President Biden Test drives Ford’s new electric truck

He said “my plan will spark more electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the United States, secure a domestic EV supply chain, ensure a nationwide network of charging stations, make EVs accessible to average consumers and do it with a unionised workforce.” Biden, in his nearly $2 TRILLION jobs-and-infrastructure spending plan, wants to spend $174 BILLION for EV infrastructure development. President Biden plans to fund the ambitious spending plan with tax increases, but as expected, it is opposed by the Republican lawmakers and many economists as inflationary and aggravating the national debt.

However, with this push for electrification, President Biden also appeases a large segment of his democrat supporters, such as the California Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a democrat, who has issued an executive order halting the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles beginning in 2035 in the state of California.

The ‘GREEN’ angle

The most up-to-date data shows that driving an EV produces almost three times LOWER CO2 compared to an IC-powered vehicle. However, perhaps 50% or more of the greenhouse emissions occur due to an EV even before the vehicle hits the road; As the popularity of EVs starts to grow exponentially, so will the demand for raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. These materials are used in batteries to power EVs but are also associated with significant greenhouse gas emissions and linked to environmental damage. Growing need for electricity to charge batteries with also add to the greenhouse gases, unless renewable energy is fully capable to power electricity networks.

Additionally, industry analysts predict that by 2030 the world will generate 2 million metric tons of used Li-ion batteries per year. Developing innovative methods to recycle and extract raw material from spent batteries is critical to reduce the need to mine for ‘fresh’ materials and to alleviate future pressure on supply chains. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further investment for researching and developing new practical methods for recycling the spent batteries and to avoid further environmental damage. While it is full-speed-ahead for EVs, a full life-cycle analysis of the production and use of EVs is needed.

Tyre industry seeks to benefit

The US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is hoping to influence eventual infrastructure spending and boost the industry in the process. Its 13 member companies produce 85 percent of the tyres sold in the United States, and directly support more than a quarter million jobs across the country.

The association, in its May 24 letter to Congress and the Biden administration, is urging them to take several steps to strengthen the US tyre manufacturing industry while also delivering on important environmental objectives.

The association is urging law makers to promote the recycling of scrap tyres, to invest in research and use of rubber modified asphalt in new and existing infrastructure work. The group also wants more research into the use of tyre derived aggregate in stormwater infiltration galleries.

USTMA also suggests incentivising the growth of US manufacturing of retreaded tyres for commercial vehicles and the use of low rolling-resistance tyres to increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Strengthened federal mandates that divert used tyres from landfills would help the country with sustainability and environmental goals, USTMA said, especially when coupled with the greater use of retreads. According to USTMA, there are several ways in which government and the tyre industry can collaborate to meet nation’s shared objectives.

Antidumping duty on tyre imports

President Biden plans to spend trillions of dollars for many social and infrastructure projects, and his administration will use every trick to raise money through imposition of higher taxes and tariffs. To wit, the US Commerce Department affirmed on 20 May 20 imposition of elevated antidumping duties on passenger vehicle and light truck tyres from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. This step will be followed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) which will make its final injury determinations on or about 28 June, 2021. If the ITC finding is affirmative, then Commerce Dept. will issue antidumping orders. The 2019 imports of passenger tyres from the countries under investigation were approximately valued as follows:

• $1.17 billion from South Korea;
• $373.0 million from Taiwan;
• $1.96 billion from Thailand; and
• $469.6 million from Vietnam.

No doubt, USA will use vigorous enforcement of import duties to augment its budgetary needs. (TT)

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.