Tyre Dealers Feature in Guardian Labelling Article
On 6 May Tyre retailers, fleet operators and consumer organisations took part in a panel discussion on the subject of tyre labelling organised by The Guardian in association with Michelin. The event, which took place at the Aviator hotel in Farnborough, was hosted by and was chaired by the newspaper’s executive environment editor Joe Confino. According to the resulting report, which is scheduled for publication in the Society supplement of tomorrow’s newspaper, the discussion covered various aspects of the forthcoming EU legislation concerning tyre labelling, which Michelin says it “wholeheartedly supports”. Topics included the likely effects on the tyre retail industry, both in-store and on the internet, and fleet operations. Previous experience of this type of labelling was brought to the table by David Evans of consumer organisation Which? and this centred around the similar labels found on white goods and its effect on consumer behaviour.
Continue ReadingBrickhill: Tyre Labelling to Facilitate Tyre Value Conversation
his last public engagement before completing his transfer to Brussels. Goodyear Dunlop’s new vice president of the company’s EU Consumer Business Unit talked at length on a wide range of subjects including what he sees as “the cornerstone of our branding strategy”; his thoughts on the newly launched Dunlop High Performance Centre and the rest of the company’s retail involvement; Dunlop and HiQ’s roles in the BTCC and his experiences with the company over his time in the UK hotseat. Here, tyrepress.com presents Brickhills thoughts on his new role in the companys EMEA division and his views on tyre labelling. The whole interview will be printed in the May edition of Tyres & Accessories Magazine.
Continue ReadingIrish Motorists Falling Foul of E-Mark Requirement
As of April 1 the presence of an E-Mark on tyres became mandatory in Ireland in order for cars to pass the NCT (National Car Test), the Irish MOT equivalent. While the president of the Irish Tyre Industry Association, Dave Naughton, refers to this measure as a “big step forward for road safety”, the association estimates that 50,000 tyres currently fitted to vehicles do not conform to the European standard, and thus thousands of motorists’ cars may not pass their next NCT.
Continue ReadingNew Sales Operations Manager at Toyo Tire USA
Toyo Tire USA has announced the hiring of Anne Holland as the company’s sales operations manager. Holland will report to John Hagan, senior director of sales operations. “We would like to welcome Ms Holland to the Toyo Tires team,” said Yasushi Takagi, president & CEO, Toyo Tire USA. “She brings valuable experience to her department and will be a great asset to the company.”
Continue ReadingIncreased Fuel Duty, Road Spending and Business Support in Pre-Election Budget
Alistair Darling’s last pre-election Budget has delivered a duty on fuel to be phased in between April and January 2011. The road network – the subject of much criticism following the appearance of more potholes than usual after the harsh winter season – will be subject of a £385 million investment.
Continue ReadingHankook Tire Comments on Aromatic Oil Compliance
The European Union has legislated that, as of January 1, 2010, highly aromatic oils with a high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content may no longer be utilised in tyres. In a note from its vice president of sales & marketing, H.S. Ahn, Hankook Tire Europe declares “all E-marked tyres sold by Hankook Tire Europe and its EU-based affiliates designated to be used on the territory of the European Union fully comply to this new EU-legislation.
Continue ReadingETRMA Publishes REACH Exposure Scenario Information
At the end of December, ETRMA published details of a set of exposure scenarios covering the use of chemicals in the rubber industry in order to support European rubber chemicals manufacturers and importers that operate within the framework REACH legislation. The latest REACH legislation took effect on 1 January 2010.
Continue ReadingETRMA, Manufacturers Respond Positively to Tyre Labelling Decision
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association and its twelve leading tyre corporate members have “welcomed” the objectives of the mandatory tyre performance information requirement voted upon by the European Parliament yesterday. Noting the braking performance and fuel efficiency aspects covered by the upcoming tyre labelling, ETRMA says it is “happy that these aspects are fully reflected in the regulation”. The organisation adds that expected fuel savings from the increased use of fuel-efficient tyres will lead to saving an estimated 20 million tonnes of CO2 per year and 10 billion euros of fuel per year.
Continue ReadingEU Parliament Approves Tyre Labelling Regulation
On November 25 the European Parliament approved the draft regulation on tyre labelling without a vote. This means that, come November 1, 2012, light and heavy duty vehicle tyres (C1, C2 and C3 tyres) will have to be supplied with information that informs consumers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise classes in any technical promotional material, including websites. Retreaded tyres, off-road professional tyres and racing tyres will be exempt from this requirement.
Continue ReadingUnanimous Committee Backing of Tyre Labelling Draft Ahead of Vote
On November 23 the European Parliament’s Industry Committee unanimously backed a compromise draft of the tyre labelling regulation agreed by Members of the European Parliament and Council Presidency negotiators in early October. The committee vote is the last step before the plenary vote, scheduled for November 25.
Continue ReadingSMMT Welcomes Government Support For Automotive Industry
Government has committed to create an Automotive Council to strengthen engagement with industry and set a long-term plan for its development. This follows its endorsements of the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team's (NAIGT) recommendations on the development of the sector over the next 20 years. NAIGT, consisting of a cross-industry group of senior executives, produced the report earlier this year setting out a framework for industry development to ensure it maximises the opportunities presented by the transition to a low carbon agenda, and to promote the UK as a key player in a global industry.
Continue ReadingNew Zealand Winter Tyre Restrictions “Not Enough”, Says Campaigner
The New Zealand Government has prohibited the fitting of both winter and summer tyres to the same vehicle, yet for a man that has campaigned against the cold weather product for two years this ban does not go far enough. Don Graham’s fiancée was killed in 2007 when her car – fitted with winter tyres on the rear wheels – lost traction on a wet road, and he believes that cold weather tyres have no place in New Zealand.
Continue ReadingAlliance Tire Buys GPX Assets
Just a day after GPX International Tire Corporation (GPX) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Israel-based Alliance Tire Group announced it has signed an agreement to purchase certain assets for a reported $38.3 million. According to Alliance, the deal includes: “GPX’s US operations, customer relationships, warehouse footprint, worldwide rights to the Galaxy and Primex brands, the company’s medium radial truck tyre distribution business and the Company’s South African entity, GPX Tyre South Africa (Pty.).” According to GPX the purpose of entering chapter 11 was “to separate the company’s operations into three distinct businesses in order to facilitate the sales of those businesses in transactions, which will allow 95 per cent of the company’s current North American workforce to remain employed.” Crucially, the statement points out that “the company will wind down its European operations.” GPX also explained that it has buyers lined to purchase various parts of the business.
Continue ReadingEuropean Tyre Labelling: The Cost is Worth it, Says Conti
Continental AG says its welcomes the tyre labelling system agreed upon by various EU bodies. While the system must pass a final vote in the European Parliament before it is given the official green light, the German tyre manufacturer looks forward to its November 2012 introduction and holds the opinion that the extra costs manufacturers face through labelling will pay off in the long term.
Continue ReadingUS Imposes 35% Tyre Tariff, China Plays Chicken
President Barack Obama’s decision to apply a 35 per cent import duty on all passenger car and light truck tyres from China for a period of three years may have been intended to “remedy market disruption caused by a surge in [Chinese] tyre imports” into the US, but it has also provoked a sharp response from the Chinese ministry of commerce and played havoc with the share prices of Far Eastern tyre manufacturers. China’s state media said the US import duties would cost 100,000 jobs and $1 billion (£600 million). Announcing the decision (on Friday 11 September 2009), the White House explained that the 35 per cent ad valorem levy would be placed in addition to the existing 4 per cent import duty on imports of Chinese-product passenger car and light truck tyres. The duty will reduce to 30 per cent ad valorem in the second year, and 25 per cent ad valorem the third year. The US International Trade Commission had recommended a 55 per cent tariff in the first year, 45 per cent in the second year and 35 per cent in the third year.
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