Yokohama investing in US R&D centre, doubling staff
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is to establish a tyre research & development centre in North Carolina, with R&D activities scheduled to start this September initially in the greater Charlotte area. The company presently conducts R&D on tyres for the North American market in several US states and in Japan, but aims to consolidate the majority of these R&D activities at the new centre. With the consolidation, Yokohama also plans to double the current size of its North American R&D staff.
The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made truck and bus tyres imported into the USA.
In a preliminary determination, DOC anti-dumping duties of between 20.87 per cent to 22.57 per cent would be applied to products. These duties are in addition to countervailing duties recommend for the same products in June. As a result, total import tariffs of around 40 per cent are expected.
The VW Tiguan made its debut in 2007 and has since racked up more than 2.8 million sales in 170 countries. In Germany, the Tiguan is regarded as one of VW’s four main ‘pillars’, along with the Polo, Golf and Passat. In order to continue this success story, VW has launched a revamped version of the Tiguan this year.
Automechanika: Johnson Controls presents the new role for the battery
At Automechanika 2016, which will be held from 13 to 17 September in Frankfurt, Johnson Controls will provide detailed information on service solutions and on the complete range of VARTA products. Along with a deep insight in the developments of the automotive industry visitors will get a better understanding of the new role of the battery and the opportunities for the independent aftermarket at stand E10 in hall 4.1.
Continental to increase radar sensor production in Philippines and China
To meet the growing demand of Asian vehicle manufacturers for surrounding sensors, production of short-range radar sensors was launched in Calamba in the Philippines towards the end of 2015. Short-range radar sensors perform functions like Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Assist. Driving forces include legal requirements, but the customers’ demands for more safety and comfort are also of key importance. Additionally, the production of the Multi Function Camera with Lidar will be launched in autumn this year. The plan is to produce over ten million short range radar sensors and one million camera systems in Calamba in the future.
According to Continental, Asia remains the number one growth market for the automotive industry – and the numbers are impressive: Over 50 per cent of all vehicles produced worldwide come from Asian car manufacturers and approximately 30 per cent of all vehicles manufactured worldwide come from Japanese automakers. Ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japanese vehicle manufacturers are also amongst the automotive companies that are pushing the development of innovations in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving.
Apollo Vredestein sponsors Borussia Monchengladbach for next two seasons
Apollo Vredestein GmbH has signed a brand-new sponsorship agreement with Borussia Monchengladbach. The new sponsorship agreement covers the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons and is designed to further enhance global recognition of the Apollo tyre brand. As one of the most popular and successful clubs in German football, Borussia Monchengladbach is very well-known internationally too and its matches are often broadcast live on television around the world.
MG Motor UK, has accepted seven new students onto its Automotive Engineering Internship programme for 2016/17. Open to all undergraduates taking relevant degrees within the engineering field, the initiative demonstrates the carmaker’s ongoing commitment to developing young talent.
Michelin wins unanimous verdict in US$80 million rollover case
A Florida jury has ruled unanimously in favour of Michelin North America, Inc., in a high-profile product liability case that included claims filed by three plaintiffs who were involved in a 2009 rollover accident. The crash resulted in catastrophic brain injuries to two minor passengers, ages 14 and 16, and injuries to an adult. In their closing arguments, the plaintiffs lawyers asked the jury to award the victims more than $80 million in damages.
Sentury and Huagao cooperate on first graphene tyre
On 3 August 2016 Sentury Tire and Huagao Graphene Technology Corporation hosted a ceremony marking the two firm’s cooperation on their first (and possibly the first) graphene high performance car tyre.
Qingdao information technology department vice director Wang Jian, deputy mayor of Qingdao Sun Mingming, China grapheme industry alliance secretary Li Yichun, chairman of Sentury Qin Long and Sentury president Lanny represented Sentury by attending the signing ceremony.
Orion to close French carbon black factory by end of 2016
On 18 August Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.’s French subsidiary, Orion Engineered Carbons SAS, reached an agreement with the Works Council and labour union at its Ambes, France facility on a comprehensive social plan. Following this agreement, the French subsidiary will “proceed to implement the restructuring and down staffing of that facility with cessation of production at the site expected by the end of 2016”.
Mesnac, Michelin and others drive RFID standardisation forward
Mesnac, the Chinese tyre factory and systems specialist, reports that it is continuing to support the development of international standards for RFID tyre tags – a technology the company has been investing in for more than a decade already. To this end, Mesnac representatives recently spoke at an ETRO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization) summit on the subject. ETRO held its meeting in July 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.
The Michelin Group has acquired Levorin, a Brazilian manufacturer of bicycle and motorcycle tyres.
Levorin is a family business which was founded in 1943 by Hercules Levorin. It specializes in the production of tyres for the commuter segment in Brazil. In 2015 Levorin had an annual turnover of 135 million euros and employs 2,000 people at its two plants in Sao Paulo and Manaus.
Point S Canada introduces new distribution company following merger
Unimax Ltd., Point S master franchisee for Canada, has announced the creation of Distribution Stox, a new company that specializes in distributing tyres and accessories for cars and vans throughout Canada.
Distribution Stox has been founded from the merger of the wholesale activities of Unimax and of three of its shareholders-members (Distribution RT, Distribution DSP and Distribu-Pneus). This new Canadian tyre distributor has more than 300 employees, 19 distribution centres and more than 100 delivery vehicles. The company offers products and services to auto repair shops, tyre retailers and car dealers in Canada.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was formally presented with the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award on 26 August during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The Freedom Award was given to 15 companies selected from more than 2,400 nominations an acknowledges.
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