Tag: featured
Bigger tyres, less jobs: Goodyear announces bittersweet investment for Germany
Goodyear is investing 106 million euros (£90.6 million) to modernise two of its tyre plants in Germany. The investment in the Hanau and Fulda facilities will increase their capacities to produce tyres for 17-inch and larger rim diameters; Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany intends to add an extra 2.5 million units to its annual capacity in this segment. But it isn’t all good news – the company reports that these modernisation measures will lead to the loss of approximately 1,100 jobs.
DfT transport strategy points to green, electric and connected future
The government has published its future transport strategy. After highlighting mobility trends towards increased take-up of electric vehicles, increased amounts of vehicle connectivity and increased ecological consciousness, the strategy focuses on four “next steps”: Implementing a flexible regulatory framework, Supporting industry and local leaders, Ensuring government decision-making is robust; and continuing established technology-specific plans. In other words its about electric mobility, data connectivity and better environmental performance.
Continental’s Setzer appointed to new Automotive role; Kötz named Tire division head
At a meeting on 14 March, the Supervisory Board of German tyre and automotive systems maker Continental approved the next stage of one of the largest organisational changes in its history. Several new appointments at Executive Board level were announced, including the transfer of Nikolai Setzer to the company’s Automotive Group.
Michelin maintains position as world’s most valuable tyre brand: Brand Finance
Michelin has defended its title as the world’s most valuable tyre brand despite a 9 per cent decrease in brand value to US$7.2 billion, according to the latest report by leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy, Brand Finance.
Nexion acquires Stenhøj Group
Automotive servicing equipment supplier Nexion has acquired a majority shareholding in Denmark’s Stenhøj Group. Nexion acquired 75 per cent of Stenhøj Group, with a 25 per cent share in the company remaining in the hands of the previous owner, the Dyoe family. The deal, completed on 8 March, sees Nexion, already a global leader in the automotive equipment sector with the Corghi, Bright, HPA-Faip, Mondolfo Ferro, SICE, Orlandini, Tecnomotor, and Teco brands, extend its portfolio to the Danish Group’s products and services in the automotive aftermarket range, which include Dunlop, Autop, Sherpa, Molnar, Bradbury, Tecalemit, Gemco, and its eponymous Stenhøj brand. This list illustrates the current period of consolidation in the garage equipment sector; the acquisition comes two years after the formation of the Corwei joint venture with Bright, an important Chinese competitor.
Pirelli previews F1 opener, 2019 Australian grand prix
Pirelli travels to Albert Parks’ “slightly unusual” street circuit for the Formula 1 2019 season curtain-raiser in Melbourne, Australia this weekend. The exclusive tyre supplier nominated its C2, C3, and C4 compounds as the hard, medium, and soft tyres, saying that the track has a more flowing rhythm that also takes in some reasonably quick corners than stop-and-go street circuits, like Monaco or Singapore.
Electromobility: Michelin, Faurecia create hydrogen fuel cell systems JV
In 2017, Michelin stated that hydrogen “ticks all the boxes” for its vision of sustainable mobility. The company’s activities in this area are now moving forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to create a new joint venture that will bring together all of Michelin’s fuel cell related activities, including its subsidiary Symbio, with those of automotive parts manufacturer Faurecia.
Compilator invests in fleet business with Inforoute acquisition
Compilator has acquired Inforoute, a provider of software for fleet servicing companies, such as Truck Tyre Manager Vision and Inspector Link. The company said that the acquisition is part of its continued investment in fleet services for tyre businesses. Adding Inforoute to its business is a means of leading that expansion, Compilator adds, with Inforoute online fleet inspection software to be launched in all Compilator markets across Northern Europe.
Michelin: Acquiring Multistrada will help meet growing tier 2 tyre demand
On Friday, Michelin announced its acquisition of 88 per cent of Indonesian tyre maker PT Multistrada Arah Sarana TBK (Multistrada) for US$480 million. The share purchase was completed in line with the terms announced on 22 January 2019 and after obtaining all necessary approvals. As part of the transaction, Michelin also takes on a 20 per cent stake in the tyre retail and automotive service chain PT Penta Artha Impressi, as well as 50 hectares of land.
Iconic British car brands fit Avon at Geneva Motor Show
Avon Tyres feature on two British car models from David Brown Automotive and Morgan Motor Company at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show (7-17 March 2019).
Updated EU tyre label to include snow and ice grip information
On 4 March 2019 the European Union adopted its negotiating position on the introduction of the next phase of its European Tyre Labelling legislation. In short, the EU is updating its rules in order to add information on snow and ice grip and raise the prominence of labels for consumers. At the same time there are plans to broaden the scope of tyre labelling to include wear/mileage performance once suitable testing methods have been found.
Global SUV boom continues…
The latest global SUV market data shows continued growth around the world. Market analyst Felipe Junoz from Jato Dynamics reports that the shift from traditional cars to SUVs began seven years ago and is still going strong. However, there are also signs that growth slowed during the course of 2018. And what’s more the UK remains a world-leading market.
SUV tyres continue to drive 4×4 tyre sales growth
Sales of SUV tyres continue to drive growth in the UK 4x4 tyre replacement market, with UHP-orientated tyres growing even faster. According to the latest data provided by market analysts GfK, these trends have come while there have been no clear changes in the market’s brand segmentation, which suggests product mix and volume growth must be behind the improvement.
Win for Michelin, 6 ‘exemplary’ tyres in Auto Bild test
As expected, this year’s Auto Bild size 225/45 R17 summer tyre test delivered no nasty surprises. With more than half of the original field of 53 already eliminated in a preliminary round of wet and dry braking tests, the remaining 20 candidates all gave a good account of themselves. Six of their number were even declared ‘exemplary’ tyres.
Government consulting on 10-year-old tyre ban
Following strenuous campaigning from the industry, Tyred and Frances Molloy in particular, the government announced on 26 February that it will consult on “options to ban older tyres from use on buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to help keep road users safe”. The Department for Transport explained that the proposed legislation will make it illegal for these vehicles to run with a tyre aged 10 years or over.