Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
Reporting market trends for the month of June, Michelin notes that the current shortage of semiconductors strongly dampened recovery within the global automotive industry, which impacted upon sales of original equipment passenger vehicle and light truck tyres.
The Michelin Group has shared details about what chief executive officer Florent Menegaux calls “a very good first half.” In an environment shaped by an enduring health crisis, a robust market recovery was tempered by major disruptions in the global supply chain. In this context, Michelin increased tyre volumes by 22.8 per cent, sales 19.6 per cent year-on-year, and achieved €1,421 million in segment operating income for the period.
Michelin has appointed Dan Lamb passenger transport sales manager for Services & Solutions. Lamb’s promotion to the role comes after 27 years with the company. He reports directly to Andrew French, director of Services & Solutions and will be responsible for the commercial aspects of Michelin’s relationship with key fleets in the public transport sector.
Herve Frederic Richert will step down as chief executive officer of Birla Tyres Limited as of tomorrow. Richert, whose industry experience includes two decades at Michelin and a seven-year stint at Giti Tire, tendered his resignation with the Indian tyre maker on 7 July.
The GreenGT LMPH2G is making make its UK debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The hydrogen-powered MissionH24 endurance race car will contest the hillclimb and be showcased on the Michelin Supercar Paddock stage every day of the four-day event.
Telematics and fleet management services provider Masternaut has launched its new MoveElectric solution. With MoveElectric, the Michelin-owned firm aims to support the management of company fleets as they transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EV).
Transport company Rotala PLC has extended its relationship with the Michelin Services and Solutions team by signing a further five-year Effitires contract. Michelin considered the renewal a sign of Rotalla’s “continued confidence in the product” as well as a “shared focus on sustainable transport.”
Michelin has begun the rollout of a new winter truck tyre range in Europe. It says the 3PMSF-marked Michelin X Multi Grip delivers an improvement in performance over predecessor tyres the Michelin XFN2 and XDW IceGrip. The tyre maker designed X Multi Grip to “ensure maximum safety and mobility in extreme winter conditions” thanks to outstanding grip on wet, snow- and slush-covered roads.
The chief executive officer of Michelin’s Europe North Region has spoken out against “cheap products from Asia and their dumping prices.” In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Anish K. Taneja, who also serves as the president of the German Rubber Manufacturers Association (wdk), emphasised that tyres such as these are not environmentally sustainable, nor are they sustainable for consumers or for local jobs.
Hankook Tire describes its receipt of a General Motors Supplier of the Year award as an honour. The company is one of 122 suppliers around the world, including five tyre makers, acknowledged for exceptional performance in the 2020 calendar year.
The new Ferrari 296 GTB, launched on 24 June 2021, claims to define what “fun to drive” means. And with the ability to hit 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds in an extremely attractive Ferrari package, you can see their point. But what tyres are transmitting all this acceleration and handling to the road?
Michelin has launched what it calls the “first tyre specifically designed for automatic guided vehicles (AGV) operating in ports.” This is the Michelin X AGVEV, which the tyre maker currently offers in one size – 18.00 R 25 – through its dealer networks in Europe and Asia. Michelin intends to extend availability to other regions at a later date.
While the world is still adjusting to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been no small measure of disruption in the standings of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, according to our latest top 25 table. Six of the top 10 have changed places this time round, with the headline news being that Michelin has regained pole position after several years of having Bridgestone in first place. At the same time, Continental has stepped up into third position, leapfrogging the previous incumbent Goodyear.
Wardle-based Boughey Distribution has specified the fitment of Michelin X Multi Energy tyres to all new vehicles joining its fleet, thus maintaining its policy of 100 per cent Michelin fitment across all axles. Boughey will be taking delivery of 127 new Volvo FH 460 6×2 tractor units with Globetrotter XL cabs over the next two years, all shod with 315/70 R22.5 Michelin X Multi Energy drive tyres.
Ferrari
Andrea Piacquadio; Pexels