Tag: featured
US puts 10% import tariffs on all Chinese tyres
The Trump administration upped the ante once again in the ongoing trade war between the USA and China on 18 September with the introduction of tariffs on all US$200 billion of imports including basically all categories of tyres, retreads and inner tubes. At President Trump’s direction the additional tariffs will initially be set at 10 per cent and will take effect on 24 September 2018. However, as of 1 January 2019, the level of additional tariffs will increase to 25 per cent.
RH Claydon buys Unity Tyre stock and assets
East of England-based tyre wholesaler RH Claydon has expanded its business with the acquisition of agricultural, industrial and specialist tyre wholesaler Unity Tyre.
All-season tyres? Test recommends it pays to think big
Tyre testers have labelled all-season tyres a ‘compromise’ purchase in past years for their inability to deliver the performance of both summer and winter tyres whenever the weather snaps its fingers and demands this. In its evaluation of the current generation of all-season rubber, Germany’s auto motor und sport harbours no illusions that such a compromise still exists. It wanted to know, however, whether the compromise can be effectively reduced through considered choice of product – the answer, the publication shares, is that it can.
Tyre wear particles – minor problem for the industry or potential ‘tyregate’?
The UK government identifies tyres as potentially responsible for up to ten per cent of the microplastics in the world’s oceans, and some research conducted abroad suggests this proportion could be much higher. A study from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicates that 28.3 per cent of all primary microplastics may come from tyre/road wear (this figure rises to 46.2 per cent when the IUCN includes both natural and synthetic rubber in its scenario), and earlier this year a marine biologist from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research singled out tyres as a “major influence” upon the presence of microplastics in our oceans. Taking such research at face value, it is feasible that the ‘dieselgate’ scandal could be followed at some stage by ‘tyregate’. Yet the tyre industry asserts that tyre/road wear isn’t the environmental and health risk some claim it to be. Continental’s Nikolai Setzer recently discussed this side of the argument.
Michelin: Restructuring, layoffs a possibility for Dundee tyre plant
It isn’t just retreaders who have suffered at the hands of cheap tyres imported from the Far East. In a statement issued today, Michelin confirms that its plant in Dundee “continues to face extremely challenging trading conditions, primarily due to the influx of cheap tyres from Asia and falling demand for premium tyres in smaller dimensions.”
Bridgestone buys ETB, Britannia Tyres
Bridgestone has bought all the shares of ETB. ETB – otherwise known as Exhaust Tyres Batteries and Britannia Tyres – runs 32 different locations, with 265 employees assisting more than 10,000 customers a month. The news follows the sale of Bridgestone’s Kingsway tyre retail business in the East England to Lodge Tyre in September 2017. More widely, Bridgestone has been behind a series of high-profile tyre retail acquisitions across the major European tyre markets. Both ETB and Britannia Tyres will continue operating under their current identities and with their current team, with founder Charles Ivill continuing to direct operations from the ETB company headquarters in Worcester.
Falken adds Wildpeak M/T to its European off-road range
Falken Tyre has recently expanded its off-road offering with the new Wildpeak M/T model. First shown in May at Tire Cologne in Cologne, Germany, the new tyre is designed for 4x4 and SUV use with the ability to cope with the toughest off-road conditions.
Pirelli launches Scorpion All Terrain Plus
Pirelli has added the All Terrain Plus to its Scorpion SUV/4x4 tyre line. The Scorpion All Terrain Plus takes the overall performance of its predecessor up a level thanks to the new aggressive block tread pattern, offering better traction on grass and mud.
Hankook throws its hat into the Formula 1 ring
It’s official: Hankook Tire has submitted a tender for Formula 1 tyre supply between 2020 and 2023. In response to questions from within our publishing group, Felix Kinzer, director of corporate communications at Hankook Tire Europe, confirmed that the company submitted an application prior to the 31 August deadline.
Budget truck tyres still gaining on premium, despite import tariffs
2018 has been an important year for the European and UK truck tyre markets. With anti Chinese-produced truck tyre tariffs having been introduced in May, some sources – especially those focusing on retreading – are already reporting a positive uptick in demand as a result of reduced numbers of Chinese-produced tyres. But how does this translate into the new tyre market? Here Tyres & Accessories considers the latest data from market research specialists GfK, with a particular focus on the UK new truck tyre replacement market.
Bridgestone appoints Ulf Harring as chief operating officer EMEA
Bridgestone has appointed Ulf Harring as its chief operating officer (COO) for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, effective 1 September. Harring will be responsible for manufacturing, logistics and supply chain management, procurement, quality, environment, health and safety (QESH) and IT.
‘Double Nexen’ returns to Tyrepress.com top-20 ranking
South Korean tyre maker Nexen Tire has established itself as a serious player in Europe and around the world, however after entering the top 20 of the Tyrepess.com global ‘largest companies’ list in 2016 at 19th place – an achievement driven by turnover growth over a number of years – it found itself again on the wrong side of this divider in 2017. But it will very likely return to the top 20 next time round.
Aiming for market leadership: Apollo investing a further £610 million in India
With the ramp-up of its plant in Hungary, Apollo Tyres Ltd. is growing in Europe. The company also has ambitious plans in its home market of India – it aims to become the country’s leading tyre maker, and is investing to do so. Total investments over the period between 2015 and 2021 approach £900 million.
Pirelli joins UN Road Safety Trust Fund
Pirelli has become the first tyre company to join the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund, pledging a contribution of US$600,000 (2018-2019) to help the fund in its global road safety efforts. At the same time, the company’s chief sustainability and risk governance officer, Filippo Bettini, was nominated to a seat on the fund’s Advisory Board.
WLTP impacting tyre markets
Introduction of the new vehicle emissions and fuel consumption test protocol, the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is already having an impact on what wheels and tyres are available in the market. Of course, the size of vehicle wheels and consequently tyres is hugely influential in vehicle carbon dioxide (CO2) and fuel consumption (miles per gallon – MPG) performance and in recent years there has been a trend by motor manufacturers to fit larger wheels to vehicles, including even larger rim sizes as options.
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