International News
Football: Sailun Tyre partners with Valencia CF
Sailun Tyre has entered into its first major global sports partnership with the start of a new sponsorship agreement with Spanish football club Valencia CF. The tyre maker will serve as an official global partner and official tyre partner for the next three seasons, with the Sailun name displayed on players’ jerseys.
Apollo Tyres: Netherlands car tyre production down, but not out
Passenger car tyre production and capacity at Apollo Tyres’ Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary has steadily grown over the past two years. These respectively reached 2.1 million and almost 3 million units a year by the end of March 2019, and Apollo is still ramping up in Hungary. It’s a different story in Enschede, some 700 miles to the west, but Apollo Tyres says it isn’t preparing to end car tyre production in the Netherlands any time soon.
Nokian Tyres back as Swamp Soccer sponsor
It’s Swamp Soccer time again, and Nokian Tyres is ready for two days of boggy fun. The tyre maker returns this year as title sponsor, a status it has now held for more than a decade.
Eurorepar launches winter tyre line
Vehicle manufacturer PSA Groupe is introducing a new winter tyre range via its Eurorepar brand. It’s called the Eurorepar Reliance Winter and will be available in a number of European markets, but unlike the Reliance Summer the range it isn’t coming to the UK. The Eurorepar Reliance Winter is produced in 26 sizes for 14- to 18-inch rim diameters – PSA says that the five most popular sizes cover 75 per cent of vehicles in the market.
Tyre industry calls for equal access to in-vehicle data
The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has outlined the importance of access to in-vehicle data and communication with drivers. “Connected & Automated Mobility”, a report prepared in collaboration with Quantalyse, draws attention to recent proposals for closed data concepts, such as the Extended Vehicle, which give vehicle manufacturers exclusive control of in-vehicle data, thereby hindering innovation by third parties.
Dave Zielasko joins TIA
Dave Zielasko, the former Tire Business editorial director and publisher, has been named as vice president of marketing and communications of the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
Continental takes over Netherlands tyre distribution from Pon
As of 1 July, Brussels-based Continental subsidiary Continental Benelux has taken over exclusive distribution of Continental car, van and industrial tyres in the Netherlands from Continental Banden Groep (CBG). Continental Benelux is already responsible for the Continental commercial vehicle tyre range in this market, having taken on direct distribution five years ago.
Tom Conway appointed USW international president
Thomas M. Conway has succeeded Leo W. Gerard as international president of the United Steelworkers union (USW). He became the eighth person to hold this position at a ceremony held on 15 July.
Cemb buys M&B Engineering
On 2 July Cemb S.p.A., the leading balancing machines and vibration analysis systems manufacturer, announced that it had acquired M&B Engineering, an important player in garage equipment production. Cemb reports that it is beginning “the internal production of tyre changers” as a result of the purchase. None of the financial details associated with the transaction have yet been revealed.
Tough times: Michelin evaluating situation for German plant
The workforce at the Michelin tyre plant in Hallstadt, Germany was told yesterday that tough times lie ahead. These words came from plant manager Jens Schlemmer; he informed employees that demand for tyres from the factory has been affected by the current tense market situation the country’s carmakers and their suppliers are facing.
Algeria’s first tyre company exhibiting at CITExpo in August
We’ve been following the progress of Algeria’s first homegrown tyre company, and in March reported that the Iris Tyre plant had completed its first test phase. Now the new tyre maker is ready not only to gain a foothold in the domestic market – Iris Tyre intends to export its output to numerous markets. It will present its range at the CITExpo trade fair in Shanghai next month.
Cooper investing US$4 million in Tupelo mixing
Cooper Tire & Rubber is investing a further $4 million into its plant in Tupelo, Mississippi. Local news sources, citing documents filed with the city said the money will be invested in upgrading the Tupelo plant’s mixing facilities.
Michelin/CFAO distribution deal gets Kenya competition authority approval
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved Michelin’s bid to form a tyre distribution joint venture with Toyota Kenya’s parent firm CFAO to sell tyres in Kenya and Uganda.
Continental wins tyre design complaint against wholesaler Heuver
A German court has ruled that certain Aeolus truck tyres infringe an EU design patent held by Continental. The matter has been resolved by an out-of-court settlement that covers damages and a recall of the products in question.
Trends and predictions in the automotive diagnostic tools market
With a global market share of over 34 per cent in 2018, Europe is expected to become the leading region in the automotive diagnostic scan tools market in the next few years. At the same time, the automotive diagnostic scan tools market and is estimated grow to a US$15 billion market size by 2025 - all of which adds up to a very positive diagnosis for those wishing to offer diagnostic servicing to consumers. With this in mind, Tyres Accessories analysed the latest market data in order to find the consensus of opinions relating to the future of the diagnostic tools market.