![Nokian accused of rigging tyre test results for a decade](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/nokian-reports.jpg)
Nokian accused of rigging tyre test results for a decade
Finnish newspaper Kauppalehti has accused Nokian Tyres of making bespoke tyres for tyre testers in order to improve its test results. And what’s worse the paper says it has been going on for 10 years. Kauppalehti cites internal Nokian emails it has seen as being evidence supporting its story. Following the publication of this story, Nokian Tyres has issued a statement saying it regrets any mistakes it made in the way it handled magazine tyre tests.
Continue ReadingGoodyear agri tyre sales under way in Europe, production to follow
During a conference call yesterday, Titan International chief financial officer John Hrudicka confirmed that sales of Goodyear agricultural tyres in Europe had commenced, with initial orders being supplied from the US. “The early reception to the re-entry of Goodyear is very encouraging and demonstrates the brand still holds tremendous value in Europe,” he commented.
Continue ReadingGeneva launch for Vredestein Ultrac Satin
Apollo Vredestein intends to unveil the successor to its 2009-launched Ultrac Cento at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March. The Ultrac Cento is Vredestein’s premium segment product and is available in 16 to 18-inch fitments, and it is assumed that the new Ultrac Satin will be offered in similar dimensions.
Continue Reading![KTM approves Dunlop RoadSmart III for adventure bike pair](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/KTM-roadsmart-sml.jpg)
KTM approves Dunlop RoadSmart III for adventure bike pair
Dunlop’s RoadSmart III has been homologated for the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure and the 1190 Adventure, reports Goodyear Dunlop. The Austrian manufacturer will fit the two bikes with size 120/70 ZR19 and 170/60 ZR17 tyres. According to the tyre maker, the previous-generation RoadSmart II was also used on the KTM adventure bikes and “worked flawlessly” with them.
Continue Reading![Where’re 4×4/SUV tyres AT?](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Land_Rover_Series_III_mud_bogging-e1456418848956.jpg)
Where’re 4×4/SUV tyres AT?
With Micheldever reporting that 2016 got off to a good start for the company, Tyres & Accessories met with wholesale director Alan Baldwin in order to find out more about the company’s 4x4/SUV tyre business, which was recently boosted by the launch of 4site4x4tyres.co.uk.
Continue Reading![ADAC size 225/45 R 17 tyre test: Private brand finishes in “victors’ quartet”](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/adac-17-inch.jpg)
ADAC size 225/45 R 17 tyre test: Private brand finishes in “victors’ quartet”
In addition to publishing a test of 15-inch tyres for small and compact cars, German motoring organisation the ADAC has tested the popular 225/45 R 17 Y fitment, a size often found on mid-sized saloons and estates such as the Audi A4, VW Golf, BMW 3 Series, Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and Toyota Avensis. The ADAC used a VW Golf 7 to evaluate the 16 participating tyres and evaluated them on how they performed in a range of dry and wet surface criteria, as well as their rolling resistance, noise/comfort and wear characteristics.
Continue Reading![Giti on GTÜ tyre test: We’re “very confident” of our tyre’s performance levels](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SportActive-600x900.jpg)
Giti on GTÜ tyre test: We’re “very confident” of our tyre’s performance levels
Three Chinese-made tyres were deemed to have “failed” the wet braking component of the latest summer tyre test jointly released by German motoring magazine Auto Zeitung and GTÜ, the country’s largest officially-recognised independent vehicle inspection organisation. The maker of one of the trio has issued a statement regarding the results.
Continue Reading![Seven good all-rounders in ADAC compact car tyre test](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/adac-15-inch.jpg)
Seven good all-rounders in ADAC compact car tyre test
Our neighbours in Germany are gearing up for the seasonal changeover to summer tyres, and every year this rush to swap to the warm weather rubber is accompanied by a rash of tyre tests. ACE and GTÜ were two of the first to release their comparative summer tyre evaluations, and now high-profile German motoring organisation the ADAC has published tests of two different tyre sizes – the smaller of the two tested dimensions is size 185/65 R 15 H, a tyre suitable for small and compact cars. The ADAC tested 16 tyres in this size.
Continue Reading![First Industry Tyres becomes Continental exclusive supplier](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2010_ContiIFS_Logo_5c_Neg-Unicolor.jpg)
First Industry Tyres becomes Continental exclusive supplier
First Industrial Tyres (FIT) has been named as Continental Specialty Tyres’ exclusive agent for the north east of England. According to the company, this greatly supports the expansion of Continental’s premium fitting and servicing network throughout the UK and Ireland.
Continue ReadingExhaust maker BM Catalysts wants to stay in
Toby Massy, managing director of BM Catalysts has come out in favour of staying in the EU. His anti-Brexit remarks were prepared the week before Prime Minister David Cameron’s latest “emergency brake” deal with EU leaders and before London Mayor Boris Johnson announced he would head up the leave campaign, but remain the same now.
Continue Reading![Italmatic releases UK-made TPMS sensor](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/italmatic.jpg)
Italmatic releases UK-made TPMS sensor
Italian TPMS specialist Italmatic, through its TPMSEuroShop division, has released a new programmable universal wireless TPMS sensor that is produced exclusively in the UK for the company by Schrader Electronics. The new italsensor, says Italmatic, provides a “European quality” alternative to sensors imported from the Far East.
Continue Reading![Global premiere for BKT Earthmax SR 31 at Bauma 2016](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BKT_Earthmax-SR-31-sml.jpg)
Global premiere for BKT Earthmax SR 31 at Bauma 2016
The brand new Earthmax SR 31, which BKT says has “just rolled off the production line,” will be put on display for the first time at this year’s Bauma show in Munich, Germany. The all-steel radial features multi-ply steel belts, and BKT says this gives the tyre “extraordinary strength and stability under [the] toughest operating conditions.” Other qualities the manufacturer attributes to the Earthmax SR 31 are excellent traction and manoeuvrability, along with good ride comfort.
Continue Reading![Budget tyres declared a “high risk” in GTÜ summer tyre test](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gtue-table.jpg)
Budget tyres declared a “high risk” in GTÜ summer tyre test
As a way of introducing its 2016 summer tyre test, German vehicle inspection organisation GTÜ poses the question: Is expensive really better when purchasing tyres? To provide an answer, GTÜ – together with car magazine Auto Zeitung – evaluated 14 size 225/45 R 17 summer tyres that ranged in price between €210 and €430 per set. The test candidates included recent releases from Dunlop, Goodyear, Falken and GT Radial, as well as several products described as “budget tyres from the Far East.”
Continue Reading![Yokohama winning more 4×4 OE tyre business](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-jeep-cherokee-e1456246528857.jpg)
Yokohama winning more 4×4 OE tyre business
Lately Yokohama has been increasing its presence in the 4x4/SUV OE tyre segment, with more tyres selected by manufacturers for initial fitment. According to the company, there are 24 new additions to the Advan Sport V105 size line-up, such as 235/50R19, 275/45R21 and 275/40R22. Indeed, this large SUV-orientated tyre has been chosen as original equipment by Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Continue Reading![GfK: UK still amongst largest and fastest growing SUV tyre markets](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Volvo_XC90_II_August_2014_03.jpg)
GfK: UK still amongst largest and fastest growing SUV tyre markets
The UK is still one of the largest and fastest growing 4x4/SUV tyre markets in Europe. In fact, according to the latest data compiled by market research specialists GfK Automotive, the UK is the second largest in Europe with sales of 1.157 million 4x4 tyres in 2015. Speaking with GfK Automotive account director Kevin Glynn, Tyres & Accessories learnt that only Italy’s annual sales of 1.4 million 4x4 tyres last year was bigger.
Continue Reading