In a move that recognises Spanish’s status as the second most widely spoken language in the United States, Goodyear Tire & Rubber has introduced a Spanish language website targeted at North American consumers. Through this site, Goodyear hopes to “provide better appeal to a growing Hispanic tyre-buying population.”
Bridgestone has begun manufacturing its Blizzak winter range in China. The tyre maker celebrated the start of Blizzak production in its Tianjin plant this month. The factory, which opened in 2000, recently benefitted from a capacity expansion programme that saw output increased from 16,500 units per day to 25,300; it is not clear what proportion of total output will be dedicated to winter tyres.
Aeolus added two new patterns to its growing truck tyre range. The ASR69 and ADR69 truck tyres are now available in popular sizes 295/80R22.5 and 315/80R22.5. According to the company, ASR69 replaces the HN257 and ADR69 replaces the HN355 for regional haul use. The new additions have been designed with a wider casing structure to make them suitable for retreading, a significant feature for Chinese manufactured truck tyres and one company representatives say will offer end users greater flexibility and life cycle value. All Aeolus truck tyres are also regroovable. (See separate article in September’s Retreading Special supplement for further details on Aeolus’ plans relating to the development of its retread offer)
Leading global independent tyre dealer network Point S has become the latest full member of the tyre safety campaign group TyreSafe. As a member, the network says it will provide its 133 independently owned centres in the UK with tyre safety advice and information, helping them to educate their own customers and improve standards of tyre care. “With so many customer touch points, it’s fantastic to have the support and backing of a network as significant and large as Point S,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
The nature of business communication has changed profoundly over the half century since Starco was founded, both in terms of technology and how the workplace as a whole has evolved. Like many long-established businesses, Starco has progressed from the world of the typewriter and the fax to a world in which communication and the availability of information has become the most essential business operating parameter. During the last few years the company has operated legacy systems dedicated to separate administrative, communication and sales functions, but now Starco says it has recognised that implementing a unified online IT platform is essential for the company’s global development.
A large proportion of tyre buyers now begin their pre-purchase research with a browse online, and when doing so they increasingly use phones and other mobile devices rather than the trusty desktop computer. Recognising these two changes in consumer behaviour, Cooper Tire & Rubber has launched a mobile-optimised version of its website. The new site is currently only accessible by users in the US – by entering the usual coopertire.com address into the browser – and it offers advice on service, replacement tyres, retail locations and safety information.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it will make a business presentation to be webcast from the JP Morgan 2012 Auto Conference in New York on 13 August. Darren R Wells, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will provide a business overview and discuss the company’s strategies for approximately 35 minutes.
First Line’s Borg & Beck braking programme was launched by First Line in February after more than a year’s work. The production team behind the range aimed to ensure that the programme “provides installers with a range of high quality, matching original equipment components designed to rival the ‘genuine’ or OES parts offered by the franchised dealer,” the company says. This meant that when an OES pad set incorporated a chamfered edge, shim, slot, or included a wear indicator lead, then the Borg & Beck pad set would do so too.
HiQ has been nominated as a finalist in the Retail Website or Campaign category of the prestigious DADI Awards (The Drum Awards for the Digital Industries), which take place at the Emirates Stadium London on 8 November.
Michelin has developed a new earthmover focused website. The new version of the michelinearthmover.com site showcases the company’s tyres for earthmovers and handling equipment. It is currently available in English and French. German, Portuguese and Spanish versions are set to appear “in the near future.”
Now with more than 100,000 fans on Facebook, brake manufacturer Brembo says it can boast “absolute leader status as a social networker among automotive component manufacturers worldwide”, having reached the milestone of more than 100,000 fans on Facebook. In reaching six figures, the group joins the world's top exponents of digital communication in its sector of interest — namely automotive components — as well as gaining a high profile among brands associated with other categories of merchandise.
With tyre labelling legislation less than 100 days away, EC1222.com has announced the launch of a tyre labelling database. EC1222.com is a subsidiary company of DriveRight, which already provides vehicle and component data to garages.
The start of this year’s Brityrex International is still more than two months’ away, yet organiser ECI International Ltd reports the show is heading for a sell-out and the amount of exhibitor floorspace still available at Manchester’s EventCity has dropped to under ten per cent.
Michelin have launched a dedicated farming website for the UK and Ireland. Michelin-agricultural-tyres.co.uk contains technical information for every size of tyre in Michelin’s extensive agricultural range. This includes recommended pressure settings and load ratings, available to download 24/7 at the click of a mouse or swipe of a finger.
At least one motor insurance company is warning motorists off using imported tyres designed for use in warmer climates. One company, Be Wiser insurance, suggested that such tyres “will not offer the correct grip in Europe.”
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