Euromaster: pan-European cold weather tyre demand reaches “all time high”
It was widely predicted that the winter, or cold weather tyre market would experience growth in Europe this winter; indeed, the question turned from whether there would be growth to how much of a leap this winter would see. The Euromaster Group has now announced that demand for cold weather tyres across Europe saw volumes reach an all-time high. Its sales alone of the high-grip seasonal car and van fitments exceeded 1.5 million units for the first time, rising by 20 per cent from 1.4 million in 2009 to 1.68 million in 2010. In the UK, volumes sold by ATS Euromaster have risen over the past two winters by 955 per cent.
Continue ReadingApril launch for Yokohama BluEarth in Europe
Yokohama Rubber says its preparations for the 2010 European tyre label are to be strengthened through the April release of its BluEarth-1 range, which it says has achieved an ‘A’ grade rating – the highest possible – for fuel economy under the upcoming label’s expected classification system. The BluEarth-1 is the first of a series of BluEarth products that will be launched in Europe; the product family was first publicly previewed at January’s Tokyo Auto Show, where the top of the line BlueEarth-1 was displayed alongside the premium BluEarth RV-01 minivan tyre and the standard BluEarth AE-01.
Continue ReadingConti reports global growth in winter, OEM sectors
On March 3 Continental AG will hold its annual press conference, at which it will provide detailed information on its performance in 2010, a year in which the automotive supplier says it emerged from the crisis “in impressively good shape.” The company has already reported an increase in annual sales from 20 billion euros in 2009 to “at least” 25.5 billion euros last year, a figure helped by the “positive performance” of the company’s car tyre division.
Continue ReadingTyre Maintenance promotes “green credentials” with RRS
With four locations spanning northern to southern England, Tyre Maintenance Ltd says it has long been “committed to best practice in used tyre recycling”, a fact it intends to publicise in 2011 with TIF Responsible Recycler Scheme branding. Throughout 2011 Tyre Maintenance outlets, vehicles, documentation and letter heading will be progressively branded with the RRS logo and staff will be tutored to understand just what this implies for the customer and for the environment.
Continue ReadingItochu Buys Kwik-Fit for £637 million
Kwik-Fit has reportedly been sold to the Japanese conglomerate that owns Stapleton’s, Itochu Corporation. According to a City AM report, the deal follows the signing of a three digit million pound deal yesterday (1 March 2011). The article suggests Kwik-fit’s former owner, private equity firm PAI Partners” has “cashed out” of its six-year ownership of the chain for “£637 million, which includes net debts of £457 million.” A Kwik-Fit spokesman refused to confirm or deny the reports when Tyres & Accessories asked for confirmation of the news. Either way, the reports suggest the deal is still subject to regulatory approval.
Continue ReadingVredestein launches Europe-wide billboard campaign
The burghers of 37 European cities are the target audience for Vredestein’s largest ever billboard campaign. To coincide with the opening of the Geneva Autosalon, the Dutch brand has taken a total of 10,156 square metres of advertising space in prime locations.
Continue ReadingSailun pleased with Canadian test showing
Sailun has stated its satisfaction after receiving plaudits for its new Sailun Atrezzo Z4+AS high performance tyre in a recent independent tyre testing event in Toronto, Canada. Canadian automotive journalist John Mahler of the Toronto Star put three BMW 3-series through a number of tests on the Mosport facility, utilising the skid pad, an adjacent giant exercise area and a short public road loop. Tyre longevity was not part of the test. The Atrezzo Z4+AS performed particularly well in the ride quality (where it was placed first of six) and noise tests, where it was the equal quietest. The drivers also said they were impressed with the sporty, aggressive-looking tread pattern.
Continue ReadingBenoit Raulin joins Nokian board
Alongside the publication of Finnish Tyre manufacturer Nokian’s 2010 figures, the company announced a new addition to its board of directors. Benoit Raulin previously served as managing director of Bridgestone Deutschland GmbH and was appointed vice president Finance & Procurement at Bridgestone Europe NV/SA on 1 October 2010.
Continue ReadingNTDA and ECI reach sponsorship agreement for Brityrex 2012
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) is to sponsor the next staging of Brityrex International in 2012 after reaching an agreement with the show’s organisers, ECI International. The association has been a long-term supporter of the UK’s only dedicated tyre and workshop equipment trade show and believes it plays an important part in the industry’s business calendar.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster to distribute Primewell commercial vehicle tyres
ATS Euromaster is to supply the Giti Tire manufactured Primewell brand of truck. Primewell tyres are already sold in Asia, North America, South America and mainland Europe. Giti Tire is reportedly the fourth largest radial truck tyre manufacturer in the world. Richard Lyons, Giti sales director - Europe, said: "We were looking for a large national company whose values reflected our own focus on quality, innovation and the environment, and ATS Euromaster ticked every box. Fleets of all sizes are using Primewell tyres around the world and have commented on the difference they are making to costs and performance levels. We have every faith that our partnership with ATS Euromaster will help us swiftly establish a similar reputation in the UK commercial vehicle sector."
Continue ReadingHiQ praises Responsible Recycler Scheme as “success for self-policing”
Launched by the Tyre Industry Council in 1999 with support from manufacturers through the BTMA and ITMA, the TIF Responsible Recycler Scheme has recently come in for some praise from franchise-based retailer HiQ. The fast-fit network says the scheme, which it has adopted as the recycling policy for old tyres across its 150 centres, is now “a great guide to responsible disposers who share HiQ’s desire to protect the environment”. HiQ commercial manager Farrell Dolan said the industry should be congratulated for its recycling efforts, in spite of consumers’ negative perceptions surrounding fast fitters’ recycling policies that HiQ says continue to persist in spite of the RRS’s eminence.
Continue Reading‘Green’ Vredestein Quatrac Lite launched
A new addition to Vredestein’s Quatrac all-season family, first established in 2007 with the Quatrac 3, is scheduled for release at the Geneva International Motor Show. This new product, the Quatrac Lite, is described by Apollo Vredestein as being “revolutionary” and the “first ‘green’ all-season tyre.” In announcing its imminent launch the tyre maker says the Quatrac Lite “meets all the environmental regulations due to be implemented across the European Union in 2012, and is focused on fuel efficiency.” Apollo Vredestein further comments that the new range “meets the premium quality and safety standards for which Vredestein is renowned.”
Continue ReadingGiti Tire USA clarifies financial figures
Following the publication of Giti subsidiary Giti Tire Company’s full year 2010 figures, Tom McNamara, vice president of sales for Giti Tire USA, has brought clarification to what these mean in the context of wider business. According to McNamara, Giti Tire Corporation stated in its 2010 annual report that it had made timely price adjustments following the industry price movement in an effort to mitigate the increase in raw material prices and the effect of fluctuating exchange rates. Some published reports incorrectly attributed the decrease in net profit to not raising selling prices in 2010.
Continue ReadingMichelin offers “Promise Plan” to NA motorists
Michelin North America has launched a new initiative for passenger car and light truck drivers in the United States and Canada today, in which every set of Michelin tyres bought will be registered with the Michelin Promise Plan. The plan promises a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, three-year assistance with changing flats tyres and mileage warranties.
Continue ReadingMaxxis renews bike motorsport commitments
Maxxis International’s involvement in motorcycle motorsport continues in 2011 with a renewal of its association with two factory teams. The company will continue as headline sponsor of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship until the end of the 2013 season and has renewed its partnership with Lincolnshire-based Maxxis Henderson LPE Kawasaki. The team, says Maxxis International, is going from strength to strength with rising Estonian MX1 star Gert Krestinov signing up for his second season in the UK as part of the Official Kawasaki Motors UK motocross team.
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