Goodyear Adds Tyre Buyer Package in China
(Akron/Tire Review) The Shanghai Daily reported last week that Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has launched a consumer tyre service plan in China, responding to a similar scheme unveiled by Groupe Michelin earlier in the week. Much like Michelin’s plan, Goodyear will offer Chinese tyre buyers a two-year package that includes 24-hour roadside assistance, flat tyre repair, towing and other services.
Continue ReadingMRF Plant for Sri Lanka
Indian company MRF Tyres is setting up a small plant in Sri Lanka for manufacturing rubber, a top MRF official said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of launching V rated tyres for luxury cars, Mr Philip Eapen, Executive Director-Marketing said experimental production has already commenced at the new facility. However, he did not provide any details about investment in the plant.
Continue ReadingStapletons Appoint Marketing Manager
UK tyre wholesaler Stapletons has appointed a new marketing manager to spearhead the company’s next stage of development. Stephen Childs (32) joins the Letchworth-headquartered company, which is the UK’s leading supplier of passenger car tyres to the wholesale and dealership sectors and also has 48 thriving automotive retail centres in the UK.
Continue ReadingWin England World Cup Tickets with Snap-on Equipment
To help Sven’s team along at the World Cup Snap-on Equipment has launched a competition to win two VIP tickets to England’s opening game against Paraguay on June 10th. The location couldn’t be better as the game is being played in Frankfurt, which is only a few kilometres north of Hofmann’s head office in Pfungstadt. The package will include hotel accommodation, transport to the stadium, hospitality suite, plus a commemorative gift.
Continue ReadingNew Dunlop Commercial Tyres Expand US Product Offering
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the addition of new Dunlop tyres to its offering, aimed at filling out its commercial tyre line. The company is rolling out new tyres and sizes in mixed-service to go along with its full line of Dunlop line-haul, regional and urban tyres. Mixed-service tyres, which can be used on- and off-road, feature severe-service tread compounds and improved belt packages for improved resistance to cutting, chipping and tearing when the tyre leaves the roadway. The tyres open lug design provides countless tread edges for grip, and yet, tyre technology is used to deliver ride comfort and quietness on the road, company officials said.
Continue ReadingNew Sales Record for Mazda UK
Mazda UK achieved record sales in March of 10,100 vehicles. The sales success comes on the back of the new Mazda MX-5, the new Mazda5, Mazda6 and continued enthusiasm for the Mazda RX-8. The March sales figures also give Mazda a new record for the first quarter of 2006 with total sales of 15,994 vehicles for the period. This contrasts with Mazda sales in 2001 when the Japanese marque sold just 15,800 for the full year.
Continue ReadingWennemer Says More Acquisitions On the Cards
Continental has recently purchased the Automotive Electronic business of Motorola and, say analysts, this deal looks reasonable. The acquisition price is only 60 per cent of sales (in line which the acquisition price of Temic five years ago), and only 10 per cent of Continental, which makes it easier to absorb and integrate.
Continue ReadingFalken Becomes the Latest to Increase Prices
(Akron/Tire Review) In the USA, Falken Tire Corp. announced a limited price increase, effective May 1. The increase will impact select sizes of Falken’s S/TZ04 and Ziex 60- and 65-series tyres.
Continue ReadingJapanese Tyre Output Up in February
Tyre output in Japan rose 0.3 per cent year on year in February for the first time in three months, with domestic demand rising 0.5 per cent. Export volumes declined 5.2 per cent YoY in February (which fell for the first time in 20 months in January). Analysts attribute the decline to three main factors; firstly, unusual demand for studless tires, which they believe has led makers to divert output to domestic demand, and which they also believe has now run its course.
Continue ReadingUS Tyre Efficiency Study Results Due
In the USA the results of the National Academy of Sciences National Tire Efficiency Study that began at the end of 2004 are due to be released this week.
Continue ReadingStormy Outlook for Tyre Manufacturers – Business Week
The outlook for global tyre manufacturers looks like being a bumpy ride, says Business Week. With the global tyre business worth an estimated US$70 billion, the major players are facing pressure from increased raw material prices and the growing burden of employee benefit costs.
Continue ReadingKumho Vietnamese Plant – Latest
It seems that the announcement by Kumho that it is to spend US$155 million on building a factory at Binh Duong in Vietnam (30th April) is only part of the whole story.
Continue ReadingPirelli Announces US Price Increases in May
Due to the continuing rise in prices of raw materials, Pirelli Tire North America has announced that it is increasing passenger and light truck tyre prices by 3%. The price increase will be effective May 1, 2006, and will cover all product lines in the US and Canada.
Continue ReadingHi-Q Bids Farewell to Jack Blacklock
National car care operator, Hi-Q has said farewell to its founder, Jack Blacklock, who sadly passed away recently. Jack, who was 87, founded Tyre Services in 1949, starting the company from premises in Denton Holme, Carlisle. He leaves behind a daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter.
Continue ReadingCooper to Develop Tyres for Chinese Market
At a special Pit Stop China press conference running alongside the A1 Grand Prix in Shanghai at the weekend, Cooper Tire announced that the Cooper brand would shortly be available for the Chinese market. Cooper is the official tyre for the A1 series.
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