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Tag: tyre

  • Michelin Targets 2050 To Go Carbon Neutral At All Plants

    Michelin Targets 2050 To Go Carbon Neutral At All Plants

    2019 has been one of the hottest years in recent decades, marking a new milestone in the worldwide increase in greenhouse gas emissions and extreme weather events. The transportation sector alone is responsible for 23 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. Looking at these numbers Michelin has decided on an objective and that is all of its plants across the world will emit zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The company is also looking to reduce tire-related energy consumption per kilometer traveled by 20 percent by 2030. This strategy is in line with the Paris Agreement signed at the COP21 in 2015 to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.

    To reduce the carbon footprint of production at a global level, Michelin developed a strategy founded on two pillars: consume less, and implement an energy transition. This strategy has already had concrete and positive effects: in Europe, 85 percent of its plants are powered by electricity that is guaranteed to come from renewable sources. Between 2010 and 2018, CO2 emissions from the company’s production facilities were down by 22 percent.

    The company is looking to improve energy efficiency of its industrial tools, using more renewable energy, and eliminating coal. Currently, 5 out of 70 of the Group’s sites around the world are still coal-fired. We have already launched studies to evaluate the feasibility of replacing coal with another source of primary energy, such as gas or biomass. All our plants will phase out the use of coal by 2030 at the latest.

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  • Nokian Tyres Says High Inventories In Europe To Hurt H2 Sales

    Nokian Tyres Says High Inventories In Europe To Hurt H2 Sales

    European distributors are holding back from buying costly winter tyres due to high inventories, Finland’s Nokian Tyres said on Thursday, adding it saw weakness in its Russian market too.

    “We expect short-term weakness in sales volume throughout Central Europe to continue during the remainder of the year,” Chief Executive Hille Korhonen told an investor call.

    Korhonen said summer tyre inventories in Central Europe were higher than normal, leading distributors to hold back on stocking winter tyres.

    “So it seems that the order intake is slower compared to many, many years and they will be ordering goods closer to the season,” Korhonen said, adding oversupply was putting pressure on prices.

    Korhonen said the company’s view on the Russian market had worsened through the year.

    “There is increasing uncertainty in the Russian market and my meetings with all key distributors in Russia earlier this month confirmed the weakness,” Korhonen said.

    Shares in Nokian were 3% lower in late trading.

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  • Goodyear Unveils New Tyre Range For Cars And SUVs

    Goodyear Unveils New Tyre Range For Cars And SUVs

    Goodyear has unveiled its new tyre range- Assurance DuraPlus 2 and Wrangler AT SilentTrac for the Indian market. The Assurance DuraPlus 2 range is designed for small and mid-sized passenger cars while the Wrangler AT SilentTrac is developed for SUV and is suitable for off-roading and rough surfaces. The Assurance Duraplus 2 range has been developed using a strengthened TredLife Technology which is optimized for better fuel efficiency and lesser tyre noise. Goodyear is also claiming it to last for 110,000 km under ideal driving conditions.

    The Wrangler AT SilentTrac is designed to enhance the rugged character of an SUV along with offering a smooth ride. It uses the latest DuraWall technology that helps the tyre to resist cuts and tears which often cause damage to the tyres when off-roading. The shoulder blocks have also been improved compared to the previous range and the tread pattern have been designed to reduce the road noise.

    Commenting on the unveil of both products, Rajeev Anand, Chairman and Managing Director, Goodyear India said, “As a pioneer in tyre technology, Goodyear has always been at the forefront of innovation, and continues to push itself to offer a wide portfolio of new offerings that cater to different market segments. We constantly challenge ourselves to develop better products and empower our consumers with a superior driving experience”

    The Goodyear Assurance Duraplus 2 is available in 13-inch to 15-inch rim size makinf it ideal for hatchbacks and compact sedan while the Wrangler is AT SilentTrac is offered in 15-inch to 17-inch rim size, making it ideal for compact and mid-size SUVs.

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  • Michelin’s Airless Wheel Which Does Not Puncture To Enter Production By 2024

    Michelin’s Airless Wheel Which Does Not Puncture To Enter Production By 2024

    Michelin and General Motors presented a new generation of airless wheel technology for passenger vehicles. It’s called the Uptis Prototype (or “Unique Punctureproof Tyre System”) – at the Movin’On Summit for sustainable mobility. The joint research agreement will see both the companies validate the Uptis Prototype with the goal of introducing the Uptis on passenger models as early as 2024. Michelin and GM are testing the Uptis Prototype, beginning with vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Later this year, the companies will initiate real-world testing of Uptis on a test fleet of Bolt EV vehicles in Michigan.

    Michelin has been working at making airless tyres for the past five years now. The company showcased the Tweel concept in 2014 and an investment of $50 million has gone into the new plant for making it ready for commercial usage. The Uptis is a version of this and is airless. It completely eliminates the risk of flat tyres and blowouts.

    Florent Menegaux, chief executive officer for Michelin Group said, “Uptis demonstrates that Michelin’s vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream. Through work with strategic partners like GM, who share our ambitions for transforming mobility, we can seize the future today.”

    The Uptis Prototype is re-engineered for today’s passenger vehicles, and it is also well suited to emerging forms of mobility. The vehicles and fleets of tomorrow – whether autonomous, all electric, shared service or other applications – will demand near-zero maintenance from the tire to maximize their operating capabilities.

    The Uptis features a different architecture and composite materials, which enables the tyre to bear the car’s weight at road-going speeds. Approximately 200 million tyres worldwide are scrapped prematurely every year as a result of punctures, damage from road hazards or improper air pressure that causes uneven wear. These advancements through the Uptis Prototype demonstrate Michelin’s and GM’s shared commitment to delivering safer, more sustainable mobility solutions. Of course these tyres will be pricey but we wait to see how these tyres fair on production cars.

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  • JK Tyre Launches Blaze Rydr For Premium Indian Motorcycles

    JK Tyre Launches Blaze Rydr For Premium Indian Motorcycles

    JK Tyre has announced the launch of the new ‘Blaze Rydr BR43′ tyre for premium motorcycles in India. These are new radial tubeless tyre and the company will be offering them in size 140/70-17 and will be targeted towards performance-oriented riders. The Blaze Rydr tyre comes with rigid shoulder design for better grip, cornering stability and a specialized tread pattern for better traction and smart water channelling. The company says that the tyre is best-suited for customers who are riding in the cities and highways.

    Vikram Malhotra, Marketing Director, JK Tyre & Industries said, “We develop products that enhance our customers’ driving and riding experience. We have entered the two-wheeler tyre segment recently and the response from the market has been very encouraging. The Blaze Rydr BR43 is another addition to fulfill the requirements of higher CC motorbike riders and we are confident that it will further improve the riding experience of customers. This further reinstates our commitment to meet the emerging needs of the market and introduce tyres that help to maintain pace with changing market requirements.”

    The new tyre comes with advanced cross over groove pattern for enhanced performance and is developed with superior tread rubber. Furthermore, the new Blaze Rydr tyres have been tested in rigorous condition to check for superior ride and handling, and it’s 100 per cent run-out tested against vibration and wobbling as well. The company says that the tyres were even tested on the race tracks by professional riders to determine speed, precision and consistency, and claims that they will allow the riders to experience a comfortable ride with total control.

    JK Tyres has also announced that the complete Blaze two-wheeler range of tyre range comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and non-manufacturing defect under terms and conditions.

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  • Hyundai and Michelin join to develop nextgen tyres for EVs

    Hyundai and Michelin join to develop nextgen tyres for EVs

    Hyundai Motor has signed a technical partnership with Michelin to equip next-generation tyres for electric and luxury vehicles. The co-operative deal links the research and development work of the two companies and will enable Hyundai Motor to strengthen its capabilities in tyre performance technology.

    Within the partnership, Hyundai Motor and Michelin will work together to develop a new all-season tyre for electric vehicles. The use of Michelin’s next-generation tyre material and structural technology will help Hyundai Motor optimise overall vehicle efficiency and performance.

    Michelin will also collaborate in the development of a bespoke tyre for a successor model to the Genesis G80 luxury sedan. Co-operative testing and analysis will help determine tyre vibration characteristics at high speeds, both in a laboratory setting and using evaluation conditions set to match the Nürburgring circuit.

    The two companies are striving to achieve the best levels of ride and handling, while minimising noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The resulting improvements in tyre performance and vehicle dynamics will also contribute to enhanced consumer satisfaction and driving pleasure.

    Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor, said: “I am pleased to announce this new collaborative relationship with Michelin, which will allow Hyundai Motor to accelerate the development and deployment of new tyre technologies. With this enriched knowledge, the next generation of Hyundai Motor electric cars will offer improved performance and efficiency, bringing a direct benefit to the consumer. Working with Michelin will also strengthen Hyundai Motor’s tyre technology on a broader scale, as we also focus on developing luxury Genesis cars and high-performance vehicles.”

    Hyundai Motor representatives visited Michelin’s Research and Development Centre in Clermont-Ferrand, France, to sign the agreement.

    “This cooperation between our two groups is a major milestone for Michelin, and we are proud to have been chosen by Hyundai Motor to put together the best of our leadership and expertise in order to improve their future electric and luxury vehicles.” added Vincent Rousset-Rouviere, president of Michelin Original Equipment Division. “Michelin has been investing constantly in new technologies and innovations to enhance the performance of our tires, so that mobility becomes safer, more sustainable and more enjoyable for all consumers. This new partnership with Hyundai Motor will allow us to open a broad range of new opportunities.”

    Earlier this year, Michelin was awarded top honours in four segments of the 2017 JD Power Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Study, excelling in the Luxury, Passenger Car, Truck / Utility, and Performance Sports categories.

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  • Michelin to re-organise business leading to job losses

    Michelin to re-organise business leading to job losses

     Tyre giant Michelin has announced plans to significantly re-organise globally, resulting in significant job losses in France and the US most of which will be covered by natural attrition.

    In the United States 450 jobs in central functions are to be cut between 2018 and 2021. According to Michelin, 1,500 employees would actually leave the company in the same period, suggesting a large majority will result from natural attrition and retirement.

    In France, the transformation coincides with significant job creation. By 2021, 5,000 employees will leave the group in France, the majority due to retirement, and around 2,000 of these would be in Clermont-Ferrand.

    However, at the same time Michelin says it wants to recruit more than 3,500 people externally in France by 2021, including 1,000 in Clermont-Ferrand. The company will also start new activities in Clermont-Ferrand and at other sites in France, creating 250 new jobs. The firm says it aims to “progressively reach the target size of the future organizations, without forced redundancies.”

    The company would not replace 970 retirees, between now and 2021 in Clermont-Ferrand. And finally, in order to be closer to its customers and improve competitiveness, Michelin will locate 290 employee and manager positions in other countries where the group is operating.

    Corporate reorganisation 

    On 16 March 2017 Michelin launched a global reorganisation project. The goal was to “boost growth by adapting…operations to meet the evolving demands of…customers and employees. ” Now, on 22 June, the company has released further details of what has been taking place. In short there will now be 10 new regions, 14 business lines and 8 operational divisions.

    The 10 new regions will be given more operational responsibilities. These are Africa – India – Middle-East; South America; Central America; North America; Eastern Asia and Australia; China; Central Europe; Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe.

    Tyres  and accessories understand that UK and Eire operations will fit into the Northern European region. No details of who will be leading this region or were indeed this region will be physically based have yet been announced.

    Likewise, no details of job consolidation within this region have yet been released, but while the official details clearly focus on the USA and France, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn of some job consolidation in other regions too.

    In addition 14 “business lines” will develop offers for each customer category. The purpose of these Business Lines is to develop offers to satisfy global customer groups with similar needs around the world. They would have a key role in building the strategy of the group and would steer their business results in their respective customer segments.

    At the same time eight operational divisions will provide expertise and support for the regions and business lines. These are research and development; service technology development; manufacturing; supply chain; marketing and sales support; purchasing; operations quality assurance; and corporate and business services (CBS).

    In order to streamline the group’s central operations, the corporate divisions are to focus on their strategic missions. The group’s reporting would be based on consolidation of business lines and would be very similar to currently.

  • All terrain Michelin LTX Force SUV tyres launched in India

    All terrain Michelin LTX Force SUV tyres launched in India

    Tyre maker Michelin has today announced the availability of Michelin LTX Force range of SUV tyres in India. Designed for all types of terrain, Michelin LTX Force tyres offer durability, superior grip on-road and higher traction off-road, claims the company statement.

    The introduction of this new range in India helps the company further strengthen its product portfolio.

    Mohan Kumar, Commercial Director, Michelin India said, “The SUV market is one of the fastest growing segments in India. Industry estimates indicate one in four vehicles sold last year was an SUV and as more Indians opt for SUV’s, this segment is estimated to continue growing, both in cities and upcountry towns. Our LTX Force is an all-rounder and is ideal for SUV owners who regularly use their vehicle on both paved and unpaved road.”

    ” Innovation is at the heart of our product development and this tyre is a perfect example of it, where we showcase a seamless transformation from track to road. By using this range, the SUV users in India will benefit from the international technology that has enjoyed numerous podium finishes at grueling all terrain competitions such as Rally WRC.” he added.

    Michelin LTX Force uses compact tread technology which takes advantage of two contradictory performances: durability plus grip. The tread pattern inspired by endurance races is designed to provide a greater contact area thanks to higher tread blocks which favours both durability and traction.

    The comoany claims that the tyres are a result of tried and tested motorsport technologies

    Motorsport offers the ideal proving ground for Michelin to test tyres in the most extreme conditions. Michelin LTX Force tyre is yet another example of our from track to road philosophy. These tyres have been tested in extreme mining conditions to ensure off-road traction and robustness.

    The Michelin LTX Force range tyres are available nationally at Michelin premium dealerships – the Michelin Priority Partners, the TYREPLUS network and Michelin retailers.

  • Bridgestone appoints M&C Saatchi Singapore as APAC AOR

    Bridgestone appoints M&C Saatchi Singapore as APAC AOR

    Bridgestone China & Asia Pacific has appointed M&C Saatchi Singapore as its agency of record (AOR) from January 2017 following a closed-door pitch involving four global agencies.

    This win follows the agency’s recent wins as AOR for Shell Retail Singapore and the social media accounts of NETS and Bank of Singapore.

    M&C Saatchi Singapore will partner with Bridgestone China and Asia Pacific to drive digital transformation of customer experience and related operational processes.

    The agency’s remit includes developing a through-the-line brand campaign, with a focus on a thorough revamp of the current website and social media strategy. Malaysia will be the first focus market for the agency.

    In a statement, Chris Yang, GM, Bridgestone China and Asia Pacific, said the agency impressed with “their understanding of consumer insights and how it translates into solutions for our brand and business across all touch points.”

    “Consumer experience has always been at the heart of what we do at Bridgestone,” he added.

    Tanuj Philip, CEO of M&C Saatchi Singapore, said the agency has been focused on building a specialist digital and social unit within the agency, and that the win is “a testament to the expertise and experience of the team”.

    “We look forward to partnering with Bridgestone to reinvent customer experience in the category,” he added.

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  • Apollo Tyres expands operations to Malaysia, targets big share of the replacement tyre market

    Apollo Tyres expands operations to Malaysia, targets big share of the replacement tyre market

    After making its presence felt in Thailand and Indonesia, Apollo Tyres announced the setting-up of its office in the third largest automotive market in the ASEAN region, Malaysia. Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA region), Apollo Tyres Ltd inaugurated the company’s Malaysian office in the presence of select Business Partners and company officials.

    Apollo-Tyres-inaugurates-Malaysia-office-1

    Subsequent to setting-up its sales and distribution hub in Bangkok for the ASEAN region, Apollo Tyres has been increasingly focusing on expanding its footprint in South East Asia. The company is targeting a bigger share of the pie in the Malaysian replacement tyre market, which has an annual capacity of 580,000 truck-bus radials and 9.5 million passenger car tyres.

     

    Malaysia has above 90% radialisation levels in the commercial vehicle segment. Apollo Tyres, with its Apollo Endurace range of truck-bus radials, has already received high acceptance from Malaysian customers. The tyre maker is keen to further establish the Apollo brand at the top tier of the truck-bus radials market. Similarly, Apollo’s passenger car tyres portfolio is capable of servicing nearly 90% of the Malaysian car tyre market, which is currently, one of the largest in the ASEAN region.Apollo Tyres inaugurates Malaysia office (2)

    Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Apollo Tyres said that over the past two-three years, Apollo Tyres has been making steady inroads into the Malaysian market as this is a pivotal market for the company’s growth in the region. The product range fits well with the Malaysian consumer requirements and with the support of its key distribution and retail partners in Malaysia, Apollo Tyres has been able to penetrate most of the key replacement tyre market segments.

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