Firenza to expand SV053 range in 2013
Firenza has established itself as a popular brand in the PCR, UHP and Truck tyre market sectors and also offers an innovative option within the van and light commercial sector with its SV053 pattern.
End of the road for Goodyear’s Amiens-Nord plant?
The sword of Damocles has hung over Goodyear’s production site in Amiens, France for years now. Most recently, in 2009 the American tyre maker openly discussed plans to end the production of passenger car tyres in Amiens-Nord; the site suffered from “uncompetitive costs,” the company said. Two years ago Goodyear attempted to emulate the deal it made in Latin America and sell the Amiens plant’s agricultural tyre production to Titan International. But all plans for the Titan-Goodyear deal collapsed at the end of 2011. Titan chairman and CEO Maurice Taylor pulled the ripcord and withdrew from Europe, visibly frustrated by the union representatives in Amiens.
Michelin dominates Dakar following three-year commitment
Michelin has begun its three-year commitment to the Dakar Rally as it means to go on, with its tyres fitted to victors in the Bike, Truck and – on the tyre manufacturer’s comeback to the category for the first time since its 2001 victory – Cars. The French tyre giant brought its Latitude C tyres for the Car class, the Bib Mousse-equipped Desert Race for Motorbikes, and the XZL for Trucks, showing the strength and versatility required for competitors to tackle the frequently punishing conditions encountered.
New Conti TPMS function enters production, more in development
Continental reports that a new feature related to its TPMS system has entered series production. The company says an Asian vehicle manufacturer now offers its customers a sub-function of Continental’s ‘Filling Assistant’ – feature that uses a motorist’s smart phone. An app on the phone omits a short ‘honking’ noise upon achieving optimal pressure during tyre inflation. The Filling Assistant function ensures that tyres always run on the correct pressure, even if they are filled using non-calibrated equipment.
Michelin to boost North American compound capacity – $200M project announced
A planned expansion at Michelin’s semi-finished rubber factory in Starr, South Carolina, will meet heightened overall tyre production demands at the tyre maker’s North American facilities. Capacity at the Starr plant, one of two Michelin factories producing rubber compound within the region (the other being Sandy Springs, Michelin’s largest rubber-producing facility in the world), will increase through a US$200 million expansion project that will begin operation in 2014. Michelin has not stated what the Starr plant’s capacity will be following the project’s completion.
Toyo finishes 2013 Dakar with 6 stage wins, 13 podiums
Toyo Tires racers won six stages and 13 podiums during the 2013 Dakar. Team Toyo’s Robby Gordon finished the Rally strongly, winning Stages 11 and 13 while two past Dakar champions, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah, used the Toyo Open Country M/T-R to win Stage One and Stages Three, Four and Six respectively. Sainz drove the American-built #303 Team Qatar Red Bull buggy, Al-Attiyah the #300 Team Qatar Red Bull buggy, while Gordon competed in the Toyo-supported #315 Speed Energy/Toyo Tires/Mapei Hummer.
SMMT to focus on UK auto supply chain at forum
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has confirmed it will focus on the UK automotive supply chain at its Open Forum event, taking place on 21 March 2013 in the West Midlands. The first speaker session will focus on the Automotive Council’s achievements to date and work going forward to strengthen the supply chain as well as activities undertaken by government. Members of the Automotive Council's Technology Group and Supply Chain Group will highlight the progress being made by the two key workstreams.
STL tests dragster wheels
Standards Testing Laboratories, Inc. (STL), has been recognized as the testing source to test drag race wheels to meet SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) specifications. SFI is a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing equipment. The organization has a formal relationship with more than 200 race sanctioning bodies, providing an SFI standard compliance label for use on race-related products.
BMW and Toyota sign collaboration agreement
BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012.
Bodyshop association chair steps down
The first National Association of Bodyshops (NAB) Executive of 2013 was held recently, hosted by new Head, Frank Harvey. During the meeting Julie Eley announced to the Executive Committee that, due to business commitments, she would not be able to stand for re-election in April and therefore will be stepping down as Chair of NAB Executive Committee, with effect of 31st March 2013.
Orange tyre tread signals wear
With consumers putting off tyre changes later than ever, and with part worn sales soaring, a recent award-wining invention purports to be answer.
According to various online news sources, the Discolor Tyre works something like this: under normal tread lies a layer of coloured rubber, which is revealed when treadwear hits 1.6 mm. From here on in the dull black normally associated with tyre is replaced with a loud orange hue.
Fulda Challenge: An extreme test for athletes – and tyres
Upon arriving in Canada’s Yukon Territory for the 2013 Fulda Challenge, veterans of last year’s event scoffed at the mild weather awaiting them. For goodness sake, the thermometer gave a reading of only minus 20°C – a walk in the park in comparison to 2012, when the mercury sank to a numbing minus 46°C. Yet over the coming days these thoughts were banished as heavy snowfalls delivered driving conditions more challenging than any seen during the Challenge’s 14-year history. In the end, the 2013 Fulda Challenge proved to be not just a test of athletic mettle, rather also a showcase of the conditions in which Fulda winter tyres come into their own.
Toyo announces senior management changes
At the company’s Board of Directors meeting on 24 January, approval was given for Kenji Nakakura’s appointment as chairman and representative director of Toyo Tire & Rubber. The Japanese tyre maker has not stated when this appointment takes effect. The incumbent company president, CEO and representative director will be replaced in all offices by Akira Nobuki, who currently serves as Toyo’s executive corporate officer.
Two new aligners from Hofmann
Garage equipment manufacturer Hofmann has introduced the next generation of its Geoliner wheel aligner series. Two new models have been introduced, the Geoliner 670 Gen 4 and Geoliner 680 Gen4; both aligners feature Hofmann’s icon-based Pro 42 software, a ‘one-touch’ programme that is designed to make the most effective use of the information required by the technician carrying out the alignment procedure.
Further Accuride investments to benefit steel wheel business
Commercial vehicle wheel and component manufacturer Accuride Corporation plans to invest more than US$30 million over the next two years in upgrading its steel wheel facilities during 2013-15. Specifics of this investment have not been given at this time; the US-based company says it will announce details of its 2013 capital programme later this year.
