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Winter Tyres

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Nokian Sales and Profits Increase

At 686.5 million euros, Nokian Tyres’ net sales in 2005 were 13.8 per cent higher than 2004’s figure of 603.3 million euros. The operating profit was virtually static at 115.8 million euros (115.6 m) and the net result was up over 11 per cent to 82.2 million euros (73.8 m). Nokian said that growth in the European passenger car tyre market was slower than expected, with sales of winter tyres in the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe beginning exceptionally late, thus shortening the sales season. The strongest growth was experienced in Russia, Eastern Europe and North America, with sales of new cars growing significantly in Russia.

20th February 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Reports Q4 Net Loss Despite Record Sales

Goodyear has reported a fourth quarter net loss of $51 million for 2005, compared with the previous year period’s net income of $125 million. This year’s lower result was put down to losses caused by the sale of the company’s farm tyre unit. Despite the losses the company recorded sales of $4.9 billion in the fourth quarter and a full-year sales record of $19.7 billion. According to the company, sales benefited from improved pricing and product mix and higher volume in the international tyre businesses, while the effect of currency translation reduced sales by approximately $107 million in the quarter.

16th February 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Launches New Studded Winter Tyres

Nokian Tyres’ added two new studded tyres to its Hakkapeliitta product range. The Hakkapeliitta 5, a studded winter tyre for passenger cars, and Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5, for SUVs, are both designed to promote safe winter driving.

The tyres feature what Nokian describes as the ”bear claw”, which is intended to enhance performance and together with the further developed square stud, improve grip properties. The bear claw is a claw-like projection on the front edge of the tread blocks, which holds the stud in position during braking. The stud has been further developed by enhancing its square design. Several improvements to tyre structure and tread pattern are also said to improve the reliability of winter driving.

23rd January 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Stars in German Winter Tyre Tests

Pirelli winter tyres performed well in tyre tests organised by leading German motoring magazines, Auto Zeitung, Adac Motorwelt, Auto Motor und Sport, Autobild, Sport Auto, Auto Bild Alles Allred, Automobil and Promobil. The results were achieved across the tyre spectrum, from uhp tyres to SUV and touring tyres, plus winter run-flats.

30th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Ural Tire Plant to Produce Winter Tyres

The Sibur-owned Ural Tire Plant Ltd in Yekaterinburg, Russia has launched the production of the new Tunga and Tunga-Master winter tyres. A special rubber mixture with enhanced elasticity is reportedly used in the production of the new generation of branded tyres.

Sibur launched Tunga in March this year alongside its Cordiant passenger tyre brand. The first Tunga tyres will be available in size 175/70 R13, while Tunga Master will be released in 185/60 R14. Several new sizes, including Tunga Master 13 and 15 inch variants are planned for next year.

22nd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Launches Three X-Ice PAX Winter Tyres

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has introduced three new Michelin X-Ice PAX system winter tyres that can be operated after a puncture for 125 miles at 50 mph, according to MNA. The Michelin X-Ice PAX System 225-700R480A, Michelin X-Ice PAX System 245-680R460A and Michelin X-Ice PAX System 235-710R460A tires are available now for the Nissan Quest, the Acura RL and the Honda Odyssey Touring Edition, respectively, stated MNA.

21st November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

New German Winter Tyre Regulations

The German Bundesrat is set to ratify new winter tyre regulations in Germany by the end of the year. While the legislation will not actually require winter tyre usage it goes one step further than a simple recommendation. Under the new law, German drivers not using winter tyres in adverse weather conditions could be fined between 20 and 40 euros by police if they breakdown. And of course a new regulation along these lines will give insurance companies all the ammunition they need to refuse to pay-out for winter accidents involving cars fitted with summer tyres.

18th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Raise Tyre Prices in Japan

The Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will raise the replacement market prices of tyres, tubes and flaps sold in Japan. The move will take effect from 1 February 2006. Prices for winter tyres will be increased on 1 April 2006. Specific price increases include five per cent for passenger car and light truck tyres, seven per cent for truck and bus tyres, seven per cent for construction vehicle bias tyres, 10 per cent for construction vehicle radial tyres, and five per cent for other kinds of tyres (excluding those for motorcycles) and for tubes and flaps. Bridgestone points out that these figures are the average increases across each of the respective ranges.

17th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Launches Winter Tyres in Bulgaria

Michelin has launched its Alpin, Pilot Alpin and Latitude products on the Bulgarian market. While the Alpin will provide a new winter option for the Bulgarian market and the Pilot Alpin will provide a higher specification winter option, the Latitude SUV tyre is seen as something of a novelty, the Sofia News Agency reported.

14th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Mature Markets

Following on from last month’s Spotlight on Northern Europe, Tyres & Accessories spoke to executives from one of the region’s leading manufacturers, Michelin Nordic. Passenger car and light truck marketing director, Vikram Raman and Krista Sivonen, marketing director for industrial products, trucks, agricultural vehicles and earthmover tyres, answered the questions.

14th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Amtel-Vredestein Valued at $742 million after London IPO

Amtel-Vredestein’s London IPO has raised $201 million from the sale of 27.1 per cent of its shares, valuing the company at $742 million in total. The total value is less than the $1 billion the company had hoped for, although insiders are said to be pleased with the result.

Amtel-Vredestein lowered the price of its initial public offering after some investors shied away from the initial price range. News sources had also reported that the placement looked expensive compared to the $70 million the company got for selling a 12.4 per cent stake to Russia’s Alfa Group and Temasek Holdings, Singapore’s state-owned investment company, in July.

14th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Launches Numerous Tyres at SEMA

(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp unveiled a host of innovative tyre products and its new model at the SEMA Show last week.

Among the new tyres on display was the Dynapro MT RT03, the latest addition to Hankook’s off-road and light truck tyre line. The Dynapro MT RT03 features a V-shaped center block to firmly grip the road surface for added traction and better handling, as well as a side protection block that protects against the shock of foreign objects and pothole damage while improving traction in mud and soft terrain. The Dynapro MT RT03 will be available in sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches.

8th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Announces 32.5 per cent Profit Increase

Bridgestone Corp has announced a 32.5 per cent increase in profits, resulting from increased sales volumes and prices increases. While the company appears to have offset the effects of higher raw material costs, Bridgestone executives have left the business’ annual outlook unchanged.

2nd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Promotes Below 7 Degrees Campaign

North American tyre marketers have taken the comical approach to promoting winter tyre use. A recent press release published from Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio HQ asks: “Waiting for Groundhog Day before deciding on winter tyres for the family vehicle?” Instead Dunlop representatives urge drives not to wait until the
”furry prognosticators make their predictions.”

26th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Europe’s Best Kept Secret?

The tyre retail system in countries like Norway, Sweden and Finland presents a fairly unique brand of independent tyre retailing. Perhaps the best demonstration of this can be found in the example of Nordic retail group, Dekk Partner. Tyres & Accessories met the group’s managing director, Leif Kristiansen, and asked what other national markets can learn from the tyre trade in the north of Europe.

The success of the Dekk Partner retail group is quite possibly the European tyre industry’s best-kept secret. Think this is an exaggeration? Just look at the numbers. The group’s collective turnover is expected to reach up to 300 million euros in 2005. In recent years the Nordic tyre retail group has seen its geographical spread, number of branches and, consequently, its turnover grow dramatically.

14th October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors