Nokian Moving US Headquarters
Nokian Tyres will move its headquarters from LaVergne, Tennessee, to Colchester, Vermont, in an effort to consolidate its operations. The relocation, which the company expects will be finalised by spring 2010, will place the headquarters near Nokian’s wholesale operation, University Wholesalers Inc. Nokian Tyres, the North American subsidiary of Finland-based Nokian Tyres P.L.C., also owns […]
Continue ReadingNynas to Supply Lanxess Rubber Production Following DAE Ban
To maintain its production of synthetic rubber after its utilisation of DAE oils ceases, Lanxess AG will enter into a strategic co-operation with Swedish oil producer Nynas. Lanxess will end the use of DAE oils in its synthetic rubber production as of December 1, 2009, ahead of next year’s European and Japanese bans on the substance.
Continue ReadingUnion OKs New Contract With Michelin
United Steelworkers locals approved a new three-year master contract with Michelin North America. The pact covers some 2,500 workers at MNA’s plants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Continue ReadingTIA, RMA Weigh in on NHTSA Fuel Efficiency Plan
TIA still feels it would be the best option to conduct consumer-level tyre fuel efficiency education, while RMA challenges that NHTSA’s proposed fuel efficiency rating system is inadequate. Those were the themes behind both groups’ comment filings late last week, just before NHTSA’s August 21 deadline for comments on its mandated tyre fuel efficiency rating system.
Continue ReadingYokohama Expands China Operations
Yokohama Rubber Co. is reportedly expanding the capacity of its Hanzhou Yokokahama Tire Co. passenger car tyre plant in China. Hangzhou Yokohama’s annual capacity of 3 million units a year is expected to grow to 4.1 million passenger and light truck tyres from 2011, following investment of 3 billion yen (214 million yuan). This is the fourth capacity expansion since Hanzhou Yokohama started production in 2003. Yokohama makes its ASPEC A349 low rolling resistance tyre in China and expects general car ownership to increase 10 per cent annually in the years to come.
Continue ReadingEU Probes Chinese Wheel Dumping Complaint
On 14 August, the European Commission began an investigation into the alleged ‘dumping’ of Chinese-made aluminium wheels into the European market. The investigation followed Association of European Wheel Manufacturers’ (EUWA) June complaint that the practice has been taking place. “Having determined that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation,” Reuters quoted the journal of the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union as saying. China's Ministry of Commerce denied the charges saying: “It raises the cost of repairs for customers, affects the recovery of the European auto sector from the global financial crisis, and hurts the interests of both China and Europe'” in a statement on the Ministry's website.
Continue ReadingWaste Tyres to Power Ceat Plant?
India’s RPG Enterprises is considering generating power from waste rubber at its Ceat Tyres factory. According to the company’s vice president of corporate finance, BL Chandak, electricity so generated at the Ceat plant would be solely used for the facility’s own consumption.
Continue ReadingHabitat for Humanity Benefits from Michelin NA Volunteers
For the second year in a row Michelin North America employees have pitched in and lent Habitat for Humanity a hand in the tyremaker’s home neighbourhood of Greenville County, South Carolina. Since the groundbreaking in May, more than 600 Michelin employees and Habitat volunteers have given nearly 5,000 hours to build the two houses in the town of Greer, not far from Michelin’s US headquarters. Michelin North America chairman and president Dick Wilkerson was on hand to present the keys to the new homeowners.
Continue ReadingCash for Clunkers to Wind Down
The White House is now working on plans to wind down the popular Cash for Clunkers program. At the urging of car dealers, who want a defined end date for the program so they don’t get caught out on the incentive program, the Obama Administration may announce this week when the consumer incentive program will end.
Continue ReadingZimbabwe Fast Fit Chain to Reopen Branches
In September Zimbabwe’s National Tyre Services will reopen the outlets and a factory that had closed due to business conditions. At the company’s Annual General Meeting, CEO Cleophas Makoni told shareholders that the 35.05 per cent Apollo Tyres South Africa owned company will "roll out and revitalise our branch network. We have enough stock and we are in a position to meet the demand."
Continue ReadingCeat Considering 3-5% Price Increases
Ceat managing director Paras K Chowdhary has stated the Indian manufacturer will have to increase tyre prices by up to five per cent in October if rubber prices, which climbed 10 to 15 per cent in the last quarter, remain high. In a video interview with CNBC-TV18, Chowdhary said “if Indian rubber prices don’t come […]
Continue ReadingIndian Tyre Prices To Rise?
A report on the Business Standard website suggests that Indian tyre companies are contemplating raising prices. The article says that Apollo Tyres, the country’s second-largest tyre maker (by tonnage) is planning to increase tyre prices four to five per cent on account of a 10 to 15 per cent increase in the prices of natural […]
Continue ReadingECI International launches Tyrexpo India
India is set to have its own dedicated tyre and equipment exhibition following confirmation of plans to stage Tyrexpo India in Chennai in July 2011. The exhibition, based in the region that is home to many country’s leading automotive industry players, including Apollo Tyres, Michelin, Dunlop India and MRF, will be based on the successful model already applied by organiser ECI International at its established Tyrexpo Asia, Tyrexpo Africa and Brityrex events.
Continue ReadingNew Apollo Factory to Produce Vredestein Brand Tyres
The factory Apollo Tyres is building in India’s Chennai state will most likely produce Vredestein branded passenger car tyres. According to the Hindu Business Line, production of premium Vredestein tyres at the soon to be completed Oragadam plant will be supplemented by Apollo branded UHP tyres. These will be marketed in Europe from next January onwards.
Continue ReadingFederal Sports New Booth in Moscow
Federal Tyres will show off its new trade show booth at the upcoming 2009 Moscow International Motor Show (MIMS). The 13ths edition of the MIMS will be held at the Crocus Exhibition Centre on outskirts of Moscow from Aug 26-30. During the show, Federal will be featuring competition tyres FZ101 and FZ202, its gravel rally […]
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