GS Yuasa International and Honda to develop lithium-ion batteries
GS Yuasa International Ltd., the parent company of GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd., has announced the signing of an agreement with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. to develop high-capacity, high-output lithium-ion batteries. The two Japanese heavyweights are to begin discussions with the aim of establishing a joint venture to meet the rapidly expanding demand for lithium-ion batteries by the end of 2023.
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Warrington public transport operator exclusively fits Michelin on new, all-electric fleet
Public transport operator Warrington’s Own Buses has switched to an exclusive Michelin policy with the tyre manufacturer’s Services & Solutions division, as the business prepares to transition its entire bus fleet from diesel to electric. An important part of the new agreement will see 105 new electric buses arrive at the company specified with Michelin X InCity EV Z tyres as original equipment. The X InCity EV Z is Michelin’s first range of bus tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs).
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EV tyres for global markets coming soon – ZC Rubber
ZC Rubber has launched a line of passenger car tyres developed for electric vehicles. Initially available only in the tyre maker’s home market of China, EV Pro products feature “notably reduced rolling noise” and “increased fuel efficiency” as well as “improved grip performance” for EVs. The tyre maker says it will soon introduce more EV tyre options for global markets.
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MTS named exclusive Petlas distributor
A freshly-signed agreement sees Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) become the exclusive UK distributor for Petlas passenger car, 4x4 and light truck tyres. Petlas is the third exclusive brand MTS has taken on since its acquisition by Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 2017
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Davanti expands all-season tyre range with Alltoura H/T 4-Seasons for SUVs
Davanti Tyres has added SUV fitments to its recently launched Alltoura all-season tyre range. Launching the Alltoura H/T 4-Seasons, Davanti said the new model has been engineered to provide balanced performance, stability, fuel efficiency and durability for SUVs on the road. The tyre was developed using an extensive testing programme at leading proving grounds, Applus+ IDIADA in Spain and Test World in Finland, in summer and winter conditions. It is available in a range of 16-19” SUV fitments.
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‘Huge opportunity’ for mid-range, quality tyres – Davanti sales director
Building on its 2015 foundation, the UK-owned Davanti Tyres brand has developed a comprehensive range of products for the car and light truck segments while increasing its penetration via distribution partners in international markets. With its products produced in East Asia and its sister distribution company Oak Tyres handling UK distribution, the brand can offer an informed perspective on current car tyre market trends. Tyres & Accessories talked to Davanti Tyres sales director for UK and Ireland, Sean Maddocks about tyre imports, car parc evolution, and the latest Davanti products.
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Bridgestone a Toyota Prius OE supplier
When it goes on sale in Europe in spring, the plug-in hybrid version of the latest generation Toyota Prius will be available with Bridgestone Ecopia EP510 and Ecopia EP150 tyres as original equipment. These tyres will also be a factory fitment on the new Prius in Japan and Asia, while cars destined for North America may be fitted with the Ecopia EP422 Plus.
Continue ReadingEuropean car tyre imports rise despite apparent risks of offshoring production
The European passenger car and light truck tyre (PCLT) import market recovered substantially from its bout of Long Covid in the second half of 2022 as the benefits of local versus remote production took an unexpected hit. A perfect storm of significantly lower freight costs and high European energy costs nudged the dial on the relative competitiveness of imports and domestic PCLT tyre production in the second half of 2022. Looking at the European PCLT tyre market through the prism of imports, leading sector analyst Astutus Research shares with Tyres & Accessories its data demonstrating the effects of a rapidly changing market context. The latest Astutus Research briefing, ‘Supply Dynamics in the European PCLT Tire Industry to 2028’, priced at £995 is available now on Tyrepress.
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Higher rim size car tyre sales rising in UK’s stratified recovery – GfK
Challenging trading conditions persist in the UK thanks to various interlocking crises, though 2022’s replacement tyre market demonstrates the way some segments resisted the strong headwinds better than others. While overall tyre sales (units) were basically flat versus 2021, any anticipated surging recovery from a pandemic induced nadir was, broadly speaking, put off for another year. Contrastingly, the value of the overall market surged, though this effect was more due to inflation and increasing prices than a switch towards higher-value products. Having said this, the picture painted by analyst GfK’s data, based on the company’s “panelmarket” of tyre retail sell-out sources from January to December, is also one of stratification.
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Textar brake range expanded by 167 references in 2022
TMD Friction UK’s Textar brake brand delivered 167 new references throughout 2022. Of the 167 new products launched, 61 were newly developed, high-end brake pads, with 42 ABS sensors, 36 brake discs, 18 wear leads, six accessories and four new brake fluid products also introduced to Textar’s high-quality product lines.
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2 new Alliance Agri Star II sizes
Yokohama Off-Highway Tires has added two sizes to its Alliance Agri Star II range. The introduction of 800/70R38 and 210/95R18 tyres brings the total number of SKUs in this range to 89.
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Battlax Hypersport S22 OE on new BMW S 1000 RR
BMW Motorrad has selected the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 as an original equipment tyre for the latest BMW S 1000 RR. The supersports bike will wear the S22 in size 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) at the front and size 190/55 ZR17 M/C (75W) at the rear.
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Schrader adds to OER TPMS line
Schrader TPMS Solutions is proud that more than 50 per cent of vehicles fitted with TPMS worldwide are equipped with Shrader-supplied units. Furthermore, the TPMS specialist emphasises that its “genuine OE replacement sensors are guaranteed to meet OE quality and performance standards.”
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Prinx presents European line-up on new website
During last year’s The Tire Cologne show, Prinx Chengshan shared plans to bring its Prinx brand to Europe as a flagship range. It is now doing so, accompanied by a new site for the region: prinxtire.eu.
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Sports touring performance for lightweight bikes: Dunlop Sportmax Q-Lite
This year Dunlop is launching a new sports touring tyre, the Sportmax Q-Lite. It says this tyre “combines hypersport-style performance with a high-mileage tread and improved handling,” a mix that makes Dunlop Sportmax Q-Lite suitable to “tackle the demands of daily riding on lightweight bikes” such as the 125cc and 250cc categories.
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