You are here: / Andrew

About Andrew

Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.

Entries by Andrew

,

Falken ‘increases foothold’ in UK truck tyre market as distributor reports increase in sales

UK truck tyre sales for Falken Tyres have increased significantly during the past 12 months, according to the Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand and its distributor Micheldever Tyre Services. In 2022, Falken sold more than 8,000 more tyres in the UK market than it did during 2021. During 2022, Falken’s RI 151, BI 856 and GI 368 proved to be the bestsellers among its portfolio of customers, managed by MTS retail chain Protyre. The 2022 increase has also supported Micheldever and Protyre’s UK truck tyre sales, with “significant” year-on-year growth since 2020 and an overall increase of 350 per cent since 2018.

Related news:

  1. Falken RI151 bus tyre shows staying power on Liverpool FC team bus
  2. Sumitomo MTS acquisition ‘ensures continuity’ of management, brand strategy
  3. Falken’s new A-rated Sincera SN110 tyre targets mass market cars
  4. MTS exclusive range of car tyre brands offer ‘comprehensive’ mid-range coverage
31st March 2023 by
,

Giti Tire extends British Truck Racing Championship tyre supply, sponsorship deals

The British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) will run exclusively on Giti Race-Tuned v1 global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5 for a second season in 2023, beginning on 8 April at Brands Hatch. Competitors will decide the series over seven race weekends at some of the UK’s leading circuits, Pembrey, Thruxton, Donington, Snetterton, and coming full-circle to end the season, presumably with the hope of some on-track fireworks, on 5 November. Giti will augment its BTRC official tyre partnership status with the sponsorship of the two fully-liveried Team Oliver racing trucks, piloted by the father and son duo, Stuart and Michael Oliver.

Related news:

  1. Giti Tire truck racing: BTRC positions brand centre-stage with Top Gear
  2. Four European podiums for new Giti Tire racing truck
  3. Giti Tire’s Martin Gibson dominates at Donington in BTRC
  4. Giti Tire’s Gibson finishes third in 2021 British Truck Racing Championship
31st March 2023 by
,

Kraiburg Austria maintains steady ship through securing supply, boosting sustainability

Retread supplier Kraiburg Austria navigated choppy 2022 waters successfully to achieve 92 million euro in sales, a figure the company called “satisfactory” and a demonstration of its crisis resistance according to managing director Stefan Mayrhofer. The company registered growth in high-performance compounds for hot cured retreads alongside stable mould cure figures, while developing its business in key Central and Eastern European markets. New Kraiburg products in 2022 included the local public transport focussed K708, the Nordic winter K727 tread, and the 3PMSF-certified K738, which was operational on construction sites and public roads from September. Kraiburg Austria also bolstered its sustainability credentials via its membership of the Global Platform for Sustainable Rubber.

Related news:

  1. Vacu-Lug manufacturing investment, contracts a way forward in contracted UK market
  2. Vipal Rubber recognised for sustainable practices by EcoVadis
  3. Kraiburg Austria introduces EMAS III environmental management system
  4. Hankook promoting sustainability with hydrogen-powered Hyundai truck
31st March 2023 by

TyreSafe launches spring safety campaign – ‘Do you drive and hope?’

TyreSafe has launched its spring tyre safety message, asking drivers, “Do you drive and hope?” The road safety charity wants to spread its message, supported by its ACT acronym, that drivers should check their tyres’ air pressure, condition and tread on a regular basis. Spring is a particularly good time to get this message out, with unpredictable driving conditions due to inclement weather, more heavily laden cars as families travel over the long bank holiday weekends (of which there is one more in 2023 thanks to the coronation of King Charles III), and busier roads. 

Related news:

  1. Tyresafe’s growing membership and growing influence
  2. Sigmavision joins TyreSafe
  3. TyreSafe, Yokohama and Chelsea continue to part with tyre safety messages
  4. TyreSafe launches van tyre safety campaign
29th March 2023 by

Pirelli visits Valencia in Ferrari Challenge 2023 European opener

Pirelli travelled to Valencia for the first European round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli at the weekend. The Italian tyre manufacturer has supported the single-make series since the competition’s creation in 1992, through its growth to a three-continent journey to some of the world’s best racing circuits. Pirelli supported the Spanish event with 2,500 tyres, transported by six trucks and mounted on the 47 competing cars by a team of 15 people, plus technical and support staff. Having started the series in Homestead, Florida, at the start of March, the 2023 edition will be augmented by the Ferrari Challenge Japan, with one of the three races to be held at Suzuka. The Japanese track joins other iconic circuits such as Silverstone, a race valid for the Ferrari Challenge UK, Monza, Spa, Spielberg, and Abu Dhabi. Le Mans is also on the packed calendar this year.

Related news:

  1. Pirelli supported Ferrari Challenge UK holds prologue test
  2. Pirelli P Zero DHE tyres for Ferrari 488 GT Modificata
  3. 3-stop strategies prove fastest as Rosberg pushes Hamilton to title-decider
  4. 80 supercars line up at Salon Privé for Pirelli Prestige & Performance Competition
27th March 2023 by
,

Giti collaborates with global racing equipment supplier Sparco in joint-branding agreement

Giti Tire has signed a multi-year global co-branding agreement with Sparco, one the world’s leading manufacturers of motorsport safety systems and racing equipment. The Giti brand becomes global automotive tyre partner of the Italian brand under the deal, while the slogan “Giti – Powered by Sparco” will appear on the sidewall of key UHP sizes from 2024. The development of these products will form a “bridge” between the businesses, according to Sparco.

Related news:

  1. Giti Tire launches Giti PCR brand in Germany, debut at Automechanika Frankfurt
  2. New Giti flagship UHP tyre, GT Radial SportActive, coming soon
  3. Giti brand to replace GT Radial commercial tyre range in Europe
  4. Michelin returns to the top of online brand ranking
24th March 2023 by
,

Nottingham Tyre Company goes paperless with e-jobsheet and Fitter-Force

Nottingham Tyre Company has adopted CAM’s Fitter-Force and e-jobsheet. The 24/7 mobile tyre repair service is digitising its operations on the platform in a bid to boost the efficiency of its operations and its customer service.

Related news:

  1. Tyreteam invests in CAM’s fitter-force tablet technology
  2. First Fitter-Force forum
  3. CAM talks digitisation, self-service, and the pandemic
  4. MDF Truck Tyres credits CAM fitter-force with business improvement
23rd March 2023 by
,

87% of IMI members want first MOT interval to remain at 3 years

As part of its response to the Department for Transport’s MOT Consultation, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has researched the views of the motor industry and motorists. Alongside its own in-depth analysis of MOT data, the new research further underlines the IMI’s view that any change to the current date for the first MOT or the frequency of MOTs would significantly increase road user risk. “We received a resounding confirmation – 87 per cent – from our members that the first MOT should not be extended due to increased road safety risk”, explained Hayley Pells, policy manager at the IMI. “And whilst only 51 per cent of motorists we surveyed felt the same, we believe there is sufficient weight of evidence to give the Department for Transport a very clear indication that any change to the start date would be detrimental for all road users.”

Related news:

  1. First MOT date extension to increase tyre-related road safety risk
  2. NTDA concerned about long-term impact of MOT exemption
  3. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  4. Extending first MOT deadline ‘will increase defective vehicles, tyres’ – TyreSafe
23rd March 2023 by

One test, two winners – AMS compares EV-specific tyres with conventional flagships

The electric vehicle tyre market is evolving quickly, with manufacturers adding EV-appropriate technologies to existing ranges and in some cases launching new lines of specialist products. These products have several goals, most notably offering range-maximising fuel economy, increased resistance to wear, reducing noise, and the ability to carry heavier loads, all while demonstrating greater sustainability and continuing to offer a high level of safety performance. Naturally these characteristics require technological advancements in order to reconcile contradictory demands; for example, making lower-weight tyres that consume fewer materials while also increasing ruggedness to reduce wear and tyre emissions. With tyres specified for electric vehicles now appearing on the European aftermarket in greater numbers, the need for independent scrutiny is becoming greater, and German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has responded by comparing three of the newest EV-specified products with current flagships, fitted to comparable Kia EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) models.

Related news:

  1. Michelin the number one consumer researched tyre brand: Tyre Reviews
  2. Bridgestone’s Blizzak LM005 wins Auto Express winter tyre test
  3. Top tyre manufacturers deny involvement in tyre test manipulation
  4. Bridgestone Potenza Sport best in wet and dry in Auto Express 18” tyre test, good result for Maxxis
15th March 2023 by

Sportauto latest to acclaim Conti SportContact 7

Continental’s SportContact 7, WhatTyre Tyre of the Year 2022, added to its impressive tally of test victories as it was named the “outstanding” tyre in the Sportauto summer tyre test 2023. Elsewhere there was a very notable showing for the “very good” Firestone Firehawk Sport, one of only two tyres to record above-average ratings in all three disciplines rated in Sportauto’s final analysis – wet, dry and environmental. The tyre infiltrated the group of five premium brands in the top half of the rankings, beating its Bridgestone stablemate, the Potenza Sport, and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4. The magazine tested eleven tyres in size 225/40 R18 92Y XL mounted on an Audi S3.

Related news:

  1. Bridgestone Potenza Sport best in wet and dry in Auto Express 18” tyre test, good result for Maxxis
  2. Gute Fahrt test – one ‘excellent’ tyre
  3. Conti SportContact 7 ‘sets benchmark’ in Tyre Reviews UUHP tyre test
  4. Conti SportContact 7 win ‘shows commitment’ to ‘class-leading performance tyres’
14th March 2023 by

Giti becomes official tyre partner of BK Mladá Boleslav

Giti Tire’s support for European ice hockey has been enhanced with its sponsorship of top-flight Czech Republic team, BK Mladá Boleslav. The brand will become the team’s official tyre partner, with its logo on advertising boards and players pants. It will include several VIP events, which the company will use for distribution and sales partners. The new deal will enhance Giti’s involvement in the Champions Hockey League, for which the manufacturer’s GT Radial brand is the official tyre partner.

Related news:

  1. GT Radial extends Champions Hockey League partnership
  2. GT Radial becomes Champions Hockey League partner
  3. Giti’s European R&D centre ready for growing OE business
  4. Australian truck race series running on Giti tyres
13th March 2023 by
,

LKQ to divest GSF Car Parts following Uni-Select acquisition

LKQ Corporation, the parent company of LKQ Euro Car Parts, is seeking to divest GSF Car Parts (GSF) following its acquisition of the factor’s Canadian owner, Uni-Select. With the transaction subject to the receipt of anti-trust clearance in the UK, LKQ Corporation made the offer as part of its application for the UK competition authority’s approval. In the interim, LKQ Corporation will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the GSF business with the existing management team remaining in place and the organisation ringfenced from LKQ. LKQ announced its plan to acquire Uni-Select for around US$2.1 billion on 27 February.

Related news:

  1. The Parts Alliance acquires Lancashire parts distributor BBC Superfactors
  2. GSF Car Parts to reintroduce Bendix brakes to UK with exclusive distribution deal
  3. The Parts Alliance acquires motor factor Waterloo (Motor Trade) Ltd
  4. Uni-Select Inc. acquires The Parts Alliance Group
13th March 2023 by
, ,

Bridgestone becomes title sponsor of FIA ecoRally Cup in multi-year support deal

Bridgestone has partnered the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as the title partner for its sustainability focused competition. The tyre manufacturer has signed a multi-year support agreement for the Bridgestone FIA ecoRally Cup, which aims to address major environmental concerns and foster positive behaviour amongst competitors. The competition was created in 2006. It sees production, road-legal electric vehicles running without modification in regularity events.

Related news:

  1. Capacity increase for 4 Bridgestone car tyre plants
  2. Bridgestone introducing Enliten LT & TBR tyres
  3. Bridgestone Enliten technology gets premiere on Volkswagen ID.3
  4. Bridgestone details E8 Commitment sustainability framework
10th March 2023 by

Apollo seeking European TBR tyre market share boost with new products, increased production

Apollo Tyres wants to build its European market share alongside the development of the commercial vehicle tyre production line at its advanced Hungarian plant. Hosting Tyres & Accessories in the final quarter of 2022, the growing manufacturer detailed its strategic five-year plan to build its presence in Europe’s truck and bus, radial (TBR) tyre market alongside the launch of its EnduMile LHT, a long haul trailer tyre targeting the continent, its first to feature A-grade fuel efficiency on the European tyre label. Apollo is taking measures to double its TBR tyre production output from the Gyöngyöshalász facility, with the target of covering up to 90 per cent of the TBR segment’s total size and specification requirements by 2025.

Related news:

  1. Treadsetters to distribute Apollo TBR tyres in UK
  2. Apollo Tyres launches first long-haul trailer tyre for European market, A-rated EnduMile LHT
  3. ContiLifeCycle Concept
  4. Hercules expands H-402 with 22.5” fitment
9th March 2023 by
,

Summer tyre prices up 23% since 2020 in Germany – Idealo

The average price of summer tyres in the German market has risen by 23 per cent in just two years. Idealo Internet GmbH told Tyrepress’s German sister site Reifenpresse, that the various crises and subsequent inflationary pressures have driven prices up. The average asking price for all summer tyres on Idealo’s comparison platform of the same name has increased from 99 euro (2020) to 108 euro (2021) to 122 euro last year. This corresponds to an increase of almost a quarter within just two years.

Related news:

  1. Crown Tyre launches Evermax brand
  2. Maxxis gets huge e.GO boost with European partnership
  3. Doublestar car tyres on-sale in Carrefour Spain
  4. Hankook OE on BMW 4-Series
9th March 2023 by

We see you are visiting us from China.

If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.