Dunlop Aircraft Tyres offers Increased FOD Resistance
Military aircraft operators could soon benefit from new foreign object damage (FOD) resistance tyre technology that has been developed by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres and being employed for the first time on the new Airbus Military A400M. The tyres feature the superior sidewall FOD resistance of bias tyres, which are more suited to operations from semi and unprepared airstrips, as well as what Dunlop Aircraft Tyres describes as “advanced materials”, which are designed to give improved protection in the tread area.
Continue ReadingCooper Tire “Excited” About Rubber Bonded Steel Cord
A patented process involving silanes has led to the design and testing of new type of radial tyre. Former University of Cincinnati Engineering Professor Emeritus Wim van Ooij, now chief scientist at the spin-off company he helped set up, filed the patent for the process in the name of the University of Cincinnati in 2004, however until now work on its development has been carried out in secret.
Continue ReadingPrototype Nokian Tyre Demonstrates Positive Rolling Resistance Qualities
A prototype summer tyre developed by Nokian Tyres is said to have demonstrated 64 per cent superior rolling resistance against a premium ‘eco’ tyre in testing conducted by the Finnish tyre maker. In a test held on March 9, a Toyota Prius was fitted with the prototype tyres and also with Michelin Energy Saver tyres (both the same dimensions and pressure) and rolled down a ramp in neutral gear in windless conditions. As Nokian explains, the distance the car rolled corresponds directly with the tyres’ rolling resistance – the further the car rolls, the lower the rolling resistance. Nokian reports that the car managed to roll 129 metres when fitted with its prototype tyre, while it stopped after 78.9 metres when fitted with Energy Saver tyres.
Continue ReadingPerformance Wheels Releases 2010 Catalogue
Wheel manufacturer and importer Performance Wheels Ltd. has released its 2010 ‘Mini Catalogue’. The A5 sized brochure showcases the company’s latest wheel ranges as well as the popular Cobra suspension range, covering an extensive range of fitments.
Continue ReadingLanxess Rubber Chemical Prices to Rise
The prices of certain Lanxess plastic and rubber chemicals, including some used in the tyre manufacturing process, are increasing at of April 1, 2010. The company’s Rubber Chemicals business unit will raise prices for its Vulkanox, Vulkacit and Renacit products by up to 20 euro cents per kilogram, depending on product and region. Vulkanox is used as an antioxidant, Vulkacit as an accelerator and Renacit as a peptizer, and are used in the production of various rubber products, including tyres, hoses and driving belts.
Continue ReadingBridgestone: 150 Million Blizzaks – and Counting
Bridgestone reports the reaching of a noteworthy milestone during the past year – the production of the 150 millionth Blizzak studless winter tyre. The brand was introduced in 1988 and the name is applied to passenger car, light commercial vehicle and 4x4 tyre ranges manufactured in Japan, Europe and Turkey. The range was introduced into North America in 1992 and Europe in 1994. The 100 millionth tyre was produced in 2004, and last year more than ten million Blizzaks were produced worldwide.
Continue ReadingTest Praise for Hankook Radial RA14 Wet Performance
Hankook is the recipient of more tyre test kudos, this time from Europe’s largest specialist recreational vehicle magazine, Germany’s Promobil. The publication has released the results of its annual tyre test (Issue 4/2010), and has awarded first place to Hankook Radial RA14. The Promobil evaluation examined ten brand-name tyres currently available in the popular 235/65 R16C size, which is suitable for vehicles including the VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (the second of these was used as the test vehicle during the comparative evaluation).
Continue ReadingMichelin Main Cities of Europe Guide on Sale Today
With a March 17 release date and £14.99 price tag (€22.90 in Ireland and on the Continent), Michelin’s Main Cities of Europe 2010 guide covers 44 cities across 20 European countries. This latest edition of the publication includes one newly-added city – Salzburg, Austria – and a total of 3,257 establishments, including 1,542 hotels and 1,715 restaurants. The UK is represented by coverage of London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with 357 restaurants in the four cities included.
Continue ReadingMichelin Plays its Travel ‘Trump Card’
The Michelin Group is first and foremost a tyre maker – 99 per cent of its business is directly tyre related. Yet the residual proportion of Group activities not centred upon the black, rubbery rings – the company’s maps and guides, ViaMichelin and Michelin Lifestyle – should by no means be viewed as just a sideshow, a therapeutic diversion from the serious business of producing tyres. In the words of Michelin managing partner Jean-Dominique Senard, “the one per cent is crucial to the 99 per cent of sales. It gives us half a billion contacts through our website clicks, and tens of millions of maps and guides are sold.
Continue ReadingThumbs Up for Hankook Ventus S1 evo in European Tyre Tests
Our neighbours on the Continent are prone to heed the advice of consumer tests than the average shopper in the UK, and tyre tests there are eagerly awaited and the recommendations often acted upon. Therefore a good result is essential for any manufacturer wishing for strong sales in Europe. Hankook reports that its Ventus S1 evo has performed well in the current summer tyre test published by the German automotive magazine Gute Fahrt (issue 03/2010). The VW and Audi focused magazine rated the Ventus S1 evo as one of only two tyres to be “Very Good”.
Continue ReadingEurotire Turns Down Under for Software Solution
Eurotire, Inc., a US based OTR tyre specialist with manufacturing facilities in Romania and the Ukraine, has unveiled its new EuroTrack tyre management system. Eurotire selected Australian software developer Vehicle Management Corporation (VMC) and its enTIRE Tire and Rim Management Software (a Windows based computer programme that will track the performance and stock levels of a fleet of tyres and wheels) to create the EuroTrak customised tyre data collection system. Tyre and wheel performance data will be collected from around the world using EuroTrak, analysed at Eurotire’s offices, and fed back to Eurotire’s manufacturing plants to provide continuous product improvement feedback.
Continue ReadingBridgestone is Most Recommended 4×4 Tyre Brand
The latest market research on which 4x4 tyre brands are most recommended to customers suggests that the theory that premium brands have been able to hold their share in the market are likely to be true. In the case of Bridgestone (the most recommended 4x4 tyre brand in the survey) this means the company’s tyres are recommended 18.02 per cent of the time, almost twice as much as the nearest competitor. The number two spot is held by Pirelli, whose tyres are recommended 10.4 per cent of the time. Together with Goodyear (9.92%); Michelin (7.2%); Avon (6.40%); Continental (5.92%); and Dunlop (2.48%), this means premium brands account for over 60 per cent of recommendations. Encircles’ data doesn’t report the specifics of conversion rates, but if the majority of these recommendations are converted into sales (something which is generally considered to be the case) then this premium-heavy metric would put the 4x4 sector way ahead of the passenger car sector as a whole which is considered to be comprised of about 30 per cent premium tyres.
Continue ReadingConti Reports Strong Results in European Tyre Tests
The stereotype of the über-efficient Teuton may still be a cause for mirth here in ‘Blighty’, but our European neighbour’s reputation for thoroughness is not wholly undeserved – so when leading motoring magazines in all three German speaking European lands recommend a particular tyre, it’s probably in our best interest to take note.
Continue ReadingSteinbichler Introduces OTR Shearography Unit
Over a period of more than two decades, Germany’s Steinbichler Optotechnik has developed a reputation as worldwide leading supplier of high-performance shearography tyre inspection systems. More than 200 units (designed for the inspection of passenger car, light truck and aircraft tyres) have to-date been installed in tyre manufacturing and retreading facilities – from medium-sized, local enterprises up to international tyre businesses.
Continue ReadingThe World’s Priciest Tyres – Set of Bugatti Veyron Rubber Costs £23,500
Every wondered what the most expensive passenger car tyres in the world are? According to a report published on the Autocar website on 14 January, Bugatti Veyron rubber must be a prime contender with a set of four new tyres costing £23,500 (26,926 euros; US$38,482) to replace. And if you were wondering which tyre manufacturer won the OE contract to supply these products, a quick look at tyrepress.com’s online archive reveals that the 406 km/h car, which is capable of 0 - 300 km/h in under 14 seconds fits Michelin Pilot Sport Pax System 245-690 R520 A (front) and 365-710 R 540 A (rear) tyres.
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