Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
Yokohama will supply its Geolandar M/T G003 mud-terrain tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks to Team Mitsubishi Ralliart in the 2023 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), as the team seeks to replicate last year’s overall title on Yokohama rubber. Asia’s largest cross-country rally is scheduled for 13-19 August.
Bridgestone is supporting a team of Durham University students as they take on the World Solar Challenge in Australia. The students designed a three-wheeled asymmetrical catamaran-style car for the 3,000km journey on 22-29 October, which will run on specially designed Bridgestone Enliten tyres. The Challenger Class car has been two years in development, with months of remote study and digital development taking place to firstly overcome the challenges of the global pandemic and eventually a sustainable vehicle with a cruising consumption of 1kWh.
Mark Ferner, Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) senior manager, technical operations will become chair of the Tire Industry Association’s Electric Vehicle Advisory Council (EVAC) on 1 August. He takes over from Big O Tires and Grease Monkey franchisee and former TIA Board member Ron Lautzenheiser, the original council leader since its foundation in June 2022. Lautzenheiser will continue to serve the council as a member.
A survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres has found that a clear majority of European motorists would not attempt to deal with a tyre puncture at the roadside themselves. Just 46 per cent say they would use the car’s supplied spare tyre or inflation kit, compared to 32 per cent that say they would instead call on a vehicle breakdown service for assistance, and 16 per cent who would seek help from a family member, friend or colleague.
Bridgestone’s technical partnership with the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) has made its public bow in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The tyre manufacturer said the event represented an opportunity to “bring a vision of autonomous driving to life for thousands of onlookers.” Three IAC university teams attending the 2023 event were preparing the ground for next year’s show, scanning and digitally mapping the Goodwood Hillclimb to support IAC’s 2024 autonomous hillclimb challenge. Bridgestone commenced its partnership with the world’s first autonomous high-speed racing competition in 2020, supplying tyres and technical expertise. It says the partnership demonstrates how it is helping to drive autonomous motoring to the next level.
The latest analysis of apprenticeship starts in the automotive sector, released by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), makes for sobering reading as job vacancies remain at a 20 year high. While automotive apprenticeships have increased 12 per cent in the first 8 months of the 2022/2023 academic year compared to the same period in 2021/2022, the take-up is still significantly below pre-pandemic levels. Figures for 2022/2023 apprenticeship starts for the first 8 months of the academic year are 8 per cent below same time frame in 2019/20 and 31 per cent below same time frame in 2018/19.
Tata’s decision to build a new electric car battery plant in Somerset has been welcomed by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The institute said the gigafactory represents a “good start” in the drive to revive an ailing UK automotive sector, but emphasised the need for additional investment in order to support growth and EVs as part of the country’s decarbonisation strategy.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has welcomed Tata’s decision to locate a multi-billion-pound electric car battery plant in Somerset, while emphasising the need for additional government support to “filter down” to the aftermarket. Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, said: “There is no question that this is great news for the UK economy, with the prospect of thousands of jobs. For the UK to become a centre of excellence in the electric battery field is crucial for future decarbonisation ambitions. Such a sign of intent from the UK government to support the Tata decision is encouraging for the whole automotive sector. What we now need is for that intent to filter down to the aftermarket too.”
TÜV SÜD and Goodyear have integrated the Goodyear CheckPoint solution into the TÜV SÜD Digital Vehicle Scan (DVS) inspection system. The system uses advanced sensor technology to elevate vehicle safety and performance, making the vehicle acceptance and return process more efficient. The testing organisation says the DVS enables accurate diagnosis and timely maintenance recommendations, which can improve overall safety and efficiency. The Goodyear CheckPoint drive-over tyre inspection system reads tyre condition and vehicle parameters, sending actionable insights to fleet managers. It streamlines tyre pressure and tread depth inspection by providing automated inspections completed within seconds.
Fitting Michelin X Works tyres across its fleet has allowed concrete, mortar and screed supplier, Eco-Readymix, to record a reduction in tyre damage and downtime, it says. The company has fitted Michelin Remix X Works XDY 315/80 R22.5 on the drive axle and X Works HD Z 315/80 R22.5 on the steer axle of its vehicles as it transitions its entire 30-strong fleet to Michelin tyres.
Protyre’s Liam Healy and Hometyre’s Craig Schwartz were crowned TPMS Experts in the large and small retailer categories respectively, while Lewis Marshall from Formula One Autocentres prevailed in the under-23s category of Autogem’s second competition to find the country’s leading tyre pressure monitoring system technicians and raise standards and awareness within the industry. More than 1,000 retail sites entered Under Pressure ’23, with 12 technicians beating hundreds to make the final, putting their problem-solving skills to the test at the Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) in Burton-upon-Trent on Wednesday 28 June. The finalists were praised for detecting various TPMS faults in a quick and efficient manner and communicating them clearly thereafter. Following a successful first outing, Autogem expanded the competition with its third award, focused on young and emerging talent.
Giti Tire has appointed Lars Ohnsorge as senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE. The company said the appointment of the experienced tyre professional would further strengthen its original equipment operations, following the recruitment of Nicolas Kluson as key account manager Europe OE in April, with both providing in-depth technical support and direction from the company’s European R&D Center in Hannover, Germany. Giti said its new OE team will immediately focus on the manufacturer’s existing OE relationships with BMW Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), VW Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and VW Commercial Vehicles as well as introduce the Giti brand and business philosophy to other key vehicle manufacturers.
Repairify has introduced a fully integrated end-to-end software support programme for workshops and garages. The programme enables its IMI-trained technicians to access asTech tools remotely, assisting them with software if they are encountering challenges while using the tools car-side. The new programme is available across its hardware product portfolio, helping technicians to overcome technical issues and complete jobs quicker.
Dunlop has added the new Geomax MX34 to its championship-winning Geomax motocross range. The versatile MX tyre contains several innovations that build on its acclaimed predecessor, the manufacturer says, offering increased grip and consistency on a range of intermediate surfaces. The new tyre is available from July 2023 in 17 sizes, sitting between the Dunlop Geomax MX14 for sand and mud performance and the intermediate to hardpack-focused Geomax MX53.
While the tyres featured in these pages represent some of the best and most popular products on the market, van fleet managers and operators have a bewildering amount of choice. The Tyre Industry Federation says that more than 300 brands sourced from more than 45 countries are on sale in the UK alone, the majority of them targeting van operators for whom a low purchase price is a key consideration. One brand that combines a relatively low purchase price with widespread penetration in the UK and beyond is Landsail. The Sentury Tire-produced brand’s latest van tyre is designed to meet UK performance targets: an all-season design for increased confidence in extreme conditions and tricky terrains, whilst offering a level of economy for drivers as there is no need to switch tyres from summer to winter.
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