than a week after the tyremaker previewed the arrival of its ‘superbly quiet’ Advan dB V553 in Japan, Yokohama has launched the Advan Sport EV A/S in the US.
Bridgestone will exhibit its Bridgestone Fleet Care portfolio of tyre products, services and solutions when it returns to Las Vegas’s Consumer Electronics Show (Booth 4465 in West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center; 9-12 January). The end-to-end customer experience targets sustainability, efficiency, safety and productivity in fleets of all sizes with a range of customisable options. The company will also host its strategic partners Truckers Against Trafficking, Kodiak, and Penske to discuss how the transportation industry can help address today’s societal challenges. The panels will be live-streamed for those unable to attend the show in person.
In North America, Sumitomo Rubber USA, LLC (Sumitomo) is recalling certain 265/70 R17 115T Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Wildpeak HT02 (in LT235/85R16 120/116S) due to a “manufacturing error”.
Cliff Hodges has joined testing and compliance services specialist Smithers as technical director of its Tire & Wheel Test Center in Ohio, USA. He will direct the technical and quality requirements for Smithers’ force and moment testing, tyre modelling, and other special tyre characterisations and evaluation methods. Hodges will also manage and advise technical staff and technical decision-making.
North American tyre distributor and retailer TBC Corporation has appointed Darryl Maraj its new chief technology officer. In this role, Maraj is responsible for leading the company’s digital and information technology strategy and driving value creation through data-driven innovation and enhancing organisational capabilities. He will report directly to president and chief executive officer, Sam Kato.
TireHub, the Bridgestone- and Goodyear-owned wholesaler that distributes both companies’ passenger and light truck tyres to retailers across the USA, reports achieving a ”major milestone” with the opening of its first Regional Distribution Center. The 360,000 square foot facility is located just outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania and services logistics centres in the northeast region. TireHub says customers here will benefit from market-specific products and accelerated delivery times.
NASCAR has honoured Goodyear’s Rich Kramer with the Bill France Award of Excellence in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the motorsport series as chief executive and president of Goodyear. Jim France, chairman and chief executive officer of NASCAR, presented Kramer with the accolade during the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Awards on 30 November.
K&M Tire Inc. has agreed to acquire Point S USA’s Denver warehouse, according to various news sources. Point S USA will reportedly use K&M Tire as its primary source of tyres in Colorado, company representatives said.
Half a year after launching its flagship Prinx brand in Europe, Prinx Chengshan has debuted Prinx across the Atlantic. It recently brought a swag of products to show off at the SEMA show, including the Prinx Hi Country HT2 urban SUV tyre, R/T HR1 off-road tire, and HM1. The tyre maker is also promoting the Prinx brand in the North American market via a new website, prinxtireusa.com.
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Yokohama
Yuval Zukerman; Unsplash
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