Kent’s largest independent bus operator fits Wheely-Safe solution
Independent public transport operator Go-Coach is Kent’s largest independent bus operator, operating 46 routes and carrying up to 5,500 passengers every day. The company is now rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet after a trial installation on a single Optare Solo bus flagged a potentially dangerous issue with brake temperatures.
Continue Reading
World’s first hydrogen-powered digger set to drive on UK roads
The world’s first digger, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, will soon be on UK roads and building sites following recent government approval, helping to decarbonise the UK’s construction industry. The UK government has given special dispensation, under a vehicle special order, that allows JCB, the British construction equipment manufacturer, to test and use its world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads. This backhoe loader is the first of its kind and offers a pioneering solution to help reduce emissions on construction sites.
Continue Reading
Vredestein Ultrac OE on BMW X1
BMW Group has chosen Vredestein Ultrac for its all-new BMW X1 and will fit this tyre to the sports utility vehicle in size 205/65 R17 100Y XL. Apollo Tyres will ship the original equipment tyre, marked with BMW’s star symbol on the sidewall, from its plant in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary directly to BMW’s production facility in Regensburg, Germany.
Continue Reading
European car sales could grow 5-10 per cent in 2023 as battery electric vehicle competition heats up
A new automotive report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) anticipates 5-10 per cent growth for European car sales in 2023. European car sales climbed 12 per cent in January, helped by easy year-earlier comparisons, fewer supply-chain hurdles and pent-up demand that boosted registrations. While these new figures may bode well for sentiment, they still trail 2019 considerably, 25 per cent lower. In BEV share, the UK led other European nations, but other major markets now have the benefits of far more generous subsidies reducing the cost of the shift to electric powertrains.
Continue Reading
Tecalemit introduces EV-ready 2-post lift
The number of electric and hybrid-electric cars on the road is growing, and Tecalemit has introduced a lifting solution that addresses this change in the vehicle parc. It says the two-post Azur SF/9235/EVR offers a “comprehensive range of features to meet the needs of modern workshops” and as such represents the “future of vehicle lifting solutions.”
Continue Reading
US offroad race King of the Hammers won on Yokohama Geolandar tyres
Kyle Chaney won the 4900 Can-Am UTV race on Yokohama Geolandar off-road tyres at the off-road King of the Hammers race in California, 4-11 February. The season opening event for the year-long Ultra4 National Series racing tour combines desert racing and rock crawling, and is considered the one of the toughest off-road races in the world. At this year’s King of the Hammers, Yokohama Rubber supplied its Geolandar tyres to more than 30 vehicles, with models including the Geolandar M/T G003 mud terrain tyres including race-versions, and its Geolandar SD tyre for global off-road racing.
Continue Reading
Ring wins Auto Express inspection lamp mini test
Ring’s MAGflex Utility Inspection Lamp, RIL3700HP, has won Auto Express’s inspection lamps mini test alongside two other products. The lamp was designed to be versatile so that professionals in any industry can use it and benefit from its extra features. It is rechargeable, cordless and has dual 180° ratcheting and 360° twist functions, to direct light exactly where it’s needed, as well as hanging hooks and multiple magnetic bases for hands-free working, providing up to 1,000 lumen light output and two and a half hours operating time.
Continue Reading
Audi fitting Nexen tyres to latest A3
Nexen Tire reports that Audi A3 models sold in Europe are available with factory fitted Nexen N’Fera Sport and N’Blue 4 Season tyres. The fourth generation A3 wears the N’Fera Sport in size 225/40R18 92Y XL and the N’Blue 4 Season in 225/45R17 94V XL.
Continue Reading
7 new MAK wheels in 2023
Aftermarket alloy wheel firm MAK is adding seven new articles to its range in 2023. These seven products join four product ranges.
Continue Reading
VF900/60R42 : Continental introduces largest tractor tyre
Continental has launched its largest tractor tyre to date, the VF TractorMaster in size VF900/60R42. With a diameter of 214.7 centimetres, the tyre is larger than a door frame and weighs 450 kilogrammes. It has a load index of 189 (10,300 kilogrammes). Continental has developed the tyre size specifically to carry the weight of agricultural machinery producing more than 300 horsepower.
Continue Reading
Enso hails 35% reduction in tyre particulate matter emissions
Enso, which describes itself as “the world’s first sustainable tyre manufacturer”, reports that it has “successfully proven the benefits of specialist electric vehicle (EV) tyres” in trials conducted as part of the TfL FreightLab Innovation Challenge. According to the company, Enso tyres outperformed standard-fit tyres both in terms of reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 35 per cent and improving energy efficiency by up to 10 per cent in a 15-month trial.
Continue Reading
Auto Bild advises against 10 tyres
Congratulations to Hankook for its table-topping performance during the preliminary wet & dry braking component of Auto Bild’s 2023 summer tyre test, and well done to the other 19 finalists that also progress to the second and main round of testing. But what about the 30 tyres that didn’t make the grade – how well or poorly did they perform?
Continue Reading
Goodyear introduces additional Eagle F1 Asymmetric sizes
A further four “strategic sizes” join the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 range this year and cover popular models such as the Kia Sportage, Peugeot 5008, and Tesla Model 3. Tyre sizes 235/45R18 98Y XL and 245/40R19 101Y HL are already available, while 225/55R18 102Y XL and 225/55R18 98Y will arrive in April and June respectively.
Continue Reading
Aftermarket debut for Bridgestone Enliten
The expansion of Bridgestone Enliten into the replacement tyre market will commence in Europe this year with the launch of Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Duravis Van products featuring the technology. The tyre maker plans to debut a total of eight Enliten products for the European aftermarket in 2023, a figure representing around five per cent of all Bridgestone passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres in the European replacement market.
Continue Reading
Falken manufacturer SRI debuting Active Tread next year
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) confirms that it will introduce tyres featuring its ‘Active Tread’ technology in 2024. Active Tread will arrive with SRI’s next-generation all-season tyre.
Continue Reading