Bridgestone launches Retorque app
Bridgestone has launched what it calls “the commercial motor industry’s first ever re-torque safety app for all commercial vehicle operators”. The free Bridgestone Retorque app has been developed after research with all bus, truck and trailer original equipment manufacturers and will therefore offer the correct torque settings on all vehicles, free of charge, at the swipe of a mobile phone or tablet. The latest version (1.1) was updated to the Google Play store on 27 January
Continue ReadingPirelli supporting Tesla SUV development
It looks like the SUV game as we know it is going to change considerably. Pirelli’s latest homologation is for Tesla’s new SUV, the Model X. And with publications such as the Daily Telegraph describing Tesla’s previous launch – the Model S – as the “most significant new car of the last 20 years”, it’s clear that the latest product could be just as revolutionary. Especially when you look at the performance figures.
Continue ReadingWAI to showcase new corporate identity at Automechanika Birmingham
WAIglobal is set to attend Automechanika Birmingham, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 7-9 June 2016, exhibiting its full product range on stand 10G28. The global automotive parts supplier has recently implemented a completely new brand structure on an international level, and it is gearing up to showcase its new corporate identity at […]
Continue ReadingMagenta Technology’s new service enhances cab passenger safety
A new cab tracking solution is providing peace of mind to travellers and worried parents, guardians, carers and friends. Aimed at teenagers returning from a night out, females travelling alone and other vulnerable user groups, the solution, developed by Magenta Technology, allows passengers to book a cab from a respected operator with complete confidence. A simple web service then allows the passenger to share details of the booking via a secure web link and allows worried friends or relatives to track the cab in real time.
Continue ReadingNew Valeo Compact brand wiper blade catalogue
Valeo Service UK has unveiled its latest Compact wipers catalogue. The Compact brand has been developed by Valeo and is categorised into three sub-brands to cover each technological segment of the market. The Compact range includes three sub ranges: Standard, Revolution and Evolution.
Continue ReadingGiti contests findings of ACE tyre test
In the most recent Auto Club Europa (ACE) comparative test of competitively priced tyres, the ranking of the newest GT Radial touring tyre, the Champiro FE1, has caused consternation with the manufacturer. ACE-GTU ranked the tyre bottom in the test, with its performance in the wet causing particular concern, despite the fact that the tyre carries a B rating for wet grip on the tyre label. In response, Giti sent a testing team based at Mira in Leicestershire, to re-examine its tyre at Idiada, the proving ground near Barcelona at which the ACE test was carried out. Giti also released a full statement to Tyres & Accessories, explaining that it was investigating all avenues to explain why the results recorded by ACE-GTU did not match its own findings.
Continue ReadingEU car sales continued growth trend in January
Passenger car registrations in the European Union continued to grow during January, according to the latest data released by ACEA. EU passenger car registrations grew 6.2 per cent year-on-year during January. In addition, in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) area – comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – registrations grew by 9.5 per cent year-on-year to 32,415 units.
Continue ReadingPremium tyres fight back, yet margins remain headache in e-commerce era
An influx of new vehicle registrations has driven demand for premium car tyres upwards in the UK. Yet somewhat paradoxically, the price of these products has continued to fall, further impacting the margin retailers can make versus what they can expect on lower-priced products. Tyres & Accessories sat down with Micheldever wholesale director Alan Baldwin and wholesale marketing manager Rory Carlin to discuss the premium fightback and its symptoms for dealers. “Premium brands are absolutely in the ascendancy,” Baldwin says.
Continue ReadingTen price-competitive tyres put to the test
According to German motoring association Auto Club Europa (ACE), the priority for many drivers when buying tyres is to find a product that is both good and affordable. Therefore, together with its Austrian partner association it has published a test of ten price-competitive tyres. The tested products are size 195/65 R15 summer tyres for compact […]
Continue ReadingBandag extends city bus and coach retread size range
Bandag has added 3 new sizes to its range of retreads for city bus and coach applications. The Bandag U-AP 001 city bus retread is now available in size 245/70R19.5 and the Bandag BDR-C coach retread, in sizes 245/70R19.5 and 295/80R22.5. As a result of the range extension, the Bandag urban and coach line-up now covers most common premium casing sizes on the market.
Continue ReadingTyrereviews.co.uk completes video tyre test on Michelin CrossClimate: video
The UK consumer-to-consumer reviews website for tyres, tyrereviews.co.uk published its first video tyre test at the beginning of 2016. Asking the question of whether there is a true all-season tyre, the test takes representative premium summer (Michelin Primacy 3), all-season (Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-2), and winter (Continental WinterContact TS850) tyres, and adds the Michelin CrossClimate. […]
Continue ReadingBridgestone inside and out on Toyota’s new Prius
Bridgestone products are to be found in abundance on the new Toyota Prius, and not just fitted to the wheels. In addition to wearing Ecopia and Turanza tyres as original equipment, the latest-generation Toyota hybrid will come with Bridgestone seat pads and anti-vibration equipment.
Continue ReadingGunson releases new Trakrite camber bar
The new Trakrite camber bar allows either of the Gunson camber gauges to be used with the vehicle sitting on the ground, something that is particularly useful with alloy wheels.
Continue ReadingMarix retreads are “extremely competitive” against low-cost imports, says Marangoni
Europe’s retreaders face an ongoing battle against imports of low-priced new commercial vehicle tyres from China, and even well-known names such as Marangoni are not immune from the strain this puts upon turnover and margins. However the Marangoni Group states that it believes in both retreading and in the company’s own future growth, and has undertaken a number of measures to strengthen its position.
Continue ReadingMitas AirCell debuts at Spanish show
Mitas will exhibit a new product at FIMA in Zaragoza, Spain on 16-20 February. The AirCell is an inner tyre that enables the inflation of large agricultural tyres by +/- 1 bar (from 0.8 bar to 1.8 bar) within half a minute. It is more than 10 times faster than the current method of inflation.
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