Tag: featured
Yokohama ends Chelsea shirt sponsorship
While Yokohama has ended its Chelsea shirt sponsorship after “five very successful years”, the Japanese tyre manufacturer will continue its relationship with the premiership team as Official Global Tyre Partner.
2019 UK car tyre stagnation, but strong all-season and SUV tyre growth
The combination of political disruption and Brexit uncertainty made 2019 a tough year for the UK economy in general, so it is not surprising to learn that this was reflected in the overall passenger car tyre replacement market. According to the latest sell-out UK tyre replacement market data collated by analysts at GfK, the headline news is that both the value and the volume of the decreased in 2019. But there are reasons for hope, with signs of growth remaining in the value-rich SUV tyre sub-segment and with evidence of strong growth in sales of all-season tyres.
ETRMA reports weaker tyre sales in 2019
Sales of tyres produced by European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) members decreased year-on-year in almost every product category during 2019. The ETRMA describes the market last year as “weak”, and this is particularly the case for the original equipment segments.
Goodyear buys two VI-grade driving simulators for tyre development
Goodyear has purchased new VI-grade driving simulators, including a dynamic model, to enhance its product development. The tyre manufacturer has selected a Compact Simulator recently delivered to the company’s innovation centre in Luxembourg and a Dynamic Driving Simulator DiM250 (Driver-in-Motion) to be installed in Akron, Ohio, in the coming months.
Michelin installs Ansible Motion compact driving simulator to assist tyre R&D
Michelin is installing a new Ansible Motion Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator at its North America Research & Development centre in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. The Theta C simulator offers virtual test driving and evaluation of tyre-road-vehicle interactions in advance and in parallel with physical testing, with detailed simulation environments. Michelin is the first company to take delivery of the Theta C simulator since the product was formally launched.
Rainer Binder resigns as Delticom chairman
Online tyre and wheel distributor Delticom announced yesterday that Rainer Binder, the company’s co-founder and indirect major shareholder, intends to resign as chairman and member of the Delticom Supervisory Board. Binder is reportedly relinquishing this role for “personal reasons” and his resignation takes effect from 29 February.
Yokohama unveils Harper Adams partnership at Autosport 2020
Yokohama has marked its 30th Autosport International show with a number of new partnerships in motorsport. In rallying, the tyre manufacturer has extended its support for grass roots and developing drivers in a new partnership with Harper Adams Motorsport Team.
Bridgestone Enliten tyre technology a sign of commitment to CASE future
The world’s largest tyre manufacturer has outlined how its latest technologies and partnerships with leading car manufacturers are to help it increase sustainability in 2020. Bridgestone states that its car manufacturer partners sought its expertise on various partnerships throughout 2019, including ground-breaking CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric) projects, and the performance benefits of new tyre technologies, such as its Enliten technology, which it plans to extend to an increasing number of tyres this year. Bridgestone said these partnerships led to approximately 100 new original fitments in the EMEA region, similar to its 'best-ever' 2018 OE results, spread across more than 50 different models from 14 manufacturers. The tyre manufacturer’s 18” diameter or greater OEM fitments have increased by over 10 per cent since 2018, it added.
UK car registrations fall to 2013 levels
The UK new car market declined in 2019, with annual registrations falling for the third consecutive year. According to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 2,311,140 units were registered in 2019, representing a -2.4 per cent decline. The market fell -6.8 per cent in 2018 and -5.7 per cent in 2017. This means the 2019 market is the lowest since 2013 when 2,264,737 were registered (see diagram). Representatives from industry associations and market analysts said the turbulent market reacted to weak business and consumer confidence, general political and economic instability and confusion over clean air zones.
Ssangyong Motorsport fits Yokohama Geolandar on 2020 Dakar Rally
Yokohama’s Geolandar M/T G003 tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks will be fitted to the Korando DKR driven by Oscar Fuertes Aldanondo and Diego Vallejo for Ssangyong Motorsport/Sodicars Racing on the 2020 Dakar Rally (5-17 January). The same car and drivers came in third in the T1.3 petrol 2-wheel drive class in the January 2019 event, and will take on competition in the same class this year.
Dave Thorpe opts for ‘amazing’ Bridgestone tyres
Bridgestone’s position within the motocross tyre segment has been strengthened by its selection by Britain’s most decorated rider of all time, who labelled the range as “amazing”. In what Bridgestone describes as a “huge breakthrough”, the brand will be fitted to all bikes at Dave Thorpe’s Honda Off-Road Centre as well as to each bike at his Honda Adventure Centre.
Pirelli: WRC tyre supply confirms “leadership in world motorsport”
The era of Michelin tyres dominating the World Rally Championship (WRC) is drawing to a close. The FIA has chosen Pirelli as sole tyre supplier for the WRC from 2021 to 2024. With its selection, Pirelli sees itself at “the top of motorsport” thanks to its exclusive tyre supply to both the leading rally and single seater racing championships. “These successful campaigns confirm Pirelli’s leadership in world motorsport,” comments the tyre maker.
Goodyear official WTCR tyre supplier from 2020
As of next season, Goodyear will take over from Yokohama as official tyre supplier to the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup. Following an official FIA tender, Goodyear will partner with the series for the three years covering the 2020-2022 seasons.
WhatTyre to exhibit at Autosport International
The tyre comparison website WhatTyre.com will make its exhibition debut at Autosport International, from 9-12 January (Stand 3530, Birmingham NEC). Over the four show days, the site, which is operated by the same publisher as Tyrepress, will present its tyre comparison engine, which ranks more than 100,000 tyres using a unique TyreScore algorithm. WhatTyre will also host TyreSafe, which will assist with the site’s central message that high-quality new tyres are an excellent investment for motorists.
Private equity firm makes “significant minority investment” in Nexion
Private equity firm One Equity Partners (OEP) reports making a “significant minority investment” in Italian workshop machinery and automotive solutions company Nexion S.p.A. Financial terms of the private transaction have not been disclosed.