In recent years autocentres have been selling more tyres than ever. At the same time, specialist tyre retailers – such as those featured on our annual table, have moved towards additional servicing and mechanical repairs in order to increase sales. This is especially the case at the top of the table, amongst the largest tyre retail chains where as much as 45 per cent of annual turnover is now made up of non-tyre sales.
Peter Taylor OBE, secretary general of the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), has been elected vice president of the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) nine-member board. The board, comprised of nine members, oversees the formation and execution of ETRA’s strategic priorities and focus areas. Taylor is the only UK representative on the board.
To meet the power and torque upgrade of the 2019 Triumph powered Moto2 bike, perennial tyre supplier Dunlop has phased in the introduction of its new, larger rear tyre. The manufacturer stated that it supplied the 2018 tyre in the opening races of the year to allow teams to adapt to the new engine. With the season’s arrival in Europe at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Dunlop will introduce the 200/75R17 rear tyre, replacing the previous 195/75R17 tyre.
Michelin has launched the X Multi HD (heavy-duty) D (drive) tyre in 315/80 R22.5 and 315/70 R22.5 sizes, expanding its range of versatile application commercial vehicle tyres. The manufacturer states the new tyre targets solid bulk, agricultural, and specialist transport operators, including milk collection and animal feed delivery fleets. It is designed to be a robust tyre for versatile applications requiring a high mileage potential and traction.
For the past eight years, Hankook Tire has acted as exclusive tyre partner for the DTM touring car series. This year, the tyre maker is complementing its DTM commitment with involvement in four further championships – the Formula Renault Eurocup, Belcar Series, Mini Challenge Italia and the new, all-female W Series.
Bahraini national airline Gulf Air has announced its selection of Michelin to equip every aircraft type within its fleet with tyres. Michelin’s supply to Gulf Air includes fitment on its new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Airbus 320neo and Airbus 321neo planes.
Michelin is partnering with the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Infrastructure Development on a pilot project to pave roads with a ‘rubber asphalt’ produced from a mixture of concrete and rubber recycled from end of life tyres. The Ministry announced yesterday that a two-month trial of the new mixture will begin next week.
For the third consecutive year, Giti Tire is bringing is truck tyre technology to the track. Its truck racing presence kicked off this year with an appearance at Brands Hatch Circuit over the Easter weekend.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced today that it has fined Kumho Tire and Nexen Tire for forcing South Korean retailers to sell tyres at or above specific set prices.
Sales and income were down at Goodyear Tire & Rubber in the first quarter of this year. Revenue in the three months to 31 March 2019 declined six per cent to US$3.6 billion; Goodyear attributes this result to unfavourable exchange rates and lower volume in its international businesses. The company reported first quarter segment operating income of $190 million in 2019, down from $281 million a year ago.
Cooper Tire has seen sales and profits rise in North America, while international figures have declined considerably. Overall, this amounts to small increases for the company. The company’s international operations (outside the Americas) loss of 1 million dollars is 8 million dollars down on the operating profit of 7 million dollars in the first quarter of 2018, which is largely explained by the 5 million dollars it has spent in ending light tyre production in Melksham, Wiltshire. Cooper expects these charges to amount to between 8 and 11 million dollars in the total year.
Bridgestone has retained the title of ‘Australia’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand’ for a sixth consecutive year. The leading tyre company remains the sole recipient of the coveted award since the tyres category was added to Reader’s Digest’s Most Trusted Brands accolades in 2014.
BestDrive, the franchise tyre retail fitment division of Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA), is one of the fastest-growing networks in Southern Africa. The tyre retailer currently has 149 BestDrive dealers across Southern Africa, located in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.
Euro Car Parts is investing in its battery portfolio for motorhomes, yachts, and other leisure applications, acknowledging the surge in demand that comes from six million vacationing Britons over bank holiday weekends. The UK aftermarket distributor partners leading names in battery technology, including Bosch and Exide as well as its own aftermarket brand Lion, to provide a comprehensive leisure battery offering alongside its wide range of car battery products.
At the end of March Protyre marked National Apprentice Week by taking on its 100th apprentice. At the same time, the firm announced plans to recruit more female mechanics through its apprenticeship scheme.