By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher
For any vehicle plying on the road, the cost of tyre is a major input and more often it has been referred as black gold. In fact, tyres play a vital role in the customers determination of the various methods of maintenance. Today there is a lot of research taking place all over for developing green tyres to make automobiles more environmental-friendly.
In order to showcase the tyre technology and rubber-related products world over, SingEx Exhibitions organized the 11th edition of Tyrexpo Asia and the inaugural GarageXpo Asia 2017 at Singapore EXPO Hall during March 21-23. The show attracted a record number of exhibitors and visitors from all over the world. Interesting seminars related to tyres were organized during the expo. Of special significance to this Tyrexpo Asia were new features such as TyreTalk/GarageTalk Seminars, Tyrexpo/GarageXpo Technical Workshop, Commercial Vehicle Showcase, Telematics Zone, Qingdao Pavilion as well as the ITE Automotive Skills Competition, which were all well-received over the three days of the show. The event ended on a high note with visitors providing excellent feedback.
Tyrexpo Asia and GarageXpo Asia 2017 brought together 4,578 visitors and 248 exhibitors from 25 countries within the automotive community.
The Tyrexpo Asia and the inaugural GarageXpo Asia 2017 opened their doors at the Singapore EXPO as part of the World Rubber Week. Welcoming regional industry players to Asia’s leading platform for Tyres, Tyre Repair Equipment, Tools and Tyre Accessories, and the Automotive Aftermarket communities, Mr. Andrew Tan, Project Director, Automotive and Commodities Cluster, SingEx Exhibitions, spoke at the opening ceremony about the global automotive tyre market forecast and trends, as well as the daily event highlights that attendees could look forward to.
China tyre industry perspectives
Mr. David Shaw, Chief Executive of Tire Industry Research, shared the latest developments in the China tyre industry. Some of the challenges faced by the industry are the low brand reputation, unskilled management, as well as acquisition from the bigger organisations. The companies in the industry are also pressured to focus on the strategic plans advocated by the Chinese Government such as the 13th 5-year plans (2016 – 2020), the ‘Made in China 2025’ program and ‘One Belt, One Road’ plans that call for more automation, stronger brand values and overseas manufacturing.
Commercial Vehicle Showcase Area
Featuring the partner’s latest fleet of commercial vehicles, the showcase aimed to strengthen the synergies between the automotive buyers and sellers group and create opportunities for cross-country partnerships in South-East Asia, leveraging on Tyrexpo Asia’s networking platform and the multi-pronged industry outreach.
Ryan Tan emerged as the champion at the ITE Automotive Skills Competition where students demonstrated their automotive knowledge and problem-solving capabilities by resolving “real world” challenges.
First in Asia, Newera Equipment showcased the Japanese Fully Automatic Truck Tyre Changer Profoot TB-881RS at GarageXpo Asia 2017. Mr. Andy Loo, Business Development Manager, shared the key features of the equipment.
Vikram Kirloskar elected Chairman of CII (SR)
Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, and Mr. R. Dinesh, Joint Managing Director, T V Sundram Iyengar & Sons Pvt. Ltd., Madurai, have been elected Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively of CII Southern Region for 2017-18.
Mr. Kirloskar has been closely associated with CII and was the Deputy Chairman of the CII Southern Region during 2016-17. He is a member of the CII National Council since 2012. He is the Chairman of the Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) and serves on the Government of India Development Council for Automobiles and the National Council for Electric Mobility. He is also a past President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
Mr. Dinesh is an active member of CII and is the Chairman of the CII Institute of the Logistics Advisory Council and Chairman of the Logistics Sector Skill Council. He is a member of the CII National Council and Chairman of the CII National Committee on Logistics. He was the Chairman of the CII Tamil Nadu State Council during 2012-13.