Pirelli reports strong results in international tyre tests
Italian tyre firm Pirelli has recently scored well in test results carried out by Russian and Swedish publications. The tyres tested were both from the Cinturato family; Russia’s Za Rulem tested the Cinturato P1 while Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet tested the Cinturato P7.
Continue ReadingFederal aiming for 10% of Russian tyre market by 2019
Taiwanese tyre maker Federal Tyres states it has “set its sights on ten per cent market share in Russia” and aims to double the number of wholesalers it works with there (currently nine in eight cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg and Ekaterinberg) every year for the next five years to help achieve this objective by 2019. The company has been present in the Russian market since 2004 and its products are available at over 10,000 retailers across the country. It has now launched a brand new website, www.federaltyresrussia.com, VKontakte page, vk.com/federaltyresrussia, and 2014 campaign slogan that capitalises on Federal’s sponsorship of Manchester United: “Awaken the Champion inside” (Пробуди в себе Чемпиона).
Continue ReadingVMI Group expands following strong sales growth
Leading tyre building machinery maker VMI Group is planning to “significantly expand” its operations. This means a new factory building will be constructed in Epe, The Netherlands and current buildings will be restructured to enhance lean production. A new R&D and engineering office will also be built. In China, VMI reports that it is working with authorities to expand its facilities there. According to the company, the expansions follow “strongly increased turnover” at VMI.
Continue Reading‘SmartWay’ verification for Vipal tread
Brazil’s Vipal Rubber reports that its VL130 ECO pre-cured tread has become the company’s first product to be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership. As expected from a SmartWay approved tyre, the tread’s design and compound aims to maximise fuel efficiency; Vipal reports that the trailer axle tread has a low bearing resistance that generates less heat, thus ensuring less casing fatigue and helping to improve retreadability.
Continue ReadingDouble Coin profits up almost 5% in 2013
Double Coin Holdings has posted operating revenue of approximately CNY 14.33 billion (£1.4 billion) for 2013, up 18.43 per cent from the previous year. The company attributed the increase rise to expanded production of tyres at its Anhui branch, as well as products and increased trades of other subsidiaries. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 4.63 per cent to CNY 306 million (£30.1 million). Earnings per share was CNY 0.344 (£0.03).
Continue ReadingPrice rise for Lanxess rubber chemicals
From 1 April 2014, global prices for Lanxess rubber chemicals will increase in response to raw material price rises and unfavourable exchange rate effects. The adjustment will impact all product lines, including Vulkanox antidegradants, Vulkacit accelerators as well as specialty chemicals such as bonding agents (Cohedur), retarders (Vulkalent), plasticizers (Vulkanol), zinc oxides (Zinkoxyd aktiv) and DBD based peptizers (Renacit). The price increases will range from €0.10 to €0.70 per kilogramme (US$0.15 to $1.00) depending on the product and region.
Continue ReadingHyundai breaks six million car sales mark in Europe
Hyundai Motor has sold six million cars to European customers since the company began sales in the region in 1977. It took the company 19 years to sell its first million cars in the region. Since then it has taken less time to reach each subsequent milestone, with the latest one million cars sold in just over two years.
Continue ReadingNexen investing US$800 million in new Czech Republic tyre factory
After weeks of speculation South Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tire has confirmed that it is investing US$800 million in the construction of a new tyre factory in the city of Nošovice, in the east of the Czech Republic.
Continue ReadingBYD’s Qin is China’s best-selling electric car
BYDs second-generation dual-mode, plug-in high performance hybrid electric saloon car, the Qin, has set a second record month of sales in February. Trends in March now make it Chinas Best-Selling Electric Vehicle according to Chinas National Passenger Car Association. The Qin, in renamed form, is expected to spearhead BYD sales in the European consumer market in the coming years.
Continue ReadingMaxxis introduces global website
Maxxis says its new maxxis.com global website offers an enhanced visitor experience, with an emphasis on user-friendly features. The company claims maxxis.com is equally responsive and easy to use on a desktop, smartphone or tablet, with screen dimensions adjusted to fit any device. The site offers a clean layout for easy navigation and provides answers to consumer questions on everything from tyres to team events.
Continue ReadingDunlop OE on North American Subaru WRX models
Dunlop’s Sport Maxx RT has been selected as the exclusive original equipment fitment for models of the new Subaru WRX and WRX STI sold in North America. Both cars will be launched in this market during the spring; the WRX will roll on size 235/45R17 tyres, whereas the WRX STI receives 18-inch rims and size 245/40R18 tyres.
Continue ReadingRussia a growing part of Pirelli’s business?
For Pirelli, Russia is “still a developing market”, and as we found out a week or so after Tyres & Accessories interviewed global marketing vice-president Matteo Battaini at the recent Geneva Motor Show, Rosneft’s purchase of 13 per cent of Pirelli’s shares means Russia is also still a developing part of Pirelli’s ongoing business strategy.
Continue ReadingKurt Danielson appointed to lead Bridgestone’s US & Canada commercial tyre operations
Ask Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) who its new president of US & Canada Commercial Tire Sales is, and the answer you’ll receive will be Kurt. As in former president of Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, Kurt Danielson. In addition to this promotion, Danielson has also assumed the position of senior vice-president at Bridgestone Americas.
Continue ReadingJiangXi Black Cat inaugurates a further carbon black plant
Last September, German chemical company Lehmann & Voss and its ‘Luvomaxx’ business unit signed an exclusive sales agreement with China’s Jiangxi Black Cat Carbon Black, giving it exclusive distribution rights in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Luvomaxx business unit head Karl-Heinz Teschke recently returned from China, and has reported on the entry into service of JiangXi Black Cat’s eight carbon black facility.
Continue ReadingSingex: Tyrexpo Africa 2014 ended on a high
Tyrexpo Africa 2014’s organisers Singex are describing the show as a success, saying “it lived up to its reputation once again as the major tyre event of the year on the African continent”. According to the company, the show - held from 4 to 6 March at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa - showcased “the widest selection of new brands of leading South African and international manufacturers” and featured 134 exhibitors and welcomed about 1,200 visitors from 17 African and international countries.
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