Price 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.
Continue ReadingFlow structure simulation offers hope of quieter, more aerodynamic tyres
Researchers from Yokohama Rubber report making progress in a project that may lead to lower external tyre noise and improved tyre aerodynamics. The Yokohama contingent is working together with a team of researchers at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), which is a part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The team, led by Professor Kozo Fujii, has successfully conducted the worlds first simulation of near real-scale flow structures (turbulence) around a tyre rolling on a road surface and the acoustic waves, or noise, generated from these structures. Yokohama Rubber expresses confidence that the ability to simulate a flow structure that enables precise measurement of acoustic waves opens up potential for new technological breakthroughs, and the company says it will therefore continue to support further research in these areas.
Continue ReadingIndian market launch for Conti truck radials
Continental has begun producing and distributing radial truck tyres in the Indian market ahead of the product range’s official launch there on 1 April. The tyre maker says its initial truck radial capacity in India is 220,000 tyres a year; these will be distributed to a dealer network that contains more than 1,400 outlets in over 70 cities across the country. The first products to be launched include the HSR2 steer tyre and HDR2 drive tyre for freight carrying vehicles and the HSX2 and HDX2 coach tyres.
Continue ReadingFirst flight for Goodyear’s new generation ‘Blimp’
Despite being built by ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik and having a semi-rigid construction, Goodyear is steadfastly referring to its newest airship a blimp – but whatever you call it, the new craft has taken to the skies. The new ‘blimp’ undertook its maiden flight on 17 March, the US flag proudly flying from the German-registered airship’s tail. Aided by a tail wind, the as-yet unnamed craft exceeded 80 miles per hour.
Continue ReadingMatching stocks and customers a Vimexa strength
Gaining a foothold in a new market or securing the best deal on stock is easier said than done. It’s difficult for wholesalers, manufacturers or dealers to be experts in every aspect of the tyre business, and this means that companies often miss out on opportunities simply because they don’t know about them. In such instances you can either accept this limitation – or you can look for someone who can help. This year a new Netherlands-based company, Vimexa Automotive BV, entered the business of helping companies within the tyre, wheel and battery industries find what they want or need. Other automotive products, such as TPMS – a product of growing significance in Europe – may also be introduced into the portfolio. Tyres & Accessories recently met with company founder Rutger Veerman to discover more.
Continue ReadingAirport closure to facilitate Michelin expansion in Canada
Additional space to expand Michelin’s Waterville truck and OTR tyre plant in Canada has been found – at the town’s civilian airport. According to Tire Review, on 10 March councillors in Nova Scotia’s King County voted to close Waterville Municipal Airport on 30 September and make the airport land available for purchase by the province or Michelin. While the tyre maker has not confirmed any expansion, it is understood that the layout of the plant and its equipment is such that expanding onto the land currently occupied by the airport is the only option open to Michelin at the Waterville site.
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