Winter Tyres
In spite of what it calls a “soft” market for car tyres in Europe last year, Nokian Tyres maintained its level of net sales throughout the period. Operating profit was lower year-on-year, and profit considerably increased. Operating profit is expected to take another tumble in 2020.
Evidence from a number of market research sources concurs – increasing numbers of motorists are choosing all-season tyres for their cars. The first indication came from GfK data, which compared the percentage growth of all-season tyre sales reported by its UK panelmarket (in terms of volume and value) in 2018 with seasonal tyre sales during 2019. Winter tyre sales volumes were down 1 per cent last year. During the same period, winter tyre values fell three times faster (down 3 per cent).
Nynas is attending Tire Technology Expo in Hannover, Germany, 25-27 February 2020 where the company is showing how tyres made with Nynas oils provide “low rolling resistance, reducing energy losses and fuel consumption, while maintaining wet grip for improved control on snow and ice.” Performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres will also be examined in a presentation by Technical Advisor Dr. Kamyar Alavi, entitled “Get a grip: performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres.”
The UK is preparing for one of the coldest winters in almost a decade, but new data shows many drivers are dangerously unprepared to drive in icy conditions and could be putting themselves and others at risk as a result. A survey of 2,006 UK car drivers carried out by Auto Trader published in the Winter Driving Study, has revealed that more than 1 in 4 (28 per cent) admit they are too scared to drive in the snow.
Swedish company Nynas is presenting its naphthenic tyre oils at Tire Technology Expo next month, and aims to convince customers and producers that tyres made with Nynas oils “provide low rolling resistance, reducing energy losses and fuel consumption, while maintaining wet grip for improved control on snow and ice.”
Goodyear Tyres will support TJ Transport Ltd with a five-year partnership, the company announced on 8 January 2020. Goodyear Proactive Solutions and Goodyear OMNITRAC S D MSTII will be used on the full TJ Transport Ltd fleet.
As of this month, Sumitomo Rubber Europe GmbH is operating a test track in the north of Sweden. The site will handle all snow and ice testing for Falken winter tyres intended for the European original equipment and replacement markets.
Nokian has welcomed the new EU tyre label. The company says it is especially useful for winter tyre consumers, as the tyre label will now include information concerning grip on snow and ice. So far, markings related to properties required in demanding winter weather have been absent. The purpose of the tyre label is to guide consumers toward tyres that are more fuel-efficient, safer, and quieter. The new label will enter into force in May 2021.
Seven years after the initial introduction of the European Tyre Label, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have decided on the next phase of the European Tyre Label, which is set to be introduced on 1 May 2021. Article 14 of the agreement requires a review of the regulation by June 2025.
After three years of close collaboration with Aston Martin’s, the prestige carmaker has announced that it is exclusively fitting the new Aston Martin DBX with a range of three Pirelli tyres. According to the company, the P Zero for the DBX has been developed to offer “the best possible performance and handling”, while the Scorpion Zero AS will go off-road, and the Scorpion Winter delivers “safety and performance even in in winter conditions, with the same dynamic drive as experienced in summer”.
In the spring, Auto Bild looked at the wet and dry braking results from five of its latest summer and all-season tyre tests. Tyre brands that had participated in at least three tests received an average percentage value for all braking tests results, and based on these values the motoring magazine named Michelin its ‘Manufacturer of the Year’. With winter now approaching, Auto Bild has reached for its pocket calculator again to work out which products are “the best tyres for the cold season”.
Giti Tire has added a number of patterns to its independently accredited three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) range for the 2019/20 winter season, bringing the total number of options to 23.
Winter is on its way, and Hankook Tire has released two new tyres to keep vans on the move in the colder months. The Hankook Vantra ST AS2 is a completely new all-season tyre for vans and light commercial vehicles. Those who prefer a dedicated winter tyre can choose the Hankook Winter i*cept LV.
Comparative tyre tests can cost thousands to perform and require the involvement of experts. Magazines and motoring associations therefore regularly collaborate with partners. This is the case for German company car magazine Firmenauto, which has based its latest winter tyre test upon auto motor und sport’s recent comparative evaluation. To give the test greater relevancy to its readers, Firmenauto added cost as a fifth test criterion.
This week’s tabloid headlines warn us that the Beast from the East will soon return to the UK. Best pay attention to this season’s winter tyre tests then. Auto Bild has got in early and published the results of its winter 2019 preliminary round.
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