Should You Repair Run-Flats?
Surveying the current state of the run-flat aftermarket reveals that there is a fair amount of discontent amongst dealers when it comes to so-called “fail-safe” tyre technology. As you would expect, retailers are interested in the financial benefits, but are not so keen on the short supply and customer satisfaction issues some have faced. One of the lingering problems in this respect, is the question of whether or not to repair run-flats. For some dealers it all comes down to a question of customer service. One business told T&A recently: “A customer got a flat run-flat on his BMW. When we told him that he had to fork out £200 to replace a two-week old tyre, he was not impressed.”
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Invests In Truck and Bus Radial Manufacture
Apollo Tyres is to invest 400 million rupees in truck and bus radial production at the company’s Limba plant. Apollo’s announcement follows the news in October 2005 that Michelin had bought Apollo Tyres’ stake in the two companies’ joint venture. At the time Michelin cited the “slower than projected pace” of radialisation as its reason for the move.
Continue ReadingTurning Tyres Into Promotional Products
Much has been said about the difficulties of disposing of scrap tyres, both environmentally and financially, but Enviro Products UK, based in Preston, is turning them into business gifts and promotional products. The range available includes pens, mouse mats, coasters and notebooks and they can be printed with your company details, making them ideal as give-aways for events such as exhibitions.
Continue ReadingFar From Running-Flat
So far the growth of run-flat tyre sales has been almost exclusively through OE business. As the replacement market becomes more and more visible, Tyres & Accessories to took the opportunity to ask Goodyear Dunlop UK MD, Dick Johnson; Michelin’s Technology Centre Europe director, Bernard Delmas; and Bridgestone UK marketing manager, Andy Lane, for a deeper insight in the development of the run-flat aftermarket. Last month Bridgestone announced that it had shipped its three-millionth run-flat tyre in total. At the same time the UK wing of the multi-national manufacturer said its run-flat sales boomed in 2005. While 3 million run-flats may sound like a lot of tyres, speaking to other manufacturers puts the Japanese company’s figures into context. Bernard Delmas, director of Michelin’s Technology Centre Europe, described the segment as a “fledgling market” which equated to 1 per cent of 300 million, in terms of the total European OE market.
Continue ReadingDinan Tuner Cars to Ride on Advan Neova Tyres
(Akron/Tire Review) Yokohama Tire Corp.’s Advan Neova tyre brand has been named the exclusive tyre for Dinan’s modified BMWs and Minis. Dinan, which featured Advan Neova tyres on its cars at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, will offer Advan tyres exclusively, according to Yokohama. More than 130 Dinan-authorised BMW/MINI Performance Centres will offer the tyres.
Continue ReadingTecalemit Increases MOT & ATL Brake Tester Range
Tecalemit Garage Equipment continues to increase its range of MOT & ATL Brake testers. The latest additions to the range are the split bed Class IV MOT brake testers DE 9425 and DE 9426 and Class IV ATL brake testers DE 9425/WT and DE 9426/WT with axle weighing facility. “We have developed these new machines as a direct response to enquiries from existing Tecalemit customers,” said James Devonport Tecalemit managing director, “We have thousands of brake testers in service around the country many of them approaching the end of their design life, in fact a significant number over 30 years old. The DE 9425 is designed as a direct replacement for our early Kismet KBT 1300 and later DE 7200 models. If the original civil works are done correctly then the new models drop straight into the existing foundation work.”
Continue ReadingRecycling Plant Planned in Bahrain
A new tyre recycling factory could be soon opened in the so-called scrapyard area of Bahrain. An investor has applied for permission to rent premises in the area for the project, said Southern Municipality acting director-general Asem Abdullatif. The investor has reportedly received all the necessary environmental permissions already. “The municipality is planning to give him the go ahead after (the Islamic festival) Eid to start his project,” said Abdullatif, the municipalitys technical director. Abdullatif said that the municipality would work hard to raise awareness about the importance of getting rid of tyres without burning them. The factory will be built on a two-year, renewable lease, TradeArabia reported.
Continue ReadingModular Wheels Launches Three-Piece Forged Style Wheels
Florida-based Modular Wheels has launched its new 2006 line of three-piece forged style wheels for Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes & BMW vehicles. According to the company, the new line cuts customer’s costs for high-end vehicle wheels by up to 75 per cent without sacrificing quality, performance or style.
Continue ReadingLexani, Nexen and Zisser Tire Jointly to Market New UHP Brand
Lexani Wheel Corp has moved into the tyre business, collaborating with South Korean manufacturer Nexen and distributor Zisser Tire. The ceremonial signing of the collaboration took place 20 January 2006 in Irvine, California. Zisser will market the tyres exclusively, worldwide.
Continue Reading‘Intelligent’ Theme for Marangoni Marketing
The latest marketing campaign for Marangoni tyres rivals those of front line manufacturers, says Group Tyre (UK), distributor of the brand. A series of teaser adverts have appeared under the headline ‘are you intelligent?’ featuring stereotypically intelligent professionals such as a lawyer, doctor, astronaut, inventor and scientist. These teasers appear as a tease and reveal combo, with the final, reveal ad; ‘The Intelligent Tyre Retailer’ who recommends Marangoni, because of the tyre’s performance.
Continue ReadingStoecken Passenger Car Production Reprieved
Continental AG has reached an agreement with unions to hold-off job cuts for a year, and therefore continue passenger car tyre production at its Hanover-Stoecken plant. The management had originally said it would cut 320 positions, 10 per cent of the Stoecken plant’s workforce, and halt passenger car tyre production by the end of 2006. Now the company reports that it will cut jobs between 1 January and 31 December 2007.
Continue ReadingIsrael Announces New Tyre Recycling Legislation
Israel’s Knesset has approved the first reading of new legislation designed to curb the amount of waste tyres and the spread of dengue fever. Israel produces two million waste tyres each year and, according to Environment Ministry data, doesn’t yet have any recycling plants.
Continue ReadingContinental Aims to Complete Chinese Plant Plans by Q2
Continental AG representatives say they are aiming to finalise plans for a 300 million euro investment in a tyre plant in China by the second quarter of this year. Speaking at a news conference marking the official opening of the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai, the executives said that Continental expects to double Asian sales within five years for its automotive systems division.
Continue ReadingMichelin Expected to Announce Operating Margin of 8.7 per cent
Michelin is expected to record a “stable” operating margin for 2005 when it announces its full-year results on 14 February. The price rises implemented by the tyre manufacturer have reportedly made it possible to compensate for high raw material prices. A consensus of the estimates of 15 analysts, suggests that the company will publish a 2005 operating margin of 8.7 per cent, according to Reuters.
Continue ReadingTyres Stolen from Pirelli Delivery
On 16 Friday December 2005 12 Pzero Nero M&S tyres went missing from a transport vehicle destined for Gothenburg. The 225/50R17 94V PZero Nero, M&S tyres were loaded at Pirelli, Burton-on-Trent but failed to arrive at their destination.
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