International News
Continental and Pyrolyx agree 5-year recycled carbon black supply deal
Continental AG and Pyrolyx have entered into a five-year recycled carbon black (rCB) supply agreement for Continental tyre manufacturing facilities worldwide. The companies have been cooperating on developments in the technology field of recovered carbon black “over recent years”, according to Continental. Furthermore, the latest joint development commitment aims to lay the foundation for using recovered carbon black (rCB) in various tyre segments during tyre production.
Goodyear OE on new Renault Captur
Renault’s best-selling SUV is fitted with Goodyear’s 215/55 R18 95H EfficientGrip Performance tyres, after being chosen as one of the main tyre suppliers. Goodyear will also supply 215/60 R17 96H EfficientGrip Performance tyres.
BYD, Toyota tie-up on BEVs for China mutually beneficial – GlobalData
Following the news that Toyota and BYD are setting up a joint company to develop battery electric vehicles (BEVs) targeted at the Chinese market, David Leggett, automotive editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, says the cooperation makes sense for both parties.
Bridgestone adds India to EMEA region
From 1 January 2020, Bridgestone’s India business will fall into the EMEA Strategic Business Unit (SBU), transferring from the China, Asia-Pacific SBU. As a result, Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA) will become Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East, India and Africa (BSEMIA), one of four SBUs globally, alongside Bridgestone China, Asia-Pacific, Bridgestone Americas, and Bridgestone Japan. According to the company, the integration of Bridgestone India into EMEA comes as a result of Bridgestone EMEA’s “ongoing transformation capitalising on the opportunities digitalisation offers to pioneer mobility solutions that meet the needs of customers for convenience, efficiency and sustainability”.
Tirescanner.com live in 42 US states, multi-million dollar funding close
Less than a year after Tirescanner.com was founded, at the start of November, the business reported that it is live in Florida. This means Tirescanner already covers 1200 postcodes codes, matching consumers with products from a range of hundreds of thousands of tyres and – crucially – connecting them with “the best local retailers”. At the moment this works on a next day install, but the plan is to take this to a same-day level. And more states are said to be coming fast. We’re used to pretty rapid progress when it comes to dotcom start-ups, but such fast growth is more understandable when you consider that Tirescanner is driven by Blackcircles.com founder Mike Welch. Tyres & Accessories recently caught up with Welch in order to find out how the company plans to continue and sustain this growth.
Trademark infringement: Bridgestone wins another case in China
Bridgestone Corporation has announced another favourable ruling regarding a trademark infringement in China. This particular case involves Chinese tyre maker Liangshan Water Margin Tire Co., Ltd. (Water Margin).
Dayco appoints Tom Tecklenburg as VP of Aftermarket, North America
Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, has appointed Tom Tecklenburg as its vice president of Aftermarket for North America, reporting directly to Bruno Vallillo, president of global aftermarket.
Arlanxeo to close its Orange, Texas Keltan production unit
Arlanxeo intends to close its Keltan production unit in Orange, Texas, USA in the second quarter of 2020. Arlanxeo says it will “strive to limit the impact of the closure by working in close cooperation with all affected stakeholders, both internally and externally”.
Carbon Black 2019 held in Thailand
The Carbon Black Conference 2019, a biennial event with a 30-year history has held its 14th edition entitled – ‘Perspective in Asia Pacific’. The event, held at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Thailand from 5 – 7 November, 2019, saw Sanjeev Sood, International Advisory Board Chairman lead the conference with industry partners and participants.
Pace Tyres sponsor players at international Ping Pong Championship
The Pace tyre brand, which is exclusively produced and distributed by contract tyre manufacturer SD-International, will once again sponsor the Chinese national team at the 2020 BetVictor World Championship of Ping Pong at Alexander Palace, London on 25 and 26 of January.
Yokohama wins SEMA award
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced its Best New Products Award winners this morning at the 2019 SEMA Show. SEMA’s annual New Product Awards competition recognizes outstanding achievements in the development of products being introduced to the automotive specialty-equipment market at the SEMA Show. Products are judged in 16 award categories, and each category has one winner and two runners-up.
Tire Industry Consulting launched
TIC, a new International Consultancy firm, has been established. Haluk Kizilay, managing director, affirmed that TIC (Tire Industry Consulting) is part of global consulting community. According to the company, the TIC vision is “to be the tyre industry’s most relevant Consulting firm delivering result-oriented and high-quality solutions to customers”.
Cooper Tire to become 100% owner of Mexico JV tyre plant
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company intends to completely acquire its joint venture tyre manufacturing facility in Mexico. It currently holds a 58 per cent share in Corporación de Occidente S.A. de C.V. (COOCSA), but has entered into a definitive agreement with partner Trabajadores Democraticos de Occidente S.C. de R.L. de C.V. (TRADOC) to acquire its 42 per cent stake. On Friday, a majority of TRADOC members voted in favour of the agreement.
India’s vehicle scrappage plan unlikely to produce desired results, says GlobalData
Following the news that India has issued draft guidelines for setting up authorised vehicle scrapping facilities across the country, Animesh Kumar, director of research and consulting company Automotive Consulting at GlobalData, warns that the current scrappage initiative is “unlikely” to produce the desired results.
Hankook Tire extends Canada ice hockey sponsorship
Hankook will serve as the official tyre of Hockey Canada until 2024 thanks to an expansion of the relationship between the association and Hankook Tire Canada. Through the partnership. Hankook Tire’s local operation will support Hockey Canada’s efforts to engage fans and grow the game, participate in its signature events and will act as an international partner at various championships.