European Program from Michelin to Reimburse Unrealized Fuel Savings
Michelin is offering price per kilometer tire management contracts with a contractual fuel-saving commitment for the first time in Europe, according to Tyres & Accessories. The company announced the program at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, calling it a “new pan-European value-creation offer for road transport fleets.” The solution is titled
After Recall, Kumho Seeking Top Sales in China
Kumho Tire Co. is aiming to increase its sales in China by 30% this year, according to South Korean media reports. The South Korean tiremaker wants to “re-emerge as the top seller in the world’s largest auto market,” according to a report Yonhap News. Kumho’s sales in China were hit hard when the company had
Nokian Tax Ruling Declared Invalid
After appealing Finland’s Tax Administration’s decision to order Nokian Tyres plc to pay addition taxes, the tiremaker reported that The Board of Adjustment within Finland’s Large Taxpayers’ Office has declared the reassessment decision invalid and returned the matter back to the Tax Administration for reprocessing. Nokian was initially ordered to pay additional taxes totaling €100.3
Apollo Relocates European Truck Tire R&D
In order to land more European OE truck tire contracts, Apollo Tyres is focusing on research and development. As part of this focus, the tiremaker is relocating its truck tire research to its R&D center in Enschede, Netherlands, according to Tyres & Accessories. The R&D center in Enschede was originally intended to be a global
Nexen to Begin Construction on Czech Plant Later This Year
A South Korean tire manufacturer will begin construction on a plant in the Czech Republic, starting in fall 2015. Nexen Tire Co.’s new plant will be located in Zatec, Czech Republic, and will begin operations in 2018, according to the company. Nexen estimates the annual production will gradually increase to 12 million units after operations
Falken Tyre Europe Names Managing Director
Falken Tyre Europe, the European affiliate of Japanese tire manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., has appointed a new managing director to serve at the company’s Offenbach am Main, Germany, offices. Shingo Sakashita joins the Falken Tyre Europe management team and also assumes the position of finance director alongside Isamu Ishida, Koji Fukuhara and Hidekazu Nishiguchi.
Chinese Tire Manufacturer Enters ‘Restructuring’ Proceedings
Tiremaker Shandong Deruibao Tire Co. Ltd. has entered “restructuring” proceedings, according to Chinese media. Earlier this month, Deruibao applied to its local authority, asking for the government to restructure the business, which could lead to the sale of the operation, according to China News. Chinese media blame the company’s business problems on the U.S. tariffs,
Automechanika Kiev 2015 Cancelled
Automechanika Kiev, planned for June 9-11, 2015, has been cancelled due to the current political situation of Ukraine. “We have now made two attempts to enable our customers from the automotive aftermarket to do business in the Ukraine. Nevertheless, given the situation prevailing there at present, it is impossible to hold the fair at this
Bridgestone Americas Names Nishiyama’s Successor
Yoshiyuki Morimoto will succeed Asahiko Nishiyama as executive chairman of Bridgestone Americas, effective March 24. Morimoto’s appointment to this position coincides with his retirement from Bridgestone Corp.’s board of directors and the end of his tenure as assistant to the tiremaker’s senior vice president and his role as chief technology officer, according to Tyres &
Apollo Closes South African Plant
Citing an “uncompetitive cost structure in the South African market”, continuous labor unrest and related issues, Apollo Tyres Ltd. will close its Durban, South Africa, tire plant, said Onkar S Kanwar, chairman of Apollo Tyres Ltd. In 2006, Apollo purchased Dunlop South Africa, which was valued at $200 million at the time of purchase. In
Banerji Succeeds Sarkar as Apollo CFO
Raj Banerji has succeeded Sunam Sarkar as chief financial officer at Apollo Tyres Ltd. “We are on the cusp of our next phase of growth globally. Having a person like Raj join our global team at this crucial time, with a strong international experience, will provide further impetus to this growth, and at the same
Australian Bandag Facility Gets Solar System
Bridgestone’s Australia subsidiary Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd. in Wacol, Australia, will utilize sunshine to power its operation, according to Tyres & Accessories. The retread plant is installing two 100 kilowatt solar power systems: one on the factory’s roofing, the other at Quality Tyre Sales, its onsite retail business. The system will not only reduce Bandag’s