Goodyear coach tyres anticipate 2018 EU vehicle weight increases
Coach travel’s status as one of the most fuel efficient modes of transport will be boosted further by an increase of the EU weight limit for passenger service vehicles to 19 tonnes. To maximise the efficiency and profitability further – as well as to comply with safety requirements – premium tyre manufacturers in particular are readying their commercial vehicle ranges, with specialised lines delivering load capacity increases and improved, coach-specific characteristics. Goodyear states that its Marathon Coach and Ultra Grip Coach tyres have been developed with load capacities in anticipation of regulation changes proposed by the European Union.
Continue ReadingMichelin ready for market rebound with latest products
An all-new tyre designed from a clean sheet of paper is something of a rarity. Evolution is more typically the way forward, and every manufacturer worth its salt engages in ongoing product testing to evaluate how new technology and design can be applied to improve a tyre. Within Michelin’s motorcycle and scooter tyre business, the result of this ongoing development work is seen in the two to three new products it brings to market each year. And 2014 will be no different.
Continue ReadingNew catalytic converter designed to cut fuel and manufacturing costs
A British scientist has designed a new type of catalytic converter that could cut fuel consumption and manufacturing costs. Dr Benjamin Kingsbury, a scientist from Imperial College London, suggests that the new prototype could reduce fuel consumption in a standard vehicle by up to three per cent. Furthermore the new design uses up to 80 per cent less rare metal, a development that could significantly reduce costs for vehicle manufacturers. Catalytic converters are expensive to manufacture because they use precious metals such as platinum to eliminate emissions. These metals currently account for up to 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of the component.
Continue ReadingBridgestone launches longevity-focused Ecopia steer truck tyre
Bridgestone has launched a new steer position tyre to its commercial vehicle range, tuned to improve tyre life and increase load capacity. Bridgestone also said the new tyre would offer greater savings on fuel, with significant reductions in rolling resistance and irregular wear among the benefits it says the new tyre provides. Bridgestone makes its claims for the tyre based on internal calculations and field test performance in Spain, France and The Netherlands in 2012.
Continue ReadingUpdated Point S ordering system goes live
On 27 January, Point S Development, the Lyon, France-based international headquarters of the Point S network, launched a new version of its “eios” European online ordering system. The new version was developed after analysing member purchasing behaviour over a period of several months; Point S Development says the latest eios website is more intuitive than the previous version.
Continue ReadingPFC Brakes signs Nottingham City Transport supply deal
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) will run its Scania double decker buses with PFC Brakes brake pads following a two vehicle trial period. The trial, led by NCT, monitored pad and disc wear on two Scania double decker buses, which are used daily around the city. The results confirmed that the PFC Brakes would cover 156,000km […]
Continue ReadingTyresure: TPMS take-up fastest in northern Europe
Retail sales of tyre pressure monitoring system sensors and service kits are growing fastest in northern Europe. According to Ian Smith, managing director of British firm Tyre Sure which supplies Tech Europe’s TPMS needs across the continent, drawing a line from the Nordic region south to Spain and Portugal gives you an ever-decreasing continuum of market demand. As you might expect there is a direct correlation between having a distinct winter market and TPMS success. Those at the South of Europe have comparatively little demand by comparison.
Continue ReadingKleber products now available under Michelin’s 0% agri credit scheme
During the first year of its zero per cent credit scheme, Michelin financed more than £600,000 of agricultural tyres and supplied more than a hundred UK farmers. The tyre maker reports the success of this initial finance offer and says it is now being extended to cover the full Kleber brand range of agricultural tyres. As before, the promotion also includes Michelin’s full range of agricultural drive and trailer tyres, as well as rims required for its Ultraflex technology range.
Continue ReadingDana unveils Spicer central tyre inflation system for military and vocational applications
Dana Holding Corporation has launched new technology to support its Spicer central tyre inflation system (CTIS). The new technology is designed to optimize the performance of lower flow CTIS applications for smaller government defence and “vocational” vehicles with a new mechatronic control unit (MCU) option. According to the company, this technology identifies and reacts to tyre inflation issues more effectively by enabling individual wheel control. The MCU is an integrated unit that includes electronic, computer, and mechanical engineering with the intention of delivering improved reliability, a smaller footprint, reduced weight, and less wiring complexity.
Continue ReadingContinental gains Golf, Beetle, CC approvals from VW
Volkswagen has approved Continental summer tyres for original equipment fitment on three of its models – 15 and 16-inch versions of the ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5 will be fitted to the Golf 7, the CC receives a 17-inch rim diameter version of the ContiSportContact 5 and ContiEcoContact 5, while the car maker says that the Beetle will be fitted with the 20-inch ContiSportContact 5.
Continue ReadingBridgestone adding 3 sizes to Battlax S20 Evo tyre range
On 10 March, three new sizes will join Bridgestone’s Battlax Hypersport S20 Evo sport radial tyre range. These include one front and two rear sizes, in dimensions popular on 250cc and other light/middle weight motorcycles. Bridgestone will initially launch the tyres in Japan and will then introduce them in other global markets.
Continue ReadingTPMS servicing debate in Sweden
Following the publication of an informational poster last year on the subject of TPMS, the Scandinavian Tire & Rim Organization (STRO) subsequently issued a market newsletter questioning whether TPMS actually had to be working in order for cars to pass the Swedish national equivalent of the MOT. Writing in a newsletter published on 10 December 2013, the STRO explains that debate broke out at the end of last year and has yet to be resolved, but the gist of it is that there is a significant different of opinion (or perhaps) interpretation.
Continue ReadingBartec’s six steps to TPMS success
With TPMS due to be included on every new European vehicle later this year, well-known TPMS tool manufacturer Bartec offers six steps it says will support TPMS success. Indeed, the company says that order to offer a professional TPMS service to your customers, you need the following:
Continue ReadingNokian expands winter portfolio in 80th anniversary year
Eight decades after Nokian Tyres introduced its first winter tyre, the Finnish company has announced the addition of five new products to its winter range. Three new tyres have entered the Hakkapeliitta line-up; all three, the studded Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 and Hakkapeliitta CR3 van tyres, are designed for use in […]
Continue ReadingAutomotive suppliers, smart cars, intelligent tyres and safety concerns
The proliferation of electronic driver assistance systems is making the average vehicle more dependent on computing power than ever before. The latest trends see cars becoming more connected to their user’s personal computing systems and the Internet than ever as well. The combination of the two raises security questions, but are they valid and how does all this related to the tyre/TPMS business?
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