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.
Nokian Hakka Z SUV. End of alphabet
Nokian Tyres’ Alphabet was to end in the last letter of the Latin alphabet, but the Finns managed to think of three more.
Nokian Hakka Z Suv - new high-speed summer tire for urban off-road cars. She added the family, which includes «nearest relative» Hakka Z and «sisters» Hakka V / H, Hakka i3, Hakka SUV and light-truck Hakka C Van / Cargo tires.
The peculiarity of the family - the calculation for a northern summer with lots of rain, frost, rough pavement, mild off-road combined with grease.
New tires are not intended for off-road, which in addition to non-aggressive tread pattern is also indicated by velocity indices - V (up to 240 km / h), W (270 km / h) and Y (300 km / h).
The main innovations are incorporated in the concept of a so-called Cool Zone - multi-layer structure of the tread - the rubber mixture with silica and rapeseed oil plus a new radius of curvature of the tread.
The inner layer of a three-layer tread is a thin layer, reducing heat and rolling resistance. Sub-elastic layer reacts to a mixture of traditional maneuvers faster. Natural rapeseed oil used in the mix for the tread, gives it elasticity and tensile strength. Nokian Cool silica and rapeseed oil contribute to a better tire adhesion on the wet road and preserve the elasticity at low to near-summer temperatures of the tires.
This combination reduces tire’s rolling resistance, which leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and air pollution. The new «rectified» radius of the tread curvature improves the exchange rate stability during maneuvers and reduces the heating of the tire while driving at high speed.
Pattern of the Hakka Z SUV is asymmetrical. Reinforced center rib is responsible for lane stability (especially at high speeds). Stronger external shoulder - for the stability in cornering and handling, interior - effectively removes water from the contact spot. Longitudinal grooves Improve drainage.
Robust on-board zone improves controllability at high speeds, the annular collar protects the edge of the rim. At the helm of the sensitivity and driving accuracy maintenance banding on the circle, seamless solid lateral ring, and reinforced filling cord in the side zone positively affect. The absence of seams in the nylon band – is a pledge of a lack of vibration at high speeds.
Traditionally, the tire has two wear indicators. The first shows the residual depth of the tread in millimeters. The second, in the form of stylized drop, disappears from the surface of the tread when the tire is unsafe in the rain. On the side there are info-station, where you can make the necessary mark (the recommended pressure, place of the installation of tire, etc.)
The tire does not contain toxic highly-aromatic oils, what is particularly pleasant, because it is produced not only in Finland but also in Russia. 14 standard sizes are introduced - from 235/65R17 108V XL to 295/30R22 103Y XL.
Amazing Winter Discount Tires
By next season Finns have produced «Nokian-Hakkapelita RSi» tire, designed to replace the well-known «Hakkapelitu Q». Yes, yes, the one, which has earned much praise for the winter coatings, but, alas, to receive a fair criticism when driving on asphalt. Which led to the creation of new tires. The developers acknowledge: indeed, the problems were, and not only with the handling on wet pavement. They diplomatically refer to the false activations of ABS systems in heavy acceleration. It turned out electronics perceived torsion ductility of soft rubber as something more serious. But it is easy to understand that the ABS works on the same principle, «fooling itself» in a similar situation, scaring drivers with too early «dribbling» on the brake pedal. And this is much bigger claim to the vehicle!
«Hakkapelita RSi» was designed with taking into account the characteristics of various electronic systems. Its acronym stands for as follows: R - index of the speed (170 km / h), S - new technology (additive based on silicon + rapeseed oil), i - short for the word «ice» - favorite cover for the new tires. Like the predecessor, RSi focused primarily on the climatic conditions of the Nordic countries. Creators boldly predict her laurels of the safest tires to competitors. Maintained and even increased the traditional tenacity of tires on ice and snow, the developers significantly improved the reliability on the pavement. As they say, this is due to the rigid central part of the tread. The rest is placed on his «toothy» Image and lamellas combinations, the area where, for example, in the shoulder area increased by more than 40% compared to the previous model. It took much time to do some of the correct ratio of lateral and longitudinal coupling properties to the tire to work more predictably. Add to that a general reduction of noise, rolling resistance - and we got a very unusual product, which was able to meet last winter.
The new tire has became firmer - it is felt immediately, the car is significantly shaked on small irregularities. Well, some worsening of comfort was quite expected. Although much evident even in the snow - the reaction of the machine were quite precise and focused. Swung the car from side to side - without a stumble, it has completed the exercise, demonstrating a good capability to resist sliding. And if faster? Again, everything is very predictable. From start to finish RSi has been behaving gorgeous. When speculative compared with the same «Hakkapelita Q» it is felt that the behavior of the car became sharper, more impulsive. However, «fighter» qualities help to feel the car better.
Nokian Z Summer Discount Tires
In early 2005, Nokian company presented a new high-speed summer tire - Nokian Z - the world’s first tire for high-speed driving (270 km / h), which has excellent characteristics on wet surfaces, precise handling, as well as environmental performance of its rubber compounds.
Nokian Z tire is made entirely without harmful high aromatic oils. The design of the tire is focused on two key objectives: safety in critical situations, and environmental friendliness. Achieving those factors at the same time requires a unique technique, technology and experience from tire manufacturer.
Nokian Z tire uses five different rubber compounds. A mixture of the central tire rib provides precision control and makes the tire obedient.
Tire shoulder zones are critical from the point of adhesion. When braking and driving on steep turns, surface pressure of the tire in the shoulder area is higher than in the central part. Rubber mixture used in Nokian Z tires in the shoulder area provides enhanced braking performance and excellent holding on wet surfaces and this mixture provides unparalleled security in critical situations.
On the outer edge of shoulder zones the tire has a narrow flexible strip (wing zone), which prevents the change of tire shape near tread and sidewall border while driving on a circle and during maneuvers.
Typically, a tire designed for high-speed driving, wear out relatively quickly. The basic principle of Nokian tires product development – long-lasting security. Nokian Z tire also follow this line. Due to high-quality rubber compound and low heating tire wear evenly, and retains its good properties throughout life. In its class of products it is an extremely durable tire.
