Yokohama has sold its Hamatite automotive and construction sealent business to Swiss company Sika Group AG in a transfer that is scheduled to be completed on 1 November 2021. Yokohama hasn’t released exactly how much Sika is paying for the Hamatite business, but management expects to post a gain on the sale of about ¥5 billion (£33 million; 38 million euros; US$46 million – after tax). However, the exact amount is said to be “subject to change”.
In addition to appointing a managing director for its business in Austria, Michelin has named Albrecht von Leonhardi managing director of Michelin Suisse SA, effective 1 November. He comes to this role from Michelin Solutions, where he was commercial director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a position he’d held since mid-2017.
Rudolf Perner is now heading up Nokian Tyres’ operation in a number of Central European markets. The company recently reported that as managing director of Nokian Tyres GmbH, Perner took on responsibility for operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands as of 1 August 2020.
In addition to testing car tyres ahead of this year’s colder months, three European motoring clubs have taken a close look at winter rubber for mid-sized SUVs and vans. The 13 brands of 235/55 R17 V tyre participating in this joint comparative evaluation from Germany association ADAC, Austria’s ÖAMTC and Switzerland’s TCS performed well overall, with results ranging from highly recommended/good to conditionally recommended/adequate.
Three leading European motoring associations have published the results of their joint 2020 winter car tyre test. The ADAC from Germany, Austria’s ÖAMTC and Swiss club TCS looked at 15 brands of tyre. While they didn’t award any of the evaluated products their top ratings of ‘very good’ (ADAC) or ‘excellent’ (ÖAMTC, TCS), the clubs noted that overall test results were positive. In addition to five strong performers, seven further tyres were recommended and one conditionally recommended. Only two tyres failed to make the grade.
Sandro Mesquita has been appointed as Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) CEO effective 1 May 2020. He succeeds Olivier Rihs, who has left GIMS at the end of March.
Demand for new cars has dropped as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, and vehicle manufacturers have adjusted their production accordingly. Their suppliers have too, and alloy wheel manufacturer Ronal Group is the latest company to announce a temporary shutdown of its facilities. Deliveries of products will continue from existing stocks.
STARCO has taken on distribution of the Alliance and Galaxy agricultural, forestry and construction tyre lines in Switzerland under a newly-negotiated agreement with Alliance Tire Group (ATG). As authorised partner for the representation and distribution of Alliance and Galaxy tyres throughout this market, STARCO will provide its warehouse and distribution facilities as well as its expertise and skills in order to make ATG’s products more accessible to Swiss customers.
It’s official – the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) won’t take place next month. The decision to cancel GIMS follows an announcement made earlier today by the Swiss Federal Council. The Council has decided to prohibit large-scale events involving more than 1,000 people. The ban comes into immediate effect and will apply at least until 15 March 2020, the day GIMS 2020 was scheduled to conclude.
The so-called coronavirus (Covid-19) is threatening Europe’s largest motoring events, with some sources suggesting that March’s Geneva Motor Show won’t be able to take place. However, a statement published by Palexpo (the Geneva Motor Show’s organising company) said the show will go on and that the exhibition is taking all recommended steps.
Hankook Tire is aiming for a “double-digit” share of the market in Austria and Switzerland, and to help grow the Hankook brand in both countries it has opened a new branch office in Vienna.
German oil manufacturer Liqui Moly is the official sponsor of the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, held in Zurich and Lausanne, Switzerland, which starts on 8 May 2020. The company has supported ice hockey since the 2017 IIHF World Championship, hosted by Germany and France.
Hankook Tire has signed a partnership agreement with the Swiss company Kyburz. The first project under this agreement will be to fit Kyburz’s eRod roadster with ultra-high-performance tyres from the Ventus line. The road-legal electric sports car will be equipped with the Ventus V12 evo 2 in size 195/50R15 V. Hankook also becomes the recommended replacement tyre brand for the eRod.
Fastned, a Dutch charging company which is building a European network of fast charging stations, won a tender by the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) for 20 fast-charging stations. FEDRO is the federal authority responsible for road infrastructure and private road transport in Switzerland. Fastned uses 100 per cent renewable electricity and serves all electric vehicles (EVs).
Pirelli has premiered its new P Zero Winter at the Geneva Motor Show, along with the Track Adrenaline system, a new ‘Elect’ EV-orientated sidewall marking and an update on its Color Edition tyres as original equipment.
Geneva Motors Show