Product Flexibility
In 2005 Michelin, Europe’s leading agricultural tyre supplier, focused its efforts on promoting its Xeobib and CargoXbib product lines. At the same time the global manufacturer launched the Exelagri dealer scheme as a way of strengthening its relationship with dealers on local and regional levels.
Continue ReadingASA Announces TireMax Link to BibTread System
(Akron/Tire Review) ASA Tire Systems is now offering a new interface to Michelin’s BibTread system, which will reportedly allow independent tyre dealers to transfer retread information electronically from the Michelin BibTread software to ASA’s TireMax accounting and point of sale software.
Continue ReadingAlliance Updates Product Line-up
Israeli agricultural tyre manufacturer, Alliance Tire Company Ltd has released a series of size and load index updates to its existing product range. The most recent development has been within Alliance’s forestry portfolio. Here the manufacturer has increased the load index of its 331 Forest (710/40 22.5) tyre. Designed for the front and rear tyres of modern forestry harvesters and other similar machinery, the 331 Forest is now available with 16PR, 152A8 and 159A2 load indexes.
Continue ReadingPirelli North America Develops at ‘Record’ Pace
According to the Italian manufacturer, Pirelli’s 2006 price book reveals an impressive 61 new sizes added to the range marketed just 12 months ago. These numbers don’t refer to new products in existing sizes (there are a further 65 new product items) but completely new sizes designed from scratch - 28 for passenger cars and a further 33 for light truck.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein to Sell Amtel-Carbon Subsidiary
(Akron/Tire Review) Amtel-Vredestein NV has completed an agreement to sell its Volgograd-based subsidiary, Amtel-Carbon, for $21 million, according to Russian and European news reports. Amtel-Carbon primarily produces carbon black used in tyre production. The buyer’s name was not disclosed, but the decision was described as part of the manufacturer’s strategy to focus on tyres for premium and mid-range vehicle segments.
Continue ReadingConti Markets Real-World Performance With a Touch of Fantasy
Building on the success of the ContiRoad Attack, Continental has rolled out a new advertising and marketing campaign to promote its new “Uber Sport” radial the ContiSport Attack. The new Attack campaign uses a new approach for Conti, with three distinctive characters, the Warrior Conti Girl and two Road Guards.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Announces Price Increase
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear has announced a price increase of up to 6% on all consumer, commercial and OTR brands, effective 1 January 2006. Rising raw material, energy and transportation costs were cited as reasons for the increase.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Leave Formula One After 2006
Michelin is to end its Formula One involvement after the 2006 season, the French manufacturer has reported. Explaining its decision, Michelin said it would not supply a single supplier Formula 1 series and was not happy with F1’s new direction, but did not rule out rejoining the series, if the rules were modified. For many motorsport observers this is a somewhat understated way of describing the rift that has emerged between the manufacturer and the sport’s governing bodies. The manufacturer also complained of “constant changes to racing regulations without warning.” Following a disastrous US Grand Prix, and public disagreements with the FIA chief, Max Mosely, Michelin have obvious decided to leave the Formula 1 circus to the only other act on the scene - Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingDoes Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?
During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.
Continue ReadingIncreased Safety in Cold Weather
Next year will see Continental launch ContiCrossContact Winter, a new 4x4 SUV winter tyre with asymmetrical tread design. Development of this tyre has been focused on safe driving properties on typical winter roads, superb handling in the dry, and a high resistance to aquaplaning. Starting in the autumn of 2006, the ContiCrossContact Winter tyre will gradually replace the company’s well-proven Conti4x4WinterContact.
Continue ReadingCampbell-Ewald Gets Bigger Michelin Slice
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) said it has consolidated its online communications with its other advertising and marketing communications, awarding all of that business to Campbell-Ewald. The agency has had MNA’s passenger tyre advertising account since 2001.
Continue ReadingWicked Wheels Adds Sprinter Fleet
An Essex-based alloy wheels repair business is a polished act when it comes to keeping up appearances and it has just returned to Mercedes-Benz for a new fleet of vans. Wicked Wheels UK, of Toppesfield Road, Great Yeldham, Halstead, started life as a one-man operation with a Mercedes Sprinter van five years ago. As the company has expanded, so its fleet has grown. Today, Wicked Wheels operates more than 40 vehicles across 24 UK locations and has a turnover of nearly £3 million.
Continue ReadingUnion Sets Vote on Titan Contract Offer
(Akron/Tire Review) The Freeport (Illinois) Journal-Standard reported that United Steelworkers (USW) workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Freeport agricultural tyre plant will vote 21 December on a new labour agreement that could pave the way for Titan International to acquire the plant.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Helps Keep Costs Down
With operating costs – particularly fuel prices – constantly rising, operators of vans and light trucks have seen margins sharply diminished. Remaining competitive with no reduction in customer service levels is a constant challenge, whether a small fleet or one or two vehicles, and one in which tyres can play an important part.
Continue ReadingConti, Union Face Off Over Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Tensions in Charlotte, North Carolina, are rising as the head of Continental Tire North America (CTNA) saying the company may close its HQ plant and the United Steelworkers (USW) claiming the tyremaker hasn’t provided information to allow it to “develop a plan to salvage manufacturing at the Charlotte plant.”
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