Infinity Tyres supports SAATHI initiative
Infinity Tyres was the first supporter this year of the SAATHI social advocacy initiative, which strives to achieve “a better quality of living for individuals with special needs.” In line with Infinity’s mission to give back to the community, the company reports that it is finding “unique ways to make a difference in our local communities.”
Continue ReadingMichelin X-Ice North “pleases” teams in WRC comeback
Michelin has returned to the World Rally Championship in Sweden, providing its X-Ice North tyre to Mikko Hirvonen, who produced what Michelin termed: “a practically mistake-free performance to claim a fine win for Ford Abu Dhabi WRT and the brand new Fiesta RS WRC”. The manufacturer was pleased with the tyre’s performance in challenging, varied conditions: Falling snow greeted the early stages, while on others portions of gravel gradually became exposed as the cars cut through the icy coating. Michelin said the tyres “were still equipped with practically all their [384] studs at the ends of the long looping stages”. Current WRC regulations only permit manufacturers to run one type of tyre per rally.
Continue ReadingTyres & Accessories February 2011
February's Tyres & Accessories is now available to read online in our modern e-paper format. The February edition focusses on TPMS and Wheel Alignment as well as all the features we publish each month. Subscribers can browse the latest issue by clicking "more" below.
Continue ReadingChennai tyre shop looks to the future with TAC-Scan technology
Remember the TAC-Scan technology RL Automotive and Tire Profiles Inc launched at SEMA 2008? (see related links below) T&A mentioned at the time that a machine capable of predicting tyre wear sounds like science fiction. But what was first put to use in top-flight motorsport applications such as Formula One, has now landed in tyre retail in India it may surprise you to learn that some of the most discerning technicians in the tyre business are already using prototypes based on exactly the same technology.
Continue ReadingAvon confirmed as Chevron GR8 Championship tyre supplier
Avon Tyres will supply race tyres to the Chevron GR8 Championship, the brand has announced. The championship is a one-make series featuring 260bhp cars built by the Cheshire-based sportscar manufacturer. Helen Bashford-Malkie, managing director of Chevron Racing Cars, said: “We chose Avon because they offered the best combination of performance and value, which is what our competitors are looking for from both Chevron and our suppliers.
Continue ReadingTitan to raise US aftermarket farm, construction tyre prices
Titan Tire, the US subsidiary of Titan International, has announced that it will increase its aftermarket prices for its Titan and Goodyear branded farm and construction tyres from 1 April. On the back of raw materials, energy and transportation costs tyre prices will increase by up to 8 per cent, though Titan also stated that “certain tyres’ prices may rise in excess of 8 per cent due to realignment and positioning of the product.” The rise will affect tyres shipped on or after the date of the increase.
Continue ReadingDmack Tyres celebrates PWRC victory in World Rally debut
The first round of the 2011 World Rally Championship has yielded a win in the production car category (PWRC) for Dmack Tyres at its debut event. Czech driver Martin Semerad used the brand’s DMG-ICE tyre to seal what Dmack describes as “a dream start” in Sweden. In the S2000 category Martin Prokop also secured second place on Dmack rubber. Dmack is lined up beside global tyre giant Michelin as the only two tyre manufacturers authorised to supply rubber to WRC competitors.
Continue ReadingValeo appoints former Michelin press director de Brebisson
Fabienne de Brebisson, press relations director for the Michelin group since 2001, has taken on a new position with automotive components and systems manufacturer Valeo. Upon announcing de Brebisson’s appointment as corporate communications vice-president, Valeo group CEO Jacques Aschenbroich declared "I am pleased to welcome Fabienne de Brebisson to Valeo. Her rich professional experience and her knowledge of communications within major corporations will enable her to develop an ambitious communications project aimed at reinforcing Valeo's image both internally and externally, in line with the Group's strategy.”
Continue ReadingStarco gains exclusive European distribution of Buco range
Denmark’s Starco has announced the formation of a joint venture with Buco S.A., a family-owned company located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buco specialises in the development of rubber parts for agricultural machinery, and under the joint venture’s terms the Starco Group receives exclusive European distribution rights for the entire Buco product range - including a comprehensive range of semi-pneumatic tyres and wheels, corrugated hoses and telescopic tubes for seed drills. Starco Europe group marketing manager Brian Lorentzen states that with the joint venture both companies will “benefit from their combined product expertise and market knowledge, all of which supports a strategy of expanding further into the agricultural segment in Europe.”
Continue ReadingJP Morgan increases Goodyear 2012 EPS, drops 2011 figure
Analysts at JP Morgan have increased their estimates for Goodyear Tire & Rubber's 2012 earning per share (EPS) and reduced 2011’s figure – mainly due to the impact of raw material prices. To reflect the impact of higher natural rubber prices, JP Morgan lowered its 2011 earnings per share projection to $0.50. However, 2012 has been revised up to $2.25. The estimates assume global volume growth of 4 per cent in 2011 and 2012 and a $374 million negative price/mix against raw material costs spread out in 2011.
Continue ReadingTGI continues expanding its global presence
The maxim “location, location, location” is often quoted in relation to real estate, however it can equally apply to the success of a business. One company aware of this is Tire Group International, Inc. The Miami, Florida based wholesaler is active throughout the world, yet its location gives it particular strength in the Latin America and Caribbean regions. In recent times TGI has increased its focus on developing this geographic advantage to its full potential.
Continue ReadingBosch promotes Car Service network in national press
Bosch has announced plans to step up advertising for its Car Service network. The new campaign will see Bosch Car Service target many of the national papers over February and March this year. Publications will include the Sunday Telegraph, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, The Times and The Guardian, and also motoring magazine, What Car?
Continue ReadingNissan builds battery plant
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has begun construction of a state-of-the-art, advanced lithium-ion battery plant in Cacia, Portugal to support the rollout of electric vehicles from the Renault-Nissan Alliance in Europe, reports the headlineauto website. The battery plant is being built on a 30,450 sq. m. plot of land belonging to the Renault CACIA gearbox assembly plant following an investment of 156 million euros. The facility will start operations in December 2012 and will have a total capacity of 50,000 units a year. About 200 jobs are expected to be created by the new plant.
Continue ReadingFederal Tires’ prices to go up from 1 March
Federal Tires has announced that it is raising prices the prices of its passenger car and light truck tyres by up to 12 per cent with “in-line adjustments for all onward orders and remaining back orders.” According to a statement issued 14 February, the price increases take effect on 1 March 2011. The company said all customers will be included in the increase and the percentage increase will vary by product line and continents “contingent upon the overall market conditions.”
Continue ReadingToyo issues safety recall in the US
A safety recall covering a number of Toyo and Nitto brand products has been announced by Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. The tyre maker says approximately 4,891 tyres are subject to this recall, of which approximately 588 were produced using a rubber chemical mixture that does not meet the company's specification. “As a consequence, sections of the tread may become detached, potentially causing loss of vehicle control and a crash, which could result in death or injury,” Toyo states in a press release.
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