Singapore-based YHI International’s Advanti Racing propriety brand has been named ‘official supplier’ to the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Through YHI International’s subsidiary, YHI Manufacturing (Singapore) Pte Ltd, the group has inked an agreement to supply Advanti Racing Alloy Wheels for all Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 race cars through to the end of the 2015 championship.
Michelin Aircraft Tire has introduced a mobile application for aircraft mechanics, private pilots, airlines, military operators and others who have an interest in or use for aircraft tyres. The app will draw upon Michelin’s expertise in this field and aims to serve and educate customers on how to better maintain their Michelin tyres, to maximise tyre performance and minimise costs.
Yokohama Rubber reports that original equipment supply of its BluEarth E51 has begun for the latest Lexus IS sport saloon models. The latest Lexus IS is a completely new model, and a hybrid version – the IS300h – has also been added to the line-up. The BluEarth E51 is being fitted to the Lexus IS in size 225/45R17 91W.
According to a recently published consolidated financial summary for Cheng Shin Rubber, the Taiwanese tyre maker’s net sales and profits are expected to steadily climb over the next couple of years.
A recently-issued report on the effect of winter on drivers says that a combination of more frequent and more extreme weather events will mean drivers having to change their habits and expectations.
A report for the RAC Foundation concludes that although councils and the Highways Agency responded well to the recent periods of snow and ice, changing weather patterns mean strategy will have to shift from one of trying to change the conditions to one of coping with them. One of the report's recommendations is for more advice for drivers on the benefits of fitting winter tyres.
Automotive industry charity BEN has announced the appointment of Nigel Rothband to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.
The addition of this post to BEN's senior management structure is a cornerstone of the charity's plan for strategic development. Rothband will report directly to David Main, BEN's Chief Executive and will be instrumental in building on the charity's already firm foundation. His main objectives are to further raise awareness, extend the range and reach of BEN's services and increase the fund's capacity to help an even greater number of automotive industry employees, past and present.
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has again voiced its concerns about the unpredictability of the wholesale petrol market. In the last seven days there has been a drop by over 2.6 pence per litre (ppl), which encouraged supermarkets to rush price reductions onto their forecourts. However by the start of this week, wholesale costs recovered all that reduction, resulting in a swing of more than 5.2ppl over a few days of trading.
Following Kumho Tire USA’s second recall of thousands of tyres in the US, Liberty Tire Recycling released a statement claiming it was unaware the tyres it received from Kumho had previously been recalled in August 2012 and were slated for destruction. “We were not made aware of any NHTSA safety recall that applied to these tyres when we received them last summer,” the company said, adding that the tyres were “not properly incapacitated by Kumho and were not under a 'destroy-only' contractual agreement.”
Ever since agricultural-based biomaterials company Yulex Corporation was established, it has been supported by the University of Arizona; indeed, Yulex’s first experimental crops were planted on campus grounds and the university substantially contributed to Yulex's agronomic development successes. Yulex Corporation has now announced it will provide the University of Arizona a US$3 million, five-year grant. This grant focuses on the breeding and agronomic development of Guayule with the aim of producing biorubber for medical, consumer, and industrial applications.
For Apollo Tyres, the 2013 financial year ended on 31 March, and the tyre maker reports that its profit was up almost 50 per cent for the full year. Apollo’s net profit between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 amounted to Rs 6.1 billion (£73.0 million), a 48.8 per cent year-on-year increase on the Rs 4.1 billion earned in the previous financial year. Net sales rose 5.3 per cent to Rs 127.9 billion (£1.5 billion) and operating profit increased 29.2 per cent to Rs 15.5 billion (£185.6 million).
Leading brake manufacturer Brembo has posted first quarter 2013 net consolidated revenues of 371.9 million euros, up 6.3 per cent compared to the first quarter of the previous year. Pre-tax profits grew even faster. EBITDA amounted to 47.3 million euros (12.7 per cent of revenues), up 10.2 per cent compared to first quarter of previous year. Meanwhile EBIT amounted to 26.1 million euros (7 per cent of revenues), up 9.3 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2012.
Continental has developed a new Multimedia Radio Navigation (MRN) System for the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group in China. The product was launched with the Dongfeng Citroën C4 L car model in March 2013 and will later be available in different vehicles. Based on Continental’s scalable Multimedia Platform concept, the MRN System is the first navigation solution of Continental, exclusively tailor-made for a Chinese vehicle manufacturer. The development was mainly done by experts in Shanghai and Singapore, thus marking an important milestone for the development activities in Asia.
The Falken Motorsports team has its sights on a top 10 ranking as it makes its way to the starting grid for its 14th Nürburgring 24 Hours. The team will take an upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 R to compete against a field of over 200 entrants. Falken is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, adopting the motto: “30 Years of Performance”.
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Michelin’s Ballymena, Northern Ireland manufacturing facility has hosted a visit from 27 independent truck and bus tyre dealers. The Michelin Truck Professional (MTP) dealers were invited to see Michelin’s new X MultiWay 3D steer and drive tyres during their manufacture. Guy Heywood, commercial director of Michelin’s truck tyre division, told assembled dealers: “We’re competing in a fiercely competitive market, but one in which we have grown Michelin Group market share by three per cent in the last three years.
Maxxis International has appointed Jas Ghata-Aura to the new position of online content developer. Maxxis says the appointment forms part of its heightening focus on digital communications. The tyre manufacturer, driven by the belief that online and social media platforms are fast becoming the most effective ways of communicating directly with consumers, has emphasised new media channels in growing its brand already and boasts a strong existing following on its social media channels as a result. It is hoped Ghata-Aura’s appointment will help to strengthen and build Maxxis’ presence, which in turn will give more existing and potential customers the opportunity to interact with the brand and its assets on a daily basis.
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