Kirkby investing in stocks
We’ve emerged from lockdown into a market environment of rising raw material prices, a global imbalance of containers and exploding shipping costs, not to mention continuing port disruptions. These combined factors have already led to higher tyre prices and product shortages in some instances, but the extent to which customers are affected can be tempered by good stock management.
Continue Reading
Bosch upgrades its Esitronic online diagnostic software to version 2.0
At the end of April Bosch launched the latest version of its online diagnostic software. Bosch Esitronic 2.0 is designed to support workshop staff with repair and maintenance tasks. To this end it provides diagnostic data, troubleshooting instructions, maintenance schedules as well as removal and installation instructions for individual components.
Continue Reading
Connected cars: Market worth 1.8 billion euros in 2020, ADAS accounts for a third
During the pandemic year 2020, connected and intelligent car solutions reached a value of 1.8 billion euros. A third of the market is represented by ADAS systems (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, equating to 600 million euros). The largest segment is constituted by so-called solutions for the connected car, which in 2020 slowed down to 1.18 billion euros (-2%), after having grown in double figures during both 2018 (+ 31%) and in 2019 (+ 14%). Similar trends can be seen across Western countries, which oscillate between -5 per cent and + 5 per cent.
Continue Reading
Falken Ziex Ecorun tyre factory fitment on Audi hybrid
Falken has announced that its Ziex ZE310A Ecorun AO tyre has been approved as factory fitment on the Audi A3 TFSI e hybrid, in size 205/55 R16 V XL. The tyre’s ability to bear high loads, together with good traction and rolling resistance characteristics makes it ideal for today’s electric and hybrid vehicles, says Falken.
Continue Reading
First Pirelli ‘HL’ tyre OE on Lucid Air
When Lucid Motors brings the Air to market in the second half of 2021, this inaugural model from the EV start-up will wear Pirelli’s very first high load index tyre – a new type of tyre dedicated primarily to electric or hybrid cars and SUVs. This original equipment arrangement initially pertains to Lucid Air models sold in the USA and sees Pirelli supply its P Zero to Lucid in size HL 245/35R21 99 Y XL for the front axle and HL 265/ 35R21 103 Y XL for the rear.
Continue Reading
Hankook tyres for BMW X3 M & X4 M
BMW M GmbH has selected Hankook Tire as an original equipment tyre supplier and is fitting the BMW X3 M and X4 M with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z; both models wear tweaked versions of the UUHP tyre in size 255/40 ZR21 102Y on the front axle and 265/40 ZR21 105Y at the rear. This is Hankook’s first partnership with BMW’s performance division, but it reports that “other tyres for M GmbH models are already in development.”
Continue Reading
A fresh chapter: Pirelli presents 18-inch F1 tyres at Silverstone
A major change to Formula 1 for the 2022 season will be the introduction of 18-inch tyres after half a century of wide sidewall tyres sitting on 13-inch rims. Pirelli is presenting the new tyres at Silverstone today and comments that “now it’s time to change to a more modern approach” with a dimension actually seen on today’s road cars.
Continue Reading
Davanti’s DX440 van tyre performance backed by LEVC OE deal
The handling, comfort and longevity when fully laden offered by Davanti’s DX440 van tyre helped the brand to become the original equipment specified tyre for London Electric Vehicle Company’s VN5 electric commercial van. The company said it developed the range with the driver at the centre. “It’s important to remember that, if a van is getting new tyres, that could be a sole trader losing money or a fleet unable to respond to as many calls in a day,” said Sean Maddocks, Davanti Tyres’ sales director for the UK and Ireland. “The DX440 is designed to last longer - reducing the number of times van drivers need to replace their tyres. The tread design and compound achieves that without losing sharpness or control - even under full load.”
Continue Reading
SD International offers ‘extensive’ van range in Pace, Toledo brands
SD International now offers four van and light commercial tyre patterns for the UK and European tyre market via its Pace and Toledo private brands. Three van patterns are available from the Pace brand – the PC18, Active Power 4S and Antartica 8 – representing the summer, all-season and winter segments respectively; the TL 5000 covers light commercial applications for the Toledo brand.
Continue Reading
10-year tyre trends show how UHP segment beat the pandemic
The significant decline in revenue for global tyre makers based on headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic was felt most keenly by companies with the greatest exposure to the consumer vehicle tyre markets. (For the effects of the crisis on manufacturers, see our ranking of the world’s top tyre manufacturers in the Company section of our 75th anniversary special issue.) As many countries reduced private mileage considerably with working from home orders and travel restrictions – not to mention the negative effects of measures such as the UK’s MOT freeze, which removed a significant push factor in the market for much of 2020 – car tyre sales last year dropped considerably, though again there were big differences even within the EU27 and UK. Within car tyre segments there were significant differences in the depth of the contraction too. Broadly speaking, the higher value the segment, the better it tended to fare. Pirelli’s financial reporting for 2020, and the subsequent first-quarter growth in 2021, provide a good illustration of how higher performance segments provided increased resilience in these difficult times.
Continue Reading
Promobil tests tyres for van-based campers
Not all motorhomes are ponderous wheeled boxes that slow traffic. Van-based campers, such as VW’s freshly-facelifted Transporter 6.1, deliver driving dynamics approaching those of saloons and SUVs – and require tyres that are up to the job. German specialist publication Promobil put the new VW T6.1 through its paces fitted with eight brands of size 235/55 R17 tyre – all reinforced ‘C’ (for commercial) models – and found a clear winner.
Continue Reading
Lotus reveals new Emira sports car on Goodyear OE tyre
Earlier this month, Lotus revealed its latest sports car; the Lotus Emira. According to the company, it “delivers exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment” and “above all, it looks like a Lotus”, while the design is “beautiful, timeless, memorable and modern.” Of course, what really interests this magazine are the wheels and tyres, and Lotus says that the Emira will have four 20-inch wheels. Standard tyre fitment is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 available as an option. Lotus says that both tyres have been specially developed for the Emira by their manufacturers.
Continue Reading
Average car tyre weight up 7% in 5 years, increasing recovery cost
The Tyre Recovery Association has revealed one simple factor behind the increased expense of collection and recycling end of life car tyres; they are getting heavier. New analysis by Astutus Research reveals that the average weight of a car tyre is now seven per cent more that it was just five years ago. Several factors have recently combined to push up the cost of waste tyre collection.
Continue Reading
New Gripmax UHP range
Van den Ban has expanded its exclusive Gripmax brand with the addition of a new summer tyre, the ultra-high-performance SureGrip Pro Sport. The wholesaler is offering a launch range of more 40 dimensions for 18- to 22-inch rim diameters and will grow the line-up to more than 130 sizes at a later date. All currently available sizes have an EU tyre label ‘A’ grade for wet grip.
Continue Reading
SD International offers ‘extensive’ van range in Pace, Toledo brands
SD International now offers four van and light commercial tyre patterns for the UK and European tyre market via its Pace and Toledo private brands. Three van patterns are available from the Pace brand – the PC18, Active Power 4S and Antartica 8 – representing the summer, all-season and winter segments respectively; the TL 5000 covers light commercial applications for the Toledo brand.
Continue Reading