General Tire expands Grabber X³ tyre range
General Tire is expanding the Grabber X3 line-up. The tyre now offers a total of 38 versions of the off-road tyre, nine of them with red sidewall lettering.
This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Chris contributed a whooping 4151 entries.
General Tire is expanding the Grabber X3 line-up. The tyre now offers a total of 38 versions of the off-road tyre, nine of them with red sidewall lettering.
In what is purportedly an industry first, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Continental are digitally tracing the rubber supply chain from cultivation in Indonesia and further processing through to tyre production.
This publication stands by a long-standing precedent of being a-political. Rather like the saying that it is bad manners to talk religion or politics while dining, we have historically opted not to take a line on such issues. Propriety aside, there is another particular good reason for this approach. During the nearly eight decades since Tyres & Accessories was published in 1946, 16 prime ministers and many more governments have come and gone, but one thing has remained: the motoring public’s demand for tyres has continued and even grown in the medium and long-term. But this column isn’t finishing school, so why the discussion on protocol? We don’t normally engage in politics, but this month politics engaged with the tyre business more directly than ever before when US President Donald Trump told US motorists: “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES”, adding: “Get better tires [sic] for far less!” (see pages “President Trump attacks Goodyear” for further details of the furore).
The current COVID19 crisis has posed the biggest challenge to Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) in over 45 years of operating in the 4×4 market, the company reports, resulting in MTS increasing support to its dealer network to unprecedented levels.
Glasgow Rangers have confirmed Tomket Tires as a new sleeve partner for the next two seasons, commencing in the 2020/21 season. Through the partnership, Tomket Tires will reportedly have “a significant presence around Ibrox” including on the interview backdrops and LED boards.
It is an open secret that the US presidential limo, affectionately known as “the beast” runs on Goodyear tyres. What many people are less aware of is that – owing to the fact that “the beast” has significant amounts of armour plating – unlike most limousines, the US presidential limo is actually fitted with 19.5-inch truck tyres that are better suited to the vehicle’s increased load. Whatever the fitment, 24 hours after Donald Trump tweeted “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES”, adding: “Get better tires for far less!”, one has to ask if the current incumbent of the White House will be taking his own advice.
GRI has developed what is purportedly Sri Lanka and the company’s first winter off-the-road (OTR) tyre for the Japanese market. Designed in collaboration with its Japanese partner, the Gripex Snow tyre is designed to withstand the winter weather and distinct terrain of Hokkaido prefecture in northern Japan. The new tyre is fitted on vehicles used in sub-zero temperatures in order to offer “optimal traction and higher stability on snow”.
Goodyear has been forced to release an official response after US President Donald Trump urged motorists not to buy its tyres in a social media message. On 19 August, the President rebuked Goodyear in an apparent critique of its “One Team” equality policies, saying: “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS”. He further suggests that motorists could “Get better tires for far less!” – pointedly undermining the company’s premium brand positioning and performance without reference to any tyre performance or price data.
At the end of July Nexen Tire confirmed that it is supplying N’blue S and Winguard Sport 2 tyres as original equipment (OE) fitment to the latest Volkswagen Golf.
Workers Kumho Tire’s Macon, Georgia factory have voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union after the final completion of an election last Autumn. According to the USW, workers sought representation to fight “low wages, hazardous working conditions and abusive treatment at Kumho, which ruthlessly harassed and bullied union supporters in an attempt to derail the organizing campaign”.
Bridgestone Corporation has introduced what it describes as a “revolutionary” new MasterCore off-the-road (OTR). Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on 7 August 2020, company representatives explained that MasterCore tyres are engineered for “ultra-high durability with performance that can be customized to various mine sites and operations”. The MasterCore product line has initially launched for 63-inch tyres, with additional patterns and sizes available to customers in 2021.
In April 2020, Cliff Jones, managing director Rema Tip Top Automotive UK Limited celebrated 51 years with the company. Cliff Jones began life at Rema Tip Top in 1969 as a fledgling sales representative selling tyre repair materials to the bicycle and automotive trade. Having previously served as a TV engineer apprentice studying radio theory and techniques, he spent five years in the Merchant Navy. Perhaps this experience with people from all walks of life in his formative years is where he found the endearing manner and natural way with people he is known for.
Iochpe-Maxion S.A. has announced that Maxion Wheels will close one of its North American Wheel factories by the end of the year. Specifically, the consolidation process refers to the closure of Maxion Wheels’ commercial vehicle steel wheel plant in Akron, Ohio, USA. Steel wheel production will remain in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and in Sedalia, USA.
Yokohama has been a sponsor of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team since 2011 and the tyremaker’s corporate logo will again be featured prominently in left centre field, where three-time American League MVP Mike Trout plays.
Global sales of Global Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) are projected to reach 9.49 million units in 2020, with pickups contributing to 4.62 million units. According to research by Frost & Sullivan, the global economic impact of COVID-19 caused the market to decline by 19 per cent in global LCV sales from 11.72 million units in 2019. The European market is said to be worst hit, with countries such as Italy and Spain facing an average decline in LCV sales of 35 per cent to 50 per cent in 2020.
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.