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The World Trade Organisation will make a ruling on the complaint lodged by China last September over the US tariffs implemented on Chinese manufactured consumer tyres. A WTO spokesperson has confirmed a panel of experts who will decide upon the validity of China’s claim has already been established.
In the US, Dealer Strategic Planning has hired Paul Chizeck to help manage the group’s growing number of Tire Dealer 20 Groups, reports Tire Review. Chizeck recently retired from Bridgestone Americas, where he last served as director of consumer tyre education. Chizeck’s 34-year background in the tyre industry includes store management, retail marketing, promotional support programs and various training and education responsibilities.
(Tire Review) Patty Fleischmann, co-owner of Community Tire & Auto Repair in Phoenix, talked about the dealership’s efforts to address the needs of female customers in a segment on a recent airing of The Chat Room, a local program produced by AZTV. Patty, wife of Howard Fleischmann, talked about the business’ certification as an AskPatty.com certified female friendly tyre and service shop and what female consumers need to know about getting their vehicles properly cared for. She also talked about the value Community Tire has received from participating in the AskPatty.com for Tire Dealers training and certification program, and what it has meant for all of its customers. You can view the video on tyrepress.com below.
Following the launch of the Maxxis Rewards national promotion last year, which the tyre manufacturer says was “highly successful”, 2010’s prizes have been rolled out in conjunction with Grouptyre – the exclusive Maxxis distributor in the UK. The 2010 programme once again features a VIP trip as the main prize. Based on the volume of Maxxis car, van and 4×4 tyres they buy within the promotional period, the top 15 dealers will win a holiday in Shanghai, China’s largest city and the world’s largest cargo port, which will include an exclusive tour of the Maxxis factory in Kunshan.
Hanover-based Delticom AG has released preliminary 2009 financial results that show group revenue totalled 310 million euros, compared with 259 million euros in 2008. The growth realised (+20 per cent) was twice as strong as expected. Last year, 800,000 customers purchased tyres for the first time in one of the company's number of online shops, which includes mytyres.co.uk in the UK.
Hankook Tire has reported record global sales and operating profits of 4.8 trillion (£2.604 billion; 2.985 billion euros) and 549.3 billion won respctively. In the period global sales grew 18 per cent year-on-year, while operating profits shot up nearly five-fold (2008: 114.2 billion won), despite the global recession. 2009 also saw the company’s European production centre in Racalmas, Hungary turn a profit after sales shot up 55 per cent year-on-year (see table). Now the company’s management has raised the bar for 2010 with a global sales target to exceed 5 trillion won (£2.717 billion; 3.109 billion euros) for the first time in its history.
The Korea Times has reported (on 19 January, 2010) that creditor-led restructuring of the cash-strapped Kumho Asiana Group has started off badly. Reports say that disputes are growing between the group, creditors and other stakeholders over how to resolve major issues surrounding debts from Kumho’s takeover of Daewoo Engineering & Construction in 2006. Separately, the debt workout programs of Kumho Industrial and Kumho Tire have hit rocky ground as founding family members and creditors are in disagreement over how to restructure the group. Creditors insist Kumho Petrochemical, the group's de facto holding firm, and Kumho Asiana Airlines should be subject to the debt repayment plan.
Every wondered what the most expensive passenger car tyres in the world are? According to a report published on the Autocar website on 14 January, Bugatti Veyron rubber must be a prime contender with a set of four new tyres costing £23,500 (26,926 euros; US$38,482) to replace. And if you were wondering which tyre manufacturer won the OE contract to supply these products, a quick look at tyrepress.com’s online archive reveals that the 406 km/h car, which is capable of 0 – 300 km/h in under 14 seconds fits Michelin Pilot Sport Pax System 245-690 R520 A (front) and 365-710 R 540 A (rear) tyres.
The organiser of Automechanika Middle East, Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, has announced two new appointments. The long-term manager for Automechanika Middle East, Mr Michael Dehn, is taking on the position of group exhibitions director at Epoc Messe Frankfurt. Dehn has been running Automechanika Middle East from its inception in 2003. He has overseen the growth of the exhibition from one Hall and 119 exhibitors in 2003 to its current position with eight halls and 958 exhibitors. In his new position, Dehn will oversee the operational success and strategic planning for Automechanika Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East and Materials Handling Middle East. He will also oversee the launch of the three recently announced shows for Epoc Messe, Frankfurt, namely Paperworld Middle East, Playworld Middle East and Festivalworld Middle East.
Ruia Group chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia has confirmed that no plans to merge Dunlop India and Falcon Tyres exist. In an interview with Indian business channel CNBC-TV18, Ruia said “at this particular time there is no plan for merging Dunlop for Falcon because Falcon has a very separate niche market in the two-wheeler, three wheeler segment while Dunlop will be working on a bus and truck, the four wheeler segment plus the industrial product division.”
When Italian company MAI International arrives at Tyrexpo Africa, pride of place on the company’s stand will be its new “Minextra” range of mining tyres. This range includes the L5 and L5S. The L5 features a traction profile for increased grip and a deep tread for protection against cuts and impact damage. The compound used in the L5, MAI International adds, is a cut resistant compound particularly suited to use in underground mines. The sidewall, shoulders and beads have also been reinforced for increased protection and stability. Furthermore, says MAI, built in heavy-duty sidewall fenders offer increased protection against cuts and abrasions. The L5S features a smooth profile, yet also features the deep tread, reinforced sidewall, shoulders and beads, and sidewall fenders found on the L5 for protection against cuts and impact damage.
On January 8, the Venezuelan government announced the devaluation of its currency, the bolivar fuerte, and the establishment of a two-tier exchange structure. This has seen the official exchange rate against the US dollar slide from 2.15 bolivar fuerte per dollar to 4.30, except in the case of essential goods, for which the rate is 2.60. This significant currency change has impacted tyre makers active in the South American country; Goodyear Tire & Rubber reports it expects a first-quarter 2010 charge of about $150 million (62 cents a share) in connection with the devaluation.
Pirelli UK is to take on a three-year sponsorship and full support partnership with the Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Series. The tyre maker will provide the series with a dedicated tyre supply and changing vehicle capable of meeting all riders’ competition requirements, and Pirelli staff will be present at every round to fit tyres and advise competitors on fitment, type and pressure. A wide range of Pirelli Scorpion MX tyres will be available to riders at “extremely competitive” supply and fitment prices. Pirelli also hopes to benefit from rider feedback, which it will utilise in the development of future products.
Continental wants to spread word of its attractiveness to potential employees, and in its German home market the tyre and automotive technology supplier is using the beautiful game to meet this end. It has brought a programme called “Kick it with Continental” into play, and as part of this invited some 400 German students to a day focusing on the upcoming Conti-sponsored World Cup in South Africa. On the agenda, among other things, are presentations, contests and panel discussions with German football personalities Karl-Heinz Körbel, Mirko Slomka and Thomas Schneider.
News reports emanating from Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport suggest that two of South Korea’s tyre makers – we’re looking at you, Hankook, Kumho and Nexen – could be in line to take the reigns from Bridgestone as the tyre supplier for Formula One, following the Japanese giant’s exit at the end of the 2010 season.
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