See-through tyres

These tires are made in South Carolina, USA.

SEE THROUGH TIRES
A radical new tire design by Michelin.
The next generation of tires.
They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.


Yes, those are 'spoke-like’ connection fins to the inner part of the tire from the outside tread 'wrap!' The next picture shows how odd it looks in motion...


Makes you wonder how the ride feels doesn't it? Well, it is fantastic in the extreme!


These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.

The bad news for Police and other law enforcement is that stinger spikes will not work on these.

Just think of the impact on existing technology:
A. No more air valves...
B. No more air compressors at Gas stations...
C. No more repair kits.....
D. No more flat tires...
E. Less expensive and more money in the drivers pocket.[first 25 yrs more $ in maker/seller pocket & then may be, just may be in driver's pocket]


These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin.








Rubber Futures Advance as Growth in China's Output Boosts Demand Outlook
Posted: 01 Dec 2010 02:47 PM PST
Rubber climbed for a third day after data showed faster-than-estimated manufacturing growth in China in November, improving optimism that demand from the world’s largest user will increase.

May-delivery rubber on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange gained as much as 1 percent to 363.8 yen per kilogram ($4,351 a metric ton) before settling at 363.5 yen. The most-active contract, which reached a 30-year high of 383 yen on Nov. 11, rose 10 percent in November, the fifth monthly advance.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.2 from 54.7 in October, China’s logistics federation said on its website today. That was more than the 54.8 median estimate of 14 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

“The PMI data shows that China economy is still growing,” Ker Chung Yang, an investment analyst at Phillip Futures Pte., said by phone from Singapore. “It’s a bullish sign for rubber as China is the largest car producer and rubber demand will remain strong and supported.”

Futures in Shanghai advanced as much as 2.2 percent to 31,550 yuan ($4,699) a ton before closing at 31,160 yuan. The price reached a record high of 38,920 yuan on Nov. 11.

Chinese policy makers are seeking to sustain the nation’s expansion while taming the fastest inflation in 25 months. Shanghai’s benchmark stock index yesterday completed its first monthly loss since June on concern growth may falter because of Premier Wen Jiabao’s campaign against rising prices.

India Imports

India, the fourth-biggest producer of natural rubber, may allow imports of as much as 100,000 tons at a lower duty to meet surging demand for tires as rising incomes boost car sales, Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar said.

The finance ministry may make a decision after the end of the current session of parliament which runs to Dec. 13, Khullar said in an interview in New Delhi yesterday. The trade ministry has recommended imports at a concessional rate for a maximum of 100,000 tons and tax changes on tire imports, he said. Rubber imports are taxed at 20 percent.

Natural rubber prices in India reached a record last month on concern that the low-output season in Southeast Asia will worsen a deficit.

Consumption of natural rubber in India is expected to increase 5 percent next year to 1 million tons, from an estimated 5.2 percent growth this year at 952,000 tons, according to Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries.

Tight Supply

The cash price of natural rubber in Thailand was unchanged at 131.55 baht ($4.37) per kilogram today. Auctioned prices of ribbed smoked sheets gained 0.5 percent today to 124.09 baht, boosted by persistent demand from both local and overseas buyers amid a supply shortage, according to the Rubber Research Institute of Thailand.

Wet weather in southern Thailand continues to cut supply, boosting prices, the institute said. The south accounts for about 80 percent of production.

Supply from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, which accounts for about 92 percent of global output, may drop 3.8 percent in the three months to Dec. 31 as rains have disrupted tapping in Thailand, the group said on Nov. 25.

Output from Thailand is estimated to tumble by 28 percent during October-to-December period, which will lower production this year by 1.4 percent to 3.12 million tons, the group said.

(Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/rubber-futures-advance-as-growth-in-china-s-output-boosts-demand-outlook.html)






India May Cut Rubber Import Duty as Demand for Tires Soars, Khullar Says
Posted: 01 Dec 2010 02:44 PM PST
India, the fourth-biggest producer of natural rubber, may allow imports of as much as 100,000 metric tons at a lower duty to meet surging demand for tires as rising incomes boost car sales, Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar said.

The finance ministry may make a decision after the end of the current session of parliament which runs to Dec. 13, Khullar said in an interview in New Delhi yesterday. The trade ministry has recommended imports at a concessional rate for a maximum of 100,000 tons and tax changes on tire imports, he said, declining to elaborate. Rubber imports are taxed at 20 percent.

Rising incomes in the world’s second-most populous nation may help more than double annual car sales to 3 million by 2015, according to the government, boosting demand for natural rubber. Prices in India reached a record last month on concern that the low-output season in Southeast Asia will worsen a deficit.

“Domestic production is not going to increase dramatically, demand is going through the roof because factories are being set up to make radial tires,” Khullar said. “The pressure on prices will continue tight through next year, until you resolve the availability issue.”

Bridgestone Corp. and its Indian rivals including Apollo Tyres Ltd. and MRF Ltd. are investing $3 billion in plants to meet demand that’s forecast by Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association to expand 10 percent to 106 million tires in the year to March 31. Rubber makes up 42 percent of raw material costs, according to the manufacturers’ group.

Stocks Rally

Tire makers’ shares jumped in Mumbai trading. Apollo gained as much as 2.7 percent to 67.9 rupees, after losing 7.7 percent last month. JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. added as much as 3 percent to 149.4 rupees and MRF climbed 3 percent to 8,100 rupees.

Futures on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange reached a 30-year high of 383 yen on Nov. 11 as rain in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, the top three growers, interrupted tapping and lowered production. May-delivery rubber on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange gained as much as 1 percent to 363.8 yen per kilogram ($4,351 a ton) before settling at 363.5 yen.

Passenger-vehicle sales in India in October increased 38 percent from a year ago to a record 231,957 units, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said on Nov. 10. About 1.4 million units were sold in the April-October period, compared with 1.53 million for the whole of the last fiscal year, according to the group.

“Demand-supply gap has been widening over the past two to three years because of stagnant rubber production and rising car sales,” said Vaishali Jajoo, an analyst with Mumbai-based Angel Broking. “There will be imports in the coming years if there’s no fresh supply and the auto sector continues to do well.”

She has a “accumulate” rating on Apollo and a “buy” recommendation on JK Tyre.

Imports in the year to March 31 may exceed 200,000 tons, from 170,048 tons a year earlier, tire makers association’s Director General Rajiv Budhraja said on Nov. 11. Natural-rubber output may drop for a second straight month in November after falling 7.6 percent to 82,000 tons in October, as rains hinder tapping in Kerala, India’s top producer, he said.

Purchases surged 81 percent in October to 18,148 tons, according to the state-run Rubber Board, as tire companies stepped up purchases to bridge the shortage.

(Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/india-may-cut-rubber-import-duty-as-demand-for-tires-soars-khullar-says.html)






Natural rubber production declines 5.4% in November
Posted: 01 Dec 2010 02:43 PM PST
The production of natural rubber (NR) decreased 5.4 per cent to 88,500 tonnes in November compared to 93,500 tonnes during the same month last year. The decrease in production was due to excessive rain during the month that affected the tapping and processing. Acute labour shortage also dampened production, according to growers of Kottyam and Ernakulam districts.

Growers had projected 5-10 per cent decline in production for November. The cumulative production during April-November was 546,150 tonnes compared to 530,900 tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year, recording a growth of two per cent.

The consumption of NR during November was 82,000 tonnes compared to 80,500 tonnes during November 2009. The aggregate consumption during the first eight months of the year 2010-11 was 632,550 tonnes as against 614,815 tonnes, registering a growth of 2.9 per cent, according to the provisional estimates of the Rubber Board.
Import of NR registered a marginal growth during April-November at 143,468 tonnes against 139,321 tonnes in the same period last year. Imports increased as a result of a sharp rise in the domestic price for sheet and block rubber during the first half of the year.

Rubber exports suffered a setback. Cumulative exports in April-November dropped to 4,734 tonnes from 8,030 tonnes in the same period of the last financial year.

Increased local demand coupled with high prices in India affected exports. According to the latest data of the board, India has a total stock of 265,304 tonnes as on November 30, while this was 244,870 tonnes in November, 2009.

(Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/natural-rubber-production-declines-54-in-november/416788/)






NMCE refutes allegation of ATMA on rubber price manipulation
Posted: 01 Dec 2010 02:41 PM PST
New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Ahmedabad-based commodity bourse NMCE today dismissed tyre-makers body ATMA''s allegations that the exchange was manipulating rubber futures price, saying the rates have risen on demand-supply mismatch.
"There has not been any manipulation of natural rubber prices at our exchange. The allegations made by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) are incorrect and baseless," NMCE CEO Anil Mishra told PTI.
He pointed out that the price movement in the natural rubber futures at NMCE was not because of manipulation but on account of supply-demand mismatch.
Recently, ATMA had taken up the issue with the commodity markets regulator FMC about price manipulation in natural rubber trade at the NMCE platform and sought either temporary ban on future trade of rubber or cut in daily price band.
"As a result, FMC had asked us to justify the price movement in natural rubber and we clarified our stand. After looking into the matter, FMC said clearly that ATMA''s allegation was wrong and without any evidence," Mishra said.
According to the exchange data, the futures price of the December month contract has risen by 21 per cent to around Rs 200/kg now since the launch of the contract in August.
When contacted ATMA Director General Rajiv Budhraja said: "We are not happy with the FMC'' response on our complain. We will write to the regulator again on Monday on this issue."
On ATMA''s demand to reduce daily price band to curb manipulation, Mishra said, "The daily price band for natural rubber has been kept lowest at 4 per cent in India as compared to 5 per cent in Shanghai and 10 per cent in Singapore. If we reduce from 4 per cent to 1-2 per cent, then trade can hardly take place on the exchange."
At present, a large number of farmers are participating in the rubber futures trade through co-operatives, Mishra said, adding that on an average, 7,000 tonnes of rubber is traded daily on the exchange platform.

(Source: http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4647726)






TOCOM Rubber rises on weak Yen
Posted: 01 Dec 2010 02:38 PM PST
International Market

Natural rubber futures prices in Tokyo remain positive on weaker Yen, forward shipment purchases news by Bridgestone Corp and news of G.M to hire 1,000 engineers over two years to develop electric cars. The natural rubber prices are expected trade sideways.
April contracts have short term resistance at 362.40, 363 and 365. Support will be at 360 and 356.50. The futures will attract minor buying interest till noon.
Domestic Market

The Indian growth story was intact, the GDP number which came yesterday was much better than what we expected. The firm trend in GDP will lift the sentiment to a greater extent; today major automobile companies will announce the sale numbers. In the domestic market price may remain weak due to dry weather forecast. Active tapping is expected in these days. Support will be at 193.19 and 192.61. Resistance will be at 197.58 and 195.29.
Analysis of Tokyo Rubber Market
The market gained 2.9 yen to finish the session at 360.2 yen due to regained Shanghai rubber maket. Following the night session, finished at 362.1 yen, higher by 4.8 yen, with a help of stronger oil prices and technical buying above 360.0 yen, the day session resumed trading slightly higher at 362.5 yen but soon increased gain to the day’s high at 366.4 yen since oil prices gained further and yen got firmer.
However, as Shanghai rubber market gradually erased ealier gain and broke below 30,000 yuan, TOCOM rubber market followed Shanghai rubber market and once turned to move in a minus territory around 356 yen level. Afterward, even though the market was capped by technical selling at around 358.0 yen and weakened oil prices, it sharply rebounded and recovered 360 yen level again toward closing as Shanghai rubber market showed V-shape recovery in the afternoon. Shanghai rubber market once fell down to minus side at 29,500 yuan but sharply recovered at the end. It finally closed at 30,880 yuan with a gain of 575 yuan.
Technically saying, the market does not have a clear direction yet with a price range between 350.0 yen and 370.0 yen because of a lack of strong driving factors. Thus, the range market could be expected for a while. Funds seem to roll their long positions over forward contract as seen in the spread between April and May contract shrinking and becoming contango market once. The spread could be widened to around 0.5 yen premium at an immediate front.
Rubber News
Rubber, set for a fifth monthly gain, climbed as a weakening Japanese currency and limited supply in Thailand, the largest shipper, improved the appeal of the commodity used to make tires and gloves. Tokyo market opened today all contracts opening above the previous closing price. Natural rubber future prices rose as high as 366.4 yen on Thursday. At the lowest level the prices touched 354 yen. Most active May deliveries closed with loss of 2.9 yen. Night session on Thursday January, February and March contracts moved to the positive side, whereas December, April 11 and May 11 deliveries traded with negative trend.
The December deliveries closed with the highest loss of 1.6 yen whereas the gains limited to below 1 yen. Rubber stock with TOCOM designated warehouses dropped by 312 tons and recorded 4699 tons as on November 20, 2010. Today December and January deliveries opened with negative trend, December deliveries making the highest loss of 3.1 yen. All other contracts show positive trend. Most active May deliveries though opened below previous day’s close, rose as high as 362.5 yen but climbed down to 356.1 and is currently trading at 361.6 yen making gain of 1.4 yen.
In Shanghai market, natural rubber futures traded with positive trend, all contracts making gains. Major gain was made by July 11 which was closed with gain of 765 yuan. Most active May 11 deliveries opened 1.95 per cent above previous day’s close and rose as high as 31080, but dropped down to 29500 yuan before closing at 30880 making gain of 575 yuan. Natural rubber stock with Shanghai Futures Exchange dropped by 25 tons and recorded 48360 tons.
In Thai market all RSS 3 rubber futures contracts except March contracts closed with gains. Most active July contracts closed with gain of .20 baht per kg. The highest gain was made by April deliveries which closed making gain of 0.50 baht per kg. The market has moved to the positive zone today, most active July deliveries trading with gain of 0.75 baht per kg.
In Malaysian market SMR 20 natural rubber physical FOB prices closed at 1312.50 sen per kg for buyers and 1325.50 sen per kg for sellers. The market is said to be quiet steady.
The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) intends to persist with its charge of manipulation of natural rubber prices on the Ahmedabad-based National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE) as reported by Business Standard on Tuesday. The Forward Markets Commission (FMC), the commodity markets regulator, had earleir declined an ATMA request to intervene. However, ATMA plans to write again to FMC and NMCE in coming days, reiterating its point on the need for a reduction in the daily price band of the NMCE.
India, the fourth-biggest producer of natural rubber, is considering allowing imports of as much as 100,000 metric tons at a lower duty to meet surging demand for tires as rising incomes boost car sales. This was revealed by the Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar in an ineview yesterday. The trade ministry has recommended imports at a concessional rate for a maximum of 100,000 tons and tax changes on tire imports, he said, declining to elaborate.
Rubber imports are taxed at 20 percent. Natural rubber prices in India reached a record last month on concern that the low-output season in Southeast Asia will worsen a deficit. Futures on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange reached a 30-year high of 383 yen on Nov. 11 as rain in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, the top three growers, interrupted tapping and lowered production.
Imports in the year to March 31 are expected to exceed 200,000 tons, from 170,048 tons a year earlier, according to tyre makers association’s Director General Rajiv Budhraja. Natural-rubber output may drop for a second straight month in November after falling 7.6 percent to 82,000 tons in October, as rains hinder tapping in Kerala, India’s top producer, he said.
Crude Oil News
Oman crude, a Persian Gulf benchmark for Asia, rose for a fourth month as a diesel shortage in China prompted refiners in the country to boost crude purchases. Oil traded near its highest in more than two weeks in New York after U.S. consumers spent more over the Thanksgiving weekend than last year, signaling fuel demand may increase in the biggest crude-consuming nation.
Oil dropped from the highest in two weeks amid concern that the European Union may have to bail out more member states after Ireland agreed to a rescue package from the EU and the International Monetary Fund. Brent crude declined 0.01% or 0.010 points and reached 85.930.
India News

Belying expectations of a slowdown, the Indian economy expanded at better than expected pace of 8.9 per cent in the second quarter of this fiscal, prompting experts to peg the growth rate for the current financial year at 9 per cent. After this report was published Finance Minister said that India can achieve GDP growth between 8.5 percent and 8.75 percent in the current fiscal that ends in March 2011.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could raise the cash reserve ratio (CRR), the money that is kept by the banks with the RBI, if the tight liquidity conditions prolonged.India’s economy is likely to surpass the government’s 8.5 percent growth target for the fiscal year, forcing the central bank to resume interest-rate increases as domestic demand offset risks from abroad. Gross domestic product [] climbed 8.9 percent for a second straight quarter in July to September, a government report showed yesterday, with the gains propelled by the manufacturing and services industries. India is could achieve 9 per cent growth soon according to Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor to the Finance Ministry.
Weather Report
In Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur thunderstorms and scattered rain are expected. Temperature may go up to 32 °C during day time. 60 per cent chance of precipitation is expected during the day time and night time. Temperature is expected to be at 23 °C at the low level.
According to the Jakarta Observatory, thunder storms and scattered clouds is expected. Day temperature may go up to 32 °C. There is 60 per cent chance for precipitation and temperature at low level will be 25 °C.
In Thailand, the climate is expected to be partly cloudy with 10-20 per cent chance of precipitation. Temperature may go up to 33°C during day time. Temperature is expected to be at 24 °C at the low level.
In Beijing, China, 0 percent chance of precipitation is expected. The climate is expected to be sunny and clear. Temperature may go up to 11°C during day time. Temperature is expected to be at -01°C at the low level.
In Singapore, thunderstorms and scattered clouds are expected with 60 per cent chance of precipitation. Temperature may go up to 32 °C during day time. Temperature is expected to be at 24 °C at the low level.
In Thiruvananthapuram, thunderstorms and scattered rain are expected with 60 percent chance of precipitation. Temperature may go up to 28 °C during day time. Temperature is expected to be at 24 °C at the low level. In Kottayam, scattered rain with thunderstorms is expected with 60 per cent chance of precipitation. Temperature may go up to 28 °C during day time. Temperature is expected to be at 23 °C at the low level.

(Source: http://www.commodityonline.com/futures-trading/technical/TOCOM-Rubber-rises-on-weak-Yen-20236.html)



Spot rubber prices improve


Kottayam, Dec. 2

Spot rubber prices improved on Thursday. The market improved on supply concerns, while sellers stayed back waiting for the prices to recover at least partially towards closing hours. A marginal weakness in domestic futures failed to make any visible change in the sentiments as the key Tokyo rubber futures rose around 2.1 per cent catalysed by firm oil prices and strong gains in Japanese stock markets. The trend was mixed.

Sheet rubber increased to Rs 196 (195.50) a kg mainly on covering purchases. The grade finished firm at Rs 196.50 (196) per kg both at Kottayam and Kochi, according to Rubber Board.

FUTURES MIXED

In futures, the December series slipped to Rs 197.80 (198.18) and January to Rs 200.86 (201.11), while February contracts firmed up marginally to Rs 204.85 (204.43) and March to Rs 208.00 (207.84) a kg for RSS 4 on the National Multi Commodity Exchange.

RSS 3 recovered at its December futures to ¥ 362.4 (Rs 195.11) from ¥ 354.5 during the day session and then to ¥ 363.2 (Rs 195.53) a kg in the night session on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. RSS 3 (spot) slipped to Rs. 200.69 (200.84) a kg at Bangkok.

Spot rubber rates (Rs/kg) were: RSS-4: 196 (195.50); RSS-5: 185 (184.50); Ungraded: 180 (179.50); ISNR 20: 191 (191) and Latex 60%: 128 (128).