Sibur Tires names Sokov general director
MOSCOW (Feb. 3, 2012) — JSC Sibur Russian Tires (SRT) has named Dmitry Sokov, deputy director since 2006, general director, and declared its willingness…

Brazilian wheel firm finalizes Lemmerz purchase
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Feb. 3, 2012) — Brazilian wheel maker Iochpe-Maxion S.A. has finalized its $725 million acquisition of U.S. commercial vehicle wheel...

India approves natural rubber as asphalt modifier in roads
NEW DELHI, India (Feb. 3, 2012) — The use of natural rubber-modified bitumen has been specified by India’s Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for...

Apollo tire plant hits production mark
CHENNAI, India (Feb. 3, 2012) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. said its Chennai factory has produced its 1 millionth truck/bus radial.

Nankang wins ‘Taiwan Excellence’ award
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Feb. 2, 2012) — Nankang Rubber Tire Corp. Ltd. has won a “Taiwan Excellence Award 2012” for...

ANRPC sees mild NR production growth
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Feb. 2, 2012) — Natural rubber (NR) production will increase just 0.3 percent in the first quarter, the Association...

Hankook extends Italian touring car series supply deal
NEU-ISENBURG, Germany (Feb. 1, 2012) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. will be the exclusive race tire supplier to two Italian road racing series...

Dana opens distribution center in Hungary
MAUMEE, Ohio (Jan. 31, 2012) — Automotive parts maker Dana Holding Corp. has opened a distribution center in Gyor, Hungary,...

China tire production up 8.5% in 2011
BEIJING (Jan. 31, 2012) — China produced 832.1 million tires in 2011, up 8.5 percent over 2010...

Toyo extends Extensa recall to Canada
RICHMOND, British Columbia (Jan. 27, 2012) — Toyo Tire Canada Inc. is recalling approximately 1,884 Toyo Extensa A/S tires sold in Canada…

Toyo to change fiscal year to calendar year-end
OSAKA, Japan (Jan. 26, 2012) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is planning to change its fiscal year accounting to coincide with...

Euro fleets need fuel economy to stay in business — Goodyear
BRUSSELS, Germany (Jan. 25, 2012) — Armed with the prediction that one in seven European road haulers claim they will be out of business...

Hennessy partners with export management firm
LA VERGNE, Tenn. (Jan. 19, 2012) — Hennessy Industries Inc. has partnered with…

N. American, European tire sales up in 2011 — Michelin
PARIS (Jan. 19, 2012) — Tire sales in Europe, North America and Brazil were higher last year vs. 2010 in most categories, according to…

Japanese satisfaction with replacement tires increases
TOKYO (Jan. 19, 2012) — Internet shopping and tire labels are influencing the Japanese replacement tire market, according to...

Canadian light vehicle tire shipments flat in 2011
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Jan. 18, 2012) — Canadian aftermarket demand for passenger tires slipped by about 3 percent last year…

Bee Line names Australia representative
BETTENDORF, Iowa (Jan. 18, 2012) — Bee Line Co., a maker of heavy duty tractor and trailer wheel alignment and frame correction systems…

EU car registrations continue to fall
BRUSSELS, Germany (Jan. 18, 2012) — In December, new passenger car registrations in the European Union (EU) dropped by...

Tire testing lab opens in China
TIANJIN, China (Jan. 18, 2012) — An independent tire testing company has been established in the Wu Qing...

Cooper completes Serbian tire plant acquisition
FINDLAY, Ohio (Jan. 17, 2012) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has completed its $17 millon acquisition of the assets of the former...

CRIA conference set for March in Qingdao
QINGDAO, China (Jan. 17, 2012) — The China Rubber Conference and China Rubber Expo 2012 will take place March 19-22 in...

Falken appoints Yoshida as EU planning director
OFFENBACH, Germany (Jan. 16, 2012) — Japan’s Falken Tire Corp. has selected Yukio Yoshida to replace Satoru Ushida as...

Hankook sales up 21% in 2011, but operating income slips
SEOUL, South Korea (Jan. 13, 2012) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s sales grew nearly 21 percent last year to $5.87 billion, but operating profits…

Bridgestone develops sidewall printing technology
TOKYO (Jan. 13, 2012) — Bridgestone Corp. has developed and intends to commercialize a printing technology for rubber that can...

Malaysian NR production fell in November
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan. 13, 2012) — The production of natural rubber (NR) in Malaysia dropped 17,864 tons in November to...

Hankook’s Enfren Eco earns top energy efficiency awards
WAYNE, N.J. (Jan. 12, 2012) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s enfren eco all-season performance tire has earned top energy efficiency ratings…

Bridgestone shuffles top executive responsibilities
TOKYO (Jan. 11, 2012) — Bridgestone Corp.’s board of directors has nominated Masaaki Tsuya to become the firm’s CEO...

Goodyear launches RFID truck tires in Europe
KONTICH, Belgium (Jan. 10, 2012) — Goodyear has launched a regional trailer tire in Europe incorporating what it claims…

Sibur-Russian Tyres in management buy-out
MOSCOW (Jan. 10, 2012) — CJSC Sibur Holding has sold the assets of OAO Sibur-Russian Tyres (SRT) to a group of...

Yukon safety agency issues preliminary findings on tire tech’s death
WHITEHORSE, Yukon (Jan. 9, 2012) — A technician at Integra Tire Auto Centre in Whitehorse died in November when the transport truck he was working on...

Midas’ European licensee claiming breach of contract
ITASCA, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2012) — Midas Inc.’s European licensee MESA S.p.A. has filed suit in an Italian appeals court, claiming that Midas...

Federal Corp. picks up Taiwan Excellence Award
TAIPEI Taiwan (Jan. 6, 2012) — Federal Corp. has won a Taiwan Excellence Award, presented for... ingenuity in product and technological innovation.

Atlantic Provinces drivers most likely winter tire users
TORONTO (Jan. 6, 2012) — Residents of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces are more likely to use winter tires than their compatriots in other provinces and Ontarians...

Conti expanding tread rubber capacity at Mexican plant
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2012) — Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. is tripling the production capacity for ContiTread tread rubber at its...

Pirelli renews retread production agreement with Vacu-Lug
BURTON-ON-TRENT, England (Jan. 5, 2012) — Pirelli Tyres Ltd. and Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Ltd. have renewed a contract covering...

India begins tapping root-trained rubber plants
KOTTATAM, India (Jan. 5, 2012) — Rubber seedlings planted in 2005 and developed using a new technique designed to develop a strong root system, are now ready to be...

Nitto Tire sponsoring documentary on airline’s in-flight channels
CYPRESS, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) — A Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.-sponsored documentary on the origins of Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival will be available on...

NR markets bearish — ANRPC
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Jan 4, 2012) — Global economic worries are creating a bearish position for natural rubber (NR) and other...

Goodyear Dunlop Europe promotes two execs
BRUSSELS (Jan. 3, 2012) — Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has promoted long-time Goodyear executives...

Hankook Hungary plant to reach capacity in 2012
RACALMAS, Hungary (Jan. 3, 2012) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. expects its 4-year-old consumer tire plant in Racalmas to reach...

China’s tire makers nervous about 2012
BEIJING (Jan. 3, 2012) — China’s tire makers are not optimistic about the coming year, according to a Chinese-language report on the website…

Commerce ‘disappointed’ in OTR tire tariffs ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 30, 2011) — The U.S. Commerce Department is “greatly disappointed” with the recent federal appeals...

Yokohama Rubber to exhibit at India’s largest motor show
TOKYO (Dec. 28, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s Indian subsidiary, Yokohama India Private Ltd., will participate in the 11th...

Bridgestone ‘evaluating impact’ of OTR tire duties ruling
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 23, 2011) — Bridgestone Americas Inc. is “evaluating the impact” of a recent federal appeals court ruling...

USW to fight for continued duties on Chinese OTR tire imports
PITTSBURGH (Dec. 22, 2011) -- The United Steelworkers union (USW) is calling on the federal government to either overturn a recent federal appeals court ruling...

USW urging Infinity Rubber suppliers exercise caution
TORONTO (Dec. 21, 2011) — United Steelworkers (USW) National Director Ken Neumann has issued a letter to suppliers and creditors...

Sumitomo pushing rolling resistance with supplier’s help
TOKYO (Dec. 21, 2011) — Silicones and silanes producer Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is teaming with Japan’s...

Federal Corp. a naming sponsor for Aussie car festival
TAIWAN (Dec. 21, 2011) — Federal Corp. is a naming sponsor for Australia’s Summernats Car Festival, an annual gathering of...

Federal court rules against OTR tire countervailing duties
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 20, 2011) — The federal appeals court in Washington has ruled that the U.S. Commerce Department...

Zafco formulating Zeetex brand plans for N. America
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Dec. 20, 2011) — Global tire distributor Zafco Fzco. has identified North America as one of six...

Swedish car maker Saab files for bankruptcy
TROLLHATTAN, Sweden (Dec. 20, 2011) — Famed Swedish car maker Saab Automobile A.B. was declared bankrupt...

Pirelli JV in Russia takes control of Kirov tire plant
MOSCOW (Dec. 16, 2011) — Russia’s CJSC Sibur Holding has transferred ownership of a tire plant in Kirov, Russia,...

ASEAN members crack down on defaulting NR buyers
HANOI (Dec. 15, 2011) — Six member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan to crack down on...

Bridgestone to set up Vietnam sales company
TOKYO (Dec. 15, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. is establishing a manufacturing and export sales company in Vietnam to support…

Titan still interested in Goodyear Euro farm tire biz
QUINCY, Ill. (Dec. 14, 2011) — Titan International Inc. is still interested in acquiring Goodyear’s European farm tire...

Fras-le buys Freios Controil Ltda of Brazil
NORTHVILLE, Mich. (Dec. 14, 2011) –– Fras-le S.A. has acquired Freios Controil Ltda., a Brazilian manufacturer of

Trelleborg Group seeks new CFO
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Dec. 13, 2011) — Trelleborg A.B. is seeking a new chief financial officer (CFO) after Carolina Dybeck Happe decided...

Malaysian NR production up strongly in October; exports down slightly
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec. 13, 2011) — Malaysia’s natural rubber (NR) production rose 10.4 percent in October 2011 compared with...

Yokohama Tire’s Forever Forest campaign plants more trees
FULLERTON, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2011) — Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) employees recently planted another 300 tree seedlings at the firm’s headquarters in Fullerton…

Thai floods impacting aviation tire supply — Goodyear (updated)
AKRON (Dec. 12, 2011) — Goodyear is warning its commercial airline customers of a potential global shortage of...

CMA hires Pearlman as Canadian sales mgr.
MONROVIA, Calif. (Dec, 9, 2011) — China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. (CMA) has hired Perry Pearlman, an experienced trucking business executive, as its...

Hankook snags 1st OE deal with Toyota
SEOUL, South Korea (Dec. 9, 2011) — Toyota Motor Corp. has approved Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. as a tire supplier for...

Mitas buying Belgian distributor Tibatyre
BRUSSELS (Dec. 9, 2011) — Czech off-road/agricultural tire maker Mitas A.S. is acquiring Belgian specialty tire distributor Tribatyre and plans to use the business…

Canadian firm building tire recycling facilities in China
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Dec. 9, 2011) — Winnipeg-based Blue Diamond Technologies Ltd. has signed a deal with Hangzhou, China-based Insigma Technology Co. Ltd. to build...

Toyo’s China plant starts production
ZHANGJIAGANG, China (Dec. 9, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has inaugurated production at its Zhangjiagang car and light truck tire plant…

Cooper Tire acquiring assets of Serbian tire plant
FINDLAY, Ohio (Dec. 8, 2011) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has offered to buy the assets of a radial car and light truck tire plant in Kruševac...

China initiates research into tire labeling
BEIJING (Dec. 7, 2011) — Jiang Jian of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology told delegates to a rubber conference...

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tops in Quebec newspaper test
COLCHESTER, Vt., (Dec. 7, 2011) — Nokian Tyres Inc.’s Hakkapeliitta 7 winter tire recently earned top honors in an annual winter tire test…

Video of Bridgestone’s airless tire appears online
TOKYO (Dec. 7, 2011) — Japanese technology company Digitized Information Inc. has released a short video of Bridgestone Corp.’s airless tire/wheel prototype…

Honda’s fuel-efficiency goal: Be No. 1
TOKYO (Dec. 6, 2011) — Pledging that his company will have “the No. 1 fuel economy in each...

Hennessy to display products at China trade shows
SUZHOU, China (Dec. 6, 2011) — In conjunction with its launch of products in China, automotive aftermarket wheel-service equipment maker Hennessy Industries Inc. plans to exhibit...

Canadian group using grant for tire check program
CALGARY, Alberta (Dec. 6, 2011) — Energy-efficiency advocate Climate Change Central (C3) plans to use a $25,000 environmental grant...

‘Green’ tire demand rising worldwide
BEIJING (Dec. 5, 2011) — Demand for low rolling-resistance tires is ramping up markedly as national governments start to encourage or mandate...

China’s Mesnac buys U.S. tire equipment maker Wyko
GREENBACK, Tenn. (Dec. 5, 2011) — Chinese machinery maker Qingdao Mesnac Co. Ltd. has acquired tire equipment maker Wyko...

Goodyear-Titan European farm tire deal lapses
AKRON (Dec. 1, 2011) — Titan International Inc.’s option to buy Goodyear’s European farm tire business expired Nov. 30...

Toyo launching NanoEnergy brand in Japan
OSAKA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd is introducing a new low-rolling resistance tire brand called NanoEnergy.

BorgWarner to sell European TPMS business unit
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Dec. 1, 2011) — Vehicle components maker BorgWarner Inc. has agreed to sell its...

Falling natural rubber prices, low demand slash projections
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov. 30, 2011) — Falling prices and soft demand for natural rubber (NR) are causing the Association of Natural Rubber...

Bridgestone to show airless tire at Tokyo Motor Show
TOKYO (Nov. 30, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has developed a prototype non-pneumatic car tire, which uses...

Teamsters, 2 others sue DOT over Mexican truck agreement
WASHINGTON (Nov. 30, 2011) — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has sued the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), seeking...

Titan, Goodyear face Nov. 30 deadline for Euro farm tire deal
AKRON (Nov. 29, 2011) — Titan International Inc.’s pending acquisition of Goodyear’s European farm tire business is down to its final...

Sibur-Russian Tyres to take over Matador-Omskshina
MOSCOW (Nov. 29, 2011) — Russian authorities have granted Sibur–Russian Tyres permission to acquire all the shares in Joint Stock...

Construction under way on Conti’s Russian plant
KALUGA, Russia (Nov. 29, 2011) — Continental A.G. laid the cornerstone today on its $320 million car and light truck tire plant...

Pirelli data show slowing growth in tire markets
MILAN, Italy (Nov. 28, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has updated its website to reflect tire sales in different regions for the month of October and the first 10 months of 2011.

China to introduce standards on PAH oil content
JINAN, Shandong (Nov. 28, 2011) — Responding to claims by the European Tire & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) that Chinese tires...

Nokian Heavy Tyres to adjust production to reflect weaker demand
NOKIA, Finland (Nov. 28, 2011) — Finland’s Nokian Tyres P.L.C. said it will adjust the production output of...

Hangzhou Zhongce shares sold to British Virgin Islands firm
HONG KONG (Nov. 28, 2011) — China Enterprises Ltd. has completed the sale of its 26-percent share in Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. to...

TRW to open brake plant in Mexico
LIVONIA, Mich. (Nov. 22, 2011) — TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. will open a manufacturing plant in Queretaro,…

2 companies form tire recycling venture
ZWEIBRUCKEN, Germany (Nov. 22, 2011) — Germany´s Pallmann Group has formed a partnership with Spanish tire recycler...

Apollo admits South African cartel activities
PRETORIA, South Africa (Nov. 22, 2011) — South Africa’s Competition Commission has entered into a settlement agreement with Apollo Tyres South Africa in which Apollo admitted...

Maxxis on list of Taiwan’s top 20 global brands
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Nov. 21, 2011) — Maxxis International has been named one of Taiwan’s top 20 global brands for the...

Japan Rubber Assn., CRIA hold joint event in Nanchang
NANCHANG, China (Nov. 21, 2011) — At a joint event hosted recently by the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA), the Japan Rubber...

Mystery entity buys 26% share in Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber
HONG KONG (Nov. 21, 2011) — China Enterprises Ltd. has agreed to sell its shareholding in Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. — China’s largest...

Pirelli’s Gori to keynote 2012 IISRP meeting in Venice
HOUSTON (Nov. 18, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. CEO Francesco Gori will headline the speakers’ program for the International Institute...

Michelin to upgrade, expand U.K. plants
DUNDEE, Scotland (Nov. 18, 2011) — Group Michelin plans to invest nearly $80 million over six years at three plants in the United...

Zafco takes over Zeetex brand name globally
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 16, 2011) — United Arab Emirates-based Zafco Fzco., a global distributor of tires, batteries and lubricants, has acquired the Zeetex brand from...

Dana Holding launches ag tire inflation system
HANOVER, Germany (Nov. 15, 2011) — Dana Holding Corp. introduced its Spicer Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) feature for agricultural machinery...

S. Korea to mandate tire labeling
SEOUL, South Korea (Nov. 15, 2011) — South Korea will introduce mandatory rolling resistance and wet grip labeling for tires starting in…

China’s rubber industry grew 19% in Jan-Sept.
BEIJING (Nov. 15, 2011) — The rubber industry in China generated 19-percent more sales in the...

Techking launches its first all-steel MPT tire
QINGDAO, China (Nov. 14, 2011) — Techking Tires Ltd. has launched its ETMPT1 all-steel multipurpose truck tire, featuring...

Bridgestone announces senior management changes
TOKYO (Nov. 14, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp.’s board of directors has approved the appointment of several new corporate...

Smytka to head Goodyear Asia Pacific business
AKRON (Nov. 14, 2011) — Daniel L. Smytka has been named president of Goodyear’s Asia Pacific business unit, replacing...

Michelin squelches Nexen JV speculation (update)
SEOUL, South Korea (Nov. 11, 2011) — Group Michelin is denying it is engaged in discussions with South Korea’s Nexen Tire Corp.…

Hungarian tire makers set up federation
BUDAPEST, Hungary (Nov. 11, 2011) — Seven tire manufacturing and distribution companies in Hungary have established their own federation...

Chew on this: Researchers patent rubber-free, non-stick chewing gum
CORK, Ireland (Nov. 11, 2011) — Professor Elke Arendt of University College in Cork has patented a process for creating...

Hercules buys Quebec wholesaler Pneu Mondial
KITCHENER, Ontario (Nov. 11, 2011) — Hercules Tire Co. of Canada Inc. has acquired the wholesale distribution assets of...

China’s Doublestar partners with Del-Nat for U.S. warehouse
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Nov. 11, 2011) — China’s Qingdao Doublestar Industrial Co. Ltd. has partnered with Del-Nat Tire Corp. to use…

Bridgestone to build car tire plant in Vietnam
TOKYO (Nov. 11, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. plans to build a $457 million passenger tire plant in Vietnam that will...

Bridgestone to boost radial OTR capacity in Japan
TOKYO (Nov. 11, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. is planning to increase capacity of small and medium-size radial OTR tires for construction and mining vehicles at its...

China’s tire industry enters high-cost era
GUIYANG, China (Nov. 10, 2011) — China’s tire and rubber industry has entered a high-cost era and faces a situation of...

Sumitomo post double-digit sales, earnings gains in Q3
KOBE, Japan (Nov. 10, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.’s (SRI) financial performance rebounded in the quarter ended Sept. 30, with double-digit gains in...

Yokohama earnings up in Q2, down for 1st half
TOKYO (Nov. 10, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) posted a 45.7-percent gain in operating income for the quarter ended...

Apollo posts strong quarterly results
GURGAON, India (Nov. 10, 2011) — India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd. posted a 46-percent rise in net profits on a 22-percent advance in net sales...

Pirelli to ‘fast forward’ premium market strategy
LONDON (Nov. 9, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. intends to “fast forward” its strategy to become the world’s leading premium tire maker...

Pirelli to build radial M/C tire plant in Indonesia
LONDON (Nov. 9, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is setting up a joint venture in Indonesia to make...

Pirelli revises Russian joint venture plans
LONDON (Nov. 9, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. will form only a single joint venture with Russian Technologies State Corp., instead of the two...

Bridgestone income up 20% on 7% higher sales
TOKYO (Nov. 8, 2011) -- Bridgestone Corp. reported operating and net income growth of more than 20 percent for the nine months ended Sept. 30...

Michelin sells Hankook shares for $560 million
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Nov. 8, 2011) -- Group Michelin has sold its 9.98-percent stake in South Korea’s Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., garnering about...

Techking trademark registered in three new countries
QINGDAO, China (Nov. 8, 2011) — Chinese private brand tire marketer Techking Tire Ltd. has registered its name trademark in...

Pirelli, Milan polytechnic extend tire research pact
MILAN, Italy (Nov. 8, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has extended its previously announced co-operation with Milan Polytechnic...

Kenda eyes new plant site in Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Nov. 8, 2011) — Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. has signed a letter of intent with officials in Taiwan’s Changhua district to purchase...

Esser to manage Conti’s commercial tires unit
HANOVER, Germany (Nov. 7, 2011) — Continental A.G. has named Andreas Esser, currently responsble for Conti’s consumer tire business in the Asia/Pacific region, to lead...

S. Korea free trade agreement: Good for customers, little impact likely on tire makers
WASHINGTON (Nov. 7, 2011) — The recent renewal of the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement will make...

Asian tire conference to highlight rolling resistance
SHANGHAI, China (Nov. 4, 2011) — Tirecon Asia, scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Shanghai, will focus...

Euro tire/rubber group elects Michelin’s Lepercq president
BRUSSELS (Nov. 3, 2011) — The European Tire & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) has elected Group Michelin’s Patrick Lepercq as its president for a...

Avon launches two UK-oriented websites
MELKSHAM, England (Nov. 3, 2011) — Avon Tyres has re-designed its website to offer...

Russian billionaire to take over Sibur
MOSCOW (Nov. 3, 2011) — Russian billionaire Leonid Mikhelson has concluded his planned full takeover of Russia’s leading...

USW takes on bank in Infinity strike
TORONTO (Nov. 3, 2011) — The Bank of Montreal (BMO) betrayed striking workers at Infinity Rubber Technology Group Inc. when it loaned the company $7.5 million, according to...

Hankook opens sales office in Poland
WARSAW, Poland (Nov. 3, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has opened a sales branch in Poland...

China rubber group outlines direction of Chinese rubber industry
GUIYANG, China (Nov. 2, 2011) — The office meeting of China’s Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) has outlined the future development of the country’s industry, seeking to become...

NR prices fall despite Thailand floods
WASHINGTON (Nov. 2, 2011) — Widespread flooding has closed auto factories in Thailand, but the country’s natural rubber (NR) production has been...

LMC Automotive takes over J.D. Power forecasting division
OXFORD, United Kingdom (Nov. 1, 2011) — LMC Automotive has acquired the automotive forecasting division from long-time alliance partner J.D. Power and Associates …

Tirecraft Canada names new prez
BURGESSVILLE, Ontario (Nov. 1, 2011) — Tirecraft Canada Inc. has named Corey Miller, president of Miller Tirecraft chain...

Superior Tire opens store in Ontario
RICHMOND HILL, Ontario (Oct. 31, 2011) — Superior Tire & Auto has opened its...

India’s NR production up in July
KOTTAYAM, India (Oct. 31, 2011) — India produced 64,300 tons of natural rubber (NR) in July compared to...

Winter tire installation not be delayed, advises Canadian motorist group
QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Oct. 31, 2011) — Drivers in Quebec are delaying their seasonal tire change, leading to possible “unfortunate consequences”...

RTD opens warehouses in Saskatchewan, British Columbia
BURLINGTON, Ontario (Oct. 31, 2011) — Regional Tire Distributors Canada (RTD), a Burlington-based wholesale tire distributor, has opened warehouses in...

Pirelli to offer ADRs for U.S. investors
MILAN, Italy (Oct. 28, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. will launch a Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program for U.S. investors starting...

Michelin Q3 sales up, but growth slowing
PARIS (Oct. 27, 2011) — Group Michelin reported higher sales volume and revenue in the quarter ended Sept. 30. although growth...

NR supply to grow in 2011, but demand slows
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct. 26, 2011) — Natural rubber (NR) supply from the 11 members of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Companies (ANRPC) could grow by...

U.S.-Korea trade deal will cut tire tariffs — TIA
BOWIE, Md. (Oct. 25, 2011) —The recent renewal of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) will put into force provisions of the Korean-U.S. Free Trade Agreement...

CEAT inaugurates tire service at Kodad
KODAD, India (Oct. 25, 2011) — Indian tire major CEAT Ltd., an RPG enterprise, has launched its second tire service, based in...

Canadian firm to debut liner at SEMA Show
TORONTO (Oct. 25, 2011) — ABC Group Inc. will introduce at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show a product designed to …

Hankook dealers travel to Spain for Partner Relationship Program
WAYNE, N.J. (Oct. 25, 2011) — Hankook Tire America Corp. recently selected several key dealers from the U.S., Canada and Latin America...

Analysis of Kumho’s Chinese mixing problems published
TIANJIN, China (Oct. 24, 2011) — Earlier this year, a Chinese national TV program exposed what it claimed were poor practices in the mixing room at Kumho Tire Co. Inc.’s tire factory in Tianjin, with the resulting impact leading the company to...

Bridgestone: No U.S. aircraft tire plant
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 24, 2011) — Contrary to published reports eminating from Japan the past few days, Bridgestone Corp. is...

RTA sends ‘open letter’ to Aussie prime minister, parliament
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2011) — In an effort to drum up more support for retreading in the land down under, the Retread Tire Association...

Hankook Optimo 4S tops UK winter tire test
DAVENTRY, United Kingdom (Oct. 24, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. said its Optimo 4S model has been voted...

Rubber producers’ group advises members to slow exports
BANGKOK (Oct. 24, 2011) — The International Rubber Consortium (IRCo) will advise member countries Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to slow natural rubber exports...

Bridgestone eyes 10% earnings ratio by 2016
TOKYO (Oct. 21, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. hopes to boost its operating income ratio to 10 percent of sales by 2016...

Indian tire maker installs guided vehicles
GRIMSBY, Ontario (Oct. 20, 2011) — An unidentified Indian tire maker has bought a fleet of 11 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).

U.S.-Mexico trucking pilot program begins Oct. 21
WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2011) — A pilot program allowing cross-border trucking between the U.S. and Mexico begins tomorrow, despite protests from...

Hercules adds line of OTR, specialty tires
FINDLAY, Ohio (Oct. 20, 2011) — Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. has added a full line of OTR and specialty tire product offerings…

Kumho bows out as F3 Euro Series race tire supplier
FRANKFURT, Germany (Oct. 20, 2011) — The Formula 3 Euro Series is negotiating a new race tire supply contract for next year and beyond after...

USW asks White House to suspend China-U. Akron agreement
WASHINGTON (Oct. 19, 2011) — United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard is asking the Obama administration to...

Fras-le names product manager
NORTHVILLE, Mich. (Oct. 19, 2011) –– Friction material manufacturer Fras-le North America Inc. has named Rafael Di Buono …

Pirelli to hike prices in Canada
MILAN, Italy (Oct. 18, 2011) – Pirelli Pneus Inc./Pirelli Tire Inc. is raising prices …

EU car registrations continue uptrend in September
BRUSSELS, Germany (Oct. 18, 2011) — In September, demand for new passenger cars was slightly up in the European Union (EU).

Euro online tire dealer: Winter tire demand up
HANOVER, Germany (Oct. 18, 2011) — Delticom A.G., a European online tire dealer, said its winter tire sales...

Hankook earnings slip despite higher sales
SEOUL, South Korea (Oct. 18, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s operating income slipped 23.2 percent in the third quarter...

Bridgestone names new European executives
BRUSSELS (Oct. 18, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has promoted Franco Annunziato to CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe...

Yokohama opens tire service training center in Thailand
TOKYO (Oct. 18, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has established a tire service training center at its Tire Test Center of Asia comprehensive proving ground…

Hankook completes Hungary plant expansion
RÁCALMÁS, Hungary (Oct. 17, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has completed construction of the second production unit…

Toyo to market Nitto brand in China
OSAKA, Japan (Oct. 17, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has agreed to work with international tire distributor YHI International Ltd. to introduce Toyo’s...

First-half profits fall at China’s top tire makers
BEIJING (Oct. 14, 2011) — Total profits of seven large Chinese tire makers for the first half of 2011 declined in comparison to...

Pirelli to build $500M truck tire plant in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Oct. 14, 2011) — Looking to keep pace with growing demand in South America, Pirelli Tyre...

ALLDATA expanding to Europe
ELK GROVE, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2011) — Automotive repair information provider ALLDATA L.L.C. plans to enter the European market.

Car dealer group applauds trade deal passage
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct. 13, 2011) — The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) is applauding...

Pirelli’s new H:01 truck tire for EU features silica compound
MILAN, Italy (Oct. 13, 2011) — Pirelli S.p.A. plans to launch a long haul truck tire line in Europe Union (EU) nations under the name H:01.

Ford monitors suppliers’ carbon footprints
DEARBORN, Mich. (Oct. 13, 2011) — Ford Motor Co. has more than tripled the size of its program to understand and measure its suppliers’...

China’s carbon black market to be studied
GUANGZHOU, China (Oct. 13, 2011) — The third edition report of “The Future of Carbon Black in China,” which will be released...

Tire, road wear particles not harmful, study finds
CHESAPEAKE BAY, Md. (Oct. 13, 2011) — The level of tire and road wear particles in the air and in sediment does not have adverse effects on...

Mitas name adopted at CGS Reifen Deutschland
HANNOVER, Germany (Oct. 11, 2011) — CGS Reifen Deutschland, the German subsidiary of Mitas A.S.’s parent company, CGS Group...

TRW unveils hybrid TPMS
WUESCHHEIM, Germany (Oct. 11, 2011) — TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has developed its next generation tire pressure monitoring system...

GITI Tire puts own branding on Micheldever trucks
LONDON (Oct. 11, 2011) — In a deal with tire distributor Micheldever Tire Services, the United Kingdom arm of Singapore-based GITI Tire Investment Co. Ltd. is putting...

Tire Group International partners with TRP, McLarty
MIAMI (Oct. 10, 2011) — Tire Group International Inc. (TGI) has partnered with…

Wheel maker Hayes Lemmerz bought by Brazilian competitor
DETROIT (Oct. 7, 2011) — Brazilian wheel and chassis supplier Iochpe-Maxion S.A. is buying automotive wheel maker Hayes Lemmerz...

Electric car breaks Nürburgring lap record on Nokian tires
NÜRBURG, Germany (Oct. 6, 2011) — An electric race car from Finland driving on Nokian eco tires set a lap record...

Michelin outlines China strategy at Italian investor day
CUNEO, Italy (Oct. 6, 2011) — At an investor day held in Cuneo, Italy, Group Michelin outlined its strategy in China...

Chinese tire industry needs to crack down on counterfeits—CRIA
BEIJING (Oct. 5, 2011) — A series of speakers at a Chinese seminar called for stricter rules on counterfeits and better...

All Bridgestone plants in Europe now certified to ISO14001
BRUSSELS (Oct. 4, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has completed ISO 14001 certification of all its European tire plants...

Nizhnekamsk tire plants get ISO certifications
NIZHNEKAMSK, Tartarstan (Oct. 4, 2011) — The two tire factories in Nizhnekamsk have been accredited to the requirements of ISO...

Toyo Tire Canada raising passenger, LT tire prices Dec. 1
RICHMOND, British Columbia (Oct. 4, 2011) — Toyo Tire Canada Inc. will raise prices on summer and all-season passenger...

Global NR output up, putting pressure on prices
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Oct. 4, 2011) — The world’s supply of natural rubber (NR) has increased faster than expected,…

Brain waves may steer cars someday, Nissan says
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Oct. 3, 2011) — Nissan Motor Corp. is working with Swiss scientists on mind-reading technology...

ANRPC sees downward turn in NR market
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct. 3, 2011) — A bleak outlook for the global economy means a downward turn for the world natural rubber (NR) market...

Yokohama shows airless tire concept
TOKYO (Oct. 3, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has developed an airless concept tire that relies on...

Conti’s retread system established in Ireland
DUBLIN, Ireland (Sept. 29, 2011) — Continental A.G. said it now has a fully integrated partner network in Ireland...

Titan revises 2011 sales, earnings outlook upward
QUINCY, Ill. (Sept. 29, 2011) — Titan International Inc. is revising upward its earnings and sales expectations for fiscal 2011...

Philippines passes law establishing Rubber Research Institute
MANILA, Philippines (Sept. 29, 2011) — The Philippine Senate has passed a bill which aims to set up...

Genuine Parts Co. invests in Australasia parts distributor
ATLANTA (Sept. 28, 2011) — Genuine Parts Co. (GPC), parent firm of NAPA Auto Parts, has agreed to acquire...

Dollar’s surprise rise slamming some stock sectors
NEW YORK (Sept. 28, 2011) — Yesterday’s stock market rally aside, the renewed strength of the U.S. dollar is wreaking havoc on...

AIA offers Canadians winter tire, car care advice
TORONTO (Sept. 28, 2011) — Car Care Canada, the consumer education arm of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada...

Global Rubber starts up solid tire plant
NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka (Sept. 28, 2011) — Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., a Sri Lankan manufacturer of solid industrial...

Michelin backing renewable isoprene technology
EMERYVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2011) — Group Michelin has agreed to work with a U.S. renewable chemicals and fuels company...

CRIA expects consolidation in China tire industry
BEIJING (Sept. 28, 2011) — The China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) has expressed disappointment in the recent World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ruling...

PPG to increase global capacity for silica
PITTSBURGH (Sept. 22, 2011) — PPG Industries Inc. is increasing its global capacity for precipitated silica, a component of rubber compounds,...

China’s tire output increased in August
BEIJING (Sept. 22, 2011) — According to a report on the Chinese tire market, data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China showed that tire production...

Pirelli opens luxury goods store in Milan
MILAN, Italy (Sept. 22, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has opened a fashion store/gallery in Milan to promote...

Canadian consumers still not sold on winter tires
TORONTO (Sept. 21, 2011) — More than half of Canadian car owners in areas outside those where winter tires are mandated will be driving...

UK tire fire case collapses over expert witnesses
CAMBRIDGE, England (Sept. 21, 2011) — A case brought against scrap rubber processing company Murfitts Industries Ltd....

Canadian Tire offers online tire sales
TORONTO (Sept. 21, 2011) — Mega retailer Canadian Tire Corp. has added an online tire sales service...

2012 FIA GT World Championship taking shape
LONDON (Sept. 21, 2011) — The reborn and revamped FIA GT World Championship, an international racing series...

Chinese delegation profiles Russia’s rubber industry
BEIJING (Sept. 21, 2011) — Following a study visit to Russia, the Chinese Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) has published...

Bridgestone appoints two key executives
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 20, 2011) — Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has named Saul Solomon president of its Latin American Tire…

Yokohama global tweets in English
TOKYO (Sept. 20, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has opened an official English-language Twitter account.

Puma uses rice husks in shoes’ rubber compound
HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Sept. 19, 2011) — Sports clothing brand Puma A.G. is using rice-husk fillers in its sports shoes...

Conti to raise tire prices in Canada
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Sept. 19, 2011) — Continental Tire Canada Inc. will raise tire prices …

Land Rover shows driver-actuated tire spikes at IAA
FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 16, 2011) — Land Rover has included driver-controlled and retractable tire spikes on two concept vehicles...

Conti to grow even in ‘stagnant’ market
FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 16, 2011) — Despite anticipating an economic slowdown next year, Continental A.G. is confident it can grow...

Aisin transferring aftermarket brake product sales to Advics
TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2011) — Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a global, Tier One automotive supplier...

China’s tire industry faces challenges in second half
BEIJING (Sept. 16, 2011) — The tire statistics branch of the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) reports that its members face a severe test...

GT Tire launches motorsport micro site
SINGAPORE (Sept. 16, 2011) — GT TIre (China) Investment Co. Ltd. has launched a micro site to serve as a platform for...

Pirelli gets OE fitment on latest Porsche 911
FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 15, 2011) — German car maker Porsche A.G. has selected Pirelli’s P Zero...

N. American OE truck tire demand rises
PARIS (Sept. 15, 2011) — Group Michelin has reported that North American original equipment truck tire demand jumped...

Ford shows 3-cylinder engine at Frankfurt auto show
FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 13, 2011) — Ford Motor Co. showed its 1-liter, three-cylinder, direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine ...

New Bridgestone tire technology reads road conditions
FRANKFURT, Germany (Sept. 13, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has developed technology that can provide …

Malaysian natural rubber production rises
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Sept. 12, 2011) — Natural rubber production in Malaysia totaled 100,281 metric tons in July…

Pirelli set to take leading role in Russian tire market
MOSCOW — The tire industry in Russia — the “R” in the oft-cited global industrial growth acronym BRIC — is in for a major makeover in the coming few years, with Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. set to take the leading role.

UK car sales rise for first time in over a year
LONDON (Sept. 7, 2011) — United Kingdom new-car registrations in August rose...

Marangoni to add second mixing line at Ellerbrock facility
HAMBURG, Germany (Sept. 2, 2011) — Marangoni Retreading Systems Deutschland G.m.b.H.(MRSD), previously known as the retread company Ellerbrock, is...

Apollo Tyres recognized for HIV-AIDS initiative
GURGAON, India (Sept. 1, 2011) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. has received a special commendation...

Mitas accelerating pace of work on Iowa farm tire plant
CHARLES CITY, Iowa (Sept. 1, 2011) — Agricultural tire manufacturer Mitas Tires North America Inc. is accelerating the pace…

Marangoni expands N. American tread rubber capacity
MADISON, Tenn. (Sept. 1, 2011) — Marangoni Tread North America Inc. (MTNA) has completed a $10 million expansion…

Mitas to phase out Conti farm tire brand in N. America
DECATUR, Ill. (Sept. 1, 2011) — Farm tire specialist Mitas Tires North America Inc. will phase out the use of…

Bridgestone may not have enough tires
TOKYO (Aug. 31, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has confirmed that it has told…

GLOBAL TIRE REPORT: Makers commit nearly $10B for expansions
AKRON (Aug. 31, 2011) — Led by billion-dollar investment commitments by Hankook Tire Co. Inc., Bridgestone Corp., Group Michelin and Goodyear…

Tire market up 20% in 2010; Bridgestone No. 1 again
AKRON (Aug. 30, 2011) — The global tire market, rocked by the recession of late 2008 and 2009, roared back in 2010,…

Pirelli inaugurates expansion at Romanian plant
SLATINA, Romania (Aug. 30, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has inaugurated the first stage of a five-year expansion of its Slatina tire factory…

Thai researchers improve rubber yields
BANGKOK (Aug. 30, 2011) — Researchers at Thailand’s Prince of Songkla University have created a new...

USW stages Infinity Rubber protest at Bank of Montreal
TORONTO (Aug. 30, 2011) — The United Steelworkers (USW) union staged a protest Aug. 29 at the downtown Toronto branch of the Bank of Montreal...

Conti to promote tires for e-cars at IAA Frankfurt
FRANKFURT, Germany (Aug. 29, 2011) — Continental A.G. will present the prototype Conti.eContact tire developed specifically for…

GM partners with battery supplier LG on electric vehicles
DETROIT (Aug. 29, 2011) — General Motors Co. said Aug. 25 that it is partnering with its battery cell supplier...

Low supply. low demand keeps rubber prices high
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug. 29, 2011) — Although demand for natural rubber has eased over the summer...

Australian university develops tires-to-steel process
MELBOURNE, Australia (Aug. 25, 2011) — A senior professor at the University of New South Wales has developed a process to use scrap tires…

GM tire/wheel specialist to keynote Tire Society event
AKRON (Aug. 24, 2011) — Terrence Connolly, head of General Motors Co.’s suspension, chassis structure and fastening engineering groups, will keynote…

Africa Renewables starts grinding up rubber trees in Ghana
LONDON (Aug. 24, 2011) — Africa Renewables Ltd. (AfriRen), a London-based renewable energy trading company, said it is actively recruiting…

Brodsky to speak at India tire conference
CHENNAI, India (Aug. 24, 2011) — Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Retread Tire Association (RTA), will be a featured speaker at…

Kenda OKs expansion of China plants
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Aug. 24, 2011) — Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. has brought on stream passenger tire capacity at its headquarters plant in…

Conti to expand, add radials to Indian tire plant (updated)
NEW DELHI, India (Aug. 24, 2011) — Continental A.G. plans to invest $71 million through 2013 in its newly acquired tire plant…

Eurotire hiking OTR bias, radial tire prices
NEW YORK (Aug. 23, 2011) — Eurotire Inc., a designer, manufacturer and service provider of OTR tires for the global mining industry, will increase prices globally by up to...

WTO: Report on Chinese tire tariff appeal due soon
GENEVA, Switzerland (Aug. 23, 2011) — A report on China’s appeal of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling upholding heavy U.S. tariffs on Chinese tire imports should be circulated to WTO members no later than...

India holding training course in reclaimed rubber
KOTTAYAM, India (Aug. 23, 2011) — The Indian Rubber Board and Indian Rubber Institute are jointly organizing a one day training session...

VW to unveil one-seat electric car
FRANKFURT (Aug. 23, 2011) — Volkswagen A.G. will unveil a one-seat experimental car...

Yokohama wins OE fitment on Mazda compact
TOKYO (Aug. 22, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has begun delivery of its ASPEC A349 BluEarth tires for installation as OE...

Ford, Toyota to collaborate on hybrids
DETROIT (Aug. 22, 2011) — Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. have agreed to jointly develop...

Chinese suppliers produce clean tire oils
BEIJING (Aug. 22, 2011) — Chinese firm Karamay Petrochemical Co. claims to have produced tire extender oils which meet…

Jiangsu tire makers struggling with EU fuel economy standards
JIANGSU PROVINCE, China (Aug. 22, 2011) — A report on the website of the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) says tire makers from Jiangsu are finding it difficult to meet…

Japanese tire industry recovered in 2010
TOKYO (Aug. 19 2011) — Japan’s tire industry recovered...

China’s Triangle Group launches U.S. HQ (Update)
AKRON (Aug. 19, 2011) — In partnership with both the City of Akron and the University of Akron, China’s Triangle Group Co. Ltd. launched…

Maxxis, NBA star Yao Ming tout green initiatives
SHANGHAI (Aug. 19, 2011) — Officials of Taiwan tire maker Maxxis International and former NBA star Yao Ming recently celebrated...

Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo doubles attendance
PANAMA CITY, Panama (Aug. 19, 2011) — The second annual Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo, held. . .

Dubai launches tire safety campaign
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Aug. 18, 2011) — The Monitoring & Enforcement Department at Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recently launched…

Goodyear blimp flies again in U.K.
CARDINGTON, England (Aug. 18, 2011) — Goodyear’s Spirit of Safety airship is flying again. . .

Tire problem No. 3 reason to call road service in UK
LONDON (Aug. 18, 2011) — A flat tire or damaged wheel is the third most common reason...

Ontario hits tire recycling milestone
TORONTO (Aug. 17, 2011) — Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) says the province has recycled more than…

Malaysian NR output increases
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Aug. 17, 2011) — Malaysia’s production of natural rubber (NR) in June 2011 was higher. . .

Yokohama Australia wins ISO14001
TOKYO (Aug. 11, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s tire sales company in Australia, Yokohama Tire Australia Pty. Ltd.(YTA), has obtained ISO 14001 certification.

Yokohama’s operating income down on higher costs
TOKYO (Aug. 11, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) reported strong net income growth in the quarter ended June 30, but operating income dropped 29.9 percent as increased costs for raw materials more than offset price increases the company instituted during the period.

Sumitomo’s earnings down, sales up 6.7%
KOBE, Japan (Aug. 11, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) suffered drops in operating and net income for the six months ended June 30 as sales rose 6.7 percent to $3.7 billion.

Omni United launching car tire with pink sidewall to support breast cancer research
NEW YORK (Aug. 11, 2011) — Singapore-based tire wholesaler Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd. is launching a limited-edition pink sidewalled Radar-brand passenger tire to support its “Mobilizing Hope” campaign to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

China’s retreading activity set to expand - report
BEIJING (Aug. 10, 2011) — A long report on a China economic website quotes Zhu Jun, head of the China Tire Retreading, Repairing & Recycling Association, saying the country is rapidly improving the status and performance of retreaded tires.

U.S. pilots warned about failing Goodyear inner tubes
WASHINGTON (Aug. 10, 2011) — U.S. pilots are being warned to check for possible failures of inner tubes made from butyl rubber by Goodyear Aviation Tires, especially in cold weather.

Hankook in bidding for Indonesia’s P.T. Multistrada
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Aug. 9, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., which recently broke ground on a $353 million tire plant in Indonesia, is among the bidders to buy Indonesia’s P.T. Multistrada Arah Sarana Tbk., whose flag brands are Achilles, Corsa and Strada.

Bridgestone earnings, sales up in first half
TOKYO (Aug. 8, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. reported double-digit operating and net income for the six months ended June 30, as the firm’s efforts to reduce expenses and shift resources to more profitable tires paid dividends during the second quarter.

China imposes controls on scrap tires
BEIJING (Aug. 8, 2011) — New rules on imported solid waste came into force in China Aug. 1, with a ban on importing scrap tires reinforced and stricter controls as well on the storing and stockpiling of waste tires.

Sailun Tires Canada launches social media-enabled website
QINGDAO, China (Aug. 8, 2011) — Chinese tire maker Qingdao Sailun Radial Tyre Co. Ltd. has set up a website for its Sailun Tires Canada unit “to support the growth of Sailun Tires internationally.”

Honda recalls 1.5 million U.S. vehicles for software fix
DETROIT (Aug. 5, 2011) — Honda Motor Co. said it will recall 1.5 million cars and small SUVs in U.S. to repair the software that controls the automatic transmission, according to a Reuters news story.

Remo Corghi, equipment maker co-founder, dies at 81
CORREGGIO, Italy (Aug. 5, 2011) — Remo Corghi, president and co-founder of Nexion Group and its subsidiary Corghi S.p.A., died July 30 at age 81.

Techking debuts two OTR tire applications
QINGDAO, China (Aug. 5, 2011) — Chinese OTR tire distributor Techking Tires Ltd. has debuted its ETMT OTR tire in size 14.00R20 for two applications.

Nokian reports double-digit sales, profits growth
NOKIA, Finland (Aug. 5, 2011) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C.’s operating earnings jumped 53.3 percent in the quarter ended June 30 as sales rose 30.1 percent.

Luxembourg makes winter tires a legal requirement
LUXEMBOURG (Aug. 5, 2011) — From Oct.1, 2012, Luxembourg police will be able impose a fine of up to 74 Euros for any driver caught without winter tires when conditions require them.

NR prices show little change despite stock market meltdown
LONDON (Aug. 5, 2011) — On Tokyo’s Tocom Exchange, prices for the six-month contract for natural rubber (NR) remained unchanged overnight, trading at yen 390.5 ($4.97) per kg on Aug. 5. Shorter-dated prices were also unchanged at yen 382.

Federal Corp. launches Facebook, Twitter presence
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Aug. 5, 2011) — Taiwanese tire maker Federal Corp. has launched a Facebook page and Twitter account to drive interaction with customers and potential customers around the world.

Conti wins Mercedes-Benz OE contracts
HANOVER, Germany (Aug. 5, 2011) — Continental A.G. has won two original equipment contracts from Mercedes-Benz.

Federal sponsors new drifting series in Japan
TAIWAN (Aug. 4, 2011) — Federal Corp.’s hitching its sponsorship to a new Japanese national drifting race series designed to offer “affordable” high-caliber competition to drivers in Japan.

Toyo’s earnings up on strong international sales
OSAKA, Japan (Aug. 4, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. reported double-digit operating and net income increases for its first quarter ended June 30, but sales fell 2.5 percent as the firm dealt with the after effects of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan and an unsteady currency exchange rate.

Carbon black has a proven effect on the heart, German scientists say
MUNICH, Germany (Aug. 4, 2011) — Selected artificial nanoparticles, including carbon black, have a direct effect on heart rate and heart rhythm, according to a team of scientists from the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM).

Toyo to build $260M tire plant in Malaysia
OSAKA, Japan (Aug. 4, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. will invest $260 million over three to four years to build a car and light truck tire plant in Perak, Malaysia, adjacent to the Silverstone Bhd. plant it acquired earlier this year.

Group predicts continued high NR prices
LONDON (Aug. 4, 2011) — The International Rubber Consortium (IRC) predicts natural rubber (NR) prices probably will not fall below $4.50/kg, an increase on the organization’s previous estimate.

Nokian expands Vianor retail chain to Italy
MONTEBELLUNA, Italy (Aug. 3, 2011) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C.’s Vianor tire retailing chain marked a double milestone recently: its first store in Italy and 800th overall.

Evonik completes sale of carbon black business
ESSEN, Germany (Aug. 2, 2011) — Evonik Industries A.G. has completed the divestment of its carbon black activities to the private equity firms Rhône Capital L.L.C. and Triton Capital Partners Ltd. for more than $1.3 billion.

ANRPC forecasts NR shortage from 2016 onward
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Aug. 2, 2011) — In its July issue of Natural Rubber Trends & Statistics, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) said natural rubber (NR) prices are recovering hesitantly on low supply, the weak dollar and high oil prices.

Ukrainian security services occupy Rosava tire plant
KIEV, Ukraine (Aug. 2, 2011) — Ukraine security services have occupied Ukrainian tire maker J.S.C. Rosava’s plant in Belaya Tserkov, idling the facility and putting 5,000 workers on the streets.

Titan: Nov. 3 is ‘drop-dead’ deadline for Goodyear Europe farm tire deal
QUINCY, Ill. (July 28, 2011) — Titan International Inc. has set Nov. 3 as the “drop-dead” deadline for completing its pending acquisition of Goodyear’s European farm tire assets.

Pirelli’s Superbike race tire deal extended through 2015
ROME (July 28, 2011) — Infront Motor Sports, the sanctioning body for the FIM Superbike World Championship, has extended Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.’s contract as the series’ official tire supplier through season’s end 2015.

Goodyear reports record Q2 operating income
AKRON (July 28, 2011) — Goodyear reported record second quarter operating income and sales, but Chairman and CEO Richard Kramer cautioned this elevated level of earnings is not sustainable considering sluggish demand in developed markets and other headwinds.

Pirelli raises stake in Chinese venture to 90%
MILAN, Italy (July 27, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has raised its ownership stake in its Pirelli Tyre Co. Ltd. (China) venture to 90 percent from 75 percent, paying nearly $40 million for the additional 15-percent stake in the Yanzhou, China, venture.

Pirelli posts strong results, raises forecasts
MILAN, Italy (July 27, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. reported markedly higher profits for the three and six months ended June 30 on double-digit sales growth.

Hankook reports record Q2 sales, but earnings drop
SEOUL, South Korea (July 26, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s second quarter global sales rose 21 percent to a record $1.46 billion, but operating income fell by more than a third to $102.8 million.

Trelleborg Wheel’s Q2 earnings, sales up (Update)
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (July 25, 2011) — Trelleborg Wheel Systems reported a gain in pretax operating earnings of nearly 61 percent in the quarter ended June 30 as sales jumped 26.5 percent to $157.4 million.

Pirelli to take over Kirov, Russia, tire plant
MOSCOW (July 25, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. will take control of the former Amtel Tire’s tire plant in Kirov, Russia, by November, according to terms of an agreement identifying which Russian assets Pirelli will take over within the framework of a joint venture agreement signed last November with two Russian partners.

Titan forms mining services subsidiary
QUINCY, Ill. (July 22, 2011) — Titan International Inc. has formed Titan Mining Services, a subsidiary that will offer complete tire, wheel and track services for end users.

EU clears Evonik carbon black deal
BRUSSELS, Belgium (July 22, 2011) — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the German chemicals company Evonik Industries A.G.’s carbon black business by the private equity firms Rhône Capital L.L.C. and Triton Capital Partners Ltd.

Denso, six other suppliers raided by Japanese fair trade authorities
TOKYO (July 21, 2011) — Japanese fair trade regulators have raided the offices of Toyota Group supplier Denso Corp. as part of a reported probe into price fixing by Japanese auto parts makers.

Europe’s Point S Group tire co-op plans to exhibit at SEMA Show, may work with U.S. dealer group
OBER-RAMSTADT, Germany (July 21, 2011) — Point S Group, one of Europe’s largest retail tire cooperatives, is on a “fact-finding mission” to the U.S. and will exhibit at this fall’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas as it eyes potential entry into the states.

Striking USW members try to put pressure on Canada’s Infinity Rubber
ETOBICOKE, Ontario (July 21, 2011) — The United Steelworkers (USW) union has launched a new campaign against custom mixer Infinity Rubber Technology Group Inc. to try to end the impasse—now well into its second year—between Infinity management and the company’s 65 striking workers.

ITR USA recalling 51,003 Shandong LT commercial tires
WASHINGTON (July 20, 2011) — Tire distributor ITR USA Inc. is voluntarily recalling 51,003 Shandong Yongtai Negotiator Commercial H/T tires, sizes LT265/75R16 and LT235/85R16, manufactured between April 2009 and May 2011.

Hard-charging Chrysler/Fiat leader Marchionne will relinquish some authority to regional chiefs
TURIN, Italy (July 20, 2011) — Sergio Marchionne, who personally holds almost all authority at Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group L.L.C. through an astonishing 50 direct reports, is preparing a new management structure that would delegate some authority to regional managers.

Pirelli Tire promotes several key executives
NEW YORK (July 20, 2011) — Pirelli Tire North America Inc. has promoted several key members of its staff to new positions within the company.

Mitas to switch retail branding away from CGS
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (July 20, 2011) — Czech tire maker Mitas a.s. is to begin changing the corporate names of all sales subsidiaries to promote the company’s core tire brand, Mitas, rather than the legal owner, CGS a.s.

Yokohama Rubber employees still aiding quake recovery efforts
TOKYO (July 20, 2011) —Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. inaugurated a program in which employees can take part in on-site relief activities to support recovery efforts in areas affected by the March 11earthquake and tsunami that devastated east Japan.

Kumho Mitsui boosting MDI capacity
SEOUL, South Korea (July 20, 2011)—Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, a joint venture of Japan Mitsui Polyurethane and Korea Kumho Chemicals, is increasing capacity at its Yeosu, South Korea-based methylene diphenyl diisocyanate facilities in an expansion that is expected to be completed in the second part of 2012.

Pirelli, not Bridgestone, to sponsor Russian football cup
MOSCOW (July 19, 2011) — The Russian Football Union (RFU) has announced that Pirelli S.p.A. is to be the lead sponsor of the Russian Football Cup—not Japan’s Bridgestone Corp.

IRSG adopts revised constitution, elects new chairman nation
SINGAPORE (July 19, 2011) — The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) adopted a revised constitution and elected India as its new chairman nation at the 107th IRSG group meetings in Singapore July 11-14.

ContiTech drive belt counterfeits seized
HANOVER, Germany (July 19, 2011) — The ContiTech Power Transmission Group has pulled off a successful strike against fake products in the United Arab Emirates.

Bridgestone to sponsor Russian football championship
TOKYO (July 18, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. is to be the title sponsor of the Russian Cup, held by Russian Football Union, for the 2011-2012 season, with the tournament being called the “Bridgestone-Russian Cup.”

Conti closes acquisition of Modi Tyre unit
HANOVER, Germany (July 18, 2011) — Continental A.G. has completed its acquisition of India’s Modi Tyres Co. Ltd. (MTCL), a subsidiary of Modi Rubber Ltd., for about $25 million.

Business confidence index shows economic confidence decline
BETHESDA, Md. (July 14, 2011) — Results of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) and Northwood University’s May 2011 joint Business Confidence Index showed the number of aftermarket business leaders who were more confident — slightly or significantly — about the state of the economy over the next 12 months decreased by about half compared with April’s results.

7th Circuit upholds decision throwing out child labor suit against Firestone Liberia
CHICAGO (July 13, 2011) — The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal district court’s rejection of a child labor lawsuit against Firestone Natural Rubber Co. L.L.C.

Wacker Chemie sells tire release biz to Rhein Chemie
MANNHEIM, Germany (July 12, 2011) — Wacker Chemie A.G. has sold its silicone-based tire-release-agent business to Lanxess A.G.’s Rhein Chemie Rheinau G.m.b.H. subsidiary for an undisclosed price.

Sumitomo Rubber (Changshu) rolls out 50 millionth tire
KOBE, Japan (July 12, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ Sumitomo Rubber (Changshu) Co. Ltd. subsidiary in China produced its 50 millionth tire June 15.

Liberty Tire Recycling to exhibit at Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo
PANAMA CITY, Panama (July 12, 2011) — Tire recycling giant Liberty Tire Recycling Inc. will exhibit its services July 20-23 at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo at the ATLAPA Convention Center in Panama City.

Federal Corp. ships first batch of Himalaya WS2 winter tires to Canada
TAIWAN (July 11, 2011) — Federal Corp. recently delivered the first shipment from its China factory of Himalaya WS2 winter tires destined for the Canadian market.

Kumho to relocate Nanjing, China, plant
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (July 11, 2011) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. and the Chinese government are in discussions about relocating the South Korean tire maker’s plant in Nanjing, China, to an as-yet undetermined location outside the city.

Sibur to buy Conti’s stake in Matador-Omskshina - report
OMSK, Russia (July 11, 2011) — Kommersant, a usually reliable news agency, is saying that Sibur-Russian Tyres is planning to buy out its partner in the Matador-Omskshina tire factory.

South Korea to introduce tire grading from 2012
SEOUL, South Korea (July 8, 2011) — South Korea is planning to introduce a tire-grading system covering rolling resistance and wet grip, with mandatory labeling on tires set for November 2012, coinciding with the launch date in Europe for a similar program.

Toyota bumps up quake recovery timetable to October, report says
TOKYO (July 7, 2011) — Toyota Motor Corp. has moved up its earthquake recovery timetable by a month and now plans to resume normal operations by Oct. 1, according to a Japanese news report.

TRIB to participate in Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (July 7, 2011) — The Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) will have a booth at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo in Panama City, Panama, July 20-23.

Global rubber consumption rose 15% in 2010, IRSG says
SINGAPORE (July 7, 2011) — Global rubber consumption reached 24.6 million metric tons in 2010, a 15.3-percent increase over 2008, according to the latest Rubber Statistical Bulletin and Rubber Industry Report available from the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG).

Freudenberg claims win in China suit over rubber seal products
WEINHEIM, Germany (July 7, 2011) — A Chinese company that marketed its own seal products under the Freudenberg name has been banned from using the name.

China’s tire production, exports rise
BEIJING (July 6, 2011) — Tire production in China rose 2.4 percent in the first five months of 2011, as exports hit a record high, according to the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA).

Goodyear’s Sava Tires to adopt Goodyear Dunlop name
KRANJ, Slovenia (June 29, 2011) — Goodyear’s Sava Tires d.o.o. subsidiary in Kranj will change its name July 1 to Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires in order to align Sava with other companies within the Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe organization.

Hangzhou Zhongce joins project to help develop S-SBR
NINGBO, China (June 29, 2011) — Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd., China’s largest tire company, has agreed to work with Chinese petrochemicals producer Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. to develop commercial applications for solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR).

NR supply growth slowing as prices ease
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (June 28, 2011) — The global supply of natural rubber is slowing down, as prices appear to have peaked and are easing steadily, according to the latest monthly economic forecast from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC).

U.S. Supreme Court reverses N.C. courts in Goodyear foreign operations tire liability case
WASHINGTON (June 27, 2011) — State courts can’t hold foreign corporations liable in accidents that occur out of state without proof that the companies do “continuous and systematic” business in the state, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.

Canada to resume mail delivery
OTTAWA (June 27, 2011) — Following the Canadian Parliament’s passage of Bill C-6 calling for resumption and continuation of postal services, Canada Post Corp. plans to reopen for business after suspending mail delivery across Canada two weeks ago.

Goodyear Asian exec Tan to retire
SINGAPORE (June 27, 2011) — Peter Tan, managing director of Goodyear Orient Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., will retire at year-end after 39 years with the company, and Goodyear has named Franco Fan, manager, Asia raw materials, to succeed him.

RTA sends ‘open letter’ to Canadian prime minister, parliament promoting retreads
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (June 24, 2011) — As a pitch on behalf of its Canadian retreader members, the Retread Tire Association (RTA) has sent an “open letter” to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and members of the country’s Parliament expounding the benefits of using retreaded tires on government vehicles.

Chinese car maker Great Wall aims to sell SUVs in U.S.
SHANGHAI (June 23, 2011) — The first Chinese auto maker to enter the U.S. — the world’s largest market for SUVs — may well be Great Wall Motor Co., China’s largest sport-utility vehicle producer.

European Rubber Journal publisher retiring
LONDON (June 23, 2011) — Paul Mitchell, publisher of European Rubber Journal and Urethanes Technology International — both sister publications of Tire Business — will retire on Sept. 19, and the publications’ staff is moving to Crain offices in Croydon, England, from London.

Formula One: Pirelli to debut medium tire compound in Valencia
DETROIT (June 22, 2011) — Formula One tire supplier Pirelli S.p.A. will introduce its medium-compound tire at the European Grand Prix on the streets of Valencia, Spain, on June 26.

Report: Kumho strike in China ends
SHANGHAI, China (June 21, 2011) — More than 400 workers at Kumho Tire Co.’s plant in northeast China ended a three-day strike after the South Korean company agreed to raise wages, according to Automotive News China.

Michelin technology head Didier Miraton leaving the firm
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (June 21, 2011) — Group Michelin Managing Partner Didier Miraton is leaving after 29 years with the company, including the last four as a managing partner.

Conti boosts driver assistance expertise with purchase of Magna unit
MUNICH (June 20, 2011) — Continental A.G. said it has increased its expertise in drive assistance systems with the purchase of a small southern Germany-based radar engineering unit from Magna Electronics.

IRCo: NR prices to remain above $4
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (June 20, 2011) — Natural rubber (NR) prices are unlikely to fall below $4 a kilogram in the third quarter this year, International Rubber Consortium’s (IRCo) acting chief executive Yium Tavarolit said.

Michelin shareholders reinvest dividends
PARIS (June 20, 2011) — More than three-fourths of Group Michelin shareholders opted to reinvest their most recent annual dividend in new shares, which will result in the issuing of 3.1 million new shares, or 1.7 percent of capital.

Canada postal strike may cause U.S. mail delays
AKRON (June 16, 2011) — Following 12 days of strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Canada Post Corp. has suspended operations and mail delivery across the country.

Hankook confirms truck tire recall in China
BEIJING (June 16, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. is recalling up to 246 truck tires in China following a Chinese quality investigation which found the tires had protruding steel cord.

‘Managing Uncertainty’ theme of ANRPC China meeting
HAIKOU CITY, China (June 16, 2011) — “Managing Uncertainty, Developing More Elastic Supply” is the theme of the Fourth Annual Rubber Conference of the Association of Natural Rubber (NR) Producing Countries (ANRPC), scheduled for Nov. 2 in Haikou City.

Honda warns annual profits to drop 63% on quake, yen woes
TOKYO (June 14, 2011) — Honda Motor Co. forecast a bigger-than-estimated 63-percent drop in full-year profit, citing output disruptions following the nation’s earthquake in March and the strong yen.

Pirelli adds S. America to PTNA Chairman Pessi’s duties
MILAN, Italy (June 13, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has added the titles of President and CEO of its South American region to Pirelli Tire North America Inc. (PTNA) Chairman Mauro Pessi’s responsibilities as part of the firm’s strategy to build its business throughout Latin America.

Goodyear blimp crashes in Germany; pilot killed (Update)
REICHELSHEIM, Germany (June 13, 2011) — A Goodyear blimp operating in Europe caught fire June 12 during a flight and crashed at the Reichelsheim Airport near Hanau, Germany. The pilot was killed but passengers aboard managed to escape by leaping from the airship, Goodyear said.

Malaysian NR production increases 18.3 percent in April
KUALA LUMPUR (June 10, 2011) — Malaysia produced 62,363 metric tons of natural rubber (NR) in April, up 18.3 percent from the production figures in April 2010, according to the latest statistics from the Malaysian Department of Statistics.

Conti on target for record consumer tire output
HANOVER, Germany (June 10, 2011) — Continental A.G. expects to produce 124 million passenger and light truck tires this year, a 10-percent gain over 2010 and the highest total in company history.

Goodyear to sell steel wire business to Hyosung
AKRON (June 10, 2011) — Goodyear has agreed to sell its global tire-reinforcement wire business to South Korea’s Hyosung Corp., pending government and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, for approximately $50 million.

S&P lowers GITI Tire bond rating
SINGAPORE (June 10, 2011) — Credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s has issued a warning on GiTi Tire over lack of restructuring of a $200 million bond due to mature in January 2012.

Apollo opens office, warehouse in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (June 10, 2011) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. has opened an office and warehouse in Dubai to serve its Middle East customers.

Hankook breaks ground on Indonesia tire plant
BEKASI, Indonesia (June 9, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. broke ground today on a $353 million tire plant in Bekasi, which the firm said will act as an export base for the North America and Middle East markets, as well as a regional business hub for emerging Asian markets.

New materials, designs from Michelin could raise tire load-carrying
BERLIN (June 8, 2011) — Using new materials and technologies to make tires that can carry more weight, Group Michelin is pushing the envelope on accepted industry standards for load-bearing for both car and truck tires.

Indian official calls for higher NR output
KOTTAYAM, India (June 8, 2011) — A government minister has called for higher production and productivity from India’s natural rubber-growing industry.

Michelin UK wins large tire order
STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (June 8, 2011) — Group Michelin has won its largest contract yet in the United Kingdom for the firm’s CargoXbib agricultural flotation trailer tires.

Aeolus implements tire life-cycle analysis
BEIJING (June 7, 2011) — Chinese tire manufacturer Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd. has implemented what it describes as a life cycle analysis system for its tire production.

U.S.-South Korea free trade pact signed, not yet sealed
SEOUL, South Korea (June 6, 2011) — The free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S., which proponents believe will spark a major increase in bilateral trade between the two nations, remains stalled.

Styrene producers protest fed plan to list material as carcinogen
WASHINGTON (June 2, 2011) — Styrene producers and their customers — including manufacturers of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), a key component in tires — are protesting plans by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to list styrene as a human carcinogen.

BMW to fit Minis with Hankook Ventus UHP version
SEOUL, South Korea (June 1, 2011) — German car maker BMW A.G. has added the Hankook Ventus Prime\2 — a new version of the tire maker’s Ventus performance line — to the list of approved OE tires for its Mini compact car line.

Mercedes picks Yokohama Advan for SLK, CLS models
STUTTGART, Germany (June 1, 2011) — German car maker Daimler A.G. has picked Yokohama Advan Sport V105 tires as OE fitments for its Mercedes-Benz SLK-class two-seat roadsters and the CLS-class premium luxury 4-door coupe models, according to Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC).

Goodyear declares force majeure on butadiene-related products
AKRON (June 1, 2011) — Goodyear has declared force majeure on its chemical products—including styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)—that use butadiene because of supplier shortages of the monomer.

Yokohama breaks ground on Philippines expansion
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines (May 31, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) has broken ground on a $600 million expansion of its consumer tire plant in the Philippines, designed to more than double annual capacity to 17 million units by 2017.

Ford improves worker safety, Hollywood-style
DETROIT (May 31, 2011) — Ford Motor Co. is applying Hollywood-inspired animation technology to its new manufacturing facilities in Asia, Africa and other regions.

Conti reshuffles consumer tire management
HANOVER, Germany (May 27, 2011) — Continental A.G. is reshuffling management at its Passenger and Light Truck Tire (PLT) division, naming new heads for the Europe/Mideast/Africa (EMEA) replacement business and global research and development.

Conti’s Mexican tread rubber plant begins shipments
MORELIA, Mexico (May 26, 2011) — Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) has begun shipping flat precure treads from its tread rubber plant in Morelia to Conti LifeCycle customers in Mexico.

Michelin boosts casing strength with ‘IronFlex’ technology
BERLIN (May 26, 2011) — Group Michelin has improved the durability of a tire’s casing with a technology advancement it’s calling “IronFlex,” which the firm’s engineers claim makes the casing of the new Energy XM2 passenger radial 7-percent “more robust” in resisting pothole damage.

Producers’ group sees NR output growth slowing
KUKALA LUMPUR (May 26, 2010) — The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) expects the pace of natural rubber (NR) output growth to ease in the second quarter to 5.8 percent, down from 10-plus percent in the first quarter, following drops in NR prices in recent weeks.

Bridgestone develops compact TPMS unit for trucks
BRUSSELS (May 25, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has developed a more compact Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for truck tires it claims can be screwed onto a tire’s valve stem and uses considerably less energy than existing systems.

JK Tyre’s fiscal year profits fall on higher sales
NEW DELHI, India (May 25, 2011) — JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., parent of Mexican tire maker Tornel S.A., suffered a 48.8-percent drop in pre-tax profits for the fiscal year ended March 31, but sales jumped 33 percent to $1.3 billion.

Trelleborg Group offers new ‘Gateway’ app
TRELLEBORG, Sweden (May 25, 2011) — Global industrial group Trelleborg A.B. has launched a smartphone app to make it easier to keep up with the company’s latest news and updates.

Imported tire makers group launches website for members
WHITE COLNE, England (May 25, 2011) — The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) has launched a new website for its members.

Tire, O-ring, auto parts production rises in China
BEIJING (May 25, 2011) — Production of radial tires in China in the first three months of 2011 increased by 8.7 percent, O-ring output jumped 35 percent and automotive anti-vibration products manufacturing rose more than 45 percent, according to the China Rubber Industries Association (CRIA).

VW fits Cordiant tires as OE on Russian Polo
MOSCOW (May 24, 2011) — Sibur-Russian Tyres has begun shipping Cordiant-brand tires to Volkswagen A.G.’s Russian subsidiary for OE fitment on VW Polo compact cars produced at the unit’s plant in Kaluga, Russia.

China to appeal WTO ruling in U.S. tire import duties
GENEVA (May 24, 2011) — The Chinese government plans to appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling from last December that supported the U.S. government’s decision in 2009 to impose severe duties on imports of consumer tires from China.

China launching quality program at tire plants
BEIJING (May 24, 2011) — China’s tire industry has started a quality improvement program at its plants, following quality issues earlier this year at a Kumho Tire Co. Inc. tire factory in Tianjin, China.

Conti names Jochen Etzel to head Americas tire unit
FORT MILL, S.C. (May 23, 2011) — Continental A.G. has named Jochen Etzel, a 20-year company veteran in the firm’s mergers/acquisitions, finance and legal departments, to be CEO of the Continental Tire the Americas business unit, effective July 1.

Titan raises fiscal forecast; eyes more acquisitions
QUINCY, Ill. (May 23, 2011) — Titan International Inc. continues to evaluate opportunities to expand its business beyond the pending acquisition of Goodyear’s European farm tire business, Chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr. told analysts today without disclosing any details.

Yokohama Rubber subsidiary supports Chinese NGO’s environmental protection activities
TOKYO (May 23, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.´s Yokohama Rubber (China) Co. Ltd. holding company in China is supporting an environmental protection project carried out by a Chinese environmental non-governmental organization (NGO), the Beijing SanSheng Environment and Development Research Institute.

Michelin claims self-seal technology could become standard
BERLIN (May 20, 2011) — Group Michelin has developed a self-sealing innerliner technology that it expects will become standard on all its tires, starting in the next two years or so, according to the firm’s head of development.

Hankook breaks ground on 3rd China plant
CHONGQING, China (May 19, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has broken ground on its $954 million car and truck tire plant in Chongqing, which should start producing tires by August 2012 and hit full capacity by year-end 2015.

Kumho Tire expands sports marketing in Germany
SEOUL, South Korea (May 19, 2011) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. is expanding its sports marketing portfolio to include a two-season sponsorship with Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. (Hamburger SV), a prestigious European football club from Germany.

Car tire imports set record; China still No.1
WASHINGTON (May 18, 2011) — After a down year in 2009, imports of passenger tires to the U.S. rebounded in 2010 to a record 120.4 million units.

Conti’s China tire plant starts production
HEFEI, China (May 18, 2011) — Continental A.G. has commissioned production at its $260 million Hefei car tire plant and disclosed plans to quadruple the size of the factory over time to 16 million units annually.

Sumitomo Rubber to build car tire plant in Brazil
KOBE, Japan (May 17, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) is committing $345 million to build a consumer tire plant in Brazil in the coming two years as part of the firm’s global expansion strategy.

Eaton forms global aftermarket unit
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (May 17, 2011) — Eaton Corp. has formed the Global Aftermarket and Clutch Business Unit.

Bridgestone raises 1st half earnings outlook
TOKYO (May 16, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has revised upward its earnings and sales forecasts for fiscal 2011, based on the firm’s better-than-expected first quarter results and management’s assessment of the global economy.

Bridgestone earnings, sales up in 1st quarter
TOKYO (May 16, 2011) — Despite rising raw materials prices and the negative effects of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Bridgestone Corp. reported double-digit gains in operating and net income for the quarter ended March 31 on 6.9-percent higher sales.

Continental to build car tire plant in Russia
HANNOVER, Germany (May 13, 2011) — Continental A.G. is planning to build a $275 million car tire plant in Russia that should be in production by the fourth quarter of 2013, according to Nikolai Setzer, head of Conti’s passenger tire unit.

TIRE BRANDS UPDATE: China’s Jiangsu GST opens U.S. sales branch
COMMERCE, Calif. (May 13, 2011) — Chinese tire maker Jiangsu General Science Technology Co. Ltd. has established a distribution subsidiary for North America in Commerce and is looking for distributors for its TBB and GS brands.

Michelin shareholders elect Senard top executive
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (May 13, 2011) — During Group Michelin’s annual meeting, shareholders today elected Jean-Dominique Senard managing general partner for the coming four years.

CEAT’s earnings plunge on higher materials costs
MUMBAI, India (May 10, 2011) — CEAT Ltd. suffered an 86-percent drop in earnings for the year ended March 31 on 23.6-percent higher sales, as the rising costs of raw materials took their toll on the Indian tire maker’s bottom line.

Indonesia’s Gajah Tunggal surpasses $1B in sales
JAKARTA, Indonesia (May 10, 2011) — Indonesian tire maker P.T Gajah Tunggal Tbk. reported double-digit operating earnings growth in fiscal 2010 as sales jumped 24.2 percent to $1.08 billion.

Sumitomo evaluating further global expansion
TOKYO (May 9, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) is evaluating the need and feasibility for additional tire factories outside of Japan, with Brazil and India being two prime locations, SRI President Ikuji Ikeda said at a recent business strategy briefing in Tokyo.

Yokohama researchers honored for innerliner work
TOKYO (May 9, 2011) — Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has honored two Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) researchers for their work on a polymer-based inner liner that improves air impermiability with only about one-fifth the weight and thickness of traditional liner materials.

CMA to sell Warrior-brand consumer tires in North America
MONROVIA, Calif. (May 4, 2011) — China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. (CMA) will be able to distribute Warrior-brand passenger and light truck tires in North America in the coming years as a result of the joint Chinese manufacturing venture CMA’s parent, Double Coin Holdings Ltd., signed recently with Group Michelin.

BREAKING NEWS: Conti’s Schoenberg taking top post at ContiTech unit
HANNOVER, Germany (May 4, 2011) — Matthias Schoenberg, CEO of Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) since September 2006, is returning to his native Germany to become the top executive of the Fluid Technology business of parent Continental A.G.’s ContiTech Division, effective July 1.

Pirelli raises fiscal 2011 outlook on higher Q1 results
MILAN, Italy (May 4, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.’s pre-tax operating profit rose 59.6 percent in the quarter ended March 31 on 24.7-percent higher sales, as the company’s consumer and industrial businesses both contributed improved results and higher sales.

More Goodyear-led zeppelins in tire maker’s future
AKRON (May 3, 2011) — Goodyear’s long aviation history of flying airships around the world will continue with a new agreement the company signed with a German zeppelin manufacturer.

Mitas hikes tire prices
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (May 2, 2011) — Mitas A.S., parent of Mitas Tires North America Inc., has raised prices on all its products in all markets by an average of 10 percent.

Rubber Association of Canada schedules Tire and Rubber Summit in June
KING CITY, Ontario (April 29, 2011) — June 16 and 17 are the dates for the Tire and Rubber Summit and general meeting sponsored by the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC), scheduled for the Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute in King City.

Goodyear posts higher profits, record sales on quarter
AKRON (April 29, 2011) — Goodyear posted net income of $103 million for the first quarter, compared with a net loss of $47 million in the year-earlier period, while posting record sales of $5.4 billion.

ANRPC: NR supply to rise 7.9% in April, 10.5% in second quarter
KUALA LUMPUR (April 29, 2011) — Natural rubber (NR) production from the 11 member nations of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) will rise 7.9 percent in April and 10.5 percent in the year’s second quarter, according to the April edition of the ANRPC newsletter, Natural Rubber Trends & Statistics.

Engineers create laser beams that could replace spark plugs
DETROIT (April 29, 2011) — Could a laser beam replace a spark plug? A system that uses multibeam lasers has been developed by engineers in Japan and Romania and could replace spark plugs long used to ignite the fuel/air mixture in internal combustion engines.

Tool maker’s initiative aims at keeping manufacturing in the U.S.
ROSEMONT, ILL. (April 29, 2011) — Harry Moser is out to help manufacturers bring work back to the U.S. by supplying them with hard data that could help them prove they can compete on prices.

BREAKING NEWS: Conti board OKs plans for new U.S. tire plant
HANOVER, Germany (April 28, 2011) — Continental A.G. is planning to build a greenfield-site tire plant in the U.S., Conti Chairman Elmar Degenhart told shareholders today at the firm’s annual meeting in Hanover, but the firm is not disclosing specifics.

Conti Q1 earnings, sales up 20+ percent
HANOVER, Germany (April 28, 2011) — Continental A.G.’s operating income improved 28 percent in the quarter ended March 31 on 20-percent higher sales, according to preliminary data presented at the firm’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Hanover.

Toyota sees at least 6 months before normal production; recovery will be fragile
TOKYO (April 28, 2011) — Toyota Motor Corp., hit hard by the March 11 Japanese earthquake in Japan, said it will take at least until November for production to return to normal — overseas and at home — but that factory suspensions have bottomed out and output will start rebounding this summer.

Carbon black producer Cabot donating $500,000 to Japanese relief efforts
BOSTON (April 28, 2011) — Carbon black producer Cabot Corp. has pledged $500,000 to support earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

Yokohama Rubber issues update on its quake relief in Japan
TOKYO (April 28, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s support for relief effort for communities hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan has totaled more than $1.1 million thus far.

New Hankook TV ad: ‘Be one’ with the road
WAYNE, N.J. (April 27, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Inc. will try to pump up its “Driving Emotion” branding umbrella with a high-energy 30-second television spot that focuses on the driver’s feeling of “being one” with the tire and the road.

Companies plan to build butadiene rubber plant in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (April 27, 2011) — Ukranian state-owned oil and gas holding company Uzbekneftegaz and the China National Petroleum Corp. tentatively have agreed to establish a butadiene rubber plant in Uzbekistan.

Garb Oil to buy Italian recycling business
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (April 27, 2011) — Garb Oil & Power Corp. said it is negotiating to buy the rubber recycling business of FDG di Collu S.r.l. in Italy.

New electric vehicle racing series has 2 dates in Calif.
LONDON (April 27, 2011) – The EV Cup, being promoted as the world’s first “green” racing series exclusively featuring zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), has released the final dates and circuits for its inaugural 2011 season, which includes two races in the U.S.

Yokohama promotes top 2 executives
TOKYO (April 27, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) has promoted 42-year company veteran Tadanobu Nagumo to chairman and CEO and named Hikomitsu Noji, president of the tire business, to replace him as president.

First shipment of Federal’s Couragia F/X destined for Aussie retail chain
TAIWAN (April 26, 2011) — An Aussie tire dealership will be among the first to handle Federal Corp.’s latest Couragia F/X asymmetrical tire, which the tire maker has begun shipping for high performance luxury SUVs.

Honda expects Japan output to return to normal by year-end
DETROIT (April 26, 2011) — Honda Motor Co. said April 25 that it expects Japanese production to return to normal levels before year-end following supply-chain disruptions caused by the country’s March 11 earthquake.

Hankook earnings drop in Q1; sales up 16%
SEOUL, South Korea (April 21, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s operating income dropped 10 percent in the quarter ended March 31 despite 16.3-percent higher sales.

Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo kicks off in July
PANAMA CITY, Panama (April 21, 2011) — More than 80 international companies have already confirmed booths for the 2011 Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo, taking place July 20-23 at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City.

Evonik selling carbon black business to investment firm
ESSEN, Germany (April 20, 2011) — Specialty chemicals producer Evonik Industries A.G. has agreed to sell its carbon black activities to affiliates of New York-based investment capital firm Rhône Capital L.L.C. for more than $1.3 billion.

Pirelli gets Honda motorcycle OE fitment
MILAN, Italy (April 20, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has gained original equipment fitments on the new Honda Crossrunner motorcycle.

Yokohama expanding support of IRC rally series
TOKYO (April 20, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is expanding its motorsports involvement this year to include support of two top Japanese rally drivers participating in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), which is organizing a dozen rallies this year throughout Europe and South America.

Toyota slashes North American production through May
DETROIT (April 20, 2011) — Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. will slash the production schedule at its North American manufacturing plants through June 3 in the wake of continued parts shortages stemming from the March 11 earthquake in Japan.

TIA, TRIB partner to create Japan disaster relief website
BOWIE, Md. (April 19, 2011) — The Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) have partnered to establish “Treads of Care,” a website dedicated to helping aid in the Japan disaster recovery effort.

Cabot Corp. donating $500,000 to Japanese relief efforts
BOSTON (April 19, 2011) — Carbon black producer Cabot Corp. has pledged $500,000 to support earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

Automechanika Mexico July 13-15 in Mexico City
ATLANTA (April 19, 2011) — The 13th edition of PAACE Automechanika Mexico, Central America’s and Mexico’s international automotive aftermarket trade show, will take place July 13–15 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City.

Nitto sponsors wartime documentary about Japanese American World War II internment
CYPRESS, Calif. (April 19, 2011) — Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. is sponsoring the world premiere of a documentary celebrating a governor’s brave fight against the unconstitutional internment during World War II of Japanese American U.S. citizens.

Cooper lays down the rubber for F3 racing
LONDON (April 19, 2011) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. retains its grip on the British F3 International Series as this coming weekend the tire maker enters its 30th season as exclusive tire supplier to the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series.

Michelin, Double Coin forming Warrior JV in China
PARIS (April 19, 2011) — Group Michelin and Chinese tire maker Double Coin Holding Ltd. have agreed to create a joint venture to produce and market Warrior-brand passenger car and light truck tires for the Chinese market.

Honda extends N.A. production curbs through May 6
DETROIT (April 18, 2011) — Honda Motor Co. has extended reductions of vehicle output at its U.S. and Canadian plants through May 6 as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Conti eyes purchase of India’s Modi Tyres
MUMBAI, India (April 18, 2011) — Continental A.G. is pursuing the acquisition of India’s Modi Tyres Co. Pvt. Ltd. — a Conti technical licensee for the past 37 years — as part of its “strategy to invest in growing markets in Asia for its core businesses.”

Toyo’s Sendai plant up to 70% output
SENDAI, Japan (April 18, 2011) — Output at Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.’s car tire plant in Sendai is up to 70 percent of capacity, and should reach 100 percent in May, the company said.

Kumho recalling tires in China to quell quality claims
SEOUL, South Korea (April 15, 2011) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. is voluntarily recalling more than 300,000 car tires in China “to help expedite the recovery of credibility with customers” after local news media reports in the past few weeks cast doubts on the quality of the firm’s products.

Hankook, Lanxess extend SR supply agreement
ORANGE, Texas (April 15, 2011) — Synthetic rubber producer Lanxess A.G. has extended a specialty rubber supply agreement with South Korea’s Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. by four years through year-end 2015.

Commerce Dept. selects ASRW 2012 trade show for international buyer program
DALLAS (April 15, 2011) — The U.S. Department of Commerce has selected Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) to participate in the U.S. Commercial Service’s International Buyer Program (IBP) for 2012.

Michelin to supply China’s first commercial airliner with tires
GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 15, 2011) — Michelin North America Inc. has been selected to build and supply tires for the Comac C919, the first commercial airliner designed in China.

Pirelli to raise tire prices in Europe
MILAN, Italy (April 14, 2011) — Pirelli S.p.A. has announced price increases in all Europe, Middle East and Africa tire markets for car, motorcycle, scooter, light industrial and heavy industrial vehicle tires.

Japan loses half-million units in month since quake
TOKYO (April 13, 2011) — Production of more than a half million vehicles has been wiped out in Japan since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami paralyzed the county’s manufacturing sector.

Yokohama Rubber to exhibit at Auto Shanghai show
TOKYO (April 13, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., plans to highlight its environmental technology, orange oil compounding technique and new BluEarth eco tire at Auto Shanghai 2011, which runs April 19-28 in Shanghai, China.

Bridgestone to sponsor Alpine Ski World Cup Events
BRUSSELS (April 13, 2011) — Bridgestone Europe N.V./S.A. will sponsor 34 World Cup Alpine Ski events in Europe during the 2011-12 season as part of the firm’s strategy to strengthen its winter tire business.

Toyo Canada adds 2 events to motorsports involvement
RICHMOND, British Columbia (April 12, 2011) — Toyo Tire Canada Inc. will continue to support grassroots motorsports throughout Canada, including new agreements this year with Formula Tour 1600 in Quebec and the newly formed Spec Miata Championship in the Atlantic Provinces.

Toyo buying 75% stake in Chinese truck tire maker
OSAKA, Japan (April 12, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is buying a 75-percent stake in China’s Shandong Silverstone Luhe Rubber & Tyre Co. Ltd., which it will use to supply its global operations with radial truck tires.

Bridgestone donates to New Zealand quake relief
TOKYO (April 7, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has donated more than $129,000 to relief efforts in New Zealand working in the aftermath of the Feb. 22 earthquake in Christchurch and disclosed $355,000 in donations from its Bridgestone Europe N.V./S.A. unit to the earthquake/tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

Nokian to build 2nd tire plant in Russia
HELSINKI, Finland (April 7, 2011) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. will double its manufacturing presence in Russia in the coming three to four years by adding capacity for 5 million to 6 million tires at a plant to be built adjacent to its existing factory in Vsevolozhsk, Russia.

OTHER VOICES: Record prices show how old natural rubber pact helped consumers
AKRON (April 7, 2011) — So how do you like that free market now? That’s a question rubber company executives might ponder as they try to cope with record-breaking prices for natural rubber (NR) — prices that recently hit $2.60 a pound, compared with 44 cents a pound in mid-2003.

RAC event looks at ‘driving sustainability’
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (April 6, 2011) — “Driving Sustainability” will be the theme of the Rubber Association of Canada’s (RAC) 2011 Tire and Rubber Summit, scheduled for June 16 at Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute in King City, Ontario, north of Toronto.

A summer of disruption: Global pinch will curtail auto output
DETROIT (April 5, 2011) — It’s even worse than you think. Despite encouraging messages from Japan’s auto makers and suppliers, the hard truth is that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in that country likely will trigger a summer of shortages of Japanese vehicles and parts — no matter where they are made.

Goin’ nutty — YRC’s cashew shell technology wins an award
TOKYO (April 5, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s use of an oil derived from cashew shells in rubber compounds used in tire making has earned the company a prestigious award from the firm that supplies the oil.

Nokian expects markedly higher Q1 results
NOKIA, Finland (April 5, 2011) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. will report markedly higher sales and earnings for the quarter ended March 31, based on preliminary figures released this week.

U.S. to defund participation in IRSG
WASHINGTON (April 5, 2011) — The U.S. Department of State is on defunding U.S. participation in the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) effective June 30, despite widespread protests from the U.S. rubber industry.

9 more companies join RTA
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (April 4, 2011) — Nine tire industry and retreading-related firms are the newest members of the Retread Tire Association (RTA).

NR prices rise in wake of floods in southern Thailand
WASHINGTON (April 4, 2011) — Natural rubber (NR) prices rose strongly in Asian markets as concerns rose over the long-term effects of flooding in prime rubber-growing land in southern Thailand.

Bridgestone opens tire sales co. in Morocco
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (April 4, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has established a sales company in Casablanca, Morocco, to serve what it sees as a “key region in which rapid economic expansion can be anticipated.”

Goodyear Brazil plant wins manufacturing award
AKRON (April 1, 2011) — Goodyear’s manufacturing plant in Americana, Brazil, has earned the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence.

SEMA announces slate of board candidates
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (April 1, 2011) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has 17 candidates vying for seats on the trade group’s board of directors, with this year’s election also including voting for the chairman-elect.

Yokohama Rubber to exhibit for first time at eco vehicle conference in Monaco
TOKYO (March 31, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is participating for the first time in the Ecologic Vehicles & Renewable Energies International Conference & Exhibition (EVER Monaco 2011), which kicks off today in the Principality of Monaco Principality of Monaco and runs through April 3.

Honda targets mid-April factory startup as car makers inch toward recovery
TOKYO (March 31, 2011) — Honda Motor Co., among the worst hit by Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami March 11, said it will resume limited vehicle assembly on April 11, after having its plants offline for four-straight weeks, as some of the country’s auto makers inched toward recovery.

Falken Tire promotes 3 key execs
FONTANA, Calif. (March 31, 2011) — Falken Tire Corp. has promoted three key executives, effective April 1, including the naming of Richard Smallwood to president and CEO.

BKT to add $300 million tire plant in India
SINGAPORE (March 30, 2011) — Indian OTR tire manufacturer Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has confirmed plans for a fourth tire plant in India.

Conti raising tire prices in Asia
SHANGHAI, China (March 30, 2011) — Continental A.G. will increase prices for replacement car and truck tires in Asia on April 1.

IRSG chief predicts strong tire growth at TyrexpoAsia 2011
SINGAPORE (March 30, 2011) — The secretary general of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) has predicted strong global demand for tires through to the end of the decade.

China orders nationwide checkup on tire quality
BEIJING (March 29, 2011) — China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has ordered its offices throughout the country to begin a nationwide tire inspection.

Tight supply balances soft demand in NR market
KUALA LUMPUR (March 29, 2011) — Natural rubber (NR) inventories remain tight around the world, but political unrest in the Middle East and continuing nuclear worries in Japan are balancing tight supplies with soft demand, according to the March 2011 figures from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countires (ANRPC).

Conti presents employee performance, achievement awards
HANOVER, Germany (March 28, 2011) — Following a long-standing company tradition, Continental A.G. recently recognized employees for outstanding performance and achievement, with two of the five awards going to the firm’s Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. (CTA) unit in the U.S.

Toyo Tires adds donations to earthquake victims
OSAKA, Japan (March 28, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. President and CEO Kenji Nakakura visited Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures in Japan on March 24 and 25 to present donations to victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Yokohama Rubber China, Vietnam plants get ISO 14001 certification
TOKYO (March 28, 2011) — Two Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. factories, in China and Vietnam, have obtained ISO 14001 certification, an international standard for environmental management systems.

Audi selects Bridgestones for A1
BRUSSELS, Belgium (March 28, 2011) — Audi A.G. has selected Bridgestone’s new flagship ultra-high-performance tire, Potenza S001, as original equipment for the new Audi A1.

Toyota braces for slowdown in North American output
DETROIT(March 28, 2011) — The supply-chain disruptions from the March 11 earthquake in Japan are likely to force Toyota Motor Corp. to cut production at its North American plants, the company said.

Bridgestone restarts production at Nasu, Japan, plant
TOKYO (March 28, 2011) — Bridgestone Group restarted tire production March 25 at its factory in Nasu, Japan, which went on hiatus in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that rocked the island country.

Omni United to support Breast Cancer Research Foundation
SINGAPORE (March 25, 2011) — International tire distributor Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd. hopes to raise $1 million by next May through sales of its Radar-brand tires globally to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a New York-based non-profit that funds clinical and translational research into finding a cure for breast cancer.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyre installing radial machines
BIRMINGHAM, England (March 24, 2011) — Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. (DATL) has begun installing radial aircraft tire building and testing equipment at the Birmingham plant that it purchased last year from Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

Toyo resumes production at plant in Sendai, Japan
OSAKA, Japan (March 24, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has resumed partial production at its Sendai, Japan, car and light truck tire plant, 11 days after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the Pacific Coast of Japan’s main island where Sendai is located.

OTHER VOICES: Japan’s disaster shows how linked world has become
AKRON (March 24, 2011) — The Earth, once a place of vast distances, is shrinking, and along with it the rubber industry. How the news of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan rippled throughout the globe clearly shows that fact.

Kumho addresses production concerns at China plant
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (March 23, 2011) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. said it has investigated production methods at its Tianjin plant in China and is taking action in the aftermath of media reports on problems with its passenger tires made at the site.

Goodyear spending $1B on ‘high value-added’ capacities
NEW YORK (March 22, 2011) — Goodyear is spending more than $1 billion through 2013 to add 19 million units of “high value-added” (HVA) consumer tire capacity at plants in the U.S., Brazil, Chile and Germany, CFO Darren Wells told a group of financial analysts this morning in New York.

IRCo postpones meeting on prices as markets rebound
BANGKOK (March 22, 2011) — The International Rubber Consortium (IRCo) has decided to postpone an emergency meeting intended to discuss methods of supporting natural rubber prices (NR) after they rebounded strongly on world markets.

Goodyear’s new China plant starts trial production
NEW YORK (March 22, 2011) — Goodyear has begun trial production of passenger tires at its new Pulandian factory in Dalian, China, the company’s first step toward doubling annual car tire capacity in China to more than 10 million units by 2015.

Toyo donates to quake relief efforts
OSAKA, Japan (March 22, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is donating nearly $2 million to relief efforts in Japan’s Tohoku region, the area hardest hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

NR producers aim to defend prices around $4/kg
QINGDAO, China (March 22, 2011) — Indonesia expects to defend a minimum price level of $4/kg for natural rubber (NR), according to an official statement from the International Rubber Consortium (IRCo).

Natural rubber prices continue to rise in Tokyo
TOKYO (March 22, 2011) — Prices on Tokyo’s rubber exchanges continued to rise following last week’s sharp falls.

OK Tire adds 24/7 truckers´ roadside assistance in Canada, U.S.
SURREY, British Columbia (March 21, 2011) — OK Tire Stores Inc. has contracted Emergency Road Services Corp. (ERS) of Ontario to provide 24-hour emergency roadside assistance in Canada and the U.S. for the firm’s commercial trucking customers.

Pirelli´s Formula One tires color-coded to identify rubber compound
MILAN, Italy (March 21, 2011) — Italian tire maker Pirelli S.p.A. has revealed the definitive identification method for its 2011 Formula One tires, with each type of tire represented by a different colored logo.

Bridgestone’s MotoGP tire contract extended through 2014
TOKYO (March 21, 2011) — The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has extended Bridgestone Corp.’s contract as the official tire supplier for the MotoGP World Championship for three more years, through the 2014 season.

Michelin raises tire prices in Canada
LAVAL, Quebec (March 21, 2011) — Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. is increasing prices on various tire lines sold in Canada up to 7 percent, effective April 1.

Hankook to build expanded R&D center in S. Korea (update)
SEOUL, South Korea (March 21, 2011) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has budgeted $131 million to build a research and development center in Daejeon, South Korea, as part of a plan to expand and update its R&D capabilities.

Bridgestone orders energy-saving measures in Japan
TOKYO (March 18, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. has resumed production at four of its five plants affected by the March 11 earthquake that struck Japan’s northeastern Pacific coast and is instituting severe energy-saving measures corporatewide to relieve the strain on Japan’s energy grid.

Conti increasing prices in Europe
HANOVER, Germany (March 18, 2011) — Continental A.G. is increasing its prices again for commercial vehicle tires in Europe.

Yokohama restores limited production at 5 plants in Japan
TOKYO (March 18, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is reporting it has resumed production at five of its plants in Japan that were affected by the March 11 earthquake that struck the Pacific coast of Japan’s main island, but at output levels below capacity.

Conti building retread network in Latin America
FORT MILL, S.C. (March 18, 2011) — Continental Tire the Americas’ plan to build a comprehensive retread business throughout the Americas includes a new retread plant in Ecuador and plans to introduce the firm’s retread products and processes in Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

Toyo hopes to restart Sendai plant next week
OSAKA, Japan (March 18, 2011) — Pending the restoration of power and other infrastructure measures, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is reporting it hopes to be able to resume production next week at its Sendai, Japan, tire plant that has been idled since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan.

Conti to become full-fledged retread supplier in N. America
FORT MILL, S.C. (March 17, 2011) — Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) is plunging headlong into retreading in North America, forming a dedicated business unit to develop a network of retreaders in the U.S. and Canada to help develop a line of proprietary ContiTread precured retreads.

Some money managers worry: Will Japan quake trigger global sell-off?
NEW YORK (March 17, 2011) — The tragic, unpredictable events playing out in Japan are leaving money managers and market watchers at odds over whether the financial markets are becoming more attractive or more risky.

Cooper Standard increasing global business
NOVI, Mich. (March 16, 2011) — Auto parts manufacturer Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. plans to increase its global business by strengthening its existing joint venture relationship with Japanese parts maker Nishikawa Rubber Co. Ltd.

Cabot to expand carbon black capacities worldwide
BOSTON (March 16, 2011) — Cabot Corp. plans to invest more than $180 million through 2013 to expand capacity for carbon black worldwide, a strategy that includes a new joint venture plant in China along with expansions in South America and Europe.

Toyota says quake-hit plants escape major structural damage
TOKYO (March 16, 2011) — Toyota Motor Corp. has released the first damage report for its northern Japanese factories in the region hammered Friday, March 11 by a massive earthquake, saying some equipment and fixtures will need repairs but that the plants sustained no major structural harm.

Bridgestone to prioritize truck tires in quake recovery plan
TOKYO (March 15, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. plans to prioritize production of truck and bus tires at its plants in northern Japan in the coming weeks as these products will be needed on vehicles used in the earthquake/tsunami disaster recovery effort there.

Conti donating to Japanese relief, also urges employees to do so
HANNOVER, Germany (March 15, 2011) — International automotive supplier Continental A.G. is donating $352,000 to relief efforts in Japan for rescue and cleanup efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in the northeastern region of the country.

NR prices tumble; ANRPC says Japan disaster won’t affect demand
KUALA LUMPUR (March 15, 2011) — World natural rubber (NR) markets remained volatile in the face of the March 11 triple catastrophe — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disaster — that struck northern Japan, even as the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) said the tragedy wouldn’t appreciably affect NR demand from Japan or elsewhere.

Pirelli’s NAFTA sales grew 25% in 2010
MILAN, Italy (March 15, 2011) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.’s sales in North America grew 25 percent last year to $630 million, and operations in Latin America boosted sales 20 percent to $2.2 billion to solidify the firm’s market leadership there.

Nuke-power stocks suffer meltdown in wake of Japan quake; alternative-energy shares get boost
NEW YORK (March 15, 2011) — Mounting fears about the safety of nuclear power in the wake of the earthquake and subsequent disaster in Japan is causing a sell-off in nuclear-power stocks, but alternative-energy stocks and exchange-traded funds have been boosted — a trend that experts predict will continue over the coming months.

Sumitomo’s plant in quake zone idled
KOBE, Japan (March 15, 2011) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) is reporting no casualties among workers at its Shirakawa factory following last week’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Yokohama assesses damages, donates to quake relief efforts
TOKYO (March 15, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) will donate $610,000 to relief efforts organized in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit northeastern Japan, while at the same time assessing damage to its plants in the area to determine when they might safely be restarted.

Google responds to Japan quake with people finder
NEW YORK (March 14, 2011) — Following the largest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history, which hit the northeast coast of the country March 11, search engine giant Google Inc. responded to the event much like a traditional news organization, but by taking advantage of its best software and data.

USW president calls WTO decision on Chinese OTR tires ‘very troubling’
WASHINGTON (March 14, 2011) — The decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body siding with China in a case involving antidumping and countervailing duties on off-the-road tires is “very troubling,” according to Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

Bridgestone donating $3.5M to Japan quake relief efforts
TOKYO (March 14, 2011) — Bridgestone Corp. is donating $3.5 million to assist relief efforts aiding those affected by the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster that struck northeastern Japan March 11.

Natural rubber prices fall rapidly
TOKYO (March 14, 2011) — Prices on international natural rubber (NR) exchanges dropped rapidly on March 11.

Toyo responding to crisis at plant in quake zone
OSAKA, Japan (March 12, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is reporting it has suspended production at its tire factory in Sendai, Japan — near the epicenter of the March 11 earthquake that shook Japan — and is attempting to verify the “safety and welfare” of its employees in the area.

WTO Appellate Body rejects double duties on Chinese OTR tires
GENEVA (March 11, 2011) — The U.S. Department of Commerce erred when it levied both antidumping and countervailing duties on certain off-the-road tires imported from China, the World Trade Organization Appellate Body has ruled.

Conti to emphasize safety, families in global brand campaign
HANOVER, Germany (March 10, 2011) — Continental A.G. is rolling out a revised Continental passenger tire brand communication strategy worldwide with a greater emphasis on safety and more focus on women and families as potential customers.

Toyota, aiming to double profit, promotes Canada chief as top non-Japanese exec
TOKYO (March 10, 2011) — Toyota Motor Corp., unveiling a new business plan to double operating profit by 2015, will remove its head of North America from a downsized board and promote Canada chief Ray Tanguay to be its highest non-Japanese executive.

Pirelli Mexico, China plants due onstream in 2012
MILAN, Italy (March 9, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A.’s newest plants — a car/light truck tire factory in Mexico and a radial motorcycle tire plant in China — are on schedule to start producing tires in 2012, Pirelli said in its 2010 financial results.

Pirelli eyes 8% growth; warns of higher prices
MILAN, Italy (March 8, 2011) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A.’s board of directors has raised the firm’s sales goal for fiscal 2011 nearly 8 percent to more than $7.2 billion after reporting 19.2-percent sales growth last year.

Ford investigating worker safety complaints at Chinese supplier
GUANGZHOU, China (March 8, 2011) — Ford Motor Co. said it is investigating allegations from an American labor rights group that one of its supplier factories in China had dangerous working conditions and violated labor laws.

Toyota’s U.S. chief Inaba likely to leave board after shuffle
TOKYO (March 8, 2011) — Yoshimi Inaba, the veteran tapped to fix Toyota Motor Corp.’s troubled U.S. operations only to later testify about recalls beside company President Akio Toyoda in Congress, will likely leave the auto maker’s board as part of a management overhaul to be announced this week.

Nokian Tyres on ice: Driver sets world record
NOKIA, Finland (March 8, 2011) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. test driver Janne Laitinen set the new world record for the fastest car on ice by driving 206.1 mph on the Gulf of Bothnia near Oulu, Finland.

Trelleborg Wheel eyes rapid growth in Asia
TRELLEBORG, Sweden (March 7, 2011) — Trelleborg Wheel Systems S.p.A.’s recent acquisition of pneumatic tire-manufacturing assets in China will support the farm and forestry tire specialist’s strategy of building business in Asia, according to the firm’s top farm tire executive.

Tyrexpo India 2011 focusing on technology
CHENNAI, Tamil Nadu India (March 7, 2011) — The increasing technical sophistication of the Indian tire market will be a focus of exhibitors at July’s Tyrexpo India exhibition in Chennai organized by ECI International Ltd.

NR prices may be on rise once more
TOKYO (March 7, 2011) — After a brief respite, natural rubber (NR) prices may be on the rise once more. Over the last week or two, profit-taking led to a small fall in prices, but that may now be over as prices appear to have turned upward once more.

REACH compliance tests give failing grades to some imports
GENEVA, Switzerland (March 4, 2011) — Tests conducted by a trade group indicate that more than 10 percent of the tires sold in the European marketplace did not meet the legal requirements of the European Union’s (EU) REACH legislation.

Reifen China trade show Nov. 22-24
SHANGHAI (March 4, 2011) — The fifth annual Reifen China trade show, organized by Messe Essen and the China United Rubber Corp,, will take place Nov. 22-24 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center along with Rubber Tech China.

Dunlop Aircraft breaks ground on China retread plant
BIRMINGHAM, England (Feb. 22, 2008) –– Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. has begun preliminary ground work and held a traditional stone laying ceremony on the site of its new retreading plant in Jinjiang,...

GITI Tire supports Asian conservation efforts
BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 22, 2008) — GITI Tire (China) Investment Co. Ltd. is donating $1 million for conservation projects in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, and the mountains of southwest China in...

Goodyear forms N. Asia business unit
SHANGHAI (Feb. 5, 2008) — Goodyear has formed a North Asia business unit, covering China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, in a bid to improve customer service to customers there. Michael...

Bridgestone expanding retail in Thailand, Malaysia
TOKYO (Feb. 4, 2008) — Bridgestone Corp. is buying 64 Shell Autoserv car maintenance outlets in Thailand and eight in Malaysia to enhance its company-owned tire and vehicle maintentance chains...

Goodyear to scale back production in France
AMIENS, France (Jan. 24, 2008) — Goodyear is planning to reduce production at its two tire plants in Amiens, citing high costs and the rejection of a restructuring plan last year by employees. ...

Bekaert planning $140M steel cord plant in Russia
KORTRIJK, Belgium (Jan. 23, 2008) — Independent steel products maker N.V. Bekaert S.A. plans to build a steel cord plant in Russia over the coming six years, with initial production expected in...

Bridgestone expanding Thai passenger tire plant
TOKYO (Jan. 22, 2008) — Bridgestone Corp. has earmarked $94.3 million over three years to expand capacity nearly 20 percent at its Nong Khae, Thailand, passenger tire plant. Bridgestone said...

Apollo budgets $100m for 2 new plants in India
GURGAON, India (Jan. 17, 2008) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. will build two plants in India over the coming two years, at a cost of nearly $100 million, for radial consumer and commercial tires and...

Yokohama to use test track in Spain
TOKYO (Jan. 17, 2008) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has struck a deal with a Spanish automotive engineering company to use for the next 15 years a test track that firm has under construction near...

Amtel-Vredestein to sell or close Moscow tire plant
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Dec. 18, 2007) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. is considering selling its Moscow tire plant and relocating tire production to its Voronezh, Russia, factory. The company has held...

Michelin to book $190 million charge for French plant closing
PARIS (Dec. 4, 2007) — Group Michelin will book a charge of nearly $190 million again this year’s earnings to cover the costs of closing its Toul, France, passenger tire plant next year....

Marangoni to open tire plant in Sri Lanka
VERONA, Italy (Nov. 29, 2007) — Marangoni Industrial Tyres, a division of Marangoni S.p.A., has bought a plant in Sri Lanka and is retrofitting it for the production of solid industrial tires,...

Pirelli car tire plant in China starts production
YANZHOU, China (Nov. 27, 2007) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has inaugurated production of passenger tires at a new factory adjacent to its joint venture truck tire plant in Yanzhou. The...

Hungary’s support of Hankook plant detailed
BUDAPEST (Nov. 15, 2007) — The Hungarian government agreed to provide up to $80 million toward the construction of Hankook Tire Co. Inc.’s tire plant in Hungary, according to newly released...

Matador-Nokian off-take to cease after takeover
PUCHOV, Slovak Republic (Nov. 15, 2007) — Following the acquisition by Continental A.G. of 51 percent of the equity in Matador A.S.’s rubber activities, Matador will cease production of...

Conti warns EU regulators about tire safety issues
HANOVER, Germany (Nov. 13, 2007) — Continental A.G. is urging European Union (EU) regulators to not overlook safety when considering possible regulations covering tire noise and rolling...

Michelin to revamp U.K. plant operations
STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (Nov. 12, 2007) — Michelin Tyre P.L.C. plans to phase out calendering operations at its Stoke-on-Trent plant by next March while at the same time invest in its...

Conti to expand, improve Matador facilities
PUCHOV, Slovak Republic (Nov. 8, 2007) — Continental A.G.’s acquisition of 51 percent of the equity in Matador A.S.’s rubber business makes it the biggest suplier of passenger and light truck...

Bridgestone inaugurates production at Mexican plant
MONTERREY, Mexico (Nov. 6, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. will inaugurate production Nov. 7 at its new $220 million tire factory in Monterrey that uses the company’s proprietary BIRD (Bridgestone...

Conti completes Matador acquisition
HANNOVER, Germany (Nov. 6, 2007) — Continental A.G. has completed its purchase of 51-percent control of Matador Group’s tire, conveyor belt and rubber machinery operations, giving it full...

Solideal opens three centers in France
LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg (Oct. 26, 2007) — Solideal International S.A.’s French unit has opened three service centers to serve customers throughout that country. The new centers are in Lyon,...

Bridgestone to boost capacity at new OTR in Japan
TOKYO (Oct. 22, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. plans to raise the capacity of its off-the-road (OTR) tire plant under construction in Kitakyushu, Japan, by about 20 percent over the original planned...

Yokohama dedicates new Japanese OTR tire plant
ONOMICHI, Japan (Oct. 22, 2007) — Tire maker Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has unveiled its new off-the-road (OTR) tire plant in Onomichi, a project that will eventually more than double its global...

Nokian to support Kazakhstan tire project
NOKIA, Finland (Oct. 19, 2007) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has agreed to become a minority partner in a $230 million project to build a passenger tire plant in Kazakhstan, enhancing its presence in...

Conti to launch self-sealing tire next year in Europe
FRANKFURT, Germany (Oct. 17, 2007) — Continental A.G. is adding a self-sealing tire, to be marketed under the ContiSeal Technology moniker, to its portfolio of extended-mobility tires. Conti...

Bekaert ends talks with Russia’s Uralkord
KORTRIJK, Belgium (Oct. 15, 2007) — After months of “difficult and protracted” negotiations, N.V. Bekaert S.A. has withdrawn from talks with Russia’s ZAO Uralkord on a possible...

Solideal earns Sri Lankan export awards
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Oct. 10, 2007) — Industrial tire maker Solideal Loadstar was honored recently as a leading Sri Lankan exporter, winning three gold medals from the National Chamber of...

Conti opens Chinese distribution center
SHANGHAI (Oct. 10, 2007) — Continental A.G. has put into operation a 64,560-sq.-ft. tire distribution center in Shanghai to service the Chinese market. The Shanghai Regional Distribution Center...

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres to enter retread joint venture in China
BIRMINGHAM, England (Oct. 8, 2007) — Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd.(DATL) is planning to set up an aircraft tire retreading venture in China by early 2009 with two Chinese aerospace companies. The...

Michelin budgeting $2.85B in European investments
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Oct. 3, 2007) — Group Michelin is proposing closing a plant in France and restructuring its operations in Spain to strengthen its competitiveness in Europe....

Pirelli’s new China plant to start production
YANZHOU CITY, China (Oct. 2, 2007) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. expects to begin producing passenger tires by the fourth quarter at a new factory in Yanzhou City, following an estimated $100 million...

Trelleborg to acquire Australian tire distributor
TRELLEBORG, Sweden (Sept. 26, 2007) — Trelleborg Wheel Systems S.p.A. has agreed to acquire Australian specialty tire distributor Solid Service Group, a business with about 40 employees and...

EC orders 4 auto makers to share repair information
BRUSSELS (Sept. 24, 2007) — Four major auto makers—DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat—are now legally bound to share all their repair and diagnostic information with...

Bridgestone breaks ground for Polish truck tire plant
STARGARD SZCZENSKI, Poland (Sept. 21, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. has broken ground on a truck tire plant near Stargard that should be operating by early 2009 and hit 5,000 tires a day at full...

EC ruling clarifies inch-size tire nomenclature
BRUSSELS (Sept. 14, 2007) — The European Commission (EC), reacting to input from the public and affected industries, has proposed amending a European Union (EU) regulation to permit the...

NHTSA, China sign agreement on motor vehicle safety, enforcement
WASHINGTON (Sept. 12, 2007) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s National Development and Reform Commission to...

Gajah Tunggal expanding car, cycle tire capacities
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Aug. 27, 2007) — Indonesian tire maker P.T. Gajah Tunggal Tbk. has budgeted $170 million over four years to increase production capacity for radial passenger tires by 50...

Sri Lanka’s Laugfs Rubber adding solid tire capacity
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Aug. 23, 2007) — Laugfs Rubber (Pvt.) Ltd. is investing $3 million this year to add capacity at its plant in Millewa-Horana for solid tires for forklifts and other heavy...

Bridgestone to expand plants in India, Indonesia
TOKYO (Aug. 22, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. will expand capacity for car and light truck tires at plants in India and Indonesia over the coming two years in projects valued at nearly $190...

Striking S. African workers return to work
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Aug. 20, 2007) — Unionized South African tire industry workers have ended a four-week-old strike against the local subsidiaries of Apollo Tyres Ltd., Bridgestone...

Bridgestone starts run-flat production in S. Africa
BRITS, South Africa (Aug. 20, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. has started commercial production of run-flat tires for the local and international market at its Bridgestone South Africa Ltd. factory...

Michelin to build second car, LT tire plant in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (Aug. 13, 2007) — Michelin North America Inc. plans to build a $740 million passenger car and light truck tire plant in central Mexico to make Michelin-brand tires beginning in...

Kumho opens NR processing plant in Vietnam
BENCAT, Vietnam (Aug. 13, 2007) — Kumho Tire Co. Ltd. has opened a $4 million rubber processing plant in Bencat to help it source processed natural rubber for its tire plants in South Korea and...

Hankook ships first tires from Hungary plant
RACALMAS, Hungary (Aug. 9, 2007) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has shipped the first batch of tires produced at its new plant in Racalmas, just six weeks after pilot production began and 14 months...

Yokohama opens Indian subsidiary
TOKYO (Aug. 1, 2007) — Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC) Ltd.’s new sales subsidiary in India started operations officially July 27, and already Yokohama is evaluating plans to make the unit in New...

Pirelli to consolidate two Turin plants
TURIN, Italy (July 18, 2007) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. is planning to consolidate its separate car and truck tire plants in Turin into one “state-of-the-art technological and industrial...

SEMA to offer programs for international attendees at show
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (July 17, 2007) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) said it will offer several programs for international visitors to this year’s SEMA Show, Oct. 30-Nov. 2...

Investors buy Alliance Tire, plan factory in India
NEW YORK (July 11, 2007) — Private equity company Warburg Pincus L.L.C. and Yogesh Mahansaria, former CEO of India-based Balkrishna Tyres, have completed a deal valued at $150 million to buy...

Conti to build Asian HQ in Shanghai
SHANGHAI (July 11, 2007) — Continental A.G.’s automotive systems division has selected a site in Shanghai for a $60 million engineering center/office that also will serve as the Asian...

Michelin opens new tread manufacturing plant in Mexico
GREENVILLE, S.C. (July 9, 2007) — Michelin North America Inc. opened a $40 million Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) tread manufacturing plant in Queretaro, Mexico. The plant will “meet...

Bridgestone/Firestone makes Latin American management changes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2007) — Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations (BFLA), an operating unit of Bridgestone Americas Holding (BSAH) Inc., has appointed presidents to two...

Nokian considering Kazakhstan project
NOKIAN, Finland (July 6, 2007) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has acknowledged it is negotiating a tire manufacturing arrangement with parties in Kazakhstan but declined to comment directly on details...

Michelin to expand Nova Scotia car, LT tire plant
BRIDGEWATER, Nova Scotia (July 5, 2007) — Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. is committing $41.5 million over two years to increase capacity at its Bridgewater car and light truck tire...

Michelin to invest $340m in Germany through 2012
FRANKFURT, Germany (July 2, 2007) — Group Michelin will invest nearly $340 million over the next five years in its German factories after the labor union representing workers there agreed to a...

Nokian proceeding with Russian plant expansion
NOKIA, Finland (June 28, 2007) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has contracted a Finnish construction company to complete work on an expansion of its new tire plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia. The contract,...

Hankook starts production at tire plant in Hungary
DUNAUJVAROS, Hungary (June 27, 2007) — Hankook Tire Co. Inc. has started production of passenger tires at its $650 million plant in Dunaujvaros. The plant was opened by Hankook CEO Seung Hwa...

Lanxess to build $540m butyl rubber plant in Asia
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (June 27, 2007) — German chemical group Lanxess A.G. will build a $540 million butyl rubber plant in Asia, which it hopes to have on-stream by 2010, to serve tire production...

Steel giant to buy Chinese steel cord producer
LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg (June 22, 2007) — ArcelorMittal S.A., the world’s largest steel maker, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Rongcheng Chengshan Steel Cord Co. in Shandong...

Conti names Esser to head new Asian tire business units
HANOVER, Germany (June 21, 2007) – Continental A.G. is setting up business units covering the company’s replacement car and truck tire activities in Asia and has named Andreas Esser, head of Conti’s...

Trelleborg to open wheel plant in Latvia
TRELLEBORG, Sweden (June 19, 2007) — Trelleborg Wheel Systems S.p.A. has notified workers at a wheel plant in Hadsten, Denmark, it intends to close that plant and move production to a new...

Amtel-Vredestein CEO stepping down
MOSCOW (June 19, 2007) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. CEO Alexei Gurin plans to leave the group to pursue new opportunities as soon as the terms of his resignation are concluded, which is expected to...

India’s Indag Rubber joins TRIB
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (June 18, 2007) — Indag Rubber Ltd., a New Delhi-based procure retread systems supplier, has joined the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB). “We are...

Apollo planning ‘substantial’ expansion in S. Africa
KOLKATA, India (June 18, 2007) – Apollo Tyres Ltd. is planning to boost radial tire capacity at its Dunlop South Africa unit “substantially” in the coming two to three years, although it...

Solideal opens 2 branches in Mexico
LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg (June 18, 2007) — Industrial tire and wheel maker Solideal International S.A. has opened two additional distribution centers in Mexico and renamed its distribution...

Shanghai to host ’07 Challenge Bibendum
PARIS (June 15, 2007) – Group Michelin will stage the 2007 version of its Challenge Bibendum “sustainable mobility” conference/rally Nov. 14-17 in Shanghai, the event’s second visit to...

Sri Lanka honors Solideal for exports
LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg (June 13, 2007) — Industrial and specialty tire and wheel maker Solideal Loadstar was recognized recently by the Sri Lankan government as that country’s No. 1...

Cooper names 2 execs to China ventures
FINDLAY, Ohio (June 12, 2007) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named two executives to its Chinese operations. Weiwen Chen is deputy general manager of finance for Cooper Chengshan Tire Co. and...

Michelin to revamp Japanese plant’s production focus
PARIS (June 12, 2007) — Hoping to improve its responsiveness to the local market, Group Michelin’s Japanese subsidiary will cease production of tires at its Ohta, Japan, plant for export and...

New Amtel-Vredestein plant ahead of schedule
MOSCOW, Russia (May 30, 2007) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. has begun test production at its new plant at its Amtel-Chernozemye facility in Voronezh, Russia, ahead of schedule. The company said it...

Cooper names interim head of Asian operations
FINDLAY, Ohio (May 17, 2007) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named Ron Shield as interim vice president and general manager for the tire maker’s Asian operations to replace the unit’s retiring...

Yokohama to expand capacity at Japanese, Thai plants
TOKYO (May 10, 2007) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. plans to expand production capacity at plants in Japan and Thailand over the coming two years in projects valued at more than $140 million. In...

Hankook passes 100 million unit mark in China
BEIJING (May 8, 2007) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s plant in Jiaxing City, China, has produced its 100 millionth tire in only its 10th year in operation. Hankook started production at the Jiaxing...

Hankook names new top European exec
SEOUL, South Korea (May 8, 2007) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has appointed Executive Vice President Seung Do Jin to head its European operations, replacing Seung Hwa Suh, who was promoted recently...

Hankook, Lanxess sign long-term rubber supply pact
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (May 8, 2007) — Synthetic rubber producer Lanxess A.G. has signed a long-term supply contract for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polybutadiene rubber with South Korean...

Apollo Tyres’ sales up 63% on Dunlop Tyres acquisition
GURGAON, India (May 2, 2007) — Apollo Tyres Ltd., aided by the first-time inclusion of results from Dunlop Tyres International in South Africa, reported $950 million in sales for the fiscal...

Tesco sells Trent Rubber assets
OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (May 2, 2007) — Tesco of America Inc. has sold its Trent Rubber specialty tube and envelope manufacturing division to an unnamed company based in Angola. Daniel Zeledon, who...

Volvo offering Goodyear DuraSeal as optional fitment
STOCKHOLM (April 24, 2007) — Volvo Group’s Trucks Business is offering Goodyear truck tires with DuraSeal self-sealing technology as an optional fitment on its construction vehicles in...

Conti offers to buy 51% of Slovakia’s Matador
HANOVER, Germany (April 11, 2007) — Continental A.G. has offered to buy 51 percent of the rubber business of Slovak Republic’s Matador A.S., subject to the approval of antitrust...

Coker Tire names export representatives
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 5, 2007) — Coker Tire Co. has added two export sales representatives to oversee export sales and customer service as well as conduct market research for the company’s...

Pirelli to hike prices in overseas markets
MILAN (April 4, 2007) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. will raise prices in Europe, the Middle East and Africa between 4 and 9 percent beginning in April. The increases on consumer tires for cars and...

Cooper building tech center in England
MELKSHAM, England (March 27, 2007) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is building a technical center at its plant in Melksham to serve Europe and plans a second tech center in China to serve the Asian...

Bridgestone to build test track in Thailand
NONGKHAE, Thailand (March 16, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. plans to build a 133-acre test track and proving ground in Thailand close to its tire factory in Nongkhae for $35.5...

Fire halts production at Goodyear plant in Thailand
PATHUM THANI, Thailand (March 5, 2007) — A fire in a mixing room in Goodyear’s tire plant in Thailand has halted production at the facility. Goodyear said no one was injured in March 3 blaze,...

Nokian supports ice speed record attempt
OULU, Finland (March 5, 2007) — Four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen set a world record for driving on ice recently, hitting 199 mph across the Gulf of Gothnia near Oula in a Bently...

Michelin begins X One production in Canada
WATERVILLE, Nova Scotia (March 1, 2007) — Michelin North America Inc. began production of its X One wide single truck tire at its Waterville plant today, the culmination of an $82 million ($92...

Goodyear to invest $100 million in Polish plant
AKRON (Feb. 20, 2007) — Goodyear plans to invest more than $100 million over four years at its Debica, Poland, plant to expand production of high-value tires. Goodyear holds a 60-percent...

Michelin eyes $2 billion in savings by 2010
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Feb. 15, 2007) — Group Michelin is looking to cut $2 billion to $2.2 billion in costs through fiscal 2010 in order to reach its goal of exceeding a 10-percent...

Nokian to double output at Russian plant by 2011
NOKIA, Finland (Feb. 15, 2007) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. will more than double the annual capacity of its 2-year-old tire factory in Russia to 10 million units by 2011 at a cost of $253...

Shanghai Tyre/CMA’s goal: Recognition as a second-tier tire manufacturer
SHANGHAI, China (Feb. 14, 2007) — Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. and its wholly owned U.S. sales and marketing unit, China Manufacturers Alliance (CMA) L.L.C., don’t want to be thought of as a...

World’s largest TBR plant is Shanghai Tyre chairman’s goal
SHANGHAI, China (Feb. 14, 2007) — Xian Fan, chairman of Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd., has a goal of creating the world’s largest radial truck and bus radial (TBR) plant at the company’s...

Potential dealers clamor to open Shanghai Tyre’s commercial shops
SHANGHAI, China (Feb. 14, 2007) — In China, Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. operates its own commercial tire distribution network, known as Double Coin House, named after the company’s primary truck...

New warehouse, new logo coming for CMA
SHANGHAI, China (Feb. 14, 2007) — China Manufacturers Alliance (CMA) L.L.C., the sales and marketing company of China’s Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd., is planning to open its first warehouse...

Amtel-Vredestein, Continental suspend talks
MOSCOW, Russia (Feb. 9, 2007) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. said it has suspended talks with Continental A.G. regarding cooperation in Russia. The two companies said last year they were discussing...

Bridgestone’s second plant in Brazil open for business
SALVADOR, Brazil (Feb. 2, 2007) — Bridgestone Corp. has inaugurated production at its newest tire plant, a passenger and light truck tire factory in Camacari in Brazil’s state of Bahia. The...

Amerityre says Chinese firm ahead of schedule
BOULDER CITY, Nev. (Feb. 1, 2007) — Amerityre Corp. said a Chinese firm is two months ahead of schedule in building an off-the-road retread plant that will use Amerityre polyurethane (PU)...

Hankook forecasts ’07 global sales of $3.6 billion
SEOUL, South Korea (Jan. 29, 2007) — Hankook Tire Co. Inc. is forecasting 23-percent growth in global sales this year, to $3.6 billion, as its Chinese subsidiaries ramp up operations and its...

Automechanika coming to Canada in September
FRANKFURT, Germany (Jan. 25, 2007) – Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the Frankfurt trade fair organizing body, is bringing its “Automechanika” automotive aftermarket parts and services trade show...

Michelin to close Nigerian tire plant
PARIS (Jan. 18, 2007) — Group Michelin has decided to terminate tire production at its car and truck tire plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, this year and seek a buyer for the 47-year-old...

British Columbia privatizes scrap tire program
VICTORIA, B.C. (Jan. 9, 2007) — Tire Stewardship British Columbia (TSBC), a not-for-profit, private organization including most of the tire industry representatives in the province, has taken...

2007 Challenge Bibendum set for Shanghai in November
DETROIT (Jan. 9, 2007) — Group Michelin will hold the 2007 Challenge Bibendum — a rally for “green” cars and environmentally friendly technology — in mid-November in...

Goodyear to close Moroccan tire plant this year
AKRON (Jan. 8, 2007) — Goodyear will close its 35-year-old tire plant in Casablanca, Morocco, this year and take a charge against earnings of about $28 million to cover the related...

Private buyout bid for Alliance Tire proceeding
HADERA, Israel (Jan. 6, 2007) – U.S. private equity fund Warburg Pincus L.L.C.,, in partnership with Indian businessman Yogesh Mahansaria, are proceeding with plans to buy full control of Alliance...

Kumho turns to more enviro-friendly raw materials
SEOUL, South Korea (Jan. 4, 2007) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. is launching a range of ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires in Europe this year that use Lyocell, a less environmentally intrusive fiber,...

Goodyear, Hyosung complete first phase of tire fabric unit sale
AKRON (Jan. 2, 2007) — Goodyear has completed the sale of its global tire fabric operations to Hyosung Corp., pending post-closing adjustments and completion of the sale of the tire maker’s...

Bridgestone to build $240M OTR tire plant in Japan
TOKYO (Dec. 21, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. plans to build a plant in Japan for large off-the-road tires over the coming two and a half years at a cost of $240 million to support growing demand...

Parik to head Canadian industry council
DRAYTON, Ontario (Dec. 18, 2006) — The Suppliers’ Council to the Canadian Tire Industry has named Peter Parik its executive director to replace Bob Bignell. Mr. Parik has been a director and...

Carlisle to buy Chinese tire maker Meiyan Tire
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 18, 2006) — Carlisle Companies Inc. has agreed to buy the assets of Meiyan Tire Group of Meizhou, China, for an undisclosed price. The acquisition, expected to close...

Fla. wholesaler offering Turkish-made OTR radials
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (Dec. 15, 2006) — Coral Springs-based import/export firm World Trade Association (WTA) has struck a deal with an Italian tire trading company to become the North American...

Hankook to supply tires to Audi in China
SEOUL, South Korea (Dec. 14, 2006) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. will supply tires to Audi A.G. for its A4 and A6L models made in China, starting in June. Hankook will supply Y-rated 16- and 17-inch...

BFS Latin America chief to retire
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 13, 2006) — Jorge Gonzalez, president of Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations, will retire Dec. 31 and be succeeded by Eduardo Minardi. Mr. Minardi...

Conti opens Canadian warehouse
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Dec. 12, 2006) — Continental Tire Canada Inc. (CTCI) has opened a distribution center in Mississauga to serve all parts of Canada. The 100,000-sq.-ft. facility near...

Bridgestone Australia offers to buy out shareholders
ADELAIDE, Australia (Dec. 12, 2006) — Bridgestone Australia Ltd. is seeking to buy out its minority shareholders in a deal valued at about $38.5 million. Adelaide-based Bridgestone Australia...

European Commission fines 5 suppliers for SR price fixing
BRUSSELS (Nov. 29, 2006) — The European Commission has fined five petrochemical companies $682 million for their involvement in a synthetic rubber price-fixing scheme from 1996-2002. Italy’s...

Trelleborg to close U.S. tire plant in favor of Sri Lanka plant
TRELLEBORG, Sweden (Nov. 28, 2006) — Trelleborg A.B. will close its industrial tire plant in Hartville, Ohio, over the coming three years and consolidate production at factories it operates in...

Bridgestone eyes 6% return on assets
TOKYO (Nov. 22, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. is reorganizing its corporate structure along regional business unit lines and has set a financial target of 6-percent return on assets (ROA) for the...

Nokian starts rubber mixing at Russian plant
NOKIA, Finland (Nov. 22, 2006) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has started mixing rubber at its tire plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, a key component in the firm’s plant to double output at the year-old...

Conti, Amtel-Vredestein discussing ‘areas of cooperation’
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Nov. 21, 2006) — Russian-Dutch tire producer Amtel-Vredestein N.V. and Continental A.G. have held discussions to evaluate “possible areas of cooperation in...

BF Canada honors Alberta truck driver as ’06 hero
TORONTO (Nov. 21, 2006) — Bridgestone Firestone Canada (BFC) Inc. has honored Alberta truck driver Shawn Berube as its 2006 Canadian Truck Hero for saving the life of a man trapped in his...

Amtel-Vredestein sales, pre-tax profits up
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Nov. 15, 2006) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. reported growth in both sales and pre-tax profits for the three- and nine-month periods ending Sept. 30, but the net result was...

European tire group to challenge metric-only directive
BRUSSELS (Nov. 14, 2006) — The European tire industry is prepared to challenge a European Union directive that would ban products measured in inches or other Imperial measurements after 2010,...

Yokohama breaks ground on Vietnam tire plant
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (Nov. 14, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has broken ground for a bias-ply motorcycle and light-truck tire plant that should be on stream by August 2007. The plant,...

TRIB adds three international members
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2006) — The Tire Retread Information Bureau added three international members recently, from Honduras and Bangladesh. Reencauchadora Titan and Distribuidora...

STL names managing director of China office
MASSILON, Ohio (Nov. 9, 2006) — Standards Testing Laboratories Inc. (STL) named David Caniglia managing director of its Beijing sales office. In the position, he will be responsible for...

Yokohama half-year sales up, earnings down
TOKYO (Nov. 9, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. suffered double-digit drops in operating and net income in the first half ended Sept. 30 despite 10.5 percent sales growth. Yokohama cited...

U.S.-, China-based companies form joint venture
MARION, Iowa (Nov. 9, 2006) — Kwik-Way Products Inc. has formed an alliance with Shenzhen, China-based Launch Tech. Co. Ltd. to market their products in the U.S. The marketing and...

Latin sales office key to Hercules’ export expansion
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30, 2006) -- Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. has opened a Latin America sales office in Miami to support its drive to increase business throughout Central and South America and the...

Pirelli brings Romanian HP tire plant on stream
SLATINA, Romania (Oct. 27, 2006) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. has begun production at its high-performance car tire plant in Slatina, which should turn out about 2 million units next year and 4.5...

U.S. equity firm may acquire Israel’s Alliance Tire
TEL AVIV, Israel (Oct. 25, 2006) – U.S. private equity concern Warburg-Pincus L.L.C. is negotiating to buy the majority-share ownership of Israel’s Alliance Tire Co. Ltd. from its current owner,...

Michelin investment pledge tied to efficiency gains
FRANKFURT, Germany (Oct. 20, 2006) – Group Michelin has budgeted $250 million in investments through 2010 in its activities in Germany, provided workers there approve a change to a 40-hour workweek...

EU supports Goodyear enviro-friendly tire research
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Oct. 20, 2006) — The European Union has awarded $3.8 million to Goodyear to help it demonstrate the technical and economic viability of an environmentally friendly tire...

Sumitomo sets up sales company in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand (Oct. 17, 2006) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. has established Dunlop Tire (Thailand) Co. Ltd., a Bangkok-based sales company designed to support the firm’s decision to...

Bridgestone to raise prices in Japan
TOKYO (Oct. 12, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. will raise prices on tires in several segments of the Japanese replacement market, effective Feb. 1. The increases are: 5.5 percent for passenger car...

Michelin to optimize output at 2 plants in France
CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (Oct. 11, 2006) — Group Michelin is planning to revamp two of its plants in France, concentrating their production on one type of tire each to improve their...

Amtel-Vredestein in red for half-year
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Oct. 9, 2006) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. suffered a net loss of $15 million in the first half of fiscal 2006 despite 22.4-percent higher sales and “strong underlying...

Bridgestone to double radial aircraft tire capacity
TOKYO (Oct. 5, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. is adding capacity for radial aircraft tires at its Tokyo plant, a move that will double the firm’s capacity for such tires by 2011. Bridgestone said...

Yokohama to establish subsidiary in India
TOKYO (Oct. 5, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is establishing a wholly owned subsidiary, Yokohama India, in New Delhi, India, in January. The subsidiary will begin operating as a tire sales...

Two international companies join TRIB
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2006) — Two international companies have joined the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB). Favorsea International Group Ltd. of Jiangsu, China, and House of...

Nexen opens branch office in China
QINGDAO, China (Sept. 21, 2006) — Nexen Tire Corp. opened a branch office Sept. 6 in China to spur its penetration of the Chinese market, the company said. The office in Shanghai follows the...

Goodyear selling tire cord business to South Korea’s Hyosung
AKRON (Sept. 21, 2006) -- Goodyear has agreed to sell its global tire cord operations, with facilities in Luxembourg, Brazil and the U.S., to Hyosung Corp. of South Korea for $80 million. As part...

Amtel-Vredestein initiates Amtel-brand at Moscow plant
MOSCOW (Sept. 21, 2006) -- Amtel-Vredestein N.V. has started producing Amtel-brand tires at its recently purchased Moscow Tyre Plant. At the same time, Amtel-Vredestein has suspended production of...

BFS NR unit aiding Liberian humanitarian effort
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 21, 2006) -- Firestone Natural Rubber Co., the rubber plantation operation of Bridgestone Corp., is helping deliver humanitarian supplies and equipment to war-torn Liberia aboard...

Former Mexican distributor’s lawsuit against Toyo set for January
SAN DIEGO (Sept. 21, 2006) — A trial date of Jan. 29 has been set in San Diego Superior Court for the lawsuit of Toyo de Baja California Inc. against Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd., Toyo Tire...

Yokohama to market through Bandag dealers in Europe
TOKYO (Sept. 21, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. will market its truck and bus tires and promote retreading in Europe through 200 Bandag Inc. franchisees across the continent, according to a...

Attempted coup in Thailand unlikely to have lasting effect on NR market
BANGKOK, Thailand (Sept. 19, 2006) — Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency after the Thai military circled government buildings with tanks and seized control of television stations, declaring 78-year-old constitutional monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state.©

Liberia, United Nations move to repossess Sinoe rubber plantation
MONROVIA, Liberia (Aug. 31, 2006) — The United Nations (UN) has promised to help the Liberian government repossess the Sinoe natural rubber (NR) plantation from former rebel soldiers who are...

Sumitomo Rubber earnings slip on higher sales
KOBE, Japan (Aug. 30, 2006) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.’s operating income fell 10.4 percent in the first half of 2006, while sales rose 10.4 percent to $2.21 billion. Net income fell 84...

Saudi dealership installs TireWare POS system
EDENTON, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2006) — Red Cap Total Car Care, a tire and automotive accessories dealership in Saudi Arabia, has installed TireWare Inc.’s point-of-sale software. “TireWare’s...

Yokohama breaks ground on China truck tire plant
TOKYO (Aug. 24, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has broken ground on its radial truck and bus tire plant in Suzhou, China, that is expected to come on stream in October 2007. The...

Chinese tire maker licenses Amerityre PU retreading technology
PINGDU, China (Aug. 22, 2006) — Amerityre Corp. has licensed China’s Qingdao Qizhou Rubber Co. Ltd. to make polyurethane elastomer retreads for three large-size mining tires. Qingdao Qizhou...

GPX buys China factory
BOSTON (Aug. 15 2006) — GPX International Tire Corp. has acquired the Hebei Starbright tire factory in China. The plant will accommodate an increasing demand for product, GPX said, and give the...

GPX names Latin America president
MALDEN, Mass. (Aug. 15, 2006) — GPX International Tire Corp. has named Gustavo Lima president of its Latin America division. Mr. Lima will lead the company’s establishment of bonded warehouses...

Cooper names European VP
FINDLAY, Ohio (Aug. 15, 2006) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named Julian Baldwin vice president of its European operations and managing director for Cooper Europe. Mr. Baldwin will oversee...

Amtel-Vredestein in the red for half-year period
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (Aug. 15, 2006) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. suffered a net loss of $15 million in the first half of fiscal 2006 despite 22.4-percent higher sales and “strong underlying...

Apollo Tyres to build radial tire plant in southern India
GURGAON, India (Aug. 7, 2006) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. has picked a site in India’s Tamil Nadu state for a new radial passenger, light and medium truck tire plant, to be built at a cost of $112...

Amtel-Vredestein to take over Moscow Tyre
MOSCOW (July 26, 2006) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. has agreed to acquire Moscow Tyre Plant (MTP) through its Russian subsidiary Amtel-Vredestein OJSC, subject to approval from the Russian State...

Hankook breaks ground on Hungarian plant
DUNAUJVAROS, Hungary (July 18, 2006) — South Korean tire maker Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has broken ground on in its $625 million car and light truck tire plant in Dunaujvaros. Hankook expects to...

Michelin-brand tires to be built in Mexico
QUERETARO, Mexico (July 12, 2006) — For the first time, Michelin-brand tires are being produced in Mexico following a production upgrade in Queretaro, Michelin North America Inc. announced. The...

Bridgestone to invest $50 million in Costa Rica
AKRON (July 12, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. is investing $10 million per year over the next five years to upgrade the production capability of its plant in San Jose, Costa Rica, a spokeswoman...

Goodyear to close New Zealand tire plant
AKRON (June 30, 2006) — Goodyear plans to close its Upper Hutt, New Zealand, passenger tire plant by late this year or early in 2007 as part of its strategy to reduce high-cost manufacturing...

Goodyear to cut 150 jobs in Europe
AKRON (June 28, 2006) — Goodyear will eliminate more than 150 positions through restructuring actions in its European Union division that will save about $10 million annually, the tire maker...

Hankook gets $116.5m in aid from EC for Hungary plant
BRUSSELS (June 27, 2006) — The European Commission (EC) has authorized $116.5 million in aid to South Korea’s Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. for the tire maker’s planned tire plant in Hungary. The aid...

Stamford Tyres to build 2nd wheel plant in Thailand
SINGAPORE (June 27, 2006) — International tire and wheel distributor Stamford Tyres Corp. Ltd. will double its alloy wheel capacity in the coming year by building a second plant in...

Jordan-based tire firm joins TRIB
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (June 26, 2006) — Al Nimer Tire Co. of Amman, Jordan, has joined the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB). TRIB’s membership is nearly 460 companies in 36 countries, the...

Bridgestone breaks ground on Hungarian tire plant
TATABANYA, Hungary (June 13, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. has broken ground for its $243 million passenger and light truck tire plant in Tatabanya, which will use the firm’s BIRD (Bridgestone...

Hankook expanding presence in China
JIAXING, China (June 8, 2006) — Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. is boosting its presence in China, opening a research and development center, expanding capacity at its two existing plants and extending...

Pirelli considering bid to become F1 tire supplier
MILAN, Italy (June 6, 2006) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is considering bidding to become the spec tire supplier to Formula 1 Grand Prix racing starting with the 2008 season, according to the firm’s...

Bridgestone to build truck tire plant in Poland
TOKYO (June 6, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. has selected a site in northwest Poland for its next plant, a $258 million truck and bus tire factory due on stream in the first half of 2009....

Bridgestone scouting Europe for a plant site
BRUSSELS (May 31, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. is evaluating sites in Europe for a new plant but declined to confirm or deny published reports that it is considering a site in northwest Poland. A...

Bridgestone donates to Indonesia earthquake relief
Tokyo (May 31, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. is donating $177,500 to support relief efforts for the May 27 earthquake on Indonesia´s Java island. The contributions reflect Bridgestone’s...

New Brazilian automotive association launched
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (May 26, 2006) — Two-time F1 and Indy champion race driver Emerson Fittipaldi launched the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers of Automotive...

Conti’s Brazil plant to initiate truck tire output by July
CAMACARI, Brazil (April 6, 2006) – Continental A.G.’s new tire plant in Brazil should be producing medium radial truck tires by July, a year and a half ahead of schedule. Continental inaugurated...

Goodyear to close car tire plant in England
AKRON (April 5, 2006) — Goodyear plans to close its “high-cost” Goodyear Dunlop Tyres passenger tire plant in Washington, England, as part of its strategy to reduce costs...

Pirelli inaugurates truck/bus tire plant in Brazil
GRAVATAI, Brazil (March 29, 2006) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has inaugurated production of radial truck and bus tires at its newest plant, in Gravatai, which will supply primarily Brazil and other...

Pirelli to commercialize valve-cap pressure monitor
GENEVA, Switzerland (March 17, 2006) — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is taking its X-Pressure Optic tire pressure warning display system commercial, initially in Italy and then growing to global...

Nokian to expand radial capacity at HQ plant
NOKIA, Finland (March 14, 2006) — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. will invest $5 million this year to expand capacity at its Nokia plant for heavy radial commercial tires, including farm and forestry...

India’s JK Industries to spin off tire activities
MUMBAI, India (Feb. 9, 2006) — JK Industries Ltd. intends to spin off its tire activities into an as-yet unnamed separate undertaking. JK Industries, India’s No. 3 tire maker and the world’s...

Yokohama’s China plant gets ISO 14001 certification
TOKYO (Feb. 7, 2006) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co. Ltd. subsidiary in Hangzhou, China, has secured ISO 14001 certification covering environmental management systems.©

Conti, union seek compromise over German plant cuts
HANOVER, Germany (Jan. 26, 2005) — Continental A.G. and the union representing workers at its tire plant in suburban Hanover have negotiated a compromise over Conti’s planned phase-out of...

Apollo to add radial truck/bus tire capacity at Indian plant
BARODA, India (Jan. 26, 2006) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. is adding radial truck and bus tire capacity at its Limbda tire plant in Baroda, going ahead with a project that initially was supposed to be...

Conti Sime Tyres to source LT tires from Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (Jan. 25, 2006) — Vietnam’s Southern Rubber Industry Co. will make Sime-brand bias-ply light truck tires for Continental Sime Tyres Sdn. Bhd. for sale in Asia,...

Goodyear completes deal for rest of South Pacific Tyres
AKRON (Jan. 25, 2006) — Goodyear has completed its purchase of the remaining shares of South Pacific Tyres (SPT), giving the Akron-based tire maker 100-percent control of the tire marketer and...

Wyko Tire Technology establishes China operations
GREENBACK, Tenn. (Jan. 25, 2006) — Tire production tooling specialist Wyko Tire Technology has set up a division based in China to oversee its Asian business operations. The new organization,...

Conti leaning toward greenfield tire plant in China
SHANGHAI (Jan. 24, 2006) — Continental A.G. is leaning toward setting up a greenfield tire plant in China rather than getting involved in a joint venture there, company officials said recently...

Michelin raising prices in Europe
PARIS (Jan. 13, 2006) — Group Michelin is raising tire prices in Europe once more and for the same reason: higher raw material prices. During the first half of 2006 the company will increases...

Bridgestone to hike tire prices in Japan
TOKYO (Jan. 13, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. will raise prices for replacement market tires in Japan on Feb. 1 by 5 to 10 percent, depending on type. The specific increases are: 5 percent for...

Conti to phase out car tires at HQ plant
HANOVER, Germany (Jan. 13, 2006) — Continental A.G. will phase out production of passenger tires at its Hanover-Stöcken tire plant by year-end 2006 and cut employment there by 10 percent, or...

Bridgestone to build $100 million SBR plant in China
TOKYO (Jan. 13, 2006) — Bridgestone Corp. will spend $100 million over the coming 24 to 30 months to build a synthetic rubber plant in Huizhou, China, primarily to serve its own tire plants in...

Amtel-Vredestein to divest Krasnoyarsk tire plant
LONDON (Jan. 13, 2006) — Amtel-Vredestein N.V. has completed the sale of its Volgograd, Russia, carbon black factory and disclosed plans to “sell or otherwise dispose of” its truck,...

Kumho to build 3rd Chinese plant
CHANGCHUN, China (Jan. 12, 2006) — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. will build a passenger tire plant in Changchun—its third factory in China—over the coming 18 to 24 months at a cost of $150 million.©

Nokian to acquire Finland´s largest retailer
NOKIA, Finland (Nov. 3, 1999)--Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has agreed to acquire a further 69-percent stake in Isko P.L.C., Finland´s largest tire wholesale and retail dealership, for approximately...

Goodyear cuts work force in Argentina
AKRON (Nov. 3, 1999)--Citing cost inefficiency and the slumping automotive market in Latin America, Goodyear has permanently laid off about half the work force at its Buenos Aires, Argentina, tire...

Goodyear, Venezuela´s largest retreader ally
CARACAS, Venezuela (Nov. 3, 1999)--Venezuela´s largest independent retreader, Covencaucho, has formed an alliance with Goodyear Venezuela. Covencaucho will be the exclusive authorized retreader...

Tunisia´s STIP expands, eyes N. America
FRANKFURT, Germany (Oct. 11, 1999)--Tunisian tire maker Societe Tunisienne des Industries de Pneumatiques (STIP) has embarked on a five-year, $100 million expansion designed to triple capacity and...

Conti accelerates Newbridge plant closing
NEWBRIDGE, Scotland (Oct. 11, 1999)--Continental A.G. will close its Newbridge passenger tire plant by Oct. 18, four to six weeks earlier than originally scheduled. The date was agreed upon by...

Tire output lags behind demand
WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 1999)--U.S. tire production is failing to keep pace with demand, as represented by total tire shipments--and in the case of passenger tires, output actually is falling while...

Kenda to make truck tires
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Aug. 2, 1999)--Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. plans to add its first production capacity for truck and bus tires this year at a plant in mainland China. Local media in Taiwan...

China to boost tire output
AKRON (Aug. 2, 1999)--Vehicle tire production in China is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 9.0 percent, from 106.5 million units this year to 150.3 million by the end of 2003,...

Pirelli takes control of Egypt´s Alexandria Tire
CAIRO, Egypt (June 18, 1999) -- Pirelli S.p.A. signed an agreement June 14 making it majority owner of Egypt´s Alexandria Tire Co., and will invest $90 million over four years to increase the...

Goodyear launches blimp in Australia
AKRON (June 18, 1999) -- Goodyear has launched its seventh airship, the "Spirit of the South Pacific." Based in Melbourne, Australia, the new blimp´s primary mission is to support...

BFS buys Firestone Chile
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 26, 1999)--Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. has purchased the remaining 86 percent of Firestone Chile S.A. and renamed it Bridgestone/Firestone Chile S.A. Terms of the March 31...

Pirelli plans Indian venture
NEW DELHI, India (April 26, 19990--Pirelli S.p.A. wants to establish a tire-manufacturing presence in India, through either a joint venture or a wholly owned subsidiary. Pirelli is negotiating with...

Conti to build plant in Romania
HANOVER, Germany (Jan. 15, 1999) -- Continental A.G. has chosen a site in western Romania for its newest car tire plant, a $59 million project expected to come on stream by year-end 2000. The new...

Michelin, Bridgestone eye Woosung purchase
SEOUL, South Korea (Jan. 15, 1999) -- Woosung Tire Corp. is for sale, and Group Michelin and Bridgestone Corp. head the list of possible suitors for the insolvent South Korean tire maker, according...

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