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.
Further outlets have been added to Michelin Americas Truck Tires’ fleet network following an agreement with TravelCenters of America (TA), operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded travel centres. The addition of these TA/Petro locations will expand the total number of Michelin X One servicing dealers to nearly 2,000 locations throughout the US.
While work on Kumho Tire’s greenfield project in the US is still on hold, the long wait to restart may soon be over. Georgia-based television station 13WMAZ reports Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority chairman Clifford Whitby as saying “we are getting very close to be able an announce a date when Kumho will be able to start construction.”
US-based OTR tyre company Eurotire has launched a new app for iPhone and Android users. Eurotire claims the app is the first of its kind and says it “brings a range of easily accessible tyre data for large mining equipment – no matter how remote their location.”
Mobile tyre fitting service TyresontheDrive.com, a business established last year by former Michelin manager Dominic Clark, is said to be growing at a rate of 20 per cent per month. To support its expansion plans, the company is now integrating the tyre industry dedicated Cameo, Workshop Scheduler and MIDaS technologies from Cam Systems into its existing bespoke systems; according to Cam Systems these new additions will provide a more structured and stable back office that will deliver immediate efficiencies and time-saving benefits.
Yokohama Tire has taken part in a uniquely American promotion that ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records. The tyre maker sponsors the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, and at a game against a team from Texas in early June the team handed out Yokohama-branded cowboy hats to fans. During the fifth inning, the 39,013 fans in attendance were certified as the “largest gathering of people wearing cowboy hats,” topping the old Guinness record of 500.
Xiaorong Wang, the man accused of stealing confidential information from Bridgestone, has been charged by a US District Court with eight counts of theft of trade secrets and seven counts of making false statements to federal agents. Cleveland-based WOIO-TV reports that the indictment returned by federal grand jury alleges that Wang stole information on projects, formulas and other confidential matters from Bridgestone's Akron, Ohio, technical centre in April 2010. The false statements Wang allegedly told FBI investigators focus on Wang's intention to accept employment at Suzhou University in China to establish a rheology polymer centre, WOIO-TV added.
Bridgestone has secured a premium original equipment deal in North America with its selection as standard fitment on the top-line ‘Platinum’ version of the new 2013 Cadillac XTS. The Platinum’s 20-inch rims will be equipped with the Potenza RE97AS in size P245/40R20 95V, and the tyre is also available as an optional upgrade on the ‘Premium Collection’ version of the new Cadillac flagship.
Bridgestone Motorsport has held its inaugural Bridgestone Golf Performance Challenge at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where MotoGP’s Indianapolis Grand Prix takes place this weekend. Four golfing teams led by NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Andrea Dovizioso, CAME IodaRacing project’s Danilo Petrucci and James Ellison from Paul Bird Motorsport, all headed out to the driving range and then onto the course for a three-hole golfing contest.
Up till now, SD International has primarily concentrated on providing a PCR and UHP-based product portfolio, but now the company is looking to further enhance its position in the global industry as a growing provider of truck brands. A Shanghai-based Contract tyre manufacturer, SD International specialises in offering Zeta and Pace branded products in the truck tyre market.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd. has appointed Jeff Schumaker as sales and marketing director. Schumaker will be based in Melksham, UK, and will report to Cooper Tire Europe vice president and general manager Julian Baldwin.
On 13 August Polish tyre maker TC Dębica informed the Warsaw Stock Exchange of further reductions to its planned 2012 production of passenger car, truck and agricultural tyres. These changes approved by the company’s Board of Directors come on top of cuts announced in March and May, and reduce Dębica’s planned 2012 passenger car tyre production by an additional four per cent, truck tyre production by one per cent and agricultural tyre production by nine per cent.
Bridgestone will supply its MotoGP tyres to teams in USA for the second of two consecutive races in the country. This weekend’s action is held at the revered Indianapolis Motor Speedway, whose distinctive layout places significant demands on Bridgestone’s rubber. The circuit comprises three distinct parts; the renowned oval which forms the main straight, the opening complex and turns seven and eight built specifically for MotoGP, and the rest of the infield which was constructed for when the circuit held Formula One races. Large sections of the circuit were resurfaced last year, resulting in more consistent grip levels, while some undulations on the tarmac that caused the bikes to behave erratically in corners were also removed. Bridgestone will supply special construction asymmetric rear slick tyres in the medium and hard compounds to manage the very high tyre temperatures expected around this circuit.
After initial documentation suggested in excess of 40,000 Kumho Solus tyres were being recalled in the US, on 9 August National Highway Traffic Safety Administrion (NHTSA) officials wrote to the Korean tyre maker revising down the figure to 1,238.
Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc. has recalled a number of its Solus passenger car tyres due to a sidewall cracking issue. According to the company’s submission to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administrion (NHTSA), certain 225/45 R17 Kumho Solus KH25 produced 21 August 2011 through 23 June 2012 have an issue which could develop into cracking in the sidewall, which could result in air loss and in turn in a potential tyre failure.
Kumho Tire USA has signed on as this year’s premier tyre sponsor for the California-based Inland Empire Auto Show, which takes place on 24 to 26 August. Explaining its decision to serve as show sponsor, the tyre maker’s US operation says that “with a recent upswing in the economy, Kumho Tire management stated it felt the need to begin placing the company in a greater light in front of its core consumers, the auto enthusiasts.”
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