Michelin Celebrates 120th Birthday
May 28, 2009 represented a special day in the Michelin calendar – exactly 120 years earlier the company was founded in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Situated on 12 hectares on Place des Carmes (named for a convent that formerly occupied the site), the company had only around 50 employees at the time. Two years later, the firm produced the first removable bicycle tyre, launching Michelin’s relationship with the pneumatic tyre. Today, 120 years later, Michelin is still headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, but worldwide the company boasts 118,000 employees in 170 countries. Michelin states that, since its origins, the company has pursued the same vision of enhancing the mobility of people and goods. This vision, it says, is summed up in the company’s signature motto – “a better way forward” – which is featured on all its communication worldwide.
Continue ReadingMickey Thompson Launches Online Video Portal
Cooper Tire’s Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels unit recently launched a branded online video site, MickeyThompsonTV.com. This online video player is stocked with a variety of video content on Mickey Thompson strip, truck, motorcycle, off-road, and Bonneville racing that includes recent video plus some vintage Mickey Thompson video footage. Video product information, company news and event coverage will also be featured. Any video on MickeyThompsonTV.com can be viewed, selected, and then embedded into other Web pages, forums or blogs for sharing with others. Mickey Thompson enthusiasts will also be able to upload their own video content. Cooper reports that members will have the ability to communicate with each other, share comments, and participate in related forums and will also be able to access Mickey Thompson product information, company news, apparel and much more.
Continue ReadingConti PremiumContact 2 Tops Which? Rankings
Continental’s PremiumContact 2 was ranked best in the recent Which? tyre rankings, earning the tyre maker its seventh and eighth “Best Buy” recommendations from the consumer advice magazine’s website. The ContiPremiumContact 2 received the highest overall performance score in the two tyre sizes featured in this month’s (April’s) report. In the 205/55R16W review, Which? said; “The ContiPremiumContact 2 offers first-rate handling on dry roads, good wet and dry braking and good resistance to aquaplaning in bends and on straight roads.” Testers commented that the 185/60R14 H size offers “excellent handling on dry roads, good wet and dry braking and decent wet grip in bends and on straight roads”. In total the tyre, designed for medium-sized family cars, has now been given four “Best Buy” gongs in 205/55R16V (the UK’s most popular size), 205/55R16W, 185/60R14H and 195/65R15V.
Continue ReadingTire Review, AskPatty.com Partner for Web-based Education
Tire Review today announced that it has partnered with AskPatty.com, the premier automotive advice website for women, to develop and offer an extensive educational and marketing program developed specifically for tyre dealers. The multi-dimensional programme will help tyre retailers and their staff to improve their marketing and sales skills and become “Certified Female Friendly” through a high-level, market-specific training program. In addition, the AskPatty.com for Tire Dealers Programme will assist dealers in reaching and building lasting relationships with women tyre and vehicle service customers through a unique marketing support programme. With this new joint venture with Tire Review, AskPatty.com will expand its education and information services to tire retailers across the US and Canada. The multi-step training programme – both initial and ongoing – will be delivered via webinars and online interactive programs to allow tyre dealers to involve as many employees as they wish and at times most convenient to dealers and their staffs. The co-branded Web site, Certified Tire Dealer search engine, and other marketing activities will draw women customers to the dealer. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingGoodyear Commemorates Centenary of Taking to the Skies
It’s been a century since Goodyear introduced the first specialised aviation tyre and made travel by aeroplane – at least the part involving contact with the ground – a simpler and more comfortable affair. The Goodyear Wing Aeroplane Tire, introduced in 1909, was designed by Goodyear’s engineers to be lightweight, puncture resistant and easy to remove. A hundred years later the company remains strongly involved in the aviation tyre business, and has observed its centenary with the introduction of a new innovation and expanded product range. Nobody could have envisioned that Goodyears aviation business would last at least 100 years, said Pierre Jambon, general manager, Global Aviation. But weve prospered by doing the same things that we did at the beginning: develop innovative new products to fulfil the changing needs of the aviation industry.
Continue ReadingHofmann Monty Universal 2 Offers Tyre Changing Versatility
Hofmann, a brand within Snap-on Equipment, has introduced the new monty universal 2 ‘all-round’ roller type tyre changer. The new product enables lever-less tyre changing for all wheel variants, including run-flat and ultra high profile rims of up to 30” diameter and 17” wide. The company states that the aim of the monty universal 2 is to build on the popularity of the monty 3300 racing, a tough act to follow considering the 3300 is, according to Snap-On, Europe’s best-selling professional tyre changer. Chris Behan, general manager at Snap-on Equipment, comments: “With more and more cars on the road using run-flat and ultra high profile, high performance tyres, workshops need to keep ahead of the game with the right equipment to safely handle these rims without risking costly damage. The new monty universal 2 sets a new standard in addressing these challenges with built-in features that helps to ensure operator health and safety and easy tyre changing for all wheel types.”
Continue ReadingGoodyear Names Finalists for 26th Highway Hero Award
Every year Goodyear runs its “Highway Hero” awards in the US, honouring professional truck drivers who go out of their way, often risking their own safety, to help others. Finalists in this, the 26th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero Awards, include a team of two professional truck drivers from Illinois who reacted to a collision with an out-of-control van by pulling the unconscious driver to safety after the crash; a California truck driver who noticed a glow off the freeway and followed it to find a car in flames and a driver trapped inside; a Tennessee truck driver who made a quick decision to pull a man from a disabled car seconds before it was fully engulfed in flames; and a Colorado driver hauling grain who was shocked when his truck was hit head-on in a fiery collision, but then had the presence of mind to save two young lives. Nikolay Zashev, Tihomir Tanev, Willie Wilson, Roy Hackett and Jorge Orozco Sanchez, were on March 3 named finalists in this highly esteemed award for trucking heroism.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Introduces Third Generation of Run-flat Tyre
One of the greatest criticisms of existing run-flat tyre technology, inferior ride comfort compared with standard tyres, is said to have been addressed in the development of Bridgestone’s “third generation” of run-flat tyres. On March 3, 2009 the Japanese tyre major announced it has successfully developed new technologies that make such an improvement feasible, and the marketing of third-generation run-flats will begin this year. Bridgestone reports it will focus its attention upon sales to OEMs for fitment to new cars.
Continue ReadingGreater Latitude
For Michelin’s 4x4 tyre segment, 2009 has got off to a flying start with the introduction of an all-new line-up. Named the Latitude Cross, the new tyre was officially unveiled on February 1 and is already available for UK customers. This latest addition to Michelin’s 4x4 range, a line-up that has been given a complete going over in the last two years, has been designed for the numerous 4x4 drivers who use their vehicle predominantly on the road, but nevertheless wish to take advantage – even if only occasionally – of the off-road capabilities offered by a 4x4.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop Launches Consumer-Facing Website
First Stop has launched a brand new website (www.firststop4tyres.co.uk) designed to help customers get more from their local tyre dealership. The website features a UK-wide dealer locator as well as detailed information on Bridgestone’s tyre range and – currently – details of the network’s free fuel competition. In parallel with the launch of the updated web site, a brand new dealer locator text service and phone-line is also running. To be put in touch with their nearest dealer, customers simply need to text or call the dedicated number which will be featured in a First Stop advertising campaign being rolled out across the UK.
Continue ReadingUnipart’s Latest Megawisebuys
Parts supplier Unipart Automotive has teamed up with market leading garage equipment manufacturers to launch the latest edition of Megawisebuys offering vehicle workshops, body shops and commercial vehicle operators added-value deals on quality capital and mobile equipment. Some of the deals in the March/April edition include: A free remote control handset with any set of Stertil Koni mobile column lifts ordered in March or April along with a free two-year warranty on the FORCE30 two post three tonne hydraulic lift from Maywood; a free set of high lift pads with the Bradbury 2903CD 2 post 3 tonne mechanical lift; a free Karcher domestic pressure washer (inc accessories) with selected Karcher hot & steam pressure washers along with a free hose storage trolley with selected Karcher cold washers for a limited period only.
Continue ReadingAftermarket Show Review: Toyo
Acknowledging the problems faced by the motorsport and high-performance sectors, Toyo’s stand displayed the company’s commitment to two of its most important markets. In erecting an imposing stand, Toyo was clearly aiming to make an impact at January’s Autosport International Aftermarket Show, hosted by Birmingham’s NEC. Toyo’s determination to make their presence felt was exemplified by the attitude of Sarah Clavey, Toyo UK’s senior marketing executive: “At a time when uncertainty prevails, we were determined to show our commitment to grass roots motorsport and to showcase our range of tyres for 2009. We know that Autosport delivers our classic target audience and we wanted to put on a show that all visitors would remember. Our stand was much larger than in previous years and was designed to deliver impact”. In addition to highlighting its involvement in more than 15 motorsport championships - covering hill climb, drag racing and modified production among numerous other series - the Japanese brand put on head-turning performances via their interactive stage shows. Over the four days they were delighted to be able to engage with many of the show’s 79,000 enthusiastic visitors. The motive behind this vibrant, interactive format was to attract and involve new enthusiasts and to bring the Toyo brand to life amongst one of its primary target markets.
Continue ReadingNankang Rubber Celebrates its 50th Anniversary
The predecessor of Nankang Rubber Tire Co. Ltd, Nankang Rubber Plant, was founded in Taipei city, Taiwan in 1945, mainly producing rickshaw tyres, rubber shoes and industrial products. In 1959, the company underwent privatisation and was reorganized as Nankang Rubber Tire Co. Ltd., as it has been for the past 50 years. To meet the growth of business scale, a second plant was established in Shin-Fung, Hsinchu County in 1973. In 1997, the latest plant, Nankang International Co., was finally set up in Zhangjiagang free trade zone, Jiangsu Province, Peoples Republic of China, with the highest production capacity of 37,000 pieces a day. This month, as the company reaches the half century mark, Tyres & Accessories looks over the company’s five decades of history. Back to 50 years ago, when the economic and industrial infrastructure was insufficient, and when the technology and raw material of the rubber industry was not easily accessible, Nankang Rubber Tire Co. had to rely on its own to overcome the challenges in terms of technical procedure, design and facilities.
Continue ReadingDunlop Ad Voted one of Ten Best Cinema Commercials Ever
A Dunlop Tyres advertisement from 1994 has been voted one of the UK’s ten best cinema commercials of all time. The online poll, conducted by Digital Cinema Media (DCM), ranked Dunlop’s ‘Tested for the Unexpected’ commercial number four on its list of the ten best, commenting that its “perfect soundtrack”, which featured the Velvet Underground song ‘Venus in Furs’, accompanied film made with an “apparently limitless budget”. The result, says DCM, was “deliciously surreal”. DCM comments that the commercial’s director, Tony Kaye, thought it so good he even attempted to have it exhibited at the Tate.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Confirms its Tyres Will Help Obama ‘Get There’
It appears the eagle-eyed spy photographers got it right. – Goodyear has confirmed that when Barack Obama takes the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States, products from the company’s commercial vehicle range will accompany him during the day’s proceedings and later at the countless appearances and appointments planned throughout his term of office. Obama’s official limousine will be carried to its various destinations on Goodyear tyres, continuing what the company calls a ‘decades-long tradition’ as the exclusive tyre for the presidential limo, and the standard tyre of the US Secret Service.
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