July 26, 2010
Low rolling resistance, high expectations
The world was watching at the Reifen Trade Fair
By: Greg Smith
And the winners are... Reifen Innovation Awards were given out in three categories:
1. Technology & Products. Rema Tip Top GmbH won with its tire repair plaster. The company says its product shortens the working time for tire repairs and is also solvent-free.
2. Services & Marketing Ideas. The off-road professional partner program by Mayerosch Off Road Reifen GmbH & Co. KG won for a virtual tire showcase on the Internet. It allows customers to obtain information about tires, wheel rims and accessories for SUVs and off-road vehicles.
3. Concepts & Processes. Continental Reifen won for its e-invoicing system that permits the secure, paperless exchange of invoices with its customers.
Different countries, same issues -- Dealers abroad cope with the Internet, consumer perception and tire aging
It’s a small world, according to Modern Tire Dealer Publisher Greg Smith, who noticed that tire industry issues and trends overseas sound familiar. Here’s what he heard on the trade show floor during the International Reifen Trade Fair.
• Dealers are concerned with the growing sales of tires through the Internet. One expert claims 4.9% of passenger tire sales are through the Internet.
• Tire pressure monitoring systems create complexities for consumers, and dealers are struggling to properly service them.
• A German research study shows that one-third of passenger cars have at least one tire underinflated.
• A consumer survey asked, “Would you be willing to buy a cheap tire to save money?” The results are in: 82% answered “yes,” while 18% answered “no.”
• The same survey made it clear that to a consumer, “the tire is round and black — nothing more.”
• Industry leaders believe the first tires with built-in sensors will be launched in the next two to three years.
• A recent test on tire aging found that structural integrity went down after 10 years, but still met their safety standards.
Rumors around the show were that there are two or three companies working on “airless” tires similar to Groupe Michelin’s Tweel concept.
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