Page 10 - CTB N9 - 2015-01

NEWS
Continental Paint Positive Picture of Commercial Vehicle Tyre Market
again saw an increase in 2014, following on from the previous year’s strong results. In total, the increase was expected to be in the region of eight per cent. “
The Republic of Ireland painted a slightly different picture with forecasts suggesting the Irish market would finish five per cent down on 2013. A broader view of Europe showed the market was up by three per cent in 2014, with the strongest growth (seven per cent) recorded in Western Europe. Compared to previous years there had been very little change in the demand for different application areas. Regional tyres continued to
of the market in both countries with construction and urban making up just 10 per cent of the UK market and six per cent in Ireland. Despite urban applications featuring as the smallest sector of the market, 2014 saw its share increase by 20 per cent.
Smith revealed analysis has shown no significant changes in the top five most popular sizes of tyre sold here in the UK and Ireland. “In the UK the top five sizes made up 71 per cent of sales in 2014 and 81 per cent in Ireland. We do however expect to see changes to the most dominant sizes in the future. We predict 315/70 22.5 to
Figures for new truck vehicle registrations have revealed 2014 was a “predictably slow year” as the market continued to feel the effects of the introduction of Euro 6 legislation, according to Continental’s UK managing director, David Smith.
Speaking at the company’s annual media briefing in December, Smith described the results for 2014 as unsurprising, and due in part to the rush to register Euro 5 models before the legislative cut-off dates. Figures released by the SMMT have shown that total registrations for trucks in 2014 were down by nine per cent, with bus and coach registrations also down by three per cent.
Despite this, the month of October 2014 saw truck registrations jump by around 70 per cent, which Smith attributed largely to the introduction of the European
Directive for Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA), which came into force on 1st November. Smith explained: “WVTA requires any new commercial vehicle to have an approval certificate for both the truck and body before registration.”
In contrast, Smith noted an increase in trailer production of over 20 per cent compared to 2013 figures and an increase of nearly 45 per cent from 2012. Smith cited a buoyant UK economy within the transport sector driving demand for new trailers as a reason for the rise in production, as well as a number of older existing trailers which should have been replaced during the recession and which now in desperate need of renewal.
Turning his attention to the UK tyre market, Smith went on to say that the replacement market once
dominate both the UK and Irish markets, accounting for 83 per cent of replacement new tyre sales intheUKand86percentin Ireland. Long distance tyres represented around seven per cent
move into the top five driven by the increase in Euro 6 vehicles on the road, which we expect will replace 295/80 22.5 primarily to cope with the extra weight.”
Vacu-Lug Celebrates Two-Year Relationship with Westlake
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres is celebrating a two-year anniversary relationship with Westlake Tyres backed up by the launch of a new “streamlined” tyre range, which was showcased at the recent IAA show in Hanover, Germany. The company marketing Westlake tyres in the UK is Zenises, whose remit is to focus on European markets, and to position the brand within the ‘premium economy’ tyre sector. Zenises’ general manager Jorge Crespo says the relationship between Vacu-Lug and Westlake is a
great success. “The relationship has been ver y fruitful and productive – there’s a good match between Vacu- Lug and Westlake regarding the product range and strategic intent. We are delighted with how the partnership is working. We rate Vacu-Lug very highly. Their knowledge of the market is exceptional along with their understanding of the customer base and its business needs.”
The Westlake range, produced by one of the world’s ‘Top 5’ truck tyre manufacturers, has been
streamlined and focused increasingly on Europe over the last two or three years as opposed to many other global tyre brands, argues Crespo.
“For the future our focus is on Europe. The CEO of the factory has visited here this year and we regularly hold meetings with our European partners to underline our strategic intent to develop products based on European requirements.” Westlake Tyres have experienced a rapid growth in UK sales over the last two years, with their portfolio
proving popular with not just end- users, but fleet operators alike. “We benchmark any new tyre with competitor ‘premium’ brands and the Westlake tyre come out very well in terms of quality performance and value for money,” said Crespo.
10 Commercial Tyre Business