Page 18 - CTB N17 - 2017-01

CV SHOW
CV Show Set for Strong Tyre Industry Turnout Despite Uncertainties over Brexit
Giti GDR655 Combi Road.
The Commercial Vehicle show is always the UK tyre industry’s main opportunity to communicate directly with its clients from the truck market. Sure, there are annual events for the bus and coach market, events in the logistics and off-road sectors, and occasional exhibitions where tyre manufacturers can meet with their tyre dealer clients – but it is the annual show at the NEC, which always offers the largest profile, and the one which the majority of the UK’s tyre industry makes sure it attends.
on year.
Despite this, the leading players from the UK tyre industry will be out in force again. Bridgestone (5D40), Continental (5G110), Goodyear (5C100), Hankook (5C60) and Michelin (5A45) will all be present, as will a number of perennially present imported brands such as Giti, Double Coin and Sailun. Westlake will be present for the second time via their importers Vacu- Lug, whilst Indian tyre manufacturer Apollo will be present for the first time, as they launch their new range
at 4G20, will be split into six core areas, namely combi-road, long haul, regional, mixed service, urban and winter. Last year it was announced that the Giti name will replace GT Radial in the truck and bus segment to create a singular global platform and streamline product development. The tyres will continue to sit at the top of the mid-tier segment with value-added service support.
Tony McHugh, TBR Sales and Marketing Director UK at Giti Tire, said: “Out of the 20 patterns on
display, six are new to the European market, 12 have been rebranded from existing GT Radial products, with many of these featuring improved load index, label results or winter accreditation, and we will continue to promote our retread programme.” he added; “We are aware that this is only the first step in several major launches throughout 2017, but as of now the process has started for Giti to position itself as the tyre of choice for all fleet operators in the truck and bus markets.”
Next-Generation Michelin X Multi Regional Tyre Range Makes International Debut
Michelin is to commence replacement of its heavy truck tyre range at this year’s CV Show, with the international debut of the all- new X Multi tyre line-up. Official testing has shown the next- generation fitments deliver 15-20 per cent more mileage than the current Michelin X MultiWay 3D series, at no extra cost.
Designed to blend the lowest cost per kilometre with great grip in all weather conditions – from the first millimetre of tread to the last – the new tyres will initially be available from April in 315/70 R 22.5 all- position and drive fitments, alongside 385/55 R 22.5 steer and trailer tyres with additional sizes following later this year.
Chris Smith, Marketing Director North Europe – Truck & Bus, says: “The new X Multi regional tyres will offer greatly improved longevity, and underline Michelin’s commitment to ensuring the lowest total cost of ownership for our customers, since they don’t cost a penny more. Regional tread pattern tyres currently
account for more than two-thirds of our total sales in the UK commercial vehicle tyre market, and we’re predicting considerable interest in the launch. The double-digit improvement in tyre life is a direct result of Michelin’s significant annual investment of more than £600m in research and development.”
Michelin will also be showcasing the breadth of its commercial vehicle tyre range at the show, displaying at least 12 tyres on its stand. Among the line-up will be examples of Michelin’s fuel-saving X Line Energy tyre range, which was expanded with six additional tyre sizes in December 2016.
The stand will also feature details of the company’s tyre range for van fleet operators, and Michelin’s CrossClimate tyres for car-derived vans. You can find Michelin at this year’s CV show at the NEC, Birmingham in Hall 5, Stand 5A45 from the 25th to the 27th of April 2017.
This year the CV show is set against a background of uncertainty following the result of the EU referendum, and it will certainly be the case that EU based tyre manufacturers will be feeling the squeeze following the fall in Sterling that has occurred since last year’s show.
However, this year’s event is also set against a strong CV manufacturing sector with output of commercial vehicles having risen by 10.8% in January. A close look at this figure, however, reveals that most of this growth has been fuelled by export demand, which is up by 46% compared to 2016 figures. Production for the UK market, meanwhile has declined by 26% year
of CV tyres.
For the retreading industry, the CV show has for many years been restricted to the UK’s two leading players, Vacu-Lug and Bandvulc. This year will be the latter’s first appearance at the show under new ownership, having been acquired by Continental last year.
As always, the tyre wholesale sector is well represented. Kirkby Tyres, Treadsetters, RH Claydon, GB Tyres and International Tyres are all present. The most notable absentee from the distribution sector, though, is ATS Euromaster, who have not taken up their usual position near the top of the stairs between the halls.
Giti to Unveil 20 Branded Patterns
Giti Tire will use CV Show 2017 to unveil the first phase of its Giti branded truck and bus portfolio, with no less than 20 patterns making their European debut. The display will feature new product lines, conversions of existing patterns from GT Radial, many of which have been
improved through increased load index label results or 3PMSF winter accreditation, and other tyres from around the world which have been recognised as strategically important and certified for use in the EU.
As in previous years, the Giti- branded stand, which can be found
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