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.
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.
Goodyear Eco-tires Became One Of “100 Most Innovative Goods Of The Year”
The editorial staff of Popular Science magazine put Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tire in the list of “100 most innovative goods of the year”.
“We are very glad that the editors of Popular Science highly appraised the innovative technologies that are applied in the production of Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, - said Steve McClellan, the president of consumer tires department of North-American subdivision of Goodyear. – Our process of new products development is based primarily on the market research – at first we find out which tires need our buyers, after that we develop innovative solutions that have new advantages”.
Goodyear works hard so that its technologies can correspond to the needs and preferences of the buyers. The award like this as well as high consumer demand on our tires proves that we are moving in the right direction”.
Mark Jannot, chief editor of Popular Science, said that “The best from the new” award is the main award of the magazine and 100 winners chosen from thousands of participants represent achievements of the highest level in their branches. “For 22 years we have been awarding innovations that impress and delight us – innovations that can positively influence the today’s world and change our opinion about its future.”
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max features special fuel-efficient compound that allows to decrease the loss of energy when rolling what in its turn decreases fuel consumption level. The tire reduces fuel consumption by 4%, i.e. during its service life the tire allows to make 3000 miles more spending the same amount of fuel.
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max has also been chosen for the equipment of the most fuel-efficient cars such as 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2010 Ford Fusion S, 2010 Toyota Prius.
The tire is also available on the secondary market, and the consumers have already appraised its exceptional traction throughout the whole year as well as the wide range of sizes that make the tire suitable for 80% of passenger cars.
