Tire Prices Continue Growing
Import duties in combination with restrained shipments and increased demand have led to the growth of tire prices in the United States, reports Associated Press.
Goodyear, the biggest American tire manufacturer, has just announced that it will raise the cost of its production, and other producers are likely to follow its example to compensate the effect of additional import duties imposed on Chinese tires as well as growing prices for raw materials such as oil and natural rubber. Saul Ludwig, the analyst of the KeyBank, is sure that in January 2010 the prices will grow by 5-10%.
According to the forecast of Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), at the beginning of 2010 the Americans will buy around 210 million tires on the secondary market. President Barack Obama has recently imposed additional 35% import duties on Chinese tires after the United Steelworkers had announced in its petition that the rise of import had led to the discharge of more than 5000 American workers since 2004. The Chinese tires have held 17% of the US secondary market what is more by 12% if to compare with the data of 2005.
The law will cover the tires produced in China by the major manufacturers such as Michelin and Pirelli, as well as tires produced straight by the Chinese companies and exported to the American market under such brands as Ling Long, Wanli etc.
At the same time not only the prices for the Chinese tires began to grow. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced that it would raise the cost of all consumer tires on the secondary market by 6% on December 1, 2009. The company stated that it was caused by the raw materials price rise. Around 2% of Goodyear tires are produced in China and it will help to offset the expenses caused by the rise of duties.
Hankook Continues Cooperation With “Tune It! Safe!” Project
The fifth concept-car presented within the framework of ’safe tuning’ project sponsored by Hankook Tires became a police car BMW 1-Series by AC Schnitzer tuning studio.
“Only serious and safe tuning allows to get real pleasure from driving!” Under this motto the Association of German Tuning Companies (VDAT) presents a new concept-car every year. For 2010 BMW AG has granted BMW 123d for the project that is also supported by the German police, Federal ministry of transport, construction and road development. The official sponsor is the Hankook company. The tuning of the new concept-car was carried out by AC Schnitzer company that specializes in BMW tuning.
The tuning studio again presented a specialized police car that was named ACS1 2.3d. The engine power was increased to 241h.p., torque – to 480Nm. Now the police BMW with 6-speed manual transmission accelerates to 65mph within 6,7 seconds what “will allow the car not to lag behind even in the hottest pursuit”.
The tire uses AC Schnitzer Type IV BiColor wheels and Hankook S1 evo tires provided by the major sponsor – the Hankook company.
Hankook S1 evo was developed to deliver solid construction that allows to eliminate the risk of tread deformation at high speed and at high temperatures thus making sport driving safer.
The structure and profile of the tire also ensure optimal pressure in the contact patch for more predictable steering response at high speeds. Optimized contact patch also provides improved steering both on dry and wet surface while the tread pattern minimizes hydroplaning, reduces noise level and makes the car more stable.
ACS1 2.3d Coupe is being exhibited at Essen motor show (28 November – 6 December). “Serious and safe tuning is not only the ideology of our company but also our mission” – notes Rainer Vogel, the managing director of AC Schnitzer. – In the case of a police car such tuning with the use of components provided by reliable manufacturers can save people’s life.
