MOTORSPORT
Avon supplies tyres for inaugural Gulf 12 Hours
Avon Tyres Motorsport has supplied tyres to the inaugural Gulf 12 Hours event in Abu Dhabi on 20 January. The event was held at the Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit, featuring GT3 cars and CN2-class sports prototypes competing in a two six-hour races, the first of which took place in the heat of the day, the second under floodlights in the evening.
Kumho awarded Auto GP supply contract
Kumho will be the sole tyre supplier to the international Auto GP series for 550bhp single-seat racing cars. In a change for the 2012 season, all Auto GP teams will be required to use two specifications of tyre per weekend, a parallel to the tyre regulation in Formula One. Kumho says the management of prime and option compounds will strengthen the series’ role as a “premier schooling grounds for Grand Prix drivers”. Auto GP will also include...
Hankook supplying two further touring championships
Starting in the 2012 season, Hankook Tire will serve as exclusive tyre supplier to two Italian-organised events, the Superstars International Series touring car championship and the GTSprint International Series grand touring championship. The company will provide tyres to both series within the framework of what it calls a “long-term partnership.” The tyres to be used in both championships are the Ventus F200 slick and the Z207 rain tyre.
Yokohama to supply Irish Touring Car Championship
Yokohama will be the new control tyre supplier for the Irish Touring Car Championship or ITCC starting in the 2012 season. Touring cars have become something of a speciality for Yokohama’s motorsport activity; its Advan range is currently used as the control tyre in the FIA World Touring Car Championship as well as the Russian, Chinese and Scandinavian national iterations.
Falken drifters provide novel Top Gear celebration
Falken’s 2011 British Drift Champion, Matt Carter and his teammate, Paul Cheshire have marked British television programme and magazine Top Gear’s ascension to 10 million Facebook fans. Using a number of Sumitomo brand, Falken’s FK452 tyres, a stretch of old runway in Oxfordshire and two of its cars, the drift drivers used techniques from the sport to write the number 10 on the tarmac. A video of the stunt, completed in a single take, is...
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Wheelwright launches AEZ Phoenix wheel
Wheel distributor, Wheelwright has launched the AEZ Phoenix. The wheel includes a split five-spoke design, aping the current crop of styles being released by many top-end manufacturers. Its Y-shaped spoke profile runs to the edge of the rim, enhancing... -
Maxxis adds “next generation” MCV3 van tyre to range
Available through Stapleton’s Tyre Services in the UK, Maxxis International has a range of economically priced van and light truck tyres that the company says deliver value through good durability and handling capabilities in all conditions. The... -
US launch for latest Trelleborg industrial tyre
Trelleborg Wheel Systems will unveil a new solid industrial tyre, the Monarch M2, at next week’s Modex 2012 manufacturing, distribution and supply chain show in the US city of Atlanta. The Monarch M2 is designed for use in industrial applications... -
Stapleton’s increasing van tyre choice
Stapleton’s head of marketing and range planning, Stephen Childs says the company’s latest NTDA TAFF Awards Tyre Wholesaler of the Year award – its second in as many years – and its leading position in UK tyre wholesale can be explained by the... -
UK market Marshal 857 van tyre's largest
Kumho’s core tyre for the van market is the Radial 857, with market coverage of “at least 90 per cent,” according to the Korean manufacturer. Kumho says the Radial 857’s deep zigzag grooves give increased mileage and traction, while its... -
Pro-Align makes DCM Tyres its first Alignment Centre of the Month
Wheel alignment equipment specialist, Pro-Align has made DCM Tyres in Shaftesbury its first ‘Alignment Centre of the Month’ winner for January 2012. The Hunter distributer says DCM has enjoyed a considerable month on month increase in turnover and... -
Bridgestone introduces Tube Multicell winter tyre compound
Bridgestone has developed what it calls a “next generation” compound for its Blizzak winter tyres designed to grip like a studded tyre. Called Tube Multicell, it contains thousands of microscopic tubular cells and “bite particles.” Together... -
Clarkson voted least favourite driving partner
A new poll conducted by Continental Tyres Jeremy Clarkson has topped a poll of the Brits motorist would least like to share a driving adventure with. The controversial motoring journalist and TV presenter was rated as the worst person to share a 4x4... -
Infinity introduces new INF100 van tyre
Infinity has introduced its INF100 van and small commercial vehicle tyre. The brand, manufactured at Shandong Linglong and owned by the Al Dobowi Group, says that the tyre was created using its Eco-Friendly Fuel-Efficient engineering process and... -
Grouptyre promotes exclusive van tyres from Federal, Goodride
Federal and Goodride tyre brands are available exclusively through independent tyre wholesaler, Grouptyre in the UK, and the distributor provides full ranges of both to light commercial vehicle operators. Taiwan-manufactured Federal tyres offer three...
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Cam Systems supports decision not to change MOT system
Cam Systems has told tyrepress.com that it welcomes the decision taken on 2 February by Transport secretary Justine Greening to retain the 3-1-1 MOT system. The software provider to the independent tyre industry calls the move a victory for sanity. -
Sokov takes over as Sibur-Russian Tyres CEO
Sibur-Russian Tyres has announced the promotion of Dimitry Sokov to the role of chief executive officer. The chief operational officer’s appointment to the position takes effect 6 February. Sokov replaces Vadim Gurinov as chief executive officer;... -
Maxion Wheels is born – Hayes Lemmerz acquisition finalised
On 2 February Brazilian firm Iochpe-Maxion S.A. announced its acquisition of wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc has been finalised. The company has now established a new combined global wheel business, Maxion Wheels, which will be... -
Wheelwright to launch refreshed e-Commerce website
UK wheel firm, Wheelwright has announced a change to its website, on which it will offer “direct from manufacturer” purchasing for the end-user. Transactions made through the site will be fulfilled by Wheelwright dealers, either via post, or in... -
Goodyear to announce Q4 2011 financial results
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will report fourth quarter 2011 financial results before markets open on Tuesday, 14 February. The announcement will be followed by the customary investor conference call at 08:30 (13:30 GMT) with Richard J... -
Michelin makes notes repurchase
In a press statement intended for readers located outside of the USA, Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin announced it has repurchased open market shares between October 2011 and January 2012 for more than ten per cent of the issued... -
Government pushes ‘better service’, keeps MOT frequency
The government is aiming to lead garages to make improvements in customer service in “a package of transparency and value-for-money measures” unveiled today by transport secretary Justine Greening. According to a statement released by the... -
RMI supports government MOT decision
Some eighteen months after the Government announced that it would review the MOT System and following the RMI’s numerous meetings with Ministers and officials the government has finally now acknowledged industry advice and accepted that frequency... -
Industry welcomes government u-turn on MOT frequency
Pro-MOTe, the lobby group set up to campaign to keep annual MOTs, has welcomed news that ministers have dropped plans to reduce testing frequency to 4-2-2. In a written ministerial statement this morning, Transport secretary Justine Greening... -
"Scrapping annual MOTs could cost 50,000 jobs" – Pro-MOTe
Government proposals to end annual MOTs would put at risk up to 50,000 jobs in the retail motor trade disproportionately hitting apprenticeships, young employees and independent businesses, according to new research by Pro-MOTe.
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Cam Systems supports decision not to change MOT system
Cam Systems has told tyrepress.com that it welcomes the decision taken on 2 February by Transport secretary Justine Greening to retain the 3-1-1 MOT system. The software provider to the independent tyre industry calls the move a victory for sanity. -
Wheelwright launches AEZ Phoenix wheel
Wheel distributor, Wheelwright has launched the AEZ Phoenix. The wheel includes a split five-spoke design, aping the current crop of styles being released by many top-end manufacturers. Its Y-shaped spoke profile runs to the edge of the rim, enhancing... -
Maxxis adds “next generation” MCV3 van tyre to range
Available through Stapleton’s Tyre Services in the UK, Maxxis International has a range of economically priced van and light truck tyres that the company says deliver value through good durability and handling capabilities in all conditions. The... -
Avon supplies tyres for inaugural Gulf 12 Hours
Avon Tyres Motorsport has supplied tyres to the inaugural Gulf 12 Hours event in Abu Dhabi on 20 January. The event was held at the Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit, featuring GT3 cars and CN2-class sports prototypes competing in a two six-hour races,... -
Kumho awarded Auto GP supply contract
Kumho will be the sole tyre supplier to the international Auto GP series for 550bhp single-seat racing cars. In a change for the 2012 season, all Auto GP teams will be required to use two specifications of tyre per weekend, a parallel to the tyre... -
Sokov takes over as Sibur-Russian Tyres CEO
Sibur-Russian Tyres has announced the promotion of Dimitry Sokov to the role of chief executive officer. The chief operational officer’s appointment to the position takes effect 6 February. Sokov replaces Vadim Gurinov as chief executive officer;... -
April launch for Hankook Tire America dealer programme
At a recent dealer event, Hankook Tire America unveiled plans to launch an associate dealer programme during 2012. US-based industry publication Tire Review reports company officials as saying the as-yet unnamed programme will be formally introduced... -
Continental names new Conti360° network manager
Continental Tyre Group has appointed Louise Franklin as its new Conti360° network manager. Franklin, 28, joins Continental with sales and marketing experience from her previous role as sales and marketing manager for Ardmore Language Schools. -
Hankook supplying two further touring championships
Starting in the 2012 season, Hankook Tire will serve as exclusive tyre supplier to two Italian-organised events, the Superstars International Series touring car championship and the GTSprint International Series grand touring championship. The company... -
Maxion Wheels is born – Hayes Lemmerz acquisition finalised
On 2 February Brazilian firm Iochpe-Maxion S.A. announced its acquisition of wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc has been finalised. The company has now established a new combined global wheel business, Maxion Wheels, which will be...
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Report: Cheng Shin, Kenda earnings to grow fast in 1Q 2012
Taiwan-based tyre makers including Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. and Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., are expected to see substantial growth in earnings in the first quarter of 2012 due to declines in raw material prices, particularly natural rubber. Furthermore, according to Taiwan Economic News, the European sovereign debt crisis means tyre manufacturers have slashed inventories to get rid of the risk in the prices of stocked goods. -
Hankook establishes new subsidiary in Poland
Hankook Tire has established an additional subsidiary in Europe. The opening of the company’s Polish branch in Warsaw is in keeping with the growing demand for Hankook tyres in the European markets. “Thanks to our new subsidiary in Poland we are now also able to provide full service to our partners and customers in the 6th largest tyre market in the European Union. This is in-line with Hankook’s strategy of close market and customer... -
New trade deal will aid US doing tyre business with South Korea
TIA says that the renewed free trade deal with South Korea is a good deal for the U.S. tyre market. President Obama signed the renewal of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which was part of a trade pact originally agreed to between the U.S. and South Korea in 2007 – Korean-United States Free Trade Agreement. -
Tyre hijackers arrested
The Malay Mail reports that four armed intruders forced their way into a used-tyre factory in the township of Bandar Bukit Puchong, Malaysia, overpowering a security guard, who was bound and gagged, before driving off with a trailer loaded with 319 tyres. -
Pakistani tyre maker still under pressure from ‘smuggling’
Years of under-invoicing and rampant cross-border smuggling are still putting pressure on domestic tyre suppliers in Pakistan. So what’s the solution? Raid tyre markets in big cities instead of trying to stop smuggling along the long Pakistan-Afghanistan border, says General Tyre Pakistan chief executive Mohammad Shahid Hussain. -
Michelin extends with Ceva in Thailand
Michelin Thailand has renewed its logistics contract with Ceva for three years, to handle inbound tyres from Michelin’s production plants into warehouse facilities in three main locations across Thailand; Laemchabang, Nongkea and Nongree. -
Bulgarian police target pothole tyre puncturers
Bulgarian traffic police are making renewed efforts to tackle the reckless puncturing of tyres caused by criminals placing spikes in potholes. Police sources said that the recent examples have been deliberated set up to cause rapid deflations or blow-outs. According to the Sofia news agency, which cited private TV channel bTV, the tip-off to this crime was given by a Polish family, who complained to traffic authorities after narrowly escaping a... -
Cooper refuses comment on Trayal investment reports
Cooper has refused to comment on multiple Serbian news reports quoting Serbian finance secretary Miodrag Djidic as saying that Cooper Tire is interested in acquiring Trayal’s automobile tyre plant. When questioned on the subject, a Cooper Tire Europe spokesperson told Tyres & Accessories that’ the company’s “corporate policy is not to comment on rumour or speculation.” -
Pakistan sales champion Panther aiming to improve exports
Under the leadership of Mian Iftikhar Ahmed, the dedicated team Mian Tyre & Rubber Company Limited (MTRCL), which sells the Panther brand of tyres, has won the Pakistan export trophy for the last eight consecutive years. Now, the flagship business of Iftikhar Group of Companies, a leading tyre and tube manufacturing group in Pakistan is aiming to increase exports still further. According to the company, the Panther trade name has developed a... -
Bridgestone to invest in Costa Rica production and services
Two planned investments will increase Bridgestone’s presence in Costa Rica: The local subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), Bridgestone de Costa Rica, has announced the company’s new Financial Shared Services Center for the Latin American Region is to be located in the Central American country. Bridgestone also confirmed it will invest US$70 million in its La Ribera de Belen tyre factory in Heredia province over the next...
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Is the European tyre market ready for tyre labelling when it is introduced in November 2012?
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