The Tire Cologne: More than 100 exhibitors now on board for 2018 show
At the end of November – around one and a half years before the trade fair gets under way – the list of companies confirmed as exhibitors at The Tire Cologne passed the 100 mark.
First TBR tyre produced in Sailun’s Vietnam plant
Sailun Jinyu Group reports that the first all-steel TBR tyre was manufactured in its new factory in Vietnam on 24 November. In announcing the news, the China-based tyre maker notes that it decided to erect a second plant at its Sailun (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. site in order to combat the tariffs in place in the USA. It began work on the factory on 14 March 2016 and produced the first tyre just over eight months later.
AlloyGator wins SEMA Global Media Award
Alloy wheel protection specialist AlloyGator has snapped up a 2017 Global Media Award at this year’s annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. A jury panel of 34 leading journalists from around the world selected the company ahead of nearly 3,000 product in recognition of its products’ potential mass appeal to consumers in countries outside of the United States.
SAIC bid top in initial Kumho Tire auction
The Shanghai Aerospace Industry Co., or SAIC, is said to have submitted the highest bid for Kumho Tire in the preliminary auction. According to Maeil Business News Korea’s Pulse website, the value of the SAIC bid hasn’t been disclosed, however “market experts” recently estimated that bidding for Kumho Tire could reach as high as KRW 1 trillion (£685.8 million).
Top prize in Bridgestone contest goes to Waltham motorist
Taking your car in for its annual MOT test and a new set of tyres is rarely an experience to remember – but for one Lincolnshire motorist, the occasion was an event that will live long in the memory, as it resulted in her becoming the proud owner of a brand spanking new BMW 1 Series.
Exol team continues fundraising push
Exol Lubricants has raised more than £225 for The Brain Tumour Charity as part of its continued 2016 fundraising initiatives. The supplier is continuing to support its employees’ healthy living fundraising activity with members of staff announcing their intentions to live healthier lifestyles while supporting various charities.
96 prototypes evaluated on last day of Pirelli’s 2017 F1 tyre testing
Yesterday, Pirelli wrapped up its 2017 Formula 1 tyre testing. The final day out of a cumulative total of 24 brought together all three ‘mule’ cars from Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari on the Yas Marina circuit. These modified 2015 cars are designed to simulate new regulations that will come into effect next year and result in speeds increasing by five seconds per lap compared to last year.
Predictive algorithms & proactive maintenance
Commercial fleets face a future that presents them with both opportunities and challenges. The growth of online shopping is bringing down the number of bulk deliveries made and requires more refined logistics solutions, autonomous vehicles will soon be an inescapable reality, while the approach of 5G connectivity is opening up new horizons for connectivity and experiential learning. The future also offers opportunities and revenue growth potential within the fleet management market, an industry said to be currently worth US$10.5 billion a year. At the launch of a new pan-European fleet business in November, Jean-Claude Kihn, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region president at Goodyear Tire & Rubber, stated that the company was prepared for this future and looking forward to it.
Sino/Thai partners to build car & truck tyre plant
One Chinese and two Thai partners have agreed to invest in a new joint venture passenger car and truck tyre factory in Thailand to supply both the domestic and export markets. The joint venture company hasn’t yet been named and will be established by June 2017. A total of 1 billion baht (£22.5 million) is to be invested in the new facility.
Michelin ends US mobile tyre fitting programme
Visitors to the US-based onsite.michelin.com website are now being met with the message that “this service is no longer being offered.” The mobile programme, whose pilot rollout began last year, promised to take care of tyre purchasing and fitting in “three easy steps”, with tyres and a fitting appointment selected online and the tyres mounted at a location of the customer’s choosing. The tyre maker hasn’t officially commented on its decision to end its OnSite programme, however US publication Tire Business writes that Michelin was “disappointed that unit volumes did not meet expectations.”
WheelRight supplying drive-over technology to environmental US highway project
WheelRight is involved in The Ray – a unique project in the USA designed to showcase new technologies that will create a blueprint for the sustainable motorways of tomorrow.
Yanchang Rubber, Van den Ban push ITMA to record high membership
Two significant international tyre businesses have become the latest companies to become members of the International Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). Yanchang Rubber of China, and the Dutch Van den Ban Group have both joined the association, taking ITMA’s membership to new record levels. ITMA chairman, Alfred Graham said the complexity of the European marketplace – especially in the wake of Brexit – could make ITMA’s activities even more relevant in the coming years.
Tyres in Stock shoots 2017 calendar at Louwman Museum
The more artistic inclinations of recent editions of the Pirelli Calendar may be rubbing off on other tyre industry players. Tyres in Stock held the photoshoot for its 2017 calendar at The Louwman Museum, home to the world’s oldest private collection of classic motor cars.
Bridgestone, First Stop survey 2,400 cars with Sigmavision TreadReader
Sigmavision has announced the findings of a recent survey conducted in collaboration with Bridgestone and First Stop at the recent Sky Sports British Masters golf event. The company’s technicians surveyed 2,400 cars over two days away from the fairways and greens at The Grove, measuring tyre tread depths with Sigmavision’s TreadReader handheld scanners. The results of the survey back up Bridgestone’s hypothesis that motorists currently do not make the regular checks necessary to ensure their tyres are safe.
Heuver Tyrewholesale launches Spanish web-shop, expanding European coverage
Having seen increases in its Iberian customer base, Dutch wholesaler Heuver has made its web-shop available in Spanish. Heuver said the introduction of another translation was a logical step, since it wants to offer the fastest possible access to the whole range and make things as easy as possible for customers.