Bridgestone Aims for 15 per cent of Europe
Bridgestone is a aiming to control 15 per cent of the European market within 5 years, the company announced at the Paris auto show.
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Goodyear and Dunlop Show New Lines
Product NewsGoodyear and Dunlop have exhibited a number of new and forthcoming products at the 60th IAA show in Hanover. While they shared exhibition space, the two brands maintained their independent identities and made every effort to affirm the company’s emphasis on economy.
Ellerbrock Extends Its Grip on Winter
Product NewsEllerbrock has once again extended its Kontur precured tread range. Two new options have been added to the winter profile, Kontur Grip, which is now available in 240mm and 260mm.
The Kontur range is Ellerbrock’s “superior performance” tread, designed to offer greater mileage performance, greater transverse stability of the vehicle and even, regular tread wear.
Van den Ban Rejuvenates Flamingo
Product NewsVan den Ban has upgraded the summer tyres from its Flamingo programme by replacing the 2000 Sport and 2001 Performance patterns with three new alternatives, CD1000, CD2000 and CD3000.
The company has made a further move towards establishing greater manufacturing links with Europe, as once again a European manufacturer has produced the new tread designs. Van Den Ban explains that its latest move in adopting a new manufacturing supplier has been “established to create the initial foundation for further improved, high quality tyres offering impressive technological benefits.”
Together its VDB 2010 pattern, which is produced in Japan, and the now complete Flamingo range represent what the company describes as “a popular stable of modern tyres which offers something for all sectors of the market.” VDB can now offer a range that caters for severe winter conditions right through to the highly competitive high performance sector.
The UK Winter Tyre Market Debate Continues
Product NewsThe industry has been debating the possibility of a substantial UK winter tyre market for years. The technical benefits and commercial advantages are well documented. If consumers are fully aware of the reasons why they should fit winter tyres – then why don’t they? At a time when winter tyre sales should begin to take off, Tyres & Accessories compares the success of some existing markets, to determine what the UK winter tyre industry is lacking. But more importantly asks market representatives what they predict for the future of the UK winter tyre segment.
Winter tyres are a mere three percent of the UK’s total tyre market. This poor statistic compares with 10 per cent in the Netherlands, and 50 per cent in Germany. However, both countries began with a similar market share as the UK. The Netherlands’ winter tyre market rose from three per cent in the late 90s, to its current 10 per cent, while Germany’s market share has climbed to almost 50 per cent in the last 10 years. How is it that countries which share similar winter conditions to the UK, have achieved such a comparatively strong hold in the winter tyre market? And can the UK look to them as a working model?
Motorcycle Tyres
Product NewsThe middle of winter may not be motorcycle weather, but it is time for the motorcycle sector to be considering their purchases for the coming year. T&A looks at the players, the brands and the market developments for 2004.
Nokian Tyres introduces a new studless winter tyre
Product NewsThe Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi for passenger cars is a successor for the popular Hakkapeliitta Q friction tyre and it has been developed for the Nordic, Russian and North American markets. Consumer sales with the wide size range will start in the autumn of 2004, writes Nokian in a press release. Several technical innovations developed for the new R speed rated (170 km/h) friction tyre improve grip properties especially when braking and accelerating on snowy, slushy, icy and wet surfaces. The tyre has been manufactured without using harmful high aromatic oils.
Michelin winter tyres top test
Product NewsMichelin winter tyres performed well in a test of 40 tyres in three sizes, conducted by ADAC, Europe’s largest automobile club, in Germany. The Michelin tyres tested achieved the best overall scores and, in the V-rated category, the new 225/45 R117 Pilot Alpin was awarded the maximum score.
Tyrespot bucks the trend with retreads
Product NewsWe hear a lot today about the demise of the retread industry, especially the car tyre sector, and a lot of tyre dealers have stopped stocking retreads, preferring instead to carry cheap new tyres.
Against this background, it is refreshing to learn of an independent tyre dealer who is not only still stocking retreads, but actively selling them. The company in question is Durham-based retailer and wholesaler Tyrespot, which stocks tyres from nearby manufacturer C-Tyres, and Managing Director John Shaw says that he has seen retread sales rise over the last two years and he expects to increase sales by a further ten per cent this year.
He explains: “We have never changed our policy towards retreads. Our experience has shown that if we stock them, we will sell them. This year we expect to sell more than 20,000 retreaded tyres through our retail and wholesale business, proving that it has been well worthwhile sticking with the product.”
John Shaw points out that much of Tyrespot’s growth has been achieved in market niches, emphasising the opportunities open to dealers willing to target and work at these markets. He says: “Although sales of 80 series retreads have stagnated, we have seen substantial growth in sales of retreads for 4×4 vehicles as well as increased demand for 65, 55 and 50 series tyres. It is clear that there is a large potential market for the sale of retreaded tyres to younger drivers who want to make sure that they are legal and who see the economic benefits offered by retreads. In addition, we are looking closely at the opportunities presented by retreads within the winter tyre market. As a result, we are well on the way to a record year of retread sales.”
German Recovery To Fuel Tyre Market Growth
Product NewsIndustry analysts expect the German automotive sector to recover in the final quarter of this year, having a beneficial impact on tyre suppliers. The high performance tyre market is showing growth of over 20 per cent and the winter tyre market will see double-digit growth. These factors, combined with more favourable raw material prices, should mean an overall growth of seven per cent in the European tyre market, the analysts predict.
All round Dunlop for SUVs and Light Trucks
Product NewsDunlop has announced a new, multiple application tyre targeted at the multi-purpose usage engaged by sport-utility vehicles and light trucks. The new Dunlop Rover RVXT is an all-terrain performance tyre carries the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s standard that designates tyres designed for use in severe snow conditions. The Rover RVXT is labelled with the mountain-and-snowflake symbol on the sidewall to distinguish its capability as a winter tyre. A key benefit for Dunlop dealers is the consolidation of two existing product lines – the Dunlop Rover RV and Rover P-Metric – as the new Rover RVXT hits the market. The new line offers 31 sizes, ranging from 15-inch to 17-inch rim diameters. The Rover RVXT’s tread pattern features a rugged, four-rib design to provide excellent on- and off-road performance. The tread has deep lateral grooves that provide extra traction in tough conditions, and circumferential grooves that assist in channelling water away from the tyre’s contact point patch with the road surface.
Analysts Downgrade Michelin
Product NewsMarket analysts MorganStanley have downgraded Michelin from “Overweight” to “Equal Weight” status. This is despite the fact that Michelin has outperformed the Autos industry by 15 per cent since February and is in response to an expected cyclical slowdown in the industry. Michelin itself has said that it expects a marked slowdown in the European market, with only winter tyres showing increased volumes, and a continued fall in the North American market.
PAX System For Audi A6
Product NewsThe Audi A6 Quattro will be equipped with Michelin’s PAX System, size 215-650 R 440 96 Y Primacy Pilot (Summer version) and 205-640 R 440 97 H Alpine Pilot (Winter version). Audi already fits the PAX System to its A8 model.
Nokian Winter Tyre With Rape-Seed Oil
Product NewsNokian has developed a new winter tyre, the Hakkapeliitta 4, which features a tread compound that incorporates environmentally-friendly rape seed oil. The tyre has 14 rows of studs and great attention was paid to these. Tests show that a square stud shape was more durable, provided better grip (8 per cent better than the previous tyre) and was less likely to work loose, as well as being less damaging to roads. The tyre is aimed at the Nordic and Russian markets.
F1 Tyre Competition Goes On
MotorsportMichelin’s Motorsport Director, Pierre Dupasquier, has been reported in the British media saying that the tyre manufacturer developed new compounds and constructions for Formula 1 during the winter. Compared with 2002, the new tyres should be about one second quicker per lap and he hopes that the teams Michelin fits in 2003 can break the dominance of the Bridgestone/Ferrari package.
