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 U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is partnering with government agency the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on a research project. The aim of this project is to assess and refine methods of evaluating potential alternatives to 6PPD, the antiozonant widely employed as a rubber stabilising additive when producing tyres.
Kenda has broken ground on the construction of a new 198,000 sq ft Martin Wheel manufacturing facility in Brimfield Township, Ohio, USA. In a social media post announcing the start of construction, the Taiwan-headquartered tyre and wheel firm said the facility, which will contain a plant, warehouse and office space will support growing demand for speciality tyres and wheels in the United States. and is set to be operational in 2024.
Formula 1 returns to the USA for the third time in Las Vegas, the series’ first visit to the city since 1982. Tyre supplier Pirelli described the return as a “major technical challenge” – often the case when taking on a new track. The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend in Nevada will use C3 as P Zero White hard, C4 as P Zero Yellow medium and C5 as P Zero Red soft, the softest selection of tyres in the manufacturer’s F1 range. Mario Isola, Pirelli head of motorsport, said “all the elements are in place for an extraordinary race,” previewing the weekend ahead.
While the Tirebuyer.com name is not being phased out, across the Atlantic, Treadsy’s role as an online white-label solution for tyre retailers across North America is increasing as the solution seeks to maximise both the online presence and service offering of tyre retailers. The e-commerce tyre platform is already home to the US’s largest network of 18,000 tyre installation locations including mobile vans. Moving forward, the focus of the business will shift to “powering capabilities of others in tyre retailing”.
At the end of October, American Tire Distributors (ATD) launched ‘Radius,’ a new digital hub designed to integrate tyres, parts, services, and solutions into one connected experience for the automotive aftermarket.
Toyo Tires has extended its all-terrain tyre range for North America to include a tyre aimed at electric trucks and SUVs. The tyre maker designed and is manufacturing the Toyo Open Country A/T III EV in the USA and plans to offer “a wide range of unique sizes and high-load combinations for 18- to 24-inch wheel diameters.” No word from Toyo so far about a UK or European launch.
American Tire Distributors (ATD) has appointed Ryan Walsh to the position of Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, Walsh takes on responsibility for leading the independent replacement market tyre supplier’s key finance operations, in addition to Enterprise Risk Management/Internal Audit.
In response to a “rapidly and profoundly” changing passenger vehicle market in North America, Michelin has decided to end production at its Ardmore tyre plant in Oklahoma. Michelin North America idled operations at the factory from the morning of 26 October to begin the process of presenting details to the workforce. It expects to resume operations early on 28 October, but “over the coming days and weeks” Michelin representatives will discuss separation conditions with each individual employee.
moveero runs two manufacturing plants in Europe and four in the US, backed by “market-leading plants at Armstrong and Estherville in Iowa and at Wichita, as well as a Research, Development and Testing Center at Woodridge”. Around 18 months ago, the company went through a period of “quite dramatic and rapid change”. Along with a new business name, moveero also introduced a new mission and vision, all of which marked the start of a new chapter in its evolution. Now, work is underway on a new, fully automated weld cell at the company’s Estherville wheel plant, as a result of which, the company will double its production capacity of large wheels, up to 50” diameter for the agriculture sector.
An extension to Nexen Tire’s sports advertising in the USA commences today. Visitors to NBA games will see the Nexen Tire logo courtside and on television from 24 October, and this will be followed by brand placement at the NCAA from November 2023 and with a selection of MLB teams from March 2024.
TVS Srichakra Ltd. intends to expand its commercial activities in the USA and will drive growth in this market by acquiring the business of Super Grip Corporation. A legal entity for this purpose, SG Acquisition Corporation, was registered in the state of Michigan on 5 September 2023, and the Indian tyre maker’s Board of Directors authorised an overseas direct investment of US$10 million on 20 October 2023.
Mighty Tire Wholesale Inc., a wholly-owned division of Ziegler Tire, is the newest distributor of Cosmo-branded tyres. According to the company, this distribution expansion is part of Cosmo Tires’ strategic plan to expand market access for consumers.
Yokohama Tire has renewed its partnership with the United States Auto Club (USAC) as the official tyre partner and presenting sponsor of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA for the 2024 season. The renewal means next year’s challenge will be the fourth consecutive season with competitors using Yokohama rubber. Yokohama will supply its Advan A005 racing slicks and Advan A006 rain tyres. The North America series visits seven tracks for its 14 rounds, while the USA West schedule features 12 rounds at six different tracks.
Pre-Q Galgo Corporation celebrated 25 years in the US & Canada at a recent meeting at their corporate office in Dallas, Texas. Galgo began producing rubber products in August 1952 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Fruehauf Inc. (Fruehauf) is recalling certain 2025 Composite trailers equipped with the Tire Pilot Plus tyre pressure regulation systems (TPRS) in the USA. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documentation 786 trailers are affected and all eight tyres on affected trailers “may experience a loss of tyre pressure while driving faster than 45 mph.”
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