German based online tyre retailer Delticom AG has published its forecast for the current fiscal year 2007 as a reaction to industry figures published yesterday by the German Tyre and Vulcanisation Industry Association BRV, as well as in response to what the company calls irritations in the financial markets with regards to the course of Delticom's business during the current fourth quarter.

Michelin has earned its first OE fitment on a Corvette, with its new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 TM ZP (zero-pressure) tires on the 2009 Corvette ZR1.

President Bush today signed a sweeping energy law that includes creation of a so-called “fuel efficiency consumer information program” for consumer tires.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced a price increase of up to 5%, which will vary between product lines for all customers, effective February 1, 2008.

· NASA Glenn Research Center and Goodyear granted Seed Funding · Step Change Technology required for "Universal" Mobility · Joint Lunar, Mars project capability could yield "Earthly" rewards

The U.S. Department of Commerce has opted to impose countervailing duties – at least initially – on new OTR tires imported from China, saying the makers of those products benefited financially from Chinese government subsidies.

As the curtains are drawn on a multi-tyre WRC series, BF Goodrich has thanked teams loyal to the brand with a unique gift not available in the shops – specially made coloured tyres.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the formation of a new strategic business unit, combining the former regions of European Union (EU) and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA).

Alcoa officially opened its new Dura-Bright forged wheel production line at its Hungary factory in early November.

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission is taking steps against Bridgestone and four international companies that have since May been under the spotlight for rubber marine hose price fixing.

Lion Forest Industries Bhd is reportedly proposing to buy up to 70.64% of Silverstone Corp. Bhd two years after its proposal to acquire the latter’s tyre business was rejected by the local Securities Commission despite an appeal.

The terms “ultra-high performance” and “all-season” are no longer mutually exclusive, thanks to the introduction of General Tire’s new Exclaim UHP radial.

RIAL BARI is a design wheel with ten spokes which run in a star form to the outer edge of the rim flange.

To meet what it sees as increasing needs for retreaded OTR tires, Goodyear Canada Inc. is building a new retread plant in North Bay, Ont.

Pirelli Tyre reports that price increases of up to 10% are planned for all passenger car, SUV and truck tyre lines sold in Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific markets, effective as of Jan. 1, 2008.

At a press conference scheduled for this morning, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is expected to reveal its plans to keep its world headquarters in Akron.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has launched four all-new commercial-duty light truck tires featuring its Armor Max technology.

The Continental AG concluded its purchase of Siemens VDO Automotive AG on Dec. 3, four days after the EU Commission issued its unconditional approval.

The CGS group, which includes Mitas (tyre production), Rubena (technical rubber products) and Buzuluk (machinery and equipment for the rubber industry), has recently acquired a full ownership stake in the company Konty G, with compounds manufacturing facilities in Zlín, Czech Republic.

A World Trade Organization appeals panel ruled Dec. 3 that Brazil did violate international commerce rules by restricting importation of retreaded tires from Europe.

Continental Tire North America has added seven sizes to its ContiSportContact 2 high performance line.

Less than a month after taking the wraps off its new automated tire plant in Mexico, Bridgestone Americas Holding has opted to close its existing tire plant in Mexico City.

Automotive engineering specialist Beru Systems has developed a specific bus tyre pressure monitoring system for Canadian firm Nova Bus and their new Nova LFS Artic bus.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is conducting a precautionary customer satisfaction campaign to exchange certain size P215/70R14 tires sold under a variety of names in the United States and Canada.

According to an article published in the German periodical Manager Magazin, of the 500 largest stock exchange listed companies in Europe, Nokian Tyres is the most productive company in the automotive sector.

Germany has long been presented to U.K. motorists as the ‘poster boy’ for winter tyre sales in Europe, but it appears that this year the market boasting a winter segment accounting for around half the total passenger car tyre sector is shaping up to be somewhat lacklustre.

In a new trade deal, China will eliminate “improper” trade subsidies it was allegedly using to prop up profitable trade with the U.S., to the detriment of local and foreign companies.

Company chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera confirmed that Pirelli SpA is in talks to repurchase a 39% stake in its tire unit.

Pirelli SpA launched its 35th anniversary version of the famed Pirelli Calendar this morning in Shanghai.

Tyre distributor, Yokohama HPT Ltd., tyre wholesaler Group Tyre (UK) and manufacturer of tyre inflation equipment, Pneumatic Components Ltd., have all agreed to become TyreSafe supporters in 2008, joining the original 14 tyre companies and retailers responsible for forming the organisation at the start of this year.

Continental Tire North America’s General Altimax RT finished best among four “standard touring all-season” tires tested by Tire Rack.

Efforts to educate on the benefits of correctly inflated tyres seem to be falling upon deaf ears – Groupe Michelin has found that almost 80% of cars on British roads are running with incorrect tyre pressure and over half have levels are considered dangerous.

Bridgestone Corporation announced today that it will begin supplying POTENZA RE070R RFT Run-Flat tires (RFT) for factory installation as standard equipment on the NISSAN GT-R, which is scheduled to be released to the U.S. market in June 2008.

Michelin North America and China Manufacturers Alliance have entered into a settlement agreement resolving MNA’s claims of infringement of intellectual property rights.

Pirelli SpA has started operations at its 100 million euro passenger tire plant in Yanzhou, China.

A representative from Hankook Tire has commented on published news that the company’s operations in Hungary had been penalised by the Hungarian government as a result of violating national law.

Continental AG has published a clarification of press coverage that suggested it had signed a five-year deal to import 170,000 truck tyres into Europe from the Casumina factory in Vietnam.

Delticom AG, Europe’s leading Internet tyre retailer, has increased revenues by approximately 34% year-on-year in the first nine months of this year to 146 million euros (2006: 108.9 million euros).

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has gained OE positions on the new 2009 Nissan Murano.

A U.S. trade panel ruling has provided a glimmer of hope for Chinese tyre manufacturers facing the prospect of tariffs imposed upon their products.

The new wheel styling of RAVENNA is characterised through a bi-colour surface structure.

Top Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone Corp said on Thursday it would raise prices on March 1 for replacement tyres, tubes and flaps in Japan, and for winter tyres on April 1.

If there's one lesson to be learned from this year's Chinese tire recall, it's this, says Daniel Smith, associate administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): know your tire suppliers and know your obligations in the event of a problem with their products.

The Zisser Tire Co. has entered into an agreement with Sentaida International for the purchase of the Zisser Tire Wholesale operation.

Michelin North America is increasing prices on its medium truck, retreaded tires and agricultural tires, effective Jan. 1.

Groupe Michelin says it will double production of heavy truck tires in China by 2010 to meet growing demand in that country.

It is considered the most extreme Maserati of all time – with 755 horsepower under the bonnet and a maximum speed of 202 mph – and it is designed exclusively for the racetrack.

India’s largest tyre manufacturer, MRF, has unveiled a new high performance passenger line. Called the MRF ZSLK, the tyre features a silica reinforced compound that is said to reduce rolling resistance, thus providing economic and green benefits.

According to reports out of Southeast Asia, Continental AG has arranged an off-take agreement with Vietnam tiremaker Southern Rubber Industry Co., which will produce Continental-branded tires for export to Europe.

News reports say that by the end of this year Goodyear will spend NT$300 million on new production equipment for its tire plant in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Groupe Michelin described it as “revolutionary” and “our biggest technological breakthrough since we patented the radial tyre in 1946,” yet news indicates that the French manufacturer is turning its back on the product about which it once said “we haven’t been this proud since we invented the radial.”

During a press conference on Capitol Hill, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab announced that the U.S. and several key trading partners are looking to negotiate a trade agreement to strengthen the worldwide fight against counterfeiting and piracy.

Continental Tire North America is adding 40 sizes to its ContiSportContact 3 tire line.

Share prices for Toyo Tire & Rubber plummeted following revelations that the company falsified data related to the fire resistance tests conducted on some of its building products.

In an analytical note entitled “When Will Nonrecurring Items Not Recur?” Deutsche Bank market watcher Rod Lache remarked he was disappointed with Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s “underlying performance.”

Trailer manufacturer Manac Inc., based in St. Georges, Quebec, has selected Bridgestone as the standard tire for its Manac and CPS trailer brands.

Only a week after the U.S. Tire Industry Association announced at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas its “policy resolution” regarding look-alike tyres, Continental AG has released its own statement on the issue of counterfeit products.

People often ask me what drew me to the tyre business. Why, the dynamism, creativity and sophistication of the industry I promptly reply.

Grand opening ceremonies were held yesterday to inaugurate Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.’s new automated tire plant in Mexico. Operated by subsidiary Bridgestone Neumáticos de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V., the plant, located in Monterrey, Mexico, is the first outside of Japan to feature Bridgestone Corp.’s BIRD automated production technology.

TIA Struck a deal with online mega-selling eBay that will incorporate TIA member information into eBay’s vehicle and vehicle part area.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has added 26 sizes to its line-up of passenger and light truck/SUV tires.

Plans are afoot to increase Kumho Tire’s global capacity by 20% in the coming year.

Bridgestone Corporation announced today that aircraft radial tires produced by Bridgestone Corporation were installed on the first A380 next-generation super-jumbo jetliner produced by Airbus S.A.S. (president: Mr. Thomas Enders; headquarters: Toulouse, France) and delivered to Singapore Airlines for flight service between Singapore and Sydney starting October 25.

Sumitomo’s new “We’ve Got Your Number” campaign features the release of the all-new HTRZ III tire, a maximum performance tire designed to fit a wide variety of vehicles.

Nexen Tire America Inc. is displaying a new ultra-high performance summer tire, the N6000, at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. is not only adding eight sizes to its Ecsta V710 D.O.T.-approved competition tire, but also revamping the line, at least a little.

Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. introduced the Proxes R1R, an extreme performance tire designed for sports coupes and sedans. The Proxes R1R provides "the ultimate dry weather traction for the enthusiast driver who wants maximum performance from his or her car," said the company.

Continental Tire North America Inc. is putting its new General Grabber competition tires to the test. In 2008, the tires will compete in major off-road events.

Continental Tire North America will complete its General Grabber light truck and SUV tire line with the introduction of the Grabber HTS in the second quarter of 2008.

On display this week at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show booth is a new light truck/SUV tire, the Zeon LTZ.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is showing off its latest ultra-high performance tire, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric, at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.

Sales up 3% to all-time record on strong pricing, product mix Segment operating income up 35% to record $382 million Income from continuing operations is $159 million Cost savings programs on target, nearly $900 million achieved to date Gain of $517 million on sale of Engineered Products business

An offical from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says tire pressure monitoring systems for heavy vehicles are a distinct possibility.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is using the SEMA Show to roll out its new Ventus V12 Evo K110.

Germany's Continental AG said it plans to invest about 150 million euros ($216 million) to build its first tyre manufacturing plant in China to boost sales in the world's second-largest auto market.

Goodyear’s Dunlop brand group spent the days leading up to the SEMA Show doing a little showing off, demonstrating two new high performance tire lines at a special pre-SEMA driving event for dealers and media.

Yokohama Tire Corp. will unveil its new Advan ZPS run-flat at next week’s SEMA Show.

Dunlop Falken Tires Ltd. of the Sumitomo Rubber Group unveiled "Enasave 97" at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. received fitment approval from the United States military for its new Wrangler MT/R Military Edition tire.

Kumho Tire USA plans to launch a new luxury touring tire at the upcoming SEMA Show.

The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) has released a position paper on improving tyre noise in response to the European Commission’s invitation for public consultation on the topic, made in preparation for the drafting of new regulations.

China Manufacturers Alliance has opened its first North American distribution center.

The organisers of the Tire Technology Expo 2008 are confident that next year’s show will be the largest yet and boast its best ever conference programme and speaker line-up.

Yokohama Rubber Co. announced two new OE fitments for its tires.

The UK distributor for the Italian MAK range of replacement alloy wheels, Yokohama HPT Ltd, has announced three new models for the UK market. All three capture the manufacturer’s flair for design and epitomise MAK’s reputation for quality and longevity.

The Yokohama Rubber Co. held an opening ceremony for the second plant of its Onomichi facility on October 22.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has delivered its letter of commitment concerning the reduction of environmental impact resulting from tyres and further measures to increase road safety to the European Commissioner for Enterprise, Günther Verheugen.

Bridgestone Corp, Japan's largest tyre maker, will invest 1.3 trillion yen ($11 billion) over five years from 2008 to boost output around the world to meet increasing demand, the Nikkei newspaper said on Saturday.

Nokian Tyres has signed an agreement on the 19 October 2007 with the Kazakhstanian multi-industrial company Ordabasy Corporation JSC in order to build a greenfield passenger car tyre factory in Kazakhstan.

Michelin North America’s Bridgewater, N.S., plant produced its 100 millionth tire recently.

The previously reported Michelin expansion in Poland will see capacity at the company’s Olsztyn plant boosted to 15 million units a year, claims Deutsche Bank’s Equity Research division.

Automotive engineering specialists Beru F1 Systems has announced that it is supplying its award-winning digital tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) DigiTyre to Lamborghini for the Gallardo and Murciélago platforms.

Viking International’s improved Web site and online ordering facility appears to be on the up, with number of online orders doubling year-on-year and the number of site visitors increasing “significantly,” according to the company.

Much of Europe is currently getting ready for the seasonal change to cold weather tyres, and while many drivers assume that winter tyres increase a car’s fuel consumption, Nokian says that the truth may come as a positive surprise.

Michelin Poland is to open a new tyre-making line, a logistics centre and production centre in Olsztyn.

Introduced in North America in 1992, the Bridgestone Blizzak, developed in the 1980s for the Japanese market, is still the best winter tire available, according to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced its commercial tires are now available for specification on all International Truck & Engines vehicles, and the company has been named an International Truck primary tire supplier.

Following their successful second quarter ad campaign to coincide with the launch of the company’s new Versado LX luxury passenger car tire; Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation has launched a second major ad campaign in the fourth quarter of 2007 to promote their Open Country line of light truck and SUV tires.

Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. gave a sneak preview of its new ultra-high performance passenger tire, the Ventus V12 Evo, during a ride-and-drive event held earlier today near its plant in Geumsan, South Korea.

Did you know that it is actually more hazardous to drive on ice when the temperature is between -6 and 0 degrees Celsius than when temperatures are colder?

Big O Tires and its Big O Tires Scholarship Fund awarded 11 college students with college scholarships.

Sumitomo Rubber Corp. is supporting the launch of its new HTRZ III UHP line with a comprehensive launch campaign.

Titan Tire is hosting the second Titan/Goodyear and Georgia FFA Foundation tire auction on Oct. 17.

Brampton, Ont.’s Tiremaster Ltd. has switched from the Bandag retreading process to Michelin Retreading Technologies’ process.

U.K. company Pneumatics Components Ltd. (PCL) will make its first SEMA Show appearance with its new Accura mobile nitrogen tire inflation system.

Michelin has decided to evacuate the families of French nationals in its employ in Algeria because of concerns for their safety.

Dr. John Luchini, a research scientist for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., was awarded the Superior Paper of 2006 honor by The Tire Society. It marked the second time Dr. Luchini has won the award.

Bridgestone Corp. has announced that Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd., has started the mass production and shipping of run-flat from its Brits, factory.

Toyo Tire (USA) Inc. has rolled out new sizes for its M320 super wide medium truck tire line – 425/65R22.5.

Discount Tire Co./America's Tire Co. has introduced a new online application for consumers.

Manufacturing facilities at Goodyear’s operations in the Philippines are likely candidates for an upgrade, according to the president of Goodyear Philippines David Morin.

Deutsche Bank has provided comment on the recently announced Groupe Michelin closures and restructuring.

Freightliner LLC has decided to change its corporate name to Daimler Trucks North America, effective Jan. 7, 2008.

Next year the Kremenchuk technical carbon plant (Poltava region) is planning to start selling its products to the Turkish affiliate of Bridgestone, a major world producer of automobile tires.

Arnco says it has “significantly expanded” production of its QuikGel polyurethane liner.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Bridgestone brand has been named the official tire of the NFL.

Groupe Michelin has outlined plans affecting the company’s operations in France and Spain.

The U.K.’s leading online tire retailer etyres is teaming up with the host of the Popular Fifth Gear TV show to produce two consumer-focused videos showing the dangers of driving on worn tires.

Dunlop India has reiterated its intention to re-enter the aero tyre market.

Michelin North America is seeking tax incentives from Anderson County for a $25 million investment in its Starr and Sandy Springs, S.C., facilities.

Pneu-Logic, the U.K.-based tyre division of Advanced ID Corp., has entered into a strategic supply agreement with Rema Tip Top as a global reseller of Pneu-Logic’s line of technology products.

Recognizing this month’s National Fall Car Care Month, Goodyear Gemini is hosting free Women’s Car Care Clinics in major market locations throughout the U.S.

ITW CIP has introduced the Pacnut, a laminated nut designed to internally deflect and help eliminate wheel-offs on commercial trucks and trailers.

Goodyear’s Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems has opened a new Pilot Truck Care Center in Temple, Ga.

Industry analysts say that 2007 may end up being the worse ever year for new car sales.

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) has added to its Dueler line with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T 695.

Michelin North America has signed a extension agreement to keep its BFGoodrich brand as the official tire of the SCORE International and Desert Racing Series.

Increased visitor numbers representing a wider variety of countries and greater numbers of exhibitors taking extra floor space, were the top-line highlights that contributed to a record-breaking sixth Tyrexpo Asia exhibition at the Singapore Expo Centre recently (11-13 Sept. 11-13).

Michelin car tyres have the longest life according to Auto Express. Tests carried out by independent testing body TUV Sud, and witnessed by Auto Express, compared Michelin tyres with six of their main European competitors.

Michelin Americas Small Tires is launching a new Alliance Associate Dealer program for 2008, which represents a shift in the way the company does business with both distributors and dealers of its passenger car and light truck replacement tires.

The site has been designed to cater for the growing number of independent tyre retailers signing up to the First Stop network – the loyalty programme of Bridgestone UK.

Citing increasing raw material, energy and logistic costs, Pirelli Tire North America is raising prices an average of 5 percent for all passenger and light truck tires.

The new HTRZ III, Sumitomo Tire’s latest offering in its HTR line of performance products, delivers enhanced traction, exceptional handling and a new level of maximum performance in more than 30 popular sizes.

TPMS maker Advantage PressurePro and Inovex Industries Inc., manufacturer of the tire sealant Ride-On, have formed a partnership to provide customers a complete solution for tire pressure problems.

Continental Tyres has put together a comprehensive guide to the differing tyre requirements British truck and coach operators expecting to run their vehicles in European countries this winter have to meet.

For a second successive year, Bridgestone has sponsored the ‘Best Safety Innovation’ category in an annual competition organised by Interior Motives magazine for automotive design students from around the world.

The 2007 sporting season has been the year for World Cups, and Cooper Tire is about to embark on its third season with the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP. Zandvoort, in The Netherlands, will host the opening race event of A1GP’s third season, on Sept. 30.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has finalized a three-year deal to sponsor the Pac-10 men’s basketball regular season and conference tournament, which will be telecast on Fox Sports Net.

Vredestein, which already offers expertise in the field of all-season tires, introduced the world’s first all-season tire available with RunFlat technology, the Quatrac 3.

With America’s tyre manufacturers and retailers still unhappy with the National Highway Transport and Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) rule-making on TPMS, signs are that Europe too will soon require its new vehicles to be equipped with tyre pressure monitoring systems.

After successful expeditions to Ukraine, Romania, Albania and etc. Matador takes part in an autocross “Scout Experience”, which way goes by Russian roads. Ten cars Škoda Octavia Scout tyred up into Matador MP 43 Aquilla Evo made their route from Moscow to Vladivostok during 04 - 20 of August 2007. Total distance is more than 9700 km. The cars crossed 7 time zones.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. will supply tires for the new 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire and Bridgestone/Firestone Canada are increasing prices on all Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion and associate brand tire lines by up to 4%.

Yokohama Tire Corp. has opened its first Advan Service Center at the Tire Man location in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The new center was officially opened Sept. 22.

The 50 millionth tyre has rolled off the production line at Continental’s Timisoara tyre plant.

While many attended the IAA in Frankfurt to admire the crisp styling of the latest vehicle models and concept cars, for others the technology lying beneath the skin of a car is every bit as beautiful.

The Goodyear HydraGrip has been awarded ‘Best Buy’ in the family car tyre market after winning the UK’s biggest independent comparison test of tyre performance and safety.

At the recent IAA motor show in Frankfurt Bridgestone discussed details of its ongoing major investment programme for 2007, supporting its long-term plan for steady growth in Europe.

The organisers of Tyrexpo Asia, ECI International, have announced that this year’s attendance figures broke all previous records.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk Soo has reportedly put pressure on Hankook to adhere to Hungarian labour laws.

MotoGP's three tyre manufacturers are expected to make an official response to Dorna's single tyre rule proposal at Motegi later today.

Bridgestone Corp. has begun construction on its medium truck and bus tire plant near Stargard, Poland. The factory will start production in early 2009.

On Friday, September 21, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Ukraine in collaboration with Matador – K (Ìàòàäîð-Ê) firm held the GOODYEAR FOREST PARTY – the presentation of brand-new models for winter 2007-2008 season.

FIA has released details of the e-mail conversation between driver Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa that led to McLaren being excluded from this year’s Formula One constructor’s championship amid accusations of spying.

Yokohama's Advan brand will serve as the presenting sponsor of Hooked on Driving at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, Calif.

The European Commission has moved to ensure that car manufacturers will provide technical information about car repairs to all independent garages in the European Union.

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric has taken its first major independent tyre test victory, with Evo magazine declaring the latest Goodyear ultra-high performance tyre as the winner in a comparison of nine brands.

Europe has overwhelmingly cast its vote in favour of the tyre brand it regards as the safest and most durable, Michelin, putting the company miles ahead of the competition.

Akron City Council took the first steps toward creating a new area for Goodyear’s world headquarters yesterday, approving a measure to acquire 20 properties on the city’s east side to be converted into office and retail space.

News reports confirm that Indian automaker Tata Motors is interested in acquiring iconic British auto companies Land Rover and Jaguar, which Ford Motor Co. has put up for sale.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire has launched the new Bridgestone L320 on-/off-highway drive radial.

Yokohama Tire Corp. launched Eco Treadsetters, a consumer online social network focused on environmental issues.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. will begin construction next week on a 204,000-square-foot expansion of its 78-year-old plant in Gadsden, Ala., which company officials say will keep it operating for years to come.

The Bridgestone Turanza EL40002 will be the OE tire on the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited.

Trials of a new roof tile may offer the possibility of an innovative tiling material using recycled rubber from used tires, according to a trial funded by the U.K.’s Waste & Resources Action Program.

Amerityre Corp. is licensing its technology to Desert Research Technology Inc., giving DRT the exclusive, worldwide rights to manufacture paddle-type sand tires featuring Amerityre's polyurethane elastomers.

Pirelli SpA chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera is planning to pay of the company’s debt and invest in its tyre unit with cash from the planned sale of its Olimpia unit.

Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. sold its nearly 7% stake in Chalco, China's largest aluminum maker, for $2 billion. Alcoa said it would continue to invest in the aluminum industry in China, where it currently manufactures foil, fasteners, automotive components and other products.

Alcoa Wheel Products has been named the exclusive wheel supplier for the new super-exotic Lamborghini Murcielago Reventon.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire has announced the winners of its first Safety Scholars Video Contest.

Michelin swept every segment of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study.

RMA has created a downloadable tire care course aimed at teen drivers and driver’s education instructors.

Groupe Michelin used the 2007 the International Motor Show in Frankfurt to unveil its new Energy Saver tire line, which it claims will dramatically reduce carbon emissions and cut fuel consumption.

The DVLA and Police have seized 270 vehicles with potential deadly hazards, such as bald tyres, in South Yorkshire.

Asia Pulse has reported that Apollo Tyres has been ordered to pay Rs 10,000 by the Delhi Consumer Commission foralleged tire defects.

India has now signed a commitment to build a grand prix circuit in Delhi.

NHTSA and the Chinese government will sign an agreement Sept. 12 that will help speed the recall of defective auto parts.

The U.S. state of Ohio is keen to let Bridgestone know that they are welcome in its part of the world.

Nine tire dealers will take to the track and compete at Virginia International Raceway for the Dunlop Driver Cup. The race-off will be held Sept. 18-20.

· World first: the first all-season RunFlat tyre
· Available from September

Yokohama Rubber Corp. is apparently considering building a anew tire plant in Eastern Europe, according to news reports.

The recently reported capacity expansion plans for Goodyear’s Dalian plant in China – to 17,000 tyres a day or 10% of global production – will mostly be supplied from local sources.

Continental AG’s ContiSportContact 3 has been named the “official tire” of Mercedes-Benz USA’s C-Drive national ride-and-drive series, featuring the automaker’s redesigned C-Class sedan.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is raising prices on all of its consumer tires – passenger, high performance and light truck/SUV – by up to 4%.

Performance brake system maker Brembo SpA and Sabelt SpA, maker of racing seat belts and child safety products, have formed a joint venture to produce and market special accessories for motor vehicles and motorcycles.

The BBC Top Gear team of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May made their endurance racing debut this past weekend at Silverstone in the annual Britcar 24 Hour race.

‘Green’ appears to be the unofficial colour of the Frankfurt Show, with a number of manufacturers choosing to display their concept of a low environmental impact vehicle.

Yokohama’s S.drive tire has been approved for OE fitment on the new Smart-Brabus GmbH Smart FourTwo Brabus. The car will be sold in Eirope, Japan and Australia.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. plans to increase pricing on all of its passenger and light truck/SUV tires by up to 4%.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire is working with construction companies and groups to help students learn more about careers in the construction industry by sponsoring a high school team for the AEM Construction Challenge.

Living in an environment so cold that even a polar bear thinks twice about popping out for a pint of milk can have its advantages.

Michelin may bow out of MotoGP racing at the end of the current season if the Honda and Yamaha factory teams switch to Bridgestone for 2008, reports Eurosport.

A bomb scare emptied Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s headquarters in Akron on Aug. 31. No bomb was found, police officials said.

Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Division plans to further consolidate its position in China through the acquisition of Zhangjiagang Fugang Heli Electronics Co. Ltd. from China’s Fugang Group.

Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tires have been selected as the OE tire for the new Lexus LS 600h L all-wheel drive luxury hybrid sedan.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. said it will raise prices on all of its passenger, performance and light truck/SUV tires by 3% to 5%.

India’s tire exports for fiscal year 2006-07 registered a marginal growth of 1.15% at 54,49,560 units as against 53,87,502 units the year before.

Workers at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire plant in in La Vergne, Tenn., firmly rejected a new contract with the tiremaker, bringing questions about the future of the truck and passenger tire plant.

The sale of Pirelli’s loss-making share in Telecom Italia has been delayed by Brazil’s telecommunications regulator Anatel.

Finnish cold weather tyre specialist Nokian has told the daily newspaper Aamulehti that it plans to expand its retail business.

The ContiComfortKit, a system designed to ensure mobility in the face of tyre failure, can be used with all proprietary car tyres. It is considerably faster and easier to use than conventional systems. The Kit is now available from our Andover and Kingston branches.

Highlights IAA 2007: Technologies for safe, comfortable and sustainable driving. The Automotive Systems division of the international automotive supplier, Continental AG will present at the international Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) (Hall 5.1/A16) intelligent and networked safety systems to providing the best possible protection for people in road traffic.

The tussle between the Indian tire industry and the India Rubber Board is set to blossom into a full-fledged war.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and its Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems received Paschall Truck Lines Inc.'s "Maintenance Vendor of the Year" award at the trucking company's annual vendor dinner.

Haltec Corp. has joined the Get Nitrogen Institute (GNI), an organization devoted to promoting the benefits of nitrogen use in tires.

Eight industry leaders will be inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame this year, including the retired leaders of the nation’s two most recognizable companies.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire broke ground for its one-million-square-foot distribution center in Jacksonville, Fla., the company largest single distribution facility in the U.S.

Michelin North American is now accepting entries for its third annual Michelin Mining Essay Contest, a program that challenges college undergraduates pursuing a mining-related degree to research and address a topic related to the mining industry.

Yokohama Rubber Co. donated more than 1 million yen to the World Wild Fund for Nature Japan, an amount matching the total of admissions paid by visitors to LIVE ecoMOTION, a charity music event held on July 29 in Shibuya and contributions collected at the event.

OTC has added new software update kits for its OTC Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM), which feature the latest software for the more than 170 models previously covered as well as information on some 100 new 2007 models.

Schrader Bridgeport International has introduced its new AirAware TPMS service instructional DVD.

Michelin North American introduced the XDA5 drive position radial, which it said has a tread design that will “regenerate” itself during use, and will “outlast the drive tire it replaces by at least 30%.”

Amerityre Corp. has developed a new tire fill product line for use in commercial tire application.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire plans to donate 60 acres of land in southwest Oklahoma City near its now closed tire plant to the local school district, according to news reports.

Pirelli has been named the OE tire for Mercedes-Benz’s ML550/350 and R350/320CDI vehicles, which will be produced at the carmaker’s U.S. plant in Alabama.

Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels has introduced the new ET Drag Slick. The tire will be available in size 33.0/10.5-16 W.

U.K. tyre safety organisation TyreSafe is co-ordinating a national tyre safety month in October to raise awareness of the crucial role that tyres play in road safety and avoiding crashes, particularly in the wet.

According to a statement released by Bridgestone on Aug. 22, the company’s subsidiary Bridgestone India Private Limited (BSID) has taken the decision to expand production capacity at its passenger car and light truck radial plant in the city of Indore.

Michelin’s long established heritage and iconic mascot has helped it become one of the most recognisable and best-loved brands on the U.K. market, a phenomenon highlighted by recent survey results released by the Superbrands Council.

Nokian Tyres plc has acknowledged that it is considering building a tire plant in Kazakhstan.

Michelin India has announced it will begin offering a truck tyre regrooving service which it claims will add about 20% to a tyre’s total lifetime mileage.

American Car Care Centers Inc. and Michelin North American celebrated their 14-year relationship and the 50 millionth Michelin-produced tire sold to ACCC.

Yokohama Rubber Co. is constructing a tire proving ground facility in Thailand. The tiremaker received approval from the country’s Board of Investment, and plans to begin construction immediately.

In a move that acknowledges the importance of Asian manufacturers to global vehicle production, Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Division has opened its first full-scale integrated engineering centre in the region.

Hankook Tire America Corp. plans to unveil its newest medium truck tire and extensions to existing lines at this week’s Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.

The ruggedness of Cooper Tire 4x4 tyres is being put to the test with an ambitious 40,000-kilometer trek from Cape Town in South Africa to London.

Among the manufacturers of automobile tyres of CIS the company "Rosava" one of first has received official confirmation on conformity to production on noise level to the European standards. The tyres of a medium-class of series WQ and SQ once again have shown the European degree of quality.

Today, people expect more than a basic over the counter ‘buy and sell’ retail experience.

Employees at the Nokian Tyres factory in Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg, will soon have access to affordable accommodation near their place of work.

Japan-based Bridgestone Corporation, engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing tires and diversified products, has developed a new Cooling Fin technology that expands the vehicle application potential of runflat tires.

A rule change introduced Aug. 16 by the province will make a double-wide tire produced by Michelin more attractive to local truckers.

Further expansion is already planned for Goodyear’s tyre facility in Dalian, China.

Yokohama Tire Corp. is gearing up for the coming pro and college football seasons, announced promotion deals with three NFL teams and two college squads.

The recent bad press surrounding Chinese made tyres and inner tubes has not deterred one man from giving Chinese tyre products his own unintended and unorthodox vote of confidence.

With green policies and procedures the subject of widespread debate in the global tyre market, Bridgestone has reiterated its commitment to achieve the highest possible standards of environmental performance.

Dunlop India’s battle to retain a legitimate claim to a piece of land at its factory in Ambattur, Chennai has been given a boost by a decision made by a district court in Chennai.

Continuing its North Americana spending spree, Michelin North America announced plans to build a “state-of-the-art” passenger and light truck/SUV tire plant in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced its consolidated interim financial results for the period between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2007.

New from Cooper Tire for the upcoming cold season is the recently launched Discoverer M+S Sport, a range of winter tyres introduced to meet the needs of high performance 4x4 vehicles.

Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. posted its first quarter financials, showing net sales up 12% year-to-year, but net income falling 55.3%.

Hankook Tire has shipped its first batch of tyres produced at the company’s maiden European manufacturing operation. Current capacity is reportedly 1 million units, but mass production operations at the factory could be up and running in as little as six weeks. The first batch is reportedly en route to the U.K. and France, two of the manufacturer’s key regional markets.

Automechanika Shanghai has gained a reputation as one of China's most valuable professional forums for the automotive parts, components and aftermarket industry.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. posted record second-quarter sales and quarterly and first-half profits. Cooper’s quarterly sales hit $751 million, up 20% from the same period last year, and first-half sales finished at $1.4 billion.

Bridgestone Corp. saw first-half sales jump 13% and net income increase 61%.

Schrader Bridgeport International has released its new AirAware TPMS application catalog, which covers passenger vehicle applications for TPMS sensors and service packs through 2007.

Yokohama Rubber Co. said its Advan Sport tires will be OE on a number of Mercedes-Benz models, including the CL 63 AMG, CL 65 AMG and ML 63 AMG models.

2007 has been an exciting year in the development of Pirelli’s commercial vehicle tyres, company representatives told Tyres & Accessories.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has added 41 new sizes to a variety of its passenger and light truck/SUV tires.

The Sumo Firenza is reportedly steadily increasing its sales performance in both the U.K. and European tyre markets and is now considered to be increasingly favoured as a highly competitive choice in the truck tyre sector of the market.

In perhaps its response to the recently completed purchase of Bandag Inc. by rival Bridgestone/Firestone, Michelin North America has signed a “definitive agreement” to acquire Oliver Rubber Co. from Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

South Korea’s Kumho Tire Co. already plans to expand annual capacity at its brand new Changchun plant, nearly doubling tire build from 3.15 million to 6.3 million tires.

For the fifth consecutive year, Maxxis has made the top 10 of Interbrand’s list of Taiwan’s top global brands. Maxxis ranked eighth on the list.

Even as it saw second quarter sales rise some $183 million, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. still posted a first half 2007 net loss of $118 million.

The globally recognised independent authority on consumer opinion and branding, Superbrands, has identified the Bridgestone brand as one of the strongest brand names in its 2007 awards in Germany.

Michelin North American has introduced the Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II, which will come with a 70,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

Less than a month after Continental AG was admitted to the Guinness Book of Records for car performance modifier Jan Fatthauer’s 388 km/h dash, which saw the Continental ContiSportContact Vmax officially recognised as the world’s fastest production tyre, a new record using Conti’s performance tyre has been set.

Hankook Tire America Corp. has launched the Ventus R-S2 Z212, a new performance line it said was based on its Ventus RSS Z211 race tire.

Within a month of it opening, the Hankook Tire Corp. factory in the Hungarian town of Dunaújváros has become the subject of labour-law breach allegations.

NextTread, the commercial vehicle retread business of the Goodyear Dunlop group, has announced an investment in new machinery at its Wolverhampton plant.

For Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. – Japan’s second largest tyre manufacturer after Bridgestone – the Chinese tyre market has overwhelming potential.

On July 20, Nokian Tyres received news from Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co., that as a result of a share transaction concluded the previous day, their ownership increased to 5% of the voting rights and share capital in the Finnish tyremaker.

The Brunei Times has reported that government tests of some 50 China-made tires and tubes found a high degree of failures.

Pirelli SpA may be looking to make major tire investments in Eastern Europe and India, based on remarks made by Pirelli Chairman Chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera to reporters while visiting Pirelli’s tire facility in Romania.

Russia’s Alimark Ltd. has become the 140th exhibitor to sign up for September’s TyrexpoAsia exhibition in Singapore, breaking all records for the show as it approaches its 10th anniversary.

At least 6,000 workers at six large tyre manufacturing plants in Port Elizabeth, Kwazulu-Natal and North West in South Africa will strike on Friday, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA) said.

Legendary adventurer Kingsley Holgate, and Cooper Tire have linked up once again to begin another epic humanitarian mission across the African continent, in the continuing fight against malaria.

Groupe Michelin’s new OTR earthmoving tyre plant in Brazil is on schedule to produce its first tyre in November.

Hankook Tire will showcase its first European-made tyres, low rolling resistance tyres at this year’s 62nd IAA Car Show.

Grosvenor Contracts Leasing Ltd., Britain’s largest independent vehicle contract hire company, which is based in Kettering, has extended its contract with Michelin until 2009.

Hankook Tire America Corp. has signed on as the official tire sponsorship of Chevrolet’s “Rev It Up 2007: Where Drivers Come to Play” performance driving school and competition program.

Continental Tire of North American is providing tires to the BMW Performance Center and the BMW Performance Driving School, based in Spartanburg, S.C.

Pirelli Tyre is planning to build a state-of-the-art industrial centre in the Settimo Torinese area of Italy, having signed an agreement with the Piedmont regional, Turin provincial, and Settimo Torinese authorities.

eBay shoppers looking for a bargain are being warned to steer clear of second-hand tyres being sold on the site, after independent testing revealed that half of the used tyres listed on eBay are too dangerous for use and if fitted to a car could put lives at risk.

The Demon is a ten-spoke wheel, featuring five pairs of flat-faced and hard-edged spokes running to the very outside edge of the wheel rim. Not only does this enhance the sense of size of the wheel but gives it an aggressive and purposeful feel; perfect for performance or modified cars.

Rick Carr, the service manager at Buff Whelan Chevrolet in Sterling Heights, Mich., remembers the old days when cars broke down as fast as mechanics could fix them.

Michelin North America has taken its North American media planning and buying business and consolidated at a single agency.

India’s Metro Tyres is reportedly willing to offer technical collaboration partner Continental AG a minority stake in its business.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is recalling some 92,000 Dominator Sport A/T tires due to concerns over possible tread separations.

A report in the local paper the News and Star says that 700 workers at Pirelli's factory in Carlisle have voted to strike on three days in August, after the company said that it was going to outsource five jobs to outside workers.

Three Continental brand medium truck tires have been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for meeting its SmartWay environmental specifications.

Formula One will not return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year, leaving the international auto racing series without an American event for now, speedway officials said Thursday.

SmarTire announced on July 10 that Dana Corp., its marketing partner for the commercial vehicle market in North America, Australia and New Zealand, will be offering the company’s SmartWave TPMS retrofit kits to International Truck and Engine Corp.

ASA Tire Systems has issued Version 7.4.0 of its TireMaster software.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is rolling out the Mastercraft Avenger Touring LSR all-season premium touring tire in two all-season tread design options.

The Land Rover Experience Tour is considered one of the most challenging tests faced by all-terrain vehicles, and this year, for the first time, the Experience Tour will be run exclusively using 4x4 tyres manufactured by Continental.

Kumho Tire announced on July 12 that it has signed a sponsorship deal with Manchester United.

It has been reported that Yokohama Rubber provided evidence against its former associates involved in the recent price fixing controversy in exchange for immunity, allowing the U.S. Justice Department to the break the international price cartel that included Dunlop Oil & Marine, Trelleborg Industrie SAS and domestic rival Bridgestone.

When the all-new Peugeot 308 begins to arrive at dealerships, it will most likely be wearing tyres from Michelin’s new Energy Saver range.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has extended its contract with off-road racer Robby Gordon through 2010.

Polish online tyre and automotive products retailer Oponeo.pl plans to issue up to 4 million new shares in an upcoming IPO and spend the proceeds on boosting working capital and the development of its IT systems, the company's chief executive Dariusz Topolewski informed a press conference on July 5.

KeyBanc has raised its price target for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. shares from $39 to $48, maintaining its “buy” rating.

Last week, following an invitation to tender, the FIA World Motor Sport Council appointed the Yokohama Rubber Company to supply the control tyre for the 2008 and 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championships.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) has launched its Safety Scholars Video Contest.

Mark Webber believes that Lewis Hamilton's competitiveness has been aided by the new Bridgestone tyres this season. More experienced drivers have had to adjust to the new specification whilst others like team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari rival Kimi Raikkonen are still getting used to the jump from Michelin to Bridgestone rubber. Thus the Red Bull driver thinks that there has been an element of luck to Hamilton's current 14-point lead in the championship.

China, the world’s leading tyre consumer and producer has in recent years gained significant product market share around the globe.

Yokohama Tire Corp. has introduced the all-new S.drive high performance tire, featuring nanotechnology. Yokohama said the new line is available now through its U.S. distribution centers

Groupe Michelin said it plans to spend some 250 million euros – approximately $315 million – on upgrading its tire plants in Germany, contingent on workers there agreeing to work an additional 75 minutes each week without increased pay.

Michelin North America has decided to discontinue producing and selling bias ply agricultural tires in North America, but will “continue to offer a full line of radial tires for both Michelin and BFGoodrich brands,” the company said.

India’s Falcon Tyres has signed a technical assistance agreement with Japanese giant Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

Preparations to ready Kumho Tire’s US$4 million latex processing facility in Vietnam have reached their conclusion and on June 28 the new plant began operations.

Michelin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. has its eyes on a 500% growth in SUV tyre sales following the introduction of the Latitude range into the country.

Iconic supercar manufacturer Ferrari celebrated its 60th birthday in June 2007 and the tyremaker whose association with the company dates back to Enzo Ferrari’s racing days before World War II was on hand to pay tribute to the legendary marque.

Belgium’s Punch International NV, the diversified industrial holding company headquartered in Sint-Martens-Latem, announced on June 29 that it has taken over BBS, the German developer and producer of lightweight wheels for premium segment sports and passenger cars.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sent Foreign Tire Sales (FTS) Inc. in Union, N.J., a letter stating that it is legally responsible for the recall of nearly 450,000 tires imported from China and threatened penalties of up to $6,000 per violation, with a maximum of nearly $16.4 million.

CTV News has found imported tires from China prone to tread separation for sale in Canada, despite an ordered recall in the U.S.

Criminal gangs are attacking Bridgestone Corp.’s Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia.

Continental Tire’s ContiSportContact Vmax has been entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s fastest standard production tire.

Blackcircles.com’s rapid success, gained through adapting dotcom technology to suit the tire business, is well documented.

On July 1, Kumho Tire USA will start a marketing campaign in Detroit to officially launch its Ecsta DX aroma tire.

Hankook Tire America Corp. announced a price increase of up to 7% on its full line of passenger, high performance and light truck tires.

Effective July 1, the Chinese government will reduce, and in some cases eliminate, VAT (value-added tax) refund rates given to companies exporting certain goods out of China.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association recently recognized six Bridgestone Americas facilities for outstanding safety performance.

Vredestein Banden recently achieved a major milestone by fitting its 1,000,000th Vredestein Space Master spare tyre, supplying the tyre to Audi for use in the Audi A6 All Road.

The LMP2 class-winning Lola Zytek of Binnie Motorsports was shod with Kumho tyres – an historic achievement for the Korean tyre manufacturer, who was competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for only the third time.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association today issued a Tire Information Service Bulletin to address used tires that have uncertain or unknown history of use, maintenance, and storage conditions. The bulletin applies to used tires purchased as replacement tires or as equipped on a used vehicle.

Michelin’s Challenge Bibendum has been seeking solutions to the downside of motoring since 1998, and this year the event returns to the city that last played host in to the Challenge in 2004 – Shanghai, China’s largest city and economic hub.

June 26 is to be a red-letter day in the history of Hankook in Europe, as this is the day the company has chosen to officially commence production at its new £340 million facility in Dunaujvaros, Hungary.

Stefan Rosina – president of Matador Group – signed a contract with the Mayor of Třinec Viera Palkowska, obligating both parties in the construction of another plant of the Matador Automotive.

In the latest controversy involving Chinese products, federal regulators are asking a New Jersey company to recall as many as 450,000 imported tires because the product was blamed for an accident that killed two people last year.

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that the Bridgestone brand will remain the official tire of the Champ Car World Series through at least 2009.

Sun Tyre Industries Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian retread tyre manufacturer, expects retread demand to go up by 20 to 25 this year.

Truck manufacturers (Volvo and MAN) are reporting that supplies of truck tyres are running thin.

Dunlop Tyres is appealing for motoring enthusiasts to submit photography for inclusion in a coffee-table photobook encapsulating the thrill of the drive.

At Autopromotec, Nexen Tire was showing examples of its extensive range of UHP, SUV and winter tyres.

Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has released the new Proxes R888, a DOT-approved race compound competition tire.

A working group from Thailand's Board of Investment has proposed granting Siam Michelin tax incentives to aid the company – a partnership between the Michelin Group and the Siam Cement Group – establish a regional operating headquarters within Thailand.

After two and a half years operating as World Endüstriyel Lastik, Solideal in Turkey changed its name to Solideal Lastik Ticaret Ltd. Sirketi.

Kumho Tire USA announced a price increase that will take effect Aug. 1.

Steadying raw material prices, Michelin’s productivity improvements and increased truck tyre demand could in a “truck tyre shortage,” and therefore increased prices from the company, according to Deutsche Bank analysts.

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) reported during the World Rubber Summit last month in Bangkok that world rubber consumption is now forecast to reach 31.8 million tons by 2020, representing an increase of around 10 million tons compared to 2006.

Trelleborg Wheel Systems is closing its plant in Hadsten, Denmark, and will move production to a new facility in Liepaja, Latvia.

Apollo Tyres is planning a major capacity expansion at its Dunlop South Africa facility, Indian newspapers have reported. The project is expected to go into action in 2008/09.

For the 209th straight year, Yokohama Tire Corp. will serve as an official sponsor of the annual Porsche Club of America’s Porsche Parade, set for July 1-5 in San Diego.

Analysts are predicting huge productivity gains after Michelin announced the restructuring of its Japanese plant, involving the lay-off of 550 people (following Canada, Nigeria and France last year).