By Denna Bowman

Bridgestone tyres has cut its full-year income forecast as vehicle sales decline.

The Japanese tyres firm lowered its earnings forecast from a profit of 3 billion yen ($31 million) to breakeven, in a statement to the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The world’s largest tyres manufacturer says it expects to sell fewer tyres in Japan, America and Europe this year as the global recession saps demand for new vehicles.

Bridgestone had warned in May that it would revise profit forecasts due to worsening demand.

However, the Tokyo-based company narrowed its loss forecast for the first half of the year helped by cost reductions and lower prices for raw materials.

The tyre maker now predicts a first-half loss of 46 billion yen, compared with an earlier forecast of 62 billion yen, it said.

In a statement Bridgestone announcing financial projections for 2009, Bridgestone said: “The Company believes that the global recession will continue to negatively affect the Bridgestone Group’s sales and, as a result, its production volumes.”

It went on: “The Company now forecasts that sales in fiscal 2009 will be 19% less than the previous year, mainly due to the decrease in unit sales, as well as the effect of a stronger Japanese yen.”

Commenting on the reasons for revising the projections for the first half of 2009, Bridgestone stated: “Due mainly to significant expense reduction initiatives and the effect of raw material costs, the Company anticipates that operating income, ordinary income and net income will exceed the previously announced forecast.”

Fuel prices rose by the second highest increase ever last month, according to the AA.

So here’s a simple tip to help you save a few pennies at the pump – make sure your tyres are properly inflated!

Experts say that driving with under-inflated tyres can reduce your fuel economy by up to 10 per cent.

And the general consensus is that properly inflated tyres can improve your gas mileage by 3.3 per cent.

Also check the condition of your tyres because old and worn tyres may have lost some of their traction which also tends to decrease the rolling resistance of cars.

This translates to a bigger demand for engine power in order to keep the tyres moving and, since the engine relies on fuel to generate power, you need to use more to keep on the move.

Fuel efficient tyres are those which are properly inflated and are able to keep good traction.

Average UK petrol prices have risen 4.98 pence per litre between mid May and mid June, the second highest increase ever, according to the latest AA fuel Price Report.

This rise is only two-thirds of a penny short of the 5.61 pence per litre record - at the same time last year.

The average cost of petrol across the country now stands at 102.66 pence per litre. This compares with 97.68 last month and 118.16 in mid June last year.

The average price of diesel has risen 1.36 pence since mid May to 104.85.

Oliver Hall, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

There are an estimated 2.5 million tyres left in the UK supply chain which will be illegal in two months time, according to industry insiders.

The new s-marking legislation aimed at reducing, noise levels from tyres, is set to come into force on 1st October, however, many suppliers are unclear about the details of the law.

Tyre manufacturers and auto makers are being bombarded with a raft of new regulations which are being introduced into the law by the European parliament.

However, the complex formal proceedings and general legal complexity have led to some confusion in the market place.

The s-marking legislation (regulation 2001/43) is the first major piece of legislation to be implemented.  All tyres up to 185 section width must comply with the regulation which sets enhanced noise emission standards. Legislation for larger tyres will follow in 2010 and 2011.

This means that from 1st October these tyres must have an “S” stamped at the end of its seven digit code on the sidewall or else they will be illegal. There are an estimated 2.5 million con-compliant tyres still in the system according to the Tyre Wholesalers Group.

Customers who chose etyres, the UKs largest online tyre retailer, can be assured that all the tyres it supplies and fits are from the most recently manufactured stock.

This is because etyres only orders tyres once they have been purchased online or through the telephone sales team by the consumer. This ensures new stock fresh off the production line.

Other suppliers and garages are expected to be trying to run down their stock of tyres without the s-marking before the deadline.

By Oliver Hall

Nearly 90 per cent of all scrap tyres that are replaced and thrown away each year are put to a new productive use, according to a study.

And the reuse rate of scrap tyres is higher than most other recovered waste materials, including glass bottles, paper and aluminium cans, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) report concluded.

Michael Blumenthal, vice president of the RMA, said “Scrap tyre management in the US is a huge environmental success story.”

Of the various scrap tyre markets, tyre-derived fuel remained the largest, accounting for 54 per cent of scrap tyres generated, the RMA said.

It predicted TDF demand would remain strong through 2009 because of increasing fuel prices and improvements in the quality and reliable delivery of TDF.

Ground rubber applications—including playground and sports surfacing, rubber-modified asphalt and new rubber products—accounted for only 17 percent of the scrap tyre market in 2007, the RMA said.

The association expects modest growth through 2009, largely thanks to the playground and athletic turf markets.

Civil engineering accounted for about 12 percent of scrap tyre markets in 2007, the RMA said, and has been in decline since 2003 because of competition with TDF.

Legal landfills and smaller markets consumed the remaining 17 per cent, the association said.

The RMA said the study “shows continued progress in scrap tyre management practices across the nation resulting in significant reduction of scrap tyre stockpiles and continued progress in putting waste tyres to new uses.”

We have just had a great email from a new customer in Yately, who bought tyres from us for the first time this week.

He paid £209.20 for two Goodyear Excellence tyres for his Ford Galaxy and this is what he had to say:

“Dear Sales@etyres, I was recommended to using you by a friend that had used you and commented on how much cheaper and easier it was to manage the process of booking through you to get our tyres changed on our Ford Galaxy. I have got to say I was sceptical on how the service would work as I am used to going to a Kwik Fit type environment.

“All I can say to you is that from booking the job on your website to the gentleman arriving to complete the work……it is simply faultless. You seem to have it off to a fine art….very, very impressed. I will not have any hesitation in recommending etyres.co.uk to anyone. Kind regards. NG, Yately, Hants.”

We’re delighted he is pleased with the service we offer and of course he has got another ace up his sleeve by ordering from etyres - if he ever gets a puncture he gets free repair service, just like all our customers!

Jayne, National Call Centre

Avon tyres is celebrating all that is “Best of British” on two and four wheels with two great competitions.

VIP hospitality tickets to the season finale of the Avon Tyres British GT Championships at Brands Hatch on 20 September are up for grabs by answering a simple question on the Avon tyres website www.avon-tyres.co.uk.

While an exhilarating track day at Castle Combe on Avon VP2 tyres is up for grabs for bikers who click on the Avon tyres website www.avon-tyres.co.uk and answer the multiple-choice question.

Runners-up from each competition will be given the chance to win exclusive limited-edition Avon watches.

Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tyres – Avon’s parent company – said: “We are extremely proud of Avon Tyres’ British heritage, both as a manufacturer and a prime mover in the world of motorsport.

“Two years ago, our parent company’s faith in the quality of our British engineering skills was illustrated by the siting of the firm’s entire European design and technical centre in Melksham.”

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear is launching the new generation of its RunOnFlat tyres in style.

The tyres have been chosen as an Original Equipment (OE) fitting on the new Mercedes E-Class, which has just recently rolled out of the factories.

Goodyear states that the latest generation tyre offers numerous benefits to car makers, consumers and the environment.

The tyre manufacturer claims its latest product offers improved comfort, reduced mass and rolling resistance, improved fuel consumption and consequently reduced CO2 emission levels.

Goodyear also suggests that the tyre is comparable to regular tyres in terms of comfort and insists that car manufacturers do not need to modify the suspension or chassis of their cars to use them.

Mercedes-Benz recently awarded the ultra high performance summer Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric RunOnFlat tyre with its ‘Mercedes Original Extended’ (MOExtended) seal of quality, with the term Extended signifying the tyre’s safety capabilities.

In such a tough economic climate, where tyres manufacturers are vying for a share of a shrinking market, OE contracts are even more significant.

The hope is that if the car owner is satisfied with a tyres performance on a new vehicle, they will remain loyal to that brand when it comes to ordering replacements.

Equally, if the car maker gets positive feedback it will continue to link up with the tyre manufacturer guaranteeing it more vital business.

By Oliver Hall

Motorists should invest in a little tender loving care for their old motors, instead of splashing out on new models, according to a car care firm.

Everything from paintwork to tyres can be spruced up and protected from the elements for years to come, according to Amor All.

And the products, including tyres foam and shine, will set customers back a fraction of the cost of buying a new vehicle.

The sales pitch is in contrast to the UK government’s latest “scrappage” initiative, intended to revive the ailing motor industry.

But despite the £2,000 incentive, a new car will still be out of reach for most motorists, according to Amor All.

And it urges motorists to invest in a few car grooming products designed to clean, shine and protect the inside and outside of their vehicle to leave it looking better and protect it from the elements.

Etyres, the UKs leading online tyres retailer, also urges motorists to pay special attention to their tyres to make sure they are safe and legal.

Proper tyres maintenance will also extend their lifespan.

Vehicle owners should check their tyres pressure at least once a fortnight, because over and under inflated tyres will can cause uneven wear which cuts the lifespan short.

What would old Rubber Lips think if he could see his daughter Jade Jagger sunbathing amidst litter and old tyres?

Well he needn’t worry she’s fallen on hard times, because rock star Mick Jagger’s gorgeous daughter chose to pose with the discarded tyres, plastic bottles and aerosols to launch a new campaign.

The 37-year-old model donned skimpy black sequinned shorts and hot pink killer heels to kick off a new drive to clean up Britain’s beaches.

She was photographed frolicking on golden sand strewn with litter and attempting to sunbathe amid a pile of rubber tyres and other rubbish to highlight the state of our beaches.

Corona’s Save The Beach campaign has revealed that 92 per cent of Britons would visit our coastline more often if they were cleaned of rubbish and better looked after.

And a staggering two thirds of Britons say they holiday abroad because our own beaches are in such a poor state, while 87 per cent of us blame the government for neglecting them.

The seaside at Blackpool has been voted the country’s least popular beach in stark contrast to Cornwall’s golden sands which topped the poll as most popular.

Environmentalist Alexandra Cousteau said: “Human indifference is the greatest threat to our coastline. Every one of us has the chance to make a change which is beneficial to our beaches.”

Katherine Clarkson, National Accounts

The hype surrounding the 2010 Pirelli tyres Calendar is really starting to build after photos have begun leaking out.

Renowned photographer Terry Richardson is shooting the models for the eagerly anticipated tyres company calendar and judging by the sneaky pics on the net he’s living up to his reputation for eroticism.

Richardson is capturing the girls in Bahia and Brazil, where the brief is “no make-up, no reflectors – only the flash of the camera – no branded clothes or jewellery, and no girls altered surgically.”

The models, including Lily Cole, Catherine McNeil, Miranda Kerry, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Daisy Lowe and Rosie Huntington-Whitely all posed nude or topless, making it a very sexy shoot.

The Pirelli Calendar considers itself a celebration of feminine beauty, and is famous for its limited availability. – which could be why so many models agree to go nude or topless for the shoot!

The calendar is not sold and you won’t see it hanging on any tyre depot walls, because it is only given as a corporate gift to limit the number of important Pirelli customers and celebrity VIPS.

Denna Bowman, Head Office