Midas, the tyre fast fit and automotive service network owned by French firm Mobivia, is expanding in Africa through three new partnerships. Mobivia believes this trio of partnerships will potentially result in around a hundred new centres within ten years.
MAN Truck & Bus and Michelin have announced a new training partnership at Hanover’s IAA Transportation show. From January 2023, Michelin will begin a three-year global cooperation with MAN ProfiDrive, the driver training programme from the Munich-based firm. MAN said that Michelin’s commitment to sustainable motoring made the tyre manufacturer a good choice of partner. The programme trains commercial vehicle drivers in the safe operation of safety and assistance systems, fuel-efficient driving, and the use of telematics services, as well as other topics relevant to fleet managers and entrepreneurs in the transport sector.
Through a new partnership agreement with the Siemens technology group, Pyrum Innovations AG anticipates the further promotion, optimisation and scaling of its pyrolysis plants for processing end-of-life tyres (ELT). Pyrum will utilise technology from Siemens’ digitalisation and automation portfolios, with Siemens supporting Pyrum and its customers in the selection of optimal process automation, process analytics, drive and digitalisation technologies, amongst other things.
Bridgestone Mobility Solutions has become and “anchor partner” of Startup Autobahn, a mobility-focused innovation network. Moderated by Silicon Valley global open innovation platform, Plug and Play Tech Center. Startup Autobahn brings together industry-leading companies and startups to identify new ideas and develop cutting-edge technologies in the mobility sector. The Stuttgart-based platform brings together more than 30,000 start-ups and around 30 corporate partners, of which the Bridgestone EMIA data-driven fleet, tyre and mobility solutions business unit is now one. Startup Autobahn provides workshops, events, business development and investment opportunities to facilitate innovative networks in mobility technology.
Singapore-based tyre firm Omni United has commenced a partnership with GFG Style, an Italian automotive design house founded in 2015 upon the design experience of Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro. Under the partnership, GFG takes on the remit of designing Omni’s flagship brand, Radar Tyres. Omni anticipates that GFG’s influence will “take Radar’s product offering to the next level” and enhance the brand’s consumer appeal.
A decade after the first agreement, Pirelli, Milan Polytechnic and Polytechnic Foundation have signed off a three-year continuation of their ‘Joint Labs’ programme, which centres upon research projects that advance tyre-related technological innovation.
Polyphony Digital Inc., developer of the Gran Turismo series for Playstation consoles since 1997, has chosen Brembo as the official technical partner in braking systems for Gran Turismo 7. The new video game will be available for PS4 and PS5 consoles from 4 March 2022.
The latest in our ‘Torque from the Top’ series of interviews with leading tyre industry executives features David Seward, MD of Yokohama’s UK distributor, Yokohama HPT. As you will read later, the company was established in 1988 and Seward has been with the company from the beginning, which must make him one of (if not the) longest-serving MD of any UK-based international tyre company. But first, a brief look at the history of the parent company.
Michelin has partnered with Stratford-upon-Avon deluxe coffee house and motoring destination Caffeine&Machine on the venues first ever dedicated electric vehicle weekend (25-26 September, 2021). The event will focus on electric vehicles and will welcome visitors who want to view the next wave of automotive innovation, regardless of their current motors.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has entered into a strategic relationship with UFODrive, and going forwards will work together with the all-digital, all-electric car rental company to integrate their complementary mobility solutions. The two firms intend to pair Goodyear’s intelligent tyre monitoring system and proactive solutions suite with UFODrive’s eMobility software as a service platform.
Michelin has entered into a partnership with German-based digital road freight forwarder sennder to provide carriers with greater access to the Michelin range of tyres on special terms as well as retreading services. The collaboration will initially focus on Northern Europe and Iberia, with plans to scale it across other European markets throughout 2021.
Synthetic rubber and plastics manufacturer Trinseo has reached definitive agreements with Swiss sustainable tyre recycling specialist Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) on a commercial collaboration and an equity investment in TRS. The transaction is expected to close later this quarter, subject to ordinary closing conditions.
Goodyear will make its debut as a tyre supplier to the European Le Mans Series this weekend. The manufacturer is working alongside top teams in the LMP2 and LMGTE classes at the season-opening 4 Hours of Le Castellet. Goodyear’s latest tyre technology will be fitted to five front-running LMP2 prototypes and every car in the LMGTE field throughout the ELMS season. The brand’s entrance into the series follows last year’s fitments to LMP2 winners in the FIA World Endurance Championship. However the weekend will mark the first time that LMGTE cars have raced on the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport race tyres. Having been delayed by the pandemic, the series will run over five races until November.
European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMP2 racing team, Algarve Pro Racing has made Goodyear its tyre technical partner. The reigning Asian Le Mans Series Champion has already demonstrated race-winning pedigree and a deep understanding of how to maximise tyre performance. Goodyear says the partnership will allow it to receive valuable technical feedback on a variety of European tracks.
PR and marketing agency MPA Creative has confirmed a three-year media partnership extension between the British Touring Car Championship and major automotive magazine Autocar. MPA Creative orchestrated the initial deal between the two parties back in 2014, and since then the relationship has enjoyed much success, with all parties committed to extending the joint venture into at least a ninth consecutive year.
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Clement Marin
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