Although the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association has reported that its members’ sales declined in all segments during the third quarter of this year, it interprets the figures as indicating “a general stabilisation of the market.”
The second quarter of 2018 saw sales of replacement market car and truck tyres in Europe rise year-on-year, however this improved result didn’t quite suffice to lift sales figures for the first half of the year above the H1 2017 result.
Companies belonging to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) experienced a further decrease of replacement market tyre sales in all segments during the third quarter of 2017. This decline was particularly strong in the agricultural segment, where member sales were down 25 per cent year-on-year in the three months to 30 September 2017. The ETRMA comments that sales in agricultural segment confirm a negative trend already seen in 2016.
During last Thursday’s annual press conference, Continental CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart shared that expansion of the tyre business and further acquisitions are on the cards as part of the company’s aim of reducing its reliance on the automotive original equipment industry. After discussing the recent acquisition of Veyance Technologies, a firm he described as “ideally” matching the ContiTech division in terms of both product range and markets, Degenhart added that further steps towards reducing automotive OE dependence will follow: “Firstly, in the form of continuous expansion of our replacement tyre business. And then too, we are not ruling out the possibility of further acquisitions.”
This year, Continental expects to sell a total of 11 million more tyres in the European and the NAFTA replacement markets than in 2013. Speaking at the company’s press day in Hannover, Germany today, Continental CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart stated that the tyre maker anticipates an increase of two per cent in these two regions, markets he said were “very important to our tyre replacement business”. He added that together with further growth effects in Asia and South America, Continental is looking forward to its global replacement tyre business rising three per cent this year. In regards to the original equipment segment, the CEO said Continental expects global production of passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles to increase by about two per cent.
The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) suggest the 2013 tyre replacement market stabilised in 2013 after a shaky start to the year. According to figures published 16 January, the car segment contracted 1 per cent to 192.699 million units in 2013. Total truck tyre sales were put at 8.849 million.
Once again, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations plans to grab the attention of viewers of Super Bowl XLIV, which airs 7 February on CBS from Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida, reports Tire Review. BATO will unveil two new Bridgestone brand tyre commercials during the game, in addition to the brand serving as the title sponsor of the Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show featuring The Who. The Richards Group, a Dallas-based independent advertising agency, created the 30-second commercials, one of which will run at the end of the first quarter, while the other will air during the third quarter.
Emerging tyre markets led by China are bucking the downward sales trends encountered in the European and US markets. According to Michelin’s latest market figures, Chinese passenger car replacement tyre sales have grown significantly (up a huge 31 per cent in the circumstances). At the same time Chinese truck tyre replacement market is said to be flat year-on-year, compared with massive falls in the West.
South American tyre sales, on the other hand have not faired so well. In Brazil sales of original equipment truck tyres are 30 per cent lower than last year, according to the data, which also points out that this reflects on the heavy cuts that have been made to new truck tyre production. As far as the Brazilian replacement tyre market is concerned, truck tyre sales are said to have declined approximately 20 per cent year-on-year.
Sales of summer passenger car tyres throughout Europe in 2007 are said to have increased by 3 per cent over 2006 figures, which in turn were a 2.5 per cent increase over those recorded in 2005. The information supplied to T&A indicates that, Europe-wide, 120.7 million summer pcr tyres were sold last year. This increase was offset by the second consecutive decline in passenger car winter tyre sales. In 2007 only 35.5 million units were sold in the whole of Europe, a decrease of 9.58 per cent on 2006, when 38.9 million winter passenger car tyres were sold. That year the number of winter tyres sold also decreased, dropping by 13.4 per cent from a 2005 high.
According to Michelin, the European OE car and light truck tyre market rose by 11 per cent in August compared with the same month of 2006. In contrast, the market in North America contracted by 3 per cent. Sales of replacement car and light truck tyres remained level in Europe during the month, but increased 1.7 per cent in North America.
Year to date, Europe’s OE car and light truck tyre market went up 4.3 per cent from the same period a year earlier, while OE sales in North America were punctuated by a 2.6 per cent decline. Replacement tyre sales were up 1.2 per cent in Europe and 2.1 per cent in North America during the same period.
In Europe OE truck tyre sales jumped 20 per cent in August, claimed Michelin, while across the Atlantic sales were a massive 37 per cent down. The replacement truck tyre market was far steadier, with a 2.4 per cent increase reported in Europe and a 0.2 per cent drop in North America.
Steve Cundy, European Business Development Director, has been named the new head of Cooper Tire’s UK passenger car sales team. Cundy, a veteran of 36 years, first with Avon Tyres and then with Cooper Tire Europe, will have overall responsibility for Avon and Cooper brand replacement tyre sales for the sector. The new role will be in addition to Steve’s existing European Business Development, OE and Private Brand responsibilities.
Two other long-serving Cooper men will report directly to Steve Cundy in his new role. They are National Accounts Director, Ian Daniels, who has been with the company for 19 years, and Jason Clarke, UK Sales Manager for Regional Accounts, who has notched up nine years of service.
Cooper’s National Accounts team will also receive some new blood in the shape of James Steventon and Adrian Aynsley, who have joined as National Accounts Managers.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has presented details of its consolidated business results for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2006 (from April 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006). Compared with the same period during the 2005 fiscal year, net sales increased to 240,807 million yen (£1.022 billion), up 5.9 per cent. Operating income decreased 36,5 per cent to 8,322 million yen (£35 million), ordinary income decreased to 5,767 million yen (£24.4 million), down 53 per cent, and net income rose to 8,570 million yen (£36.4 million), an increase of 31.8 per cent.
Kumho’s second quarter sales amounted to 429 billion won (£241.094 million), lower than the 469 billion won figure that was widely expected. At the same time operating profit of 14 billion won (£7.868 million) was said to be similarly disappointing compared with market estimates of 40 billion won. Operating profit fell by 70.5 per cent year-on-year and 45.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is to start two new promotions within the commercial truck & bus group. Kurt Danielson, currently director, commercial marketing, has accepted a new assignment as executive director, commercial marketing for the US and Canadian markets effective 1 January. Kurt is responsible for the marketing of all truck and bus tyre brands, which includes the Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton lines in both the US and Canada. In addition, Kurt is also responsible for product planning, supply/inventory planning and Oncor retreading.
Russell Fleetwood has literally stepped up a gear at ATS Euromaster. ATS Euromaster has named the 39-year-old as its new national car sales director, a position he immediately takes over after just one year as one of ATSE’s divisional sales managers.
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