International News
Michelin to use autonomous trucks in France
Michelin has selected to use autonomous trucks made by Einride within its supply chain. According to the company, roll-out will commence in 2020, initially with the deployment of Einride’s T-pod – an autonomous, electric truck – at Michelin sites in France.
Maxxis to supply OE to Hero MotoCorp
Numerous Indian news sources are reporting that Maxxis India has entered into an OE supply arrangement with scooter manufacturer Hero MotoCorp. As a result, Maxxis is set to supply its 90/100-10 M6000 53J front and rear tyres.
Conti investing 100 million euros expanding OTR tyre production in Portugal
Continental is investing roughly 100 million euros in the expansion of its Lousado, Portugal radial earthmoving and port tyres production facilities. As a result of the investment, the newly-expanded plant, which will continue to focus on production of tyres with diameters over 24 inches, more than 100 new jobs will be created.
US distributor TireHub expands
TireHub, the USA-based tyre distributor co-founded by Bridgestone Americas and Goodyear Tire & Rubber, has undergone its first expansion since its creation last July with the opening of a new TireHub Logistics Center (TLC) in Fort Myers, Florida.
Groundbreaking held for Maxion-Dongfeng aluminium wheel plant
Maxion Wheels and new joint venture partner, Dongfeng Motor Parts and Components Group, have held a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of their 22,000 square metre aluminium wheel plant in Suizhou, China. The ceremony took place on 6 June and was attended by government officials and company dignitaries, customers, suppliers and associates.
Restructuring within Tatneft tyre business
Tatneft reports that structural changes have been implemented in its Kama Tyres tyre manufacturing business. The Russian company reports that its OOO Nizhnekamsk Truck Tyres Factory has now joined together with the OOO Nizhnekamsk SSC Tyre Factory. It says the aim of this change is to improve the efficiency of the company’s petrochemical production process management system.
Rotalla all-season range makes Autopromotec debut
Enjoy Tyre used its regular appearance at this year’s Autopromotec Show to present Rotalla’s new all-season tyre range alongside the latest winter high performance pattern design (the S130) and a new van pattern (the V450).
Cooper launches Pro Series LHT trailer tyre
Cooper Tire has introduced a new long haul trailer (LHT) tyre, which completes the company’s signature Cooper Pro Series product line-up with fitments at each tractor/trailer wheel position. The Cooper Pro Series LHT joins the Cooper Pro Series long haul drive and long-haul steer tyres that were previously introduced. The new trailer tyre is available in 295/75 R22.5, with additional sizes becoming available later this summer.
Falken OE on Jeep Gladiator in US
Following Falken Tires’ recent selection as an original equipment (OE) supplier for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Falken tyres will also be OE on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator mid-sized pickup truck.
Conti opens Ulvade Advanced Indoor Evaluation Center
On 5 June 2019 Continental opened the new Advanced Indoor Evaluation Center at its Ulvade, Texas testing facility. The company has invested around 9 million euros in the new facility, which tests the properties of passenger car tyres. The Advanced Indoor Evaluation Center is designed to test all passenger tyre models manufactured in Continental's North and South American tyre plants.
Hankook tyres for Toyota Corolla
Toyota has chosen Hankook tyres as original equipment for the North American market 2020 Corolla. The new model, which went on sale in April, wears the Hankook Kinergy GT (pattern H436) in size 205/55R16 91H.
Tyre makers honoured with GM & Ford supplier awards
Several tyre makers have received new silverware of late, with OEM partners in the vehicle manufacturing sector handing out awards to honour their suppliers. We’ve already shared news of awards Hankook Tire received from Honda and General Motors; more recently, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Maxxis and Pirelli have commented on the accolades they’ve gained.
ICBA awards for Birla Carbon plants, R&D site
The International Carbon Black Association (ICBA) recently awarded 12 Birla Carbon plants and a R&D centre certificates of recognition for achieving an above industry average level of safety performance. Eleven plants and the USA-based Marietta R&D Laboratory received the gold award while one plant received the bronze award. The Birla Carbon plants in North and South America, Europe and Asia were amongst 44 carbon black manufacturing facilities around the world to receive this recognition as part of the ICBA’s ‘Safety Recognition Program’.
Japanese giant Mitsubishi invests in UAE online tyre retailer
PitStopArabia.com, a UAE-based online tyre retailer, has announced that Mitsubishi Corporation has become a strategic partner and a shareholder in the company. The e-tailer described the investment as a "significant milestone" that will be used to bolster market share by expanding regionally. The value of the investment has not been disclosed.
Have the truck tyre import tariffs ‘worked’?
The size of the UK truck tyre market by sell-out unit volume fell 9.8 per cent in 2018 set against the backdrop of European import tariffs, according to GfK data presented at Autopromotec 2019. But what do the tell us about the effectiveness of the tariffs?