Pirelli Yielded to Hankook On The European Market?
Will Hankook push out Pirelli from the top five tire manufacturers of Europe?
The market research conducted by Hankook showed that the Michelin company remains an absolute leader on the tire market (both in segments of passenger and truck tires). At the same time a new player appeared in the previously stable top five – namely Hankook.
Why did Hankook decided to publish its research now, after one of the most difficult periods in the history of the market? It can be explained by the fact that 2009 was an extremely successful year for the Korean company. The peculiar combination of factors has changed the state of affairs during last 12 months. The major question now – will Hankook be able to retain its positions in Europe in the following years?
Here is the forecast of Hankook for the end of 2009 (passenger tires market): Michelin will remain the leader with the market stake of 20%, the second place goes to Goodyear Dunlop (18%), the third – to Bridgestone (12%), Pirelli has 8%. The most interesting fact here is that Hankook holds the 7th place with 7%. It means that its lagging behind Pirelli is not so big.
What concerns truck tires the first place again goes to Michelin (32%), the second place – Goodyear Dunlop (18%), Continental holds 16% of the market, Bridgestone – 13%. According to Hankook, it performs even better in this segment and holds the 5th place thus having overtaken Pirelli.
Since December has just begun the data can be regarded only as a forecast. At the same time Hankook gives 18% to other companies what means that its research is based on the analysis of the whole market. It also cannot be the result of companies that are members of ERMC Europool because the stake of Cooper and Trelleborg would be much higher in this case. Thus, there may be doubts regarding the correctness of the data in respect of sales volumes of Cooper, Kumho, GTRadial, Nexen, Nokian, Toyo, Yokohama etc. The rise of their stake will inevitably lead to the reduction of that of the five major companies. Anyway, only time can eliminate the doubts.
BioIsoprene Tires By Goodyear And Genencor
Last week Goodyear presented the first in the world concept tires with the use of BioIsoprene technology at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
The use of bioisoprene in the production of artificial rubber allows to replace regular isoprene made from oil products with isoprene made from renewable biomass. On December 21 one of the two new Goodyear tires will be exhibited in one of the terminals of the International Airport Of Copenhagen, the other will be presented during special events held within the framework of the UN Conference. Tires with the use of bioisoprene are the result of cooperation between Genencor, division of the Danisco company, and Goodyear, one of the major tire manufacturers and leader of innovations.
“We achieved a very important stage in our cooperation with Goodyear on the development of innovative biochemical materials, said Tom Knutzen, executive director of Danisco. – Invention of bioisoprene once again proves the leading role of Danisco and its division Genencor in the industry of biotechnologies”.
“The first Goodyear concept tires with the use of bioisoprene is a proof of our progress in the use of biological analogue of the conventional isoprene made from oil, - noted Jesse Roeck, the head of Goodyear materials research department. – The creation of bioisoprene and the use of renewable raw materials will allow to reduce the negative influence of the production of the tires on the environment as well as diminish the dependence of Goodyear on the production of oil products”.
Creation of bioisoprene that can be made on the base of renewable resources is a great step up both for biochemical and tire industry. Conventional isoprene is used not only for the production of artificial rubber in the tire industry but also for the production of a whole range of goods from surgical gloves and golf balls to glue materials what means a great potential of the isoprene production.
In Anticipation Of Dark Clouds
The tower that You see is made of tires! The locals are planning to burn the tower in honor of a holiday. The height of the fire will be equal to that of a four-storeyed building. No wonder that some residents of the adjacent homes are against such decision!!!
New UHP Tires By Continental Appeared On The Market
Continental has presented UHP tires that will be used for the original equipment of Ferrari F430.
Continental has launched a new tire for the most powerful cars – Continental ContiSportContact 5 P. The tire is already used for the original equipment of a few Mercedes AMG models that have been presented at the Frankfurt motor show together with a new Audi TT RS. The official premiere took place in Portimau (Portugal) and the representatives of the company say that the tire is the evidence of the technological supremacy of Continental.
Continental ContiSportContact 5 P is available in a few sizes developed exclusively for the rear axle together with the models for front and both axles. The modernization and perfection of the tires moves at a high pace – in Portugal Continental has showed two prototypes of Continental ContiSportContact 5 P tire called EVOlution. Besides this, the representatives of the company have explained by which means Continental strives for the reaching of the balance between driving performance, high-speed capability and safety. The tire features tread pattern with a unique combination of blocks and ribs. Black Chilli rubber compound ensures outstanding steering control and effective braking what is extremely important for the tires of this segment.
Nikolai Setzer, head of consumer and light truck tires department of the Continental company, has given high praise to the UHP segment: “In spite of the considerable recession that the market has experienced during last 15 months, we haven’t noticed fall of demand in the segment of the tires with W,Y and Z speed rating letters.” Mr. Setzer has also noted that the constant rise of demand in this segment has led to the development of another new product – ContiSportContact 5 tire (model related to ContiSport Contact 5 P) that will be presented in 2011. “Continental will not stop investing in research and development”, - concluded Mr. Setzer.
