Australian Tyre Dealer - December & January - Online Edition

Australian Tyre Dealer | vol. 20 | issue 6 | Dec/Jan 2011/12

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CONTENTS TD is a publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) and is endorsed by the Australian Tyre Dealers and Retreaders Association (ATDRA)

Industry News

Print Post approved PPP444752/0002 The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the ATDRA or any State or Territory constituent body, or of the Publishers and they take no responsibility for them, except where specifically indicated.

Head Office Building 8/2728 Logan Road Eight Mile Plains Qld 4113 PO Box 4530 Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: atd@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au EDITOR Michael Taylor ART DIRECTOR Peter Richardson

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Website educates female tyre consumers

Mobile phone induced espionage

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Record sales at Goodyear

Google+ utilised by Falken

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Ventus Prime2 for BMW

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Bridgestone’s wildlife habitats awarded

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Stamford Tyres’ new Queensland facility

Nanoenergy: Toyo’s new eco tyre

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Bridgestone’s airless tyre

Bridgestone’s ‘Time to Perform’ extravaganza

10. Ventus S1 evo2 11. Kumho goes platinum 12. ‘Green’ tyre segment growing 10% per year 13. Combining TPMS technologies

The cream of the crop in 2015?

Innovation 14. Cost effective rubber crumb

Tyres to detect road conditions, p. 17

Goodyear Microchip development

16. P Zero Silver modeled on F1 tyre

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EDITORIAL Enquiries should be made to: The Editor 07 3237 8777 or email atd@mtaq.com.au

19. Michelin tyres now available for

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Bridgestone develops airless tyre, p. 9

OVERSEAS NEWS 18. Allegations of cartel investigated

Executive lay-offs at Kumho Indonesian motorcyclists

20. Conti targets Middle East

Radioactive tyres discovered in Russia

22. New subsidiary created to eliminate duplication

Profits down for Chinese tyre makers

MotoGP’s 2012 tyres tested, p. 28

23. Titan moves on to other opportunities 24. Pirelli wins TAFF award MTA-Queensland ABN: 740 289 338 48

Substandard tyres destroyed

Sport “Australian Tyre Dealer” welcomes submissions of information and prepared articles, but their publication will be at its sole discretion. Material appearing in “Australian Tyre Dealer” is copyright, and reproduction in whole or part without the Publisher’s written consent is prohibited. “Australian Tyre Dealer” is circulated to tyre dealers, senior executives of companies which supply the tyre industry, and representatives of relevant industry groups.

28. MotoGP 2012 tyres tested 29. Mourning the loss of Marco Simoncelli

Upsized Dunlops planned for V8 Supercars

30. New tyre for Superbikes 31. Falken’s focus on motorsport aids its R&D 32. Tyre supplier to a slew of motorsport events

Profits sluggish for China’s tyre manufacturers, p. 22

100 years of Michelin Sport support 1

Editor’s word 8), showcasing the company’s new products – Maxam mining tyres and Malhotra agricultural and industrial tyres.

Michael Taylor Editor

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wo recent tyre store openings in Australia have seen the introduction of new OTR products for one, and the announcement of a ‘premium’ concept for the other.

Singapore-based Stamford Tyres has been in Australia since 2004, with the company’s main distribution focused on its proprietary brands of Sumo Firenza tyres and SSW alloy wheels. On Friday, 2nd December, Stamford officially launched its new Queensland facility in Acacia Ridge (page

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Meanwhile, Kumho Tyres has launched its first new premium tyre store concept with the opening of the Kumho Platinum dealer at Argy Tyres in Broadmeadow (Newcastle), New South Wales (page 11).

The Platinum concept has been designed to showcase the innovation and reputation of Kumho and to market the full range of Kumho tyres to consumers who expect excellent service and facilities.

Bridgestone is the third tyre manufacturer to develop an airless tyre (page 9), however the company is the first with serious intentions to commercially develop the product – initially for golf buggies and similar vehicles. Bridgestone said it would develop the product further and aims to bring the concept to the automotive tyre market.

The prototype non-pneumatic car tyre was debuted at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

In technological advances, TRW has launched what it calls a

next generation tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that uses sensors that are fixed on the tyres for measuring the temperature and pressure inside the tyre (page 13). The technology is based on a hybrid direct system that uses a combination of sensing technologies to provide automatic location of an underinflated tyre. This data is then combined with the data from the vehicle’s ABS wheel speed sensors and the driver is notified about the location and about the tyres that may have low pressure.

Goodyear has developed an RFID microchip that is built in to the tyre that speeds up data collection and increases tyre security (page 14). Goodyear says that monitoring tyres can be a slow process, as each tyre must be identified by its sidewall markings, which are often difficult to see due to dirt or scuffing.

With the new RFID, the relevant information can be swiftly obtained by passing a hand-held scanner across the sidewall.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Website educates female tyre consumers Tyre maker Cooper Tyre & Rubber enlists the help of a women focused website to spread the message on the importance of tyre care.

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o better target female consumers, Cooper Tyre & Rubber has signed a partnership with wellknown North American online automotive resource AskPatty.com.

This formal agreement continues the tyre maker’s relationship with AskPatty, which began in July with a series of online articles supported

by AskPatty’s social media outlets to help educate women on the importance of tyre care.

“Cooper is thrilled to align with AskPatty.com,” said consumer and channel marketing director Julie Smalstig.

“This association effectively rounds out our women-centric

campaign,” she added.

AskPatty president and CEO Jody DeVere said that education is the key to tyre buying with women.

“The AskPatty.com Automotive Advice for Women website and blog reaches over 100 million women in the US and Canada each year, offering advice and education for their automotive decisions,” Ms. DeVere said.

“We’re a trusted automotive resource for women because we are women and know how to communicate effectively with an audience most automotive marketers neglect,” she added.

Cooper Tyre’s own research shows that 74 per cent of American women feel automotive marketers could understand them better.

The tyre maker says that this is a concern that the company is working to change by developing female-targeted

brand messages with a focus on tyre maintenance and education.

Mobile phone induced espionage When you visit a tyre manufacturing facility, don’t take your mobile phone inside. It could get you in more trouble than it’s worth.

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US federal judge has sentenced two former Wyko engineers to four years probation and 150 hours of community service after they were convicted of stealing trade secrets from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in a corporate espionage case that first surfaced in 2009.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, federal prosecutors had wanted US district court judge Thomas W. Phillips to give Clark Alan Roberts and Sean Edward Howley at least 10 months in prison, but their lack of previous convictions and “ample” family and community support reportedly won out.

A jury found Roberts and Howley each guilty in December on 10-counts alleging they conspired to steal and use trade secrets. Roberts and Howley, who were employees of Wyko Tire Technology Inc. at the time, had been accused of visiting Goodyear’s Topeka, Kansas plant in 2007 so Howley could use his camera phone to take pictures of OTR tyre production procedures.

During the trial Tom Frey, a consultant for Goodyear and

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a former Goodyear manager, had estimated it cost $520,000 to develop the design drawings for the equipment the defendants were convicted of photographing and that Goodyear made $17 million in 2007 from the sale of tyres that machine produces. However Judge Phillips rejected Frey as a witness and noted that he was not employed

by Goodyear and had not produced documentation to verify these figures.

Goodyear’s third quarter 2011 sales were up 22 per cent from a year ago, while unit volumes totalled 47.7 million, unchanged from 2010. The company said the results therefore reflect strong price/mix performance. Segment operating income of $463 million in the third quarter was up $229 million from 2010’s third quarter.

Goodyear said the improved price/mix of $739 million more than offset $554 million in higher raw material costs.

The prosecution alleged that Wyko had a contract with an unnamed Chinese tyre manufacturer to provide such a machine but struggled to produce one so the defendants decided to steal the Goodyear design.

Goodyear’s third quarter 2011 net income available to common shareholders was $161 million (60 cents per share); the highest quarterly net income from Goodyear’s continuing operations in its history. The company recorded a net loss of $20 million (8 cents per share) in the 2010 third quarter. All per share amounts are diluted.

In addition to the four months probation and 150 hours community service, the defendants were each given four months confinement to their homes except for employment and a few other exceptions and were given a $1,000 fine, which the court waived because of the defendants’ inability to pay.

Record sales at Goodyear Goodyear’s business planning yields success in challenging times.

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he Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has carded an all-time record for quarterly sales and earnings in the third quarter, going past the $6 billion mark in sales for the first time.

“I’m very pleased with our performance,” said Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer.

“Our third quarter results are another step on the path toward our 2013 targets and especially meaningful given the challenging market conditions in much of the world,” he added.

“All four of our tyre businesses set all-time quarterly sales records as our teams did an excellent job offsetting higher raw material costs with improved price/mix and selling new, innovative products in targeted market segments,” Mr. Kramer said.

“While our third quarter results are evidence of the fundamental improvements we have made to our business, we continue to see many opportunities to build on this success by driving efficient,

standardized processes throughout our business,” he concluded.

Google+ utilised by Falken New social network site Google+ expanded its social net to include brands and companies recently, and Falken Tyre Corp. staked a claim to being the first tyre company to inhabit the online space.

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he company has already garnered hundreds of thousands of “Likes” on its Facebook page, and sees the addition of Google+ as an extension of its consumer allegiance strategy. The brand has been particularly vocal about its use of social networks in conjunction with motorsport activities.

“It is absolutely critical in today’s marketplace to connect with Falken’s core fans who are living and breathing everything via the Internet,” said Andrew Hoit, Falken vice president of marketing.

“We are focused on reaching a wide range of customers through as many media avenues as possible, and based on the rapid success of the Google+ concept, we believe it is important for Falken to have an important presence there. continued next page

INDUSTRY NEWS “Like other services, these users are speaking to us about our brand and what they like.

“We definitely want to hear from them,” he added.

According to Google, Google+ Pages allow companies to specify a category (local business, product or brand) and note the kind of company it is. The pages can host video for face-to-face conversations between followers, as well as the creation of smaller groups within a main group.

Launched in June, Google+ now has an estimated 40 million users and 3.4 billion photos uploaded.

Ventus Prime2 for BMW

“Our new Ventus Prime² offers the right balance between driving comfort and agile dynamics without compromising safety and environmental parameters such as wet grip and rolling resistance.”

Hankook lands OE deal for BMW’s 1 Series models.

R 16W. The 1 Series fitment is Hankook’s first OEM deal with the German vehicle manufacturer.

MW has selected Hankook’s Ventus Prime² for several of its 1 Series models.

The Hankook tyre will be fitted to the 116i, 118i, 116d and 118d in size 195/55 R16V. The upmarket 120d will also receive the Ventus Prime², in size 205/55

Hankook describes its first supply of tyres to BMW as representing a “further milestone” in its global expansion plans.

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“BMW is one of the few car manufacturers that have succeeded in combining the latest environmental protection

and safety requirements with the traditional brand values of sportiness and dynamics, and is a trendsetter when it comes to energy efficiency,” said Jin-Wook Choi, Hankook Tyre executive vice-president and COO for Europe.

“The fact that we are to supply our products as part of the original equipment of one of the most important volume models produced by the company gives proof of the reputation that Hankook products have gained amongst premium car manufacturers.

“All Hankook employees are very proud of this global partnership with BMW,” he added.

The Ventus Prime² was introduced in the first quarter of 2011 and is intended to serve as an evolution of its predecessor, the Prime, a tyre that sold more than ten million units during its time on the market.

“The newly developed chassis of the BMW 1 Series places particularly high demands on the tyres,” said Stefan Fischer, who is head of Hankook Tyre’s European Technology Centre and responsible for BMW Group tyre development.

“They must be able to dynamically transfer the engine power of the car directly onto the road, whilst guaranteeing a level of long-distance comfort yet uncommon in this vehicle category,” Mr. Fischer explained.

“Our new Ventus Prime² offers the right balance between driving comfort and agile dynamics for the new BMW 1 Series, without compromising on important safety and environmental parameters such as wet grip and rolling resistance,” he said.

Although much of the Ventus Prime² range is manufactured in Hankook’s Rácalmás plant in Hungary, the tyres supplied to BMW as original equipment are currently manufactured in the tyre maker’s main factory in Geumsan, South Korea.

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Bridgestone’s wildlife habitats awarded Bridgestone’s commitment to environmental and sustainable stewardship yields yet another recognition award.

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ridgestone Americas has been given the Wildlife Habitat Council’s 2011 William W. Howard C.E.O. (Conservation, Education, and Outreach) Award for its work in creating wildlife habitat areas at its facilities and its ongoing commitment to environmental education and outreach. As opposed to other recognition levels bestowed by the WHC, this particular award honours not a single programme, but rather an entire organisation for its combined efforts.

WHC president Robert Johnson said that Bridgestone Americas has been an exemplary partner to the Council for the past 15 years, creating a roadmap for how a major corporation can make a substantial difference in the natural world, while teaching others how to be involved in the values of nature.

“This award, named in honour of our late president, is meant to recognise utmost excellence in conservation, education and outreach demonstrated by a company, and it is well deserved by Bridgestone Americas,” said Mr. Johnson.

This is not the first WHC award that Bridgestone Americas has received; in 2009, the Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom and Habitat (BEECH) at the company’s Tennessee truck and bus tyre plant was named Corporate Habitat of the Year.

“Our wildlife habitats are the embodiment of our environmental mission – ‘to help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations’,” said

Tim Bent, director of Environmental Affairs for Bridgestone Americas.

“We firmly believe that what we make, and how we make it can help improve our environment and our future.

“Our habitat projects teach the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation and help us carry that important message to the communities in which we operate and to industry as a whole,” Mr. Bent explained.

Bridgestone Americas maintains ten WHC certified wildlife habitats throughout the US. Each provides a preserve for native flora and fauna, while many also offer a tailored environmental learning experience for their local communities.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Stamford Tyres’ new Queensland facility Since 2004 Stamford Tyres Australia has been building a loyal customer base.

Stamford Tyre’s new Queensland facility in Acacia Ridge officially launched on Friday, 2nd December, showcasing the company’s new products – Maxam mining tyres and Malhotra agricultural and industrial tyres.

Established in Australia in 2004, Stamford is headquarted in Fairfield East, NSW, operating as a pure distribution model.

The company’s main distribution is focused on its proprietary brands of Sumo Firenza Tyres and SSW Alloy Wheels.

Top: The opening featured Stamford’s new products, Maxam mining tyres and Malhotra agricultural and industrial tyres Inset: Stamford Tyre’s national marketing manager Brian U’ren (left) with Queensland manager Kevin Murphy Bottom: The new Queensland branch opening in Acacia Ridge attracted a mix of consumer and commercial tyre buyers

Nanoenergy: Toyo’s new eco tyre Developed with a focus on reducing rolling resistance, Toyo’s ‘Nanoenergy’ eco tyres are set for a gradual global launch.

Known as the Nanoenergy, the new tyre has been developed with a focus on reducing rolling resistance. Toyo says the tyre boasts an ‘AAA’ rolling resistance rating according to the labelling system introduced by the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA). This, the label’s highest rating, is given to tyres with a rolling resistance coefficient lower or equal to 6.5.

new range of Toyo eco tyres is scheduled for release in Japan next February ahead of its launch in other regions, including Europe.

The other criterion measured for the JATMA label is wet grip, and here the Nanoenergy range is split into two camps – the Nanoenergy 1 and the Nanoenergy 2. Toyo says the Nanoenergy 1 delivers offers a ‘b’

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wet grip rating, the second highest possible, and offers “improved wet grip with superior fuel efficiency performance.” The Nanoenergy 2, further down the wet grip scale with a ‘c’ rating, is referred to as being “developed for a broad range of hybrid vehicles” and combining “environmental considerations with excellent handling performance.”

Toyo admits several AA-c rating products are already available in Japan, including tyres from its own portfolio, however it states clearly that the Nanoenergy is “not simply an upgraded version of the AAA-c product.”

Instead, Toyo says, the range

“represents a new approach based on different principles of tyre design.” At the heart of this is Toyo’s ‘Nano Balance Technology’. This is described by the tyre maker as a “systematic collaboration of four nano-level element technologies – research, analysis, design and production.” Nano Balance Technology was established about a year ago to provide a comprehensive foundation for technical development at Toyo Tyres.

The first Nanoenergy product to reach the market will be the range’s only Nanoenergy 1 fitment, a size 195/65R15 91H tyre.

This will be introduced into the Japanese market in February 2012. The remaining ten sizes, all Nanoenergy 2 variants, will be introduced next June. Following its domestic market launch, the range will be progressively introduced overseas.

Bridgestone’s airless tyre Bridgestone is the third tyre manufacturer to develop a non-pneumatic tyre, with aims to develop the tyre commercially.

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ridgestone has developed a prototype non-pneumatic car tyre, which uses thermoplastic ribs as load-bearing elements that the company debuted at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show.

The concept design uses thermoplastic “spokes” that support the weight of the vehicle and radiate tangentially out from the hub and curve before joining the rim.

With a diameter of 25 centimeters designed for an electric-powered vehicle, Bridgestone said they found no problem with riding comfort or noise.

Bridgestone said it is using thermoplastic ribs because that material is easier to recycle than the thermoset rubber used in conventional tyres. Even the tread on the prototype is made from a thermoplastic material, extending further the concept of recyclability, according to Bridgestone.

The company said the concept offers comfort and performance suitable for golf buggies

The tyre, which eliminates the risk of flats, reflects the style of design shown initially by Michelin nearly seven years ago and more recently by Yokohama.

Bridgestone’s design, however, has a deeper structure of plastic ribs than either of the other two approaches, and it has a higher aspect ratio. No company has ever marketed an airless tyre commercially.

and similar vehicles. It said it will develop the products further and said it aims “as soon as possible” to bring the concept to the automotive tyre market.

Bridgestone’s ‘Time to Perform’ extravaganza The 2012 Bridgestonesponsored half time Show at the Super Bowl will feature Madonna partnered with a creative team from Cirque du Soleil.

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porting events in the US don’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl, and the American football game’s halftime show is a magnet for leading musical acts. In past years The Who, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2 have made appearances, and on 5 February the Bridgestonesponsored continued next page

Madonna

The concept design uses thermoplastic “spokes” that support the weight of the vehicle and radiate tangentially out from the hub and curve before joining the rim.

The ribs run in different directions on either side of the wheel so no rotation or twisting of the tread occurs. The outer rubber layer looks fairly standard, but the inner section can be recycled.

Bridgestone is aiming to bring its prototype airless tyre to market 9

INDUSTRY NEWS halftime show will feature no less a talent than Madonna.

The Bridgestone Super Bowl halftime show is, according to the tyre maker, America’s mostwatched musical event of the year.

More than 162 million viewers in the US tuned in last year, and the event also attracted a healthy international audience. For her appearance at the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, Madonna has partnered with a creative team from Cirque du Soleil, Jamie King, and multimedia artists from Moment Factory.

This is the fifth time Bridgestone Americas has sponsored the Super Bowl halftime show. The tyre maker’s new brand campaign, titled “Time to Perform,” will debut during the game.

Ventus S1 evo2 Innovative tyre wins top design award.

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tyre that uses new technology to achieve a better balance between wet and dry performance and fuel efficiency has been recognised by the prestigious iF Design Awards in Germany.

Hankook’s new Ventus S1 evo2 received a Product Design Award in this year’s competition, which attracted more than 4300 entries from 48 countries.

Established in 1953, the iF Design Awards are regarded as one of the three most important design competitions in the world.

Products are judged on several criteria, including design quality, choice of materials, environmental impact, safety and degree of innovation.

Ventus S1 evo2 features several innovations, such as triple-layered tread blocks that, as they wear

Ventus S1 evo2 features several innovations, such as triple-layered tread blocks that, as they wear down, increase the tyre’s contact patch and therefore traction.

down, increase the tyre’s contact patch and therefore traction.

The tyre also uses an innovative pattern of grooves to generate surface air turbulence, resulting in improved heat dissipation.

The rubber compound of the tyre features a new high styrene polymer that reduces rolling resistance and therefore fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

It’s the second time that Hankook Tyre has received an iF award for its innovative tyres.

In 2009, Hankook became the first tyre company ever to win an iF award - receiving recognition for both its environmentally friendly enfren and Optimo 4S tyre patterns.

The latest addition to Hankook’s growing range of ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres, the Ventus S1 evo2 made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and is scheduled to go on sale in Australia during the second quarter of 2012.

Like its award-winning UHP predecessor, the S1 evo, the Ventus S1 evo2 was developed at Hankook’s technical centre in Germany and incorporates knowledge acquired by the company as exclusive tyre supplier to the German-based DTM touring car championship.

Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tyre, Seung Hwa Suh, said Ventus S1 evo2 is the perfect example of the company’s commitment to developing world-class tyres through consistent investment in research and development.

“We are committed to combining innovative design with enhanced tyre performance,” said Mr. Suh. “Hankook Tyre always strives to present a differentiated concept, high-end technology, and design.

“Together they play a significant role in sharpening our brand’s competitive edge,” he added.

The iF Product Design Awards

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ceremony will take place in Munich on 10 February next Year.

Kumho goes platinum Kumho launches its first platinum tyre shop with more to follow.

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umho Tyres has launched its first new premium tyre store concept with the opening of the Kumho Platinum dealer at Argy Tyres in Broadmeadow (Newcastle) New South Wales.

The Kumho Platinum outlet concept has been designed to showcase the innovation and reputation of Kumho and to market the full range of Kumho tyres to consumers who expect excellent service and facilities.

The new Argy Tyres Kumho Platinum Store was officially opened by the general manager of overseas marketing for Kumho, Mr. DJ Lee and Kumho Australia managing director, Mr. Edward Cho, at a special ceremony in mid October.

According to Mr. Cho, Argy Tyres was selected as the first Kumho Platinum Tyre store because of the company’s professionalism, its commitment to Kumho and its strong track record of customer service.

The Argy Tyres Kumho Platinum store in Broadmeadow will be the template for the Kumho Platinum concept.

“Argy Tyres has shown that it is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and to raising the standard of presentation and facilities at its tyre outlets,” said Mr. Cho.

“The Argy Tyres Kumho Platinum store in Broadmeadow will be the template for the Kumho Platinum concept as it is rolled out throughout our Australian dealer network.

“Argy Tyres is a very professional retailer with stores in convenient locations, customer friendly facilities and well trained staff who deliver great service.

“The Hunter region has been a very important market for Kumho over the past 30 years so it is appropriate that we launch our Platinum concept there.

“I am pleased to congratulate David Richardson and his team at Argy Tyres on the great job they have continued next page

HEEL EASY WENT FITM OR! SELECT

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INDUSTRY NEWS done in bringing the concept to reality,” Mr. Cho added.

According to Argy Tyres CEO David Richardson, the chance to establish the first Kumho Platinum Store is a real honour and will help expand the awareness of Kumho’s range of quality tyres.

“We are very committed to Kumho because we believe they offer the best quality and price equation on the Australian tyre market and our customers who keep coming back for Kumho clearly agree,” he said.

Argy Tyres is an independent tyre and automotive group that operates five stores in the Hunter and on the Central Coast.

The new Argy Tyres Kumho Platinum outlet in Broadmeadow joins the company’s other Kumho outlets at Glendale, Toronto, West Gosford and Toukley.

The new Kumho Platinum store is located next to Ausgrid Stadium, home of the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets on the corner of Griffiths and Turton Roads, Broadmeadow, and features off street parking as well as a family friendly waiting area that includes TV along with tea and coffee facilities.

Kumho will be rolling out the Platinum Store concept across the country, selecting the most committed and professional dealers to ensure the Kumho Platinum concept represents the best service and facilities in the retail tyre market.

‘Green’ tyre segment growing 10% per year German chemical company Lanxess has commissioned a study that indicates that ‘green tyres’ will represent 50 per cent of the Chinese tyre industry by 2020.

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n connection with its Rubber Day China, which took place in Beijing on December 2, specialty German chemicals company Lanxess has reported on a study it commissioned the Technical University of Munich to undertake.

This study indicates that the proportion of ‘green tyres’ in

China is likely to increase to up to 50 per cent of the entire tyre market by 2020. China, Lanxess notes, already accounts for a third of global tyre production; around 400 million passenger car tyres are produced there each year.

Lanxess aims to achieve sales in excess of AUD $1.3 billion in China next year.

“Greater China will continue to be a cornerstone of our fastgrowing Asian business,” said Lanxess Board of Management chairman Axel C. Heitmann.

China, Lanxess notes, already accounts for a third of global tyre production; around 400 million passenger car tyres are produced there each year.

“Our technology-driven products, which enable sustainable mobility, will play a major part in achieving this sales target,” he added.

All of the German company’s 13 business units are currently present in China, at ten sites throughout the country.

At Rubber Day China, LANXESS presented the different applications of synthetic rubber. The products range from fuelsaving high performance tyres to golf balls with a longer trajectory.

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Worldwide, the green tyre segment is growing at approximately 10 per cent each year, making it the fastest-growing segment in the global tyre industry. According to Lanxess, the growing middle class in Asia and Latin America is primarily driving demand.

Rubber Day China was hosted in partnership with the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF). The conference was also supported by the two Chinese industrial

associations for rubber and synthetic rubbers, the German Institute of Rubber Technology (DIK), Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST). Around 350 representatives from business, academia, the media and local authorities took part in the event.

Combining TPMS technologies At the forefront of tyre pressure monitoring systems, TRW introduces its ‘next generation’ product.

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RW Automotive Holdings has launched what it calls a next generation tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

The receiver being placed within the car reduces the total installation costs and thus makes the TPMS an affordable sensing system. systems, this does not require electronic initiators to locate the position of the sensors. The receiver for the system can be fixed in the passenger compartment and can integrate the data from the TPMS sensors and the ABS sensors to provide the location of the tyres.

This system uses sensors that are fixed on the tyres for measuring the temperature and pressure inside the tyre. The technology is based on a hybrid direct system that uses a combination of sensing technologies to provide automatic location of an under-inflated tyre. This data is then combined with the data from the vehicle’s ABS wheel speed sensors and the driver is notified about the location and about the tyres that may have low pressure.

But with virtually everyone agreeing that direct sensors are more accurate than indirect systems, why go for the hybrid?

The goal is clear: comparable accuracy at a lower cost. According to Martin Thoone, VP of TRW’s electronic engineering department, the fact that the receiver can be placed within the car, reduces the total installation costs and thus makes the TPMS an affordable sensing system.

The system has four TPMS sensors that are fixed on each tyre, but unlike previous

The TPMS from TRW is scheduled for production by 2013.

the cream of the crop in 2015?

Pirelli lifts its vision to become the global premium leader by 2015.

Pirelli is increasing capital investment up to a value of AUD $3 billion for the period 20112015 in its desire to be “global premium leader” (following a so-called “local by local” strategy) by 2015.

Following the publication of positive nine-month figures in early November, Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera released details of the manufacturer’s goals through to 2015.

Pointing out that Europe is still the number one global market when it comes to premium tyre sales (54 per cent of the global tyre business), and that this is predicted to grow 8 per cent by 2015, Mr. Tronchetti Provera confirmed analysts reports that the company was issuing higher margin targets - now an estimated EBIT of 15-16 per cent by 2014. The tyre industry is seen as less cyclical than the car business, but a slow down scenario is still projected for 2012, making the new profitability targets stand out that much more.

In aiding the company’s goals, the Pirelli research and development department has reportedly completed development of its own TPMS/RFID system for truck fleets. This will be available for commercial vehicles (then cars) in 2012, seven years after Pirelli previewed the technology to journalists in 2005. A secondgeneration fully sensitized version of the system (measuring friction, wear and aquaplaning performance) is scheduled to hit the market three years later in 2015.

Another technological development that Pirelli has highlighted in the past appears to have made it to market much faster. According to Pirelli, the company’s bio-friendly rice husk silica is already in production in its Brazil factory. And what is more, this sustainable material is projected to account for 30 per cent of Pirelli Latin American consumption by 2015. This and other future developments will be facilitated by the decision to develop a web of regional R&D centres, allowing better mutual feedback from customers according to Pirelli. Meanwhile the manufacturer is targeting a 30 per cent reduction in rolling resistance in Scorpion 4x4-SUV range by 2015.

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INNOVATION Cost effective rubber crumb New tyre recycling technology developed in Victoria reduce the number of used tyres sent to land fill or illegally dumped.

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R TEK’s environmentally sustainable tyre recycling process was unveiled in late September.

The research project was funded by the Australian Government ($516,000) through the Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, in addition to support from the Victorian Government’s partnership with the CSIRO and Deakin University through the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.

More than 20 million used tyres are disposed of in Australia each year. Of those, less than a quarter are recovered and recycled, while the remainder

The new patented process enables used tyres to be turned back into high quality rubber powders free of metal contamination for redevelopment as new products. are dumped as waste, where they pose a raft of environmental and public health problems.

Due to their metal content, shredded tyres could not easily be recycled in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner. VR TEK has overcome this problem by working with the CSIRO to develop a device that segments old tyres into sections of specific known material composition.

The mechanical segmenting method is highly energy efficient and is the first part of a process developed

by Deakin University that result in high quality rubber powders.

The new patented process enables used tyres to be turned back into high quality rubber powders free of metal contamination for redevelopment as new products, such as appropriate rubber and elasto-polymer based items.

The rubber crumb produced by the new process is also cheaper than ‘virgin rubber’.

The CRC program is an Australian Government initiative that has invested more than $3.4 billion to enable 190 CRCs in a diverse range of sectors to address major challenges facing Australia, many of which are global challenges. CRC participants have contributed a further $10.9 billion in cash and in-kind support.

For more information on Australia’s CRCs visit www.crc.gov.au.

GOodyear Microchip development Goodyear has developed an RFID microchip that is built in to the tyre that speeds up data collection and increases tyre security.

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educed downtime, improved tyre management and greater security are three of the advantages Goodyear claims the introduction of microchips into its truck tyre range will bring.

The tyre maker has released its first product to utilise the technology, the Goodyear Regional RHT II RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) 435/50R19.5 trailer tyre; the microchip built into the tyre helps deliver fleet operators the above benefits through

14

microchips with the readers.

“Now the tyres have marks on the sidewalls to show where the microchips are located and the trailer manufacturers mount the tyres so that they are on the outside.

“This speeds-up the process even more,” said van Rens.

Regular maintenance is very simple according to Goodyear. The operator scans the tyre with a hand-held reader; the tyre is automatically identified from its microchip and found on the Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions computer system. The tyre pressure gauge and tread depth gauge are both linked to the same system by Bluetooth and their readings are automatically recorded for that tyre. interfacing with FleetOnlineSolutions, Goodyear Dunlop’s internet-based tyre management programme.

Goodyear says that monitoring tyres can be a slow process as each tyre must be identified by its sidewall markings, which are often difficult to see due to dirt or scuffing. With RFID, the relevant information can be swiftly obtained by passing a hand-held scanner across the sidewall. The retention of tyre information on a microchip also means the tyres are much easier to trace if stolen and they can be monitored throughout their service lives, including during and after retreading.

The microchip is built into the tyre on the assembly line and is programmed with a unique identifying code.

Goodyear Dunlop says it selected size 435/50R19.5 for its first RFID fitment as it is the most popular tyre size amongst ‘megatrailer’ operators, allowing maximum volume within the European four metre overall trailer height limit.

Field trials of the Regional RHT II RFID have already been conducted.

Long-term Goodyear customer Ewals Cargo Care trialled the tyre on some of the 3,100 trailers it operates.

“The new tyres offer us significant benefits,” said Bart van Rens, fleet control manager for the Netherlandsbased logistics provider.

“The RFID speeds-up maintenance as it allows us to very quickly and accurately identify the tyres and link into the Goodyear FleetOnlineSolutions fleet management system.

“It also will reduce the problem of tyres being stolen from our trailers.

“Previously, each tyre’s six digit identity code would have to be read off the sidewall,” said van Rens.

“This took time and mistakes could easily be made.

“Now it is fast and it is impossible to make a mistake with RFID. “Every maintenance entry on the computer is 100 per cent correct with these new tyres,” van Rens added.

As already indicated, another important benefit the RFID tyres deliver is security.

“We suffer from the theft of our trailer tyres,” van Rens continued.

“Even when the police recover stolen tyres, proving where they came from is often impossible as the tyre’s identity digits are usually removed.

“We have been working with Goodyear on these new tyres.

“Because the RFID microchip is built into the tyre, it cannot be removed without destroying the tyre.

“With the first tyres we tested, it took some time to locate the

“This means that thieves are not able to continued next page

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INNOVATION disguise the origin of these tyres and will avoid stealing any with RFID logos on the sidewall.

“We are discussing with Goodyear a way of more visibly identifying these tyres so that the thieves avoid them,” van Rens explained.

Goodyear reports it has been working on its RFID system for a number of years and most recently used it in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship; all Goodyear 315/70R22.5 truck race tyres are built with RFID. Goodyear uses this system for tyre management purposes at races and FIA officials use it for regulatory purposes. Goodyear also said that earlier this year the significance of its RFID development was recognised when it was selected as “One of the best of the Automotive Sector 2011 – Innovation Technology Category” by a team of journalists from Brazilian automotive industry magazine AutoData Publishing.

The tyre maker anticipates extending RFID to other tyre types and sizes in the near future. Currently RFID tyres are produced at Goodyear Dunlop’s Luxembourg plant, and production will be extended to

its Wittlich facility in Germany.

A potential further development of the technology is its adaption for the real-time monitoring of tyre pressure and temperature.

P Zero Silver modeled on F1 tyre Modeled on it F1 tyre, Pirelli’s new UHP tyre was able to Be developed in record time.

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irelli has launched its first Formula 1-derived UHP road tyre. This latest offering from the Italian tyre maker, the P Zero Silver, sits alongside the P Zero in Pirelli’s product portfolio and is intended to increase the company’s premium range and cater to the ever more differentiated needs of Pirelli’s top market segment – a segment that Pirelli aims to grow in all geographic areas.

The P Zero Silver was officially unveiled in September at an event attended by, amongst others, Pirelli chairman and CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera,

Pirelli Tyre CEO Francesco Gori, Team Ferrari technical director Stefano Domenicali and Team McLaren driver Jenson Button.

One particular way in which Formula One aided the new tyre’s development is in reducing the time involved in the process.

Pirelli reports that modelling and relative data gathered during each F1 race enabled development time to be cut from the usual two years to only a few months. This development process, it adds, is shared with all Pirelli Formula One tyres and is a process by which the tyre is “conceived and developed with the aid of sophisticated mathematical models which enable the prediction of performance and reactions in all conditions.”

The new tyre will be manufactured using an evolution of Mirs technology, the robotised system developed by Pirelli.

In applying this process to the new P Zero Silver road tyre, Pirelli says its researchers were able to develop a tyre capable of meeting the demands of premium road cars, namely to deliver top performance even after long journeys.

Another quality the P Zero Silver shares with F1 tyres is the construction technique employed and the technology used to develop and produce the tyre’s compounds.

The new tyre will be manufactured using an evolution of Mirs technology, the robotised system developed by Pirelli. The entire P Zero Silver production cycle will take place in Pirelli’s Settimo Torinese facility in Italy, where all compounds for Formula One are produced.

Pirelli notes that in Formula One the ‘P Zero Silver’ name

16

indicates a durable, hard compound tyre. In the road tyre, Pirelli says it has employed “an innovative solution” to bring together the characteristics of harder compounds with those of the softer ones, thus simultaneously offering high performance, safety and greater durability – all of which, the Italian company states, “confirms Pirelli’s place in the avant-garde of product innovation.”

Specific qualities highlighted by Pirelli include precision when entering a curve, braking distances typical of the P Zero range and greater durability compared with other same-category tyres. Emphasising the P Zero Silver’s environmental credentials, Pirelli says its structure, compounds and tread are designed to reduce rolling resistance.

Sales of the P Zero Silver will begin “in a limited edition” in the spring of 2012.

Smart tyres Tyres are able to determine the condition of the roads and the information is relayed to the driver.

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ridgestone Corporation has developed a new technology designed to provide real time road surface condition information to the driver by way of the tyres. The new technology is based on a concept called Contact Area Information Sensing (CAIS) and it was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

According to the company, CAIS is a general term for future technology that collects and evaluates road surface condition information. Capable of sensing instantaneous vibration input data and digitalising it by in-vehicle analysis equipment, the new technology classifies the current state of the road

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The new technology aims to help drivers be better prepared for rapid changes in dangerous driving conditions, such as ice, snow and rain. surface into seven conditions and transmits this information directly to the driver through an in-car display.

The new technology aims to help drivers be better prepared for rapid changes in dangerous driving conditions, such as ice, snow and rain, and also reportedly provides the opportunity to alert other motorist travelling with them on the same road.

A brief summary of how the technology works: An accelerator sensor located inside

the tread of a tyre detects vibrations in the tyre’s tread and wirelessly sends that information to the vehicle’s analytical equipment. CAIS is powered

by Bridgestone’s “proprietary power generation equipment.” Analytical equipment analyses the vibrations in real time, and determines which of seven road surface conditions (dry, semi-dry, wet, slush, fresh snow, compacted snow, ice) exist. The results of the determination of road surface conditions are displayed on a monitor inside the vehicle.

According to Bridgestone, the high precision of this road surface determination technology has been verified through extended testing over two winters on public roads in Japan (Hokkaido) where dangerous conditions like snow and ice are likely to appear. Detailed results of the tests were first announced at the 2010 Annual Congress (Spring) of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan and at the World Automotive Congress of the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies.

1800 722 822 plus many more brands & tubes 17

OVERSEAS NEWS Allegations of cartel investigated India’s antitrust regulator is looking in to a possible cartel amongst the country’s major tyre manufacturers.

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ndia-based news website Livemint.com recently reported that the country’s antitrust regulator - the Competition Commission of India (CCI) - is looking into a possible cartel within India’s tyre industry.

The CCI began its investigation following receiving a report from its director general earlier this year.

This report concluded that the five leading Indian tyre makers, who together control 95 per cent of the domestic market, and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) colluded to fix prices. Now the CCI is, according to Livemint.com, looking into the allegation more closely with a view to holding a hearing.

The director general’s report, submitted to the CCI in May 2011, concluded that ATMA, along with Apollo Tyres Ltd, MRF Ltd, JK Tyre and Industries Ltd, Birla

Tyres and Ceat Ltd acted together, violating the applicable Indian laws on cartelisation. Livemint.com says it has reviewed a copy of the director general’s report and quoted the following section: The intent and conduct of ATMA as noted from the minutes and circulars clearly reflect that the major domestic tyre companies acted in a concerted manner and meeting of the minds has taken place with regard to various issues related and common to the tyre industry.

“We are looking at the case and have asked leading tyre manufacturers some questions,” said a senior CCI official, quoted by Livemint.com on condition of anonymity.

“Worldwide, it takes long to arrive at a conclusion as cartelisation is

quite difficult to prove,” he added.

Cartel activities between 2005 and 2010 are under scrutiny.

The CCI inherited the case from former competition regulator the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) in 2010. The MRTPC, which lacked the power to impose penalties and order prosecution, was wound up last year. The named parties have commented little, or not at all, on the allegations. Ceat vice-president Arnab Banerjee responded that “I would not like to comment at this point of time,” while JK Tyre, MRF and Birla Tyres did not reply to e-mails sent by the news site.

Apollo Tyres said the company would let the ATMA comment on the matter. ATMA director general Rajiv Budhraja, however, also declined to comment on the report as it is still being debated.

The report concluded that the five leading In the tyre makers’ defence, Indian tyre makers, Budhraja commented that no data supporting the theory of who together control a cartel aimed at choking tyre imports – the report mentions 95 per cent of the cartel participants “collectively blacklisting” importers – exists. domestic market, and the Automotive Executive Tyre Manufacturers’ lay-offs at Association colluded Kumho Sources have revealed to fix prices. to the Korea Times newspaper that Kumho is in the process of restructuring its executive workforce.

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he Korea Times reported on 6 December that Kumho Asiana chairman Park Sam-koo is planning to relieve a number of company executives from the burden of going to work.

The Seoul-based publication quoted an unnamed Kumho source as saying the company is undertaking executive job cuts as part of a 18

This optimistic outlook is supported by the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association which reported motorcycle sales could show a year-on-year increase of 13.5 per cent.

Kumho is laying off ten percent of its executive workforce.

restructuring drive that will primarily focus on Kumho Tyre and Kumho Industrial.

“Kumho Tyre will lay-off more than ten per cent of its executives, lowering the total to 36,” the source informed The Korean Times, adding that Kumho Industrial also recently reduced its number of executives by 20 per cent.

“That’s mainly due to the continued dismal performances by the two affiliates (Kumho Tyre and Kumho Industrial). Before the lay-offs, the chairman met with 120 executives from the group’s affiliates to check on the business situation that he was facing.’’

According to the newspaper, a Kumho Asiana spokesman admitted the group is being urged to fire some of its executives as Kumho Tyre and Kumho Industrial were under a ‘workout programme.’

Michelin tyres now available for Indonesian motorcyclists Motorcycle enthusiasts in Indonesia now have the opportunity to purchase premium Michelin tyres.

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he distributor of Michelin tyres in Indonesia - PT Michelindo Mitra Abadi - has begun selling motorcycle tyres and aims to sell 400,000 units there next year.

The Jakarta Globe quotes Michelindo

director Jemmy Tantoro as saying “as the third-largest motorcycle market in the world, Indonesia promises a huge market for motorcycle tyres and motorcycle-related products.”

This optimistic outlook is supported by the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI), which on 29 November reported motorcycle sales in Indonesia could reach 8.4 million units in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 13.5 per cent; on average, sales rose 20 per cent per annum between 2007 and 2010.

Tantoro added that Michelindo chose to begin importing the Thailandmanufactured two-wheeler tyres, as Indonesians “prefer to set off and

“Chairman Park is showing his eagerness to control the group completely with the personnel restructuring,’’ another official, who is said to be “familiar with the matter,” informed The Korea Times.

In November, Park Sam-koo and his son Se-chang sold their 10.45 per cent share in Kumho Petrochemical to around 100 million institutional investors. Park Sam-koo plans to use the money from the sale to increase his paid-in capital of Kumho Industrial, the de facto holding company of Kumho Asiana Group, and Kumho Tyre in an attempt to return as the major shareholder.

19

OVERSEAS NEWS modify a motorcycle, really love the world of motorcycle racing and like the world-famous brands with premium quality.”

Michelindo currently has ten distributors throughout Indonesia, but is aiming to have 28 to 30.

The company’s main motorcycle sector competitors in Indonesia are Multistrada, which produces the Corsa MC and MT Cross, and Gajah Tunggal, manufacturer of the IRC, which is said to be Indonesia’s most popular motorcycle tyre.

Conti targets Middle East Continental Tyres is official tyre sponsor of the Dubai International Motor Show - the first time this Show has had an official tyre sponsor

The effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster are being felt far and wide.

as original equipment on one in every three European built cars.

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Continental marked its 140 year anniversary in October 2011 and celebrated in Australia by giving up to $140 cashback to customers who purchased four Continental PLT branded tyres from Continental’s dealers and stores across Australia.

Continental is the number one tyre in Europe, with its products fitted

The Dubai International Motor Show was held from 10-14 November 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ontinental Tyres has been named as the official tyre sponsor at the Dubai International Motor Show.

This partnership is the first time the Middle East’s largest automotive event has had an official tyre sponsor.

Continental Tyres becomes the first official tyre sponsor of the Dubai International Motor Show.

Radioactive tyres discovered in Russia The impact of the Fukushima nuclear disaster that followed the massive earthquake and resultant tsunami earlier this year is still having an impact much further afield.

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o you feel positively radiant after buying that new set of tyres? That wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing if you bought them out of the container in the Russian port of Vladivostok.

Authorities in the port city have confiscated a shipping container sent from Japan; 29 of the tyres within are said to register excessive levels of gamma and beta rays.

“There’s a good chance the radioactive tyres are a result of the Fukushima accident,” said safety inspector Ivan Skogorev.

As yet the shipment’s consignee continued next page

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OVERSEAS NEWS has not come forward to claim his radioactive cargo. Disposal options include decontamination, sending the tyres back to Japan or burying them in a hazardous waste site in Russia.

New subsidiary created to eliminate duplication Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd is shifting its rubber and tyre machinery production overseas so the company can focus on marketing and engineering.

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apanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has announced plans to establish a new subsidiary that will take care of its industrial machinery business, including rubber and tyre machinery.

This new, wholly MHI-owned company will come into being on 1 April, 2012 and be

created by integrating MHI’s industrial machinery business, which is currently operated by the company’s Industrial Machinery Business, Technology & Solutions Division, and three existing MHI group companies, including MEC Engineering Service Co., Ltd. (MEC).

MHI explains that the pertinent businesses of MHI’s Industrial Machinery Business, Technology & Solutions Division will be succeeded

by MEC through a company split.

At the same time, the companies Hiroshima Ryoju Engineering Co., Ltd., and Ryosen Engineers Co., Ltd. will merge with MEC. Through these initiatives, MHI says it aims to “establish an agile and strong business structure capable of responding to severe market environment changes, strengthen business and stabilise revenue bases.”

The new company will be headquartered in Nishi-ku, Hiroshima Prefecture, and will mainly handle marketing, design, manufacturing, installation and aftersale services for machineries such as material handling systems, rubber and tyre machinery, upstream equipment in iron-making and chemical industry-use machinery.

MHI says the new company will shift its material handling systems

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will be shifting its rubber and tyre machinery production overseas in 2012.

22

and its rubber and tyre machinery production overseas to “allow domestic operations to focus on the enhancement of marketing and engineering capabilities.”

According to MHI, this latest company split is “in line with the initiative to integrate the various functions separately handled

by MHI’s divisions and group companies into one with the aim of conducting speedy and effective business operations by eliminating duplicative work.”

The newly established company will be directly managed by MHI’s Machinery & Steel Structure Systems business headquarters.

The Industrial Machinery Business, Technology & Solutions Division will be dissolved.

Profits down for Chinese tyre makers Revenues are up but profits are down in the first half of 2011 for several Chinese tyre manufacturers.

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he total profits of seven Chinese tyre makers fell in the first half of 2011 compared to a year ago, despite higher revenues. The seven tyre makers included Double Coin Holdings, Aeolus, Qingdao Double Star and ST Yellow Sea. Yellow Sea was reportedly the only one of the seven to report an overall loss, according to news reports.

Data published by local industry association CRIA shows that total sales increased by around 26 per cent to AUD $3.7 billion, up from $2.9 billion a year ago. However, net profits fell by 18 per cent, to $55.7 million, compared with $68.4 million a year earlier. This means the combined net profit margin fell to 1.5 per cent, from 2.4 per cent.

Another separate analysis of the

Although revenues are up, profits are down amongst Chinese tyre manufacturers.

steel cord business showed a similar picture, with total revenues up by around 5 per cent to $951 million, from $910 million. Net profits declined to $91 million from $122 million. Margins in the steel cord business were said to be higher at 9.6 per cent, down from 13.5 per cent reported last year.

freight costs and other factors.

Although the United States tariff on imported Chinese consumer tyres is scheduled to end next year and import duties will thus drop from 29 to 4 per cent, Chinese manufactured tyres are not expected to regain the massive competitive advantage they once held over their US-made counterparts.

Titan moves on to other opportunities

During a quarter results conference call, Cooper Tyre & Rubber chairman, chief executive officer and president Roy Armes said that tyres produced in China held a 15 to 20 per cent cost advantage over locally produced tyres in the US market in early 2009.

“Now it is in that 10 per cent to 15 per cent range,” he said.

Chief financial officer Brad Hughes added that the cost advantage for a landed tyre from China in the US was “moving towards” 10 per cent.

“The cost advantage of tyres produced in China has narrowed as both a result of US manufacturing becoming more efficient and Chinese production costs rising,” Mr Hughes said.

“The costs include labour inflation, exchange-rate changes, ocean

“Cooper has specifically added to our low-cost manufacturing in Mexico and improved our US plant efficiencies and we now have a more competitive and flexible manufacturing footprint,” he concluded.

Titan Tyre Corporation has pulled out of its commitment to acquiring a Goodyear agri tyre plant in France due to the complexities of the country’s labour laws.

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he put option Goodyear had for its Amiens plant in France, which was to be sold to Titan Tyre Corporation following completion of a social plan for the closing of the site’s passenger car tyre business, expired on 30 November.

It now appears that Titan will drop its tentative acquisition of the European component of Goodyear’s agricultural tyre business, shredding plans first drawn up in 2009, and pursue acquisition opportunities elsewhere.

According to Titan, the unions representing factory workers in Amiens successfully delayed Goodyear’s moves to 23

OVERSEAS NEWS close the passenger car tyre business for a number of years, preventing Titan from taking on the agri business and its 537 employees.

“It shows how screwed up things are in France when a company tries to save jobs,” commented Titan International chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor.

“Titan spent a lot of time and money trying to get Goodyear’s social plan approved but only a non business person would understand the French labour rules,” added the oft-outspoken chairman and CEO.

Pirelli wins TAFF award Pirelli UK thanks customers and staff.

Pirelli UK has thanked customers and staff after being named ‘Tyre Manufacturer of the Year’ at the National Tyre Distributors Association’s 2011 Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) Awards.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which recognizes the hard work and effort of the entire Pirelli team in delivering the premium products and services demanded and deserved by the UK industry,” said Dominic Sandivasci, managing director of Pirelli UK. Pirelli UK’s Burton-on-Trent base was also recently nominated as ‘best factory’ by a panel of Pirelli’s senior managers, beating 27 other Pirelli factories worldwide to clinch the prestigious award. The key industrial parameters measured for the Pirelli award included health and safety, efficiency, delivery, waste, cost and productivity.

The Burton plant, which has used Pirelli’s groundbreaking Modular Integrated Robotised System production line since 2001, makes mostly the firm’s P Zero run-flat. But one of the most significant events for Pirelli this year was the launch of the Cinturato P1 tyre: a product that is focused on efficiency and the environment. This tyre has reduced rolling resistance to enhance fuel economy. The elimination of highly aromatic oils has also reduced the impact on the environment.

24

Substandard tyres destroyed In an effort to bring major manufacturers back in to the country, Nigeria is proving its seriousness with substandard tyres by seizing and destroying them.

N

igeria’s official body in charge of standards, certification and inspection says it hopes that the seizure and destruction of used and substandard tyres will encourage major manufacturers to resume tyre production within the country.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reportedly destroyed more than 60 truckloads of these tyres, and SON Director of Enforcement, Louis Njoku, said the action was taken to encourage companies such as Dunlop and Michelin to relocate their industries back to Nigeria.

“We told you that when we discover these substandard tyres,

The committee’s purpose was to tackle the high number of accidents occurring in Nigeria as a result of tyres that did not meet national standard specifications. we will destroy them and we are destroying them now,’’ he said.

“People dealing in substandard tyres will be prosecuted,” added Njoku.

Agency Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, stated that the committee’s purpose was to tackle the high number of accidents occurring in Nigeria as a result of tyres that did not meet national standard specifications. Dr. Odumodu explained that many tyres imported into the country come from colder regions and were not fit for use in Nigeria’s extreme high temperatures.

Superannuation Fraud: Identity Theft

I

dentity theft is an increasingly popular crime - there’s a new victim almost every minute. It’s important to take steps to protect yourself otherwise critical information about you could be stolen- including your super account details. If your identity is stolen, you could spend months or even years cleaning up the mess.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to better protect your account against fraud.

• Check your MTAA Super account online regularly (like you would for your bank accounts) - Check that all the transactions match what you believe should be occurring

- Check the address and other personal details are correct • Check your Annual Superannuation Statement - Make sure it shows only the transactions you have authorised on your account - Securely store personal information at home.

You should destroy any personal information by first tearing, cutting or shredding anything that you don’t want to keep.

• Lock your letterbox - If you are away from home for an extended time, have your mail held at the Post Office.

Stolen mail is an easy way to access information about you.

A missing letter could indicate it was taken from your letterbox or your billing address has been changed. Please call us on 1300 362 415 if you stop receiving your statements.

• If any of your personal details change please let us know so we can continue to send you regular updates • Be wary about giving your personal or financial information to anybody with whom you have not initiated contact.

- Anybody contacting you out of the blue and asking for your superannuation details is most probably

attempting a scam. Your super fund may contact you if there is suspected fraudulent activity with your accounts, but they do not ask you to give them details that they already hold.

• Be wary of offers to release superannuation benefits to you before retirement. These offers could be illegal and you may end up having to pay heavy tax and legal penalties.

For more information about MTAA Super please contact us on 1300 362 415 or visit our website www. mtaasuper.com.au .

To find out more about MTAA Super, you can contact your local representative: • Peter 0419 655 254 • Diedre 0407 732 660 • Lynne 0409 995 868 Email: mtaasuper@mtaasuper.com.au Phone: 1300 362 415 Visit: www.mtaasuper.com.au.

Lynne Wilkinson

Diedre Bell

Peter Jones

This documenthas is issued by thebyMotor Trades Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Limited (ABN 14 008 650FSEL0001069), 628, AFSL 238 718) of Trustee Level company 3, 39 Brisbane This information been prepared the Motor TradesAssociation Association ofofAustralia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628,AFSL 238718, an Approved engaged Avenue Barton ACT Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund 74 559 365information 913, SPINcontained MTA0100AU).

Motor Trades Association Australiahowever, Superannuation solely in managing MTAA2600, Super for the benefit of its members.

All care has been taken(ABN to ensure that the in this article is correct at the time of thisof publication, neither the Fund Limited has interests in Industry Super Pty ME Bank PtyonLtd Superpartners Pty(ABN Ltd.74559365913, RSER10004373) TrusteePty of MTAA Super norownership its advisors accept responsibility for any errorHoldings or misprint, norLtd, for anyone acting thisand information.

MTAA Super The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific financial needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

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For more information visit www.mtaasuper.com.au Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) is the Trustee of MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). You should consider whether motor trader queensland 25 or not MTAA Super is appropriate for you. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained by calling us on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

SPORTS MotoGP 2012 tyres tested MotoGP riders will be utilising new Bridgestone tyres in 2012 that have been developed to improve warm-up and operating range.

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ridgestone’s 2012 specification tyres were debuted at the Valencia (Spain) circuit at the ‘Official MotoGP Test’ on 8-9 November.

The test was conducted mostly with the new-era 1000cc machines including five Claiming Rule Team (CRT) motorcycles from BQR Inmotec, BQR FTR, TeamLaglisse and the Grellini Team.

Every rider’s tyre allocation comprised only the 2012 tyres, marking the first full usage of the 2012 tyres that Bridgestone has been developing for the past year.

The manufacturer explained that the tyres have been developed to

improve warm-up and operating range. The test was a preview what with next year’s rider changes taking effect and the 1000cc motorcycles to be utilised on the track at the same time.

“This test was the first opportunity for us to give all the riders our

“The tyres we supplied are those that will be used for next season, but this test was the first official one for the 1000c bikes so this is the first stage in learning these new machines so we are not resting on our laurels.”

finalised 2012 specification tyres so it was very important for us,” said Bridgestone’s motorsport manager Tohru Ubukata.

“Every rider used our 2012 spec tyres for both days of testing on the new era of 1000cc machines, including five of the new CRT bikes.

“The tyres we supplied are those that will be used for next season, but this test was the first official one for the 1000cc bikes so this is the first stage in learning these new machines so we are not resting on our laurels.

“We will keep learning their characteristics with each test and continue our tyre development into and through next season.

“We started developing this new family of tyres from the post-Valencia test at this time last year and used every test opportunity during this season to continue with our development programme and I am confident what we have will be a marked step forward in addressing the specific concerns from this year.

“Specifically, our objectives from these new tyres are to make their grip characteristics easier to manage, to improve warm-up performance and to increase their temperature operating range.

“From the data we have collected, I am satisfied that we have met these objectives and rider feedback has been positive so I am confident for tyre performance next year.

“I’m also happy with the positive feedback even from CRT teams about our new tyre and its warm-up performance.

“I’d like to thank all the teams and riders for their support during the two days of testing and for the significant role they have all played in developing these tyres this year, for the time they dedicated on track and for their feedback and comments,” Mr. Ubukata concluded.

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Mourning the loss of Marco Simoncelli Bridgestone is devastated by the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli, killed whilst competing in the Malaysian MotoGP.

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he tragic events at MotoGP’s Malaysian Grand Prix, at which Italian San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli was killed, left representatives at tyre supplier Bridgestone Motorsport devastated.

General manager Taka Horio said that the company’s thoughts and prayers were with Marco’s family at this “terrible, terrible time, and with his team.”

“Words can do no justice to the emotion we are all feeling,” he said.

“The MotoGP family has lost one of its bright stars, a genuine character whose larger-than-life persona, charisma and unstoppable spirit were infectious, and we’ve all lost a great friend.

“We worked closely with Marco for his first two years in MotoGP and it was clear that he was a true racer, something he proved again and again this season.

“Determined to the end, and a great showman.

Upsized Dunlops planned for V8 Supercars V8 Supercars officially unveiled its two ‘Car of the Future’ prototypes during its season finale at the Sydney Telstra 500, featuring a new Dunlop 18-inch wheel and tyres, up from the 17 inches used currently.

“His ascent through the field in just two seasons has been fantastic to watch, testament to his raw talent, ability and dedication to the sport he so loved.

“We remember fondly the tenacity and spirit with which he raced, and he will be sorely, sorely missed,” Mr. Horio concluded.

Marco Simoncelli

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he launch of the 2013-spec Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon followed a threeyear project spearheaded by six-time Bathurst winner and current Chairman of the V8 Supercar Commission, Mark Skaife.

The prototypes - which were developed in conjunction with manufacturers, designers, teams and drivers - are aimed at reducing the massive costs associated with running teams and also at enticing new manufacturers into the sport.

At the unveiling, Skaife said that

“We want for the whole of the (V8 Supercar) industry to be able to run the cars more cost-effectively, which will keep our teams more viable and produce better racing.” the “major changes are under the skin or in the design architecture primarily to make the cars cheaper to build and repair.

We also want to ensure market relevance by keeping the car as close as it possibly can be to he car on the showroom floor.”

“We want for the whole of the (V8 Supercar) industry to be able to run the cars more cost-effectively, which will keep our teams more viable and produce better racing.”

Yet, with Toyota representatives supposedly present at the unveiling, the 19-year Ford and Holden stronghold on the two-make category looks like it will be over possibly as early as 2013.

The introduction of a control chassis will 29

SPORTS certainly make it easier for a new manufacturer to join the sport, and they would be able to build their own V8-engine, providing it meets the current units, or use a ‘category’ engine that is already established within the industry.

Skaife says that the changing face of the Australian automotive industry left the sport with no choice but to open its doors to a new manufacturer.

“Australia is a very different place in 2011 than in 1993,” he said.

“Today Ford and Holden combined have roughly 20 per cent of the market. The other 80 per cent needs to be embraced by V8 Supercars.”

Apart from the emphasis of cost-effectiveness and the addition of new manufacturers, changes have been made in relation to driver safety, with components of the car being altered to improve drive quality and protect the driver in the instance of a major incident.

These include the introduction of an independent rear suspension, a new transaxle gearbox, a collapsible steering column, revised fire extinguisher system, a new and safer roll cage-system that includes added side protection, polycarbonate windscreens and the new Dunlop 18-inch wheel and tyres.

One of the biggest safety changes however is the fuel tank of the cars being moved forward from inside the boot into the chassis, which could prevent explosions in the case of rear-end collisions, similar to the incident in which Karl Reindler’s Commodore burst into flames after being hit in the rear by Steve Owen at the beginning of the race at Barbagello Raceway earlier in May this year.

The major changes will undeniably shape the future of one of Australia’s fastest growing sports, and although the planned future variety of manufacturers lining up on the grid will draw the ire of touring car traditionalists, officials will be 30 30

hoping it will help the evolution of the category into a more sustainable and successful series.

New tyre for Superbikes Offering a thicker tread for better handling and consistency, the new 17” Diablo Superbike tyre will be introduced to the 2013 World Superbike Championship season.

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rom the 2013 World Superbike Championship season Pirelli will replace the current 16.5” tyres with larger 17” Diablo Superbike tyres.

Pirelli says the move will better allow the company to develop its roadgoing products in the motorsport arena. The Italian manufacturer says it develops its reference product through technologies and advances learned from its highest-level production series, the World Superbike Championship, for which it is the sole supplier.

Since 2005, Pirelli’s 16.5” Diablo Superbike tyres have been the sole reference rubber in the Superbike World Championship, with the

tyre also used in World Endurance, BSB and CIV. Pirelli’s choice to move to 17” tyres in WSBK in 2013 comes following a similar move successfully negotiated in local Superbike championships, such as those in New Zealand, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Canada and Malaysia. The new 17” slick tyre will allow riders to fit it without having to modify the chassis or wheels of their motorcycles.

The 17” tyre offers a thicker tread for better handling and consistency.

Its footprint in mid to full lean is approximately 10 per cent wider thanks to a higher profile and a carcass able to endure more side force.

Pirelli says the past three years have seen a period of accelerated tyre development to meet end users’ needs and the power delivered by new motorcycles. In 2009, it introduced the new 190/60R17 size, while in 2010 it introduced a new high modulus carcass (Pirelli Patent). The company unveiled the new 200/60R17 size in 2011.

Compared to the 16.5” slick, Pirelli says the 17” tyre offers a thicker tread for better handling and consistency. Its footprint in mid to full lean is approximately 10 per cent wider thanks to a higher profile and a carcass able to endure more side force.

The Superbike World Championship, of which Pirelli remains the sole supplier, returns in 2012 at the Miller Motorsports Park in the State of Utah, in America.

Falken’s focus on motorsport aids its R&D Falken’s commitment to all forms of motorsport helps the company to vigorously test its range of tyres and utilise the data for the betterment of its tyres on the consumer level.

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alken Tyre has announced that it will continue to expand its motorsport activities “aggressively” in 2012.

Teams supported by the manufacturer won two American Le Mans Series races in the challenging GT class during the 2011 season and claimed a second consecutive Championship in the Formula Drift series.

“Falken vigorously supports its motorsports involvement with numerous marketing strategies,” said Andrew Hoit, Falken’s vice president of marketing.

The brand demonstrated its marketing strategy in blending motorsport involvement and social networking activity, such as its use of Facebook during the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring (Germany).

Mr. Hoit said that the strategy had been enacted “through a series of unique activations such as a Cayman Sweepstakes, which generated thousands of ‘likes’ on Facebook, as well as through

exposure, such as placing a specially designed Falken QR [Quick Response] Code on the hood of our Porsche that when triggered by a smartphone, takes enthusiasts to a unique Falken mobile site.”

Falken thus uses its affiliations with motorsports to boost recognition, customer engagement and dealer/ retailer involvement through attrack hospitality, Falken product giveaways and special promotions.

This will continue in 2012 as Falken takes delivery of a new 2012 Porsche GT3 RSR chassis, preparing to challenge for honours in the ALMS GT class.

“The new chassis makes us one of the first teams in the world to have one of these incredibly sophisticated race cars,” said Mr. Hoit.

“Derrick Walker will return to manage our ALMS team, and we expect the same from our drivers, Wolf Henzler and Brian Sellers, each of whom has developed quite a following on our various fan sites.

“We have shown the competition and our customers the versatility of our products by winning on both wet and dry track surfaces, and demonstrated that Falken means business when it comes to sports car racing,” he added.

In the Formula Drift Championship, Falken won five out of seven events during the 2011 season, which enabled

Team Falken’s veteran member Daijiro Yoshihara to capture the Driver’s trophy.

“It was a perfect combination of driver, team and tyre that earned Falken’s second consecutive Formula D Championship,” said Nick Fousekis, Falken director of motorsports and consumer events.

“Formula Drift is an important series for Falken, and allows us to showcase our Azenis 615K tyre.

“Based on its successes, we leverage its significant capabilities on the track by developing important brand appeal for our customers - that’s critical in all our motorsports efforts,” Mr. Fousekis added.

In the off-road side of business, Falken will continue its SuperCross involvement in 2012 as the Official Truck Tyre of the Monster Energy Supercross.

“Motorsports takes on multiple meanings for Falken,” Mr. Fousekis said.

“We use all forms of racing to help test, develop and market our products.

“Obviously, winning is the ultimate goal, but it isn’t the only one.

“What we learn at the track helps make Falken products that much better at the consumer level.

“For this reason alone, Falken will remain deeply involved in motorsports and performance,” he concluded.

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SPORTS Tyre supplier to a slew of motorsport events 2011 motorsport season ranks as “one of the most successful” for Japanese tyre manufacturer.

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okohama has supplied tyres to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the World Touring Cars Championship at the highest levels of circuit racing and rallying, while also helping “grass roots” level competitors to “clinch a huge variety of championships in almost every conceivable form of motorsport”.

In rallying, the brand has been a tyre partner to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge since its inception.

This year’s penultimate stage saw Yokohama’s latest gravel rally tyre, the A053, fit the Production Cup winner.

On track, the brand again partnered with Aston Martin this year, the fifth time the two marques have worked together, supplying tyres for the two-car, in-house team at the Nürburgring

24 Hour race. Both Aston Martin V12 Zagatos ran strongly, though they missed podium results.

In the FIA World Touring Car Championship, five different drivers stood on the top step of the podium, though the manufacturer and driver honours went to Chevrolet.

The brand has been busier in the UK, with the Sports 2000 series making a switch to Yokohama’s racing radial tyres. After a full year on the dry radial, the series organisers will introduce the matching wet weather tyre for the 2012 season and are said to be extremely happy with the performance and durability of the new tyres.

One-make series, traditionally a mainstay of Yokohama’s motorsport involvement, have also flourished according to Yokohama. The Lotus Cup UK enjoyed an “extremely successful” first year, running as part of the Lotus OnTrack race series.

The Lotus Cup Europe also enjoyed success, while the Morgan series also ran on Yokohama control tyres. Two Caterham race series, the Caterham Graduates and the Mega Graduates, also used Yokohama tyres this year.

Yokohama tyres were also in action in the fast and frantic oval racing arena, as control tyre for the BriSCA F2 series. With more than 600

100 years of Michelin Sport support Michelin’s sporting discipline focus aligns with the company’s daily operations.

Michelin recently celebrated one hundred years of supporting sport through its ASM (Association Sportive Michelin, or Michelin Sporting Association).

Marcel Michelin founded the multi-sport organisation on October 11, 1911, making it now the world’s longeststanding sporting patronage. Today, the ASM covers numerous disciplines and boasts 4,000 members who take part in activities as varied as boxing, gymnastics, athletics, basketball, judo, wrestling, football and rugby.

In noting the centenary, Michelin commented in a statement that had it not been for its long involvement in sport, the company might never have become the major global business it is today: “The notions of performance, surpassing one’s limits, perseverance, team spirit and working together are all values championed by sport that have fused with those of the company.”

drivers and 200 race meetings in a season, Yokohama says it can lay claim to being “one of the most hotly contested series around”.

The brand was also very active in Scotland, with the Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup and the Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons Championship both running on Yokohama tyres and support for the British Touring Car Championship.

Yokohama also fitted control tyres in Rallycross, running on both the Junior and Senior Suzuki Swift classes that run alongside the British Rallycross Championship. The RX150 buggies, famous from both British rallycross and their use in the annual Race of Champions, also run on Yokohama in the UK.

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