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People are less on the move, travel less often, and make appointments via video conferences.
The corona pandemic often enough keeps us in place.
Actually, very bad conditions for a tire seller.
But Christian Duda is happy that he and his employees have survived the pandemic well so far.
Although there were fewer inquiries last year due to the lockdowns and sales also fell slightly, the managing director of Reifen-Müller in Berlin is now again satisfied with the course.
"Even if the stress on our employees due to special conditions and necessary protective measures causes significant changes in daily customer contact," says Duda.
Starting with the advice to the allocation of appointments to the work processes in the workshops, there are restrictions in many areas, and everything takes a little longer.
The tire expert is hoping for normal business again soon after the pandemic.
Marcus Abram sees similar perspectives.
The Euromaster regional service center manager is very satisfied despite the corona pandemic and is looking forward to the new season, which is now slowly picking up speed.
“Of course we can't serve our customers as easily as usual during these times. That's why we've invested a lot in each of our centers,” he says.
Focus on sustainable car tires
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Despite the pandemic, tire production continues at a high pace.
The global manufacturers are trying to improve the quality of their tires and offer motorists products with a promising future.
One focus is on sustainable car tires.
"We are convinced that sustainable and responsible management is not only positive for our environment and society, but also increases our ability to innovate and future-proof and thus creates company value," says Claus Petschick from Continental.
At the center of the corporate strategy would be the strategic issues of climate protection, low-emission mobility, circular economy and sustainable supply chains.
The most important thing about a car tire is driving safety
Source: Getty Images
Products such as natural rubber made from dandelions are available to developers as alternative raw material sources.
Continental has already used this to mass-produce the first bicycle tires.
In addition, greener mobility is being made through tires with high mileage and lower rolling resistance, which reduces emissions from combustion engines and increases the range of electric vehicles.
“We are actively campaigning for more sustainability in the extraction of natural rubber with various strategic projects.
Our goal is to achieve 100 percent sustainable supply chains by 2050, ”said Petschick.
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In addition, natural rubber should no longer be imported exclusively from the tropics, but should be manufactured as close as possible to the tire factories.
This could stop the ongoing deforestation and reduce the CO2 emissions caused by long transport routes.
Special tires for e-vehicles
The topic of electromobility has now also arrived in the tire industry.
Many manufacturers offer special tires for e-vehicles that should be optimized in terms of noise and rolling resistance.
“Driving safety must still come first.
A low rolling resistance ensures a slightly longer range for e-cars, but is also important for combustion engines in order to reduce fuel consumption, "says Dino Silvestro from the General German Automobile Club (ADAC).
Topics such as low tire wear and the longest possible service life as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly production are also very important for tires.
"An optimal tire is characterized by the fact that it is well-balanced in all disciplines and thus shows the best possible safety over the entire service life in all driving situations with good environmental properties at the same time," says Silvestro.
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Car tires are tested by TÜV Süd in Munich, among others.
In the past, innovative methods were mainly used to test the structural strength of car tires.
The portfolio has since been expanded.
TÜV Süd now also checks rolling noise, aquaplaning, braking on dry and wet roads as well as abrasion and tread wear.
Performance in tough racing conditions
The fuel efficiency of the tires and their performance in tough racing conditions are also tested.
“So far, we have been able to support numerous racing teams from motorcycle and car racing with our work.
Speeds of more than 360 kilometers per hour have never been an obstacle for us, ”says Michael Staude, division manager for tires and wheels at TÜV Süd.
The tests are mostly carried out on behalf of tire and vehicle manufacturers as well as authorities.
Around 3,000 tires from scooters, motorcycles, cars and agricultural machines go through the test procedures of TÜV Süd every year.
The material and quality tests of car tires, which are carried out in accordance with the standards of the European Union and the United Nations Economic Commission in Europe, are also very important.
“Basically, the issue of security is the top priority.
A tire is the most important part of active driving safety and in this function it should also be able to cope with all structural loads without damage, ”says Staude.
Above all, a good tire must give the driver the opportunity to control his vehicle in dangerous situations or difficult road conditions.
In this context, the aspects of noise emissions, environmental and resource conservation as well as longevity are also very important.
"The tire can only achieve its maximum possible service life if it always has the air pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer," says Staude.
Which tire is the best, of course, also depends on the intended use.
In the opinion of TÜV Süd, a high-quality tire should be able to function well on long and brisk motorway journeys, but also in city and short-distance traffic as well as when driving off-road and in mountains in wind and weather.
The tires are extensively checked before they are released for sale.
Every consumer can obtain information about the results of the tests from the consumer organizations.
Market leader for testing machines
The machines with which the tire tests are carried out often come from the Zwickroell company.
The traditional company has specialized in this and has been producing systems that are also used in tires since the 1950s.
“Such testing machines are produced in several work steps, both the mechanical and the electronic components are created with a high degree of vertical integration.
As a rule, there are two to four weeks between the receipt of the order and delivery, ”says Wolfgang Moersch, Marketing Manager at Zwickroell.
The testing machines from the Ulm company are used in three areas.
In addition to the tire and automobile manufacturers, research institutions are among the customers.
The trends and demands are based on the requirements of the manufacturers.
“If a car tire is driven with large temperature fluctuations, then the tire materials must also be tested under such conditions.
Our testing machines are equipped with additional temperature chambers that can simulate ambient temperatures from -70 to +250 degrees, ”explains Moersch.
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Meanwhile, the Federal Association of Tire Trade and Vulcanization Crafts (BRV) has very high expectations of politics and business.
“In the area of sustainable disposal, regulations are necessary to force the 'black sheep', who only collect tires, recycle the usable ones and dispose of the rest illegally, out of the system.
Other recycling routes for old tires, primarily recycling, should not be blocked by unfounded limit values, ”says BRV chairman Stephan Helm.
When it comes to sustainability, tire retreading also comes into play; its positive contribution to the circular economy is often underestimated and not sufficiently recognized.