Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
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VW; YokohamaWrench: Bridgestone invests in US mobile service & tech firm
Bridgestone Americas has made a ten per cent minority investment in Wrench, a US-based mobile vehicle services and technology company. According to Bridgestone, the new partnership will accelerate both companies’ ability to meet the needs of car owners with best-in-class technology in the rapidly growing mobile vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance market.
CM ShreddersBridgestone recalls 21,000+ tyres in the USA
BridgestoneBridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling 21,513 Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia P245/60R18, Dueler H/L Alenza 275/55R20, Ecopia H/L 422 Plus 235/55R20, Turanza EL440 235/60R18, and Firestone Destination LE3 225/65R17 tyres made between 11 and 17 July 2021. According to documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on 18 August, a small number of these tyres “may have been manufactured with a pinhole in the outboard side of the tyre” and “if left unaddressed, this slow leak could affect tyre performance and…increase the risk of a crash.”
Goodyear invests in EV charging provider AmpUp
Goodyear Ventures has made another mobility-related investment, becoming one of several parties to inject capital into US-based electric vehicle charging provider AmpUp. This funding, which also includes capital from Foothill Ventures and TechNexus Venture Collaborative, comes less than a year after AmpUp’s initial seed raise.
Hankook: UK/Europe unaffected by US OE tyre recall
Following the news that Hankook Tire America Corporation is recalling up to 7,026 Kinergy GT H436 235/50 R19H tyres manufactured between 30 January 2021 and 6 February 2021, company representatives based on this side of the Atlantic have confirmed that none of the affected tyres have ever been sold in the UK or indeed Europe as a whole.
Hankook recalls over 7000 Kinergy GT OE tyres in America
NHTSAHankook Tire America Corporation is recalling up to 7,026 Kinergy GT H436 235/50 R19H tyres manufactured between 30 January 2021 and 6 February 2021. The recall was implemented after the discovery of “a small batch of passenger tyres produced as original equipment tyres for the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain were manufactured with sub-tread rubber with an insufficient amount of curative agent”, according to documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Tirebuyer and Tread Connection partner to create Treadsy Mobile Solutions
Tirebuyer.comTirebuyer has formed an exclusive partnership with mobile tyre franchisor Tread Connection in order to capitalise on the “explosion” of mobile tyre fitting demand. Tirebuyer will use the Treadsy brand as the identity for its mobile solutions division and over 11,000 existing Tirebuyer brick and mortar install partners as well as more than 80,000 American Tire Distributor customers will be given the opportunity to add a Treadsy van to their business to provide mobile tyre installation services to their own consumers in exclusive geographic territories. Tread Connection’s existing network of franchisees will be integrated with the Treadsy brand and technology that will also be assigned preferred territories within Tirebuyer.com.
USA: TIA’s Littlefield joins Tire Industry Hall of Fame
Roy Littlefield, who is soon to retire as chief executive officer and executive vice-president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) after 18 years in the job and 42 years with the association and its predecessors, is one of two fresh inductees into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame. The Tire Industry Hall of Fame Committee has selected Littlefield together with the late Martin J. Barry, a former president of the National Tire Dealers Association. Barry will enter the Hall in the historic category.
Goodyear Ventures adds EV charging company to portfolio
Goodyear’s venture capital arm, Goodyear Ventures, has added AmpUp to its investment portfolio. The electric vehicle (EV) charging firm operates an advanced charging network and software solutions with operations across North America. AmpUp aims to make charging accessible and seamless for every EV driver. Goodyear Ventures focuses on future of mobility investments and partnerships with seed-to-growth-stage startups in emerging technologies.
Yokohama opens new distribution centre in Texas, USA
YokohamaYokohama Tire Corporation’s new 430,000 square-foot distribution centre in Wilmer, Texas is now officially open. The facility, which is located 15 miles southeast of Dallas, is LEED-certified, verifying that it’s sustainable building credentials. It will initially be used to distribute Yokohama’s passenger car/light truck tyres, followed by commercial truck/bus products in 2022, according to Rick Alonzo, Yokohama Tire’s vice president of supply chain and logistics.
TIA seeks successor to long-serving CEO Littlefield
With Roy Littlefield soon to retire as chief executive officer, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is searching for a successor. The US-based association representing the tyre, retreading and repair sectors says it seeks a “dynamic leader in a rapidly changing business environment” to head its work in tyre technician training, government affairs and improving the overall environment for its tyre dealer and industry members.
Michelin announces North America price increases
The price of certain aftermarket Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal passenger and light truck tyres will rise by up to eight per cent in the USA and Canada from 1 September. Prices for on- and off-road commercial tyres will increase by as much as 14 per cent, while prices for motorcycle tyres will be up to four per cent higher from the start of next month.
Bridgestone boosts fleet portfolio with Azuga acquisition
Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) has reached an agreement with tech-focused private equity firm Sumeru Equity Partners, connected vehicle specialist Danlaw and other shareholders to purchase Azuga Holdings, Inc. (Azuga) and the Azuga fleet management platform for US$391 million. Bridgestone says the acquisition will accelerate its efforts to develop and deploy sustainable mobility solutions as a “central pillar of the company’s advanced mobility strategy.”
