Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rubber shortage triggering costlier tires?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/22/rubber-shortage-triggering-costlier-tires/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/22/rubber-shortage-triggering-costlier-tires/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/22/rubber-shortage-triggering-costlier-tires/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Flat tire womanAccording to the man who runs the world's largest producer of natural rubber, demand for the gummy stuff will exceed supply for "at least another two years." The drop in production is said to be due to both droughts and heavy rains, but the result for you is an increase in the price of tires: both Bridgestone and Goodyear have raised their prices already.

According to Bloomberg, there was a rubber surplus of 237,000 tons last year, whereas this year there is expected to be a shortage of 60,000 tons. The drop in supplies and inventory has raised the price of rubber, and as investors move to take advantage of the rise in the commodity price, rubber is being pushed to a near-record $4 per kilogram. Climate-hampered tapping seasons in places like Thailand, Indonesia and Russia mean that actual harvests haven't met predictions.

Bridgestone, Goodyear and Cooper Tire raised their prices once this year and have just announced they'll do it again in October. The uncertainty of the economic recovery over the next two quarters could keep more increases from coming soon after, but according to insiders and observers, there will be price pressures on rubber-based goods for some time.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Getty]

Rubber shortage triggering costlier tires? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridgestonecar tirescooper tireCooperTiregoodyearrubberrubber pricerubber shortagetiresWed, 22 Sep 2010 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19643751/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/22/rubber-shortage-triggering-costlier-tires/19643751/article-detail.xml 19643751 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/flat-tire-woman_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/flat-tire-woman.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Michelin Tweel in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.

[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]

(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)

 

Video: Michelin Tweel in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alloy wheelAlloyWheelAvonCooper TireCooperTireDunlopFalkenFirestoneGoodyearKumhoMichelintiresTweeltyretyresYokohamaTue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/618676/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/618676/article-detail.xml 618676 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/Tweel-Audi-A6-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/Tweel-Audi-A6-resized.jpg -1 2