Handle All Seasons Well With Avon
Of course the biggest news to-date this year for the Avon brand in the area of performance tyres is the release of the all-new ZV5 in March (featured in T&A April 2008), but the excitement surrounding the planned replacement for the ZV3 should not overshadow the other performance products in the Avon line-up – manufacturer Cooper Tire & Rubber produces Avon performance products for all conditions. Avon ZV5 Designed to offer premium performance in a variety of conditions, the new Avon ZV5 was developed using advanced tyre technology at the company’s new UK technical centre. The tyre is available in a broad range of sizes to fit a wide range of vehicles, from small hatchbacks to large saloons, as well as MPVs and sports cars. Cooper reports that the ZV5 boasts significant improvements in handling, fuel efficiency and road noise, thanks to the use of the latest silica compounds and computer-aided design techniques.
Continue ReadingMarshal to Introduce New UHP Line
The anticipated new flagship ultra-high performance tyre for the Marshal range, the Matrac FX MU11, makes its UK debut this summer and this replacement for the KU17 looks set to lift the bar in both looks and performance. Design-wise, the Matrac FX has been developed with the delivery of high levels of wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning in mind. Two other characteristics that featured highly as priorities during development are resistance to uneven wear and low noise generation. Noise has been minimised by tuning the size of the tread blocks to improve uniformity, and the shoulder blocks are specially designed to resist uneven wear. New polymers have been used in the tread compound to increase wet handling and aquaplaning resistance. In terms of appearance, the Matrac FX’s sidewall design has been deliberately kept clean and simple and the lettering is readily legible thanks to the use of a noticeably bold font.
Continue ReadingMichelin Wins 2 TAFF Awards
For the second year running, Michelin has scooped two NTDA Tyre And Fast Fit (TAFF) awards in one night. Michelin Tyre Plc won both the Tyre Manufacturer of the Year and Industry Advertising Awards. The success follows a strong showing at the 2007 awards when the French-manufacturer received the Product Innovation and Industry Advertising awards. The 2008 TAFF awards also saw a return to winning ways for BITS who won Wholesaler of the Year for a record eighth time, including comparable prizes from before the TAFF awards began three years ago. TAFF Winners: Tyre Manufacturer of the Year and Industry Advertising Awards - Michelin Wholesaler of the Year - BITS Production Innovation Award - Goodyear (Eagle F1 Asymmetric) Environment Award – Kingpin Tyres Tyre & Aftermarket Equipment Supplier of the Year - Apaseal
Continue ReadingGolf GTI Pirelli Returns to the UK
It’s almost a year since we first reported the return of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli (see our previous stories here and here), yet these past months the hot hatch – the first to bear the Pirelli name in a quarter century – has been the exclusive domain of our friends on the continent. But all this is about to change with its upcoming UK release.
Continue ReadingNew Concepts From Rema Tip Top
At this years Reifen exhibition, the emphasis for Rema Tip Top Automotive will be on new service concepts. In addition, the companys complete range of products and services will be on show on the 900 m2 stand and highly qualified specialists will be present to explain and demonstrate these products and services. There are only a few exhibitors who offer comprehensive system solutions, covering the whole range from high-quality products, through services to training and expertise. As an example of the latter, Rema Tip Top will be demonstrating its new training truck in a further exhibition area near the main stand. The truck provides mobile training concepts with the emphasis placed on runflats and UHP tyres. It also provides companies with a cost-saving option for training on site. The training truck will be the venue of a daily tyre-changing contest, where Germanys best tyre fitter will be selected. The winners will be awarded attractive prizes, and will also be featured on Rema Tip Tops website after the show.
Continue ReadingNew Concepts From Rema Tip Top
At this years Reifen exhibition, the emphasis for Rema Tip Top Automotive will be on new service concepts. In addition, the companys complete range of products and services will be on show on the 900 m2 stand and highly qualified specialists will be present to explain and demonstrate these products and services. There are only a few exhibitors who offer comprehensive system solutions, covering the whole range from high-quality products, through services to training and expertise. As an example of the latter, Rema Tip Top will be demonstrating its new training truck in a further exhibition area near the main stand. The truck provides mobile training concepts with the emphasis placed on runflats and UHP tyres. It also provides companies with a cost-saving option for training on site. The training truck will be the venue of a daily tyre-changing contest, where Germanys best tyre fitter will be selected. The winners will be awarded attractive prizes, and will also be featured on Rema Tip Tops website after the show.
Continue ReadingPneu-Logic to Supply 2 million RFID Chips to Mesnac in China
Advanced ID, a leading supplier of RFID systems to the tyre industry, is to supply millions of RFID chips to Mesnac through its Pneu-Logic division. Mesnac, a leading Chinese tyre production equipment and software maker yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to buy a minimum of 2 million chips. The agreement also includes a quantity of RFID readers. Tyres & Accessories understands that Qingdao-based Mesnac is already working through a stock of 100,000 chips bought for use in a “range of testing purposes.” No details of the financial terms have been disclosed. The deal is something of a coup for the Swadlincote, UK-based Pneu-Logic for two reasons: Firstly the scale of the deal ensures that there is a bright future for RFID use in tyre production, with signs that take-up could increase rapidly and substantially; and secondly because Mesnac is already applying the technology in both truck/bus tyres and passenger car products.
Continue ReadingAdvanced ID to Supply 2 million RFID Chips to Mesnac in China
Advanced ID, a leading supplier of RFID systems to the tyre industry, is to supply millions of RFID chips to Mesnac through its Pneu-Logic division. Mesnac, a leading Chinese tyre production equipment and software maker yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to buy a minimum of 2 million chips. The agreement also includes a quantity of RFID readers. Tyres & Accessories understands that Qingdao-based Mesnac is already working through a stock of 100,000 chips bought for use in a “range of testing purposes.” No details of the financial terms have been disclosed. The deal is something of a coup for the Swadlincote, UK-based Pneu-Logic for two reasons: Firstly the scale of the deal ensures that there is a bright future for RFID use in tyre production, with signs that take-up could increase rapidly and substantially; and secondly because Mesnac is already applying the technology in both truck/bus tyres and passenger car products. Yuan Zhongxhue, the chairman of the board at Mesnac, explained that the concept at this stage is to tag the tyres throughout the production process, with a view to uploading tyre data to a central and even web-based system. The UHF RFID technology is intended to establish a new level of transparency in tyre production and throughout the whole tyre life, which is key improving perceptions of the reliability and traceability of Chinese-produced tyres. Asked how long he thinks it will take for RFID to filter throughout the 300 million tyre Chinese market, Mr Yuan told T&A: “The projection is it shouldn’t take too long to filter through. In the Chinese philosophy when [one] decides something, you just do it.” The first stage of what Mesnac hopes will soon be a nation-wide roll out already underway trials. The crucial next stage is a national standardisation programme. In a market as large and diverse as the Chinese tyre business, this could be seen as something of a challenge. However, Mr Yuan’s decision to go down the RFID route carries a fair bit of weight in the Chinese market. In addition to being chairman of the board at Mesnac, Yuan Zhongxue is also a director of the Shandong Province Technical Center of Rubber Industry and Qingdao Municipal Major Laboratory of Industrial Information Technology. Even more importantly, from a lobbying perspective, the Mesnac chairman has a close working relationship with China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) president, Ju Hong Zhen. Speaking to T&A, Mr Ju explained that the CRIA is in the process of determining the relevant RFID requirements in China, adding that the industry’s interest in this area demonstrates the attention it is giving to improving the quality of and confidence in Chinese produced tyres. Chinese manufacturer to RFID-tag car tyres too In March Pneu-Logic sold a five-digit quantity of chips to an as-yet unnamed European tyre manufacturer for evaluation purposes for three-month long commercial vehicle tyre trials in Germany, Italy and the UK. It is understood that most of the leading manufacturers in Europe are in or approaching similar positions, but the logic here had previously been that RFID would be most useful for truck casing tracking in the retreading process. The Mesnac deal sees movement within the Chinese industry to include RFID tags virtually across the board, and specifically including passenger car products. In order to demonstrate this the Mesnac stand at the China International Rubber & Tyre Industry (Qingdao) Exhibition featured a car tyre and a 4x4 tyre with up to six RFID tags built in. Pneu-Logic managing director Laren Yeomans, explained that this was for demonstration purposes only and, when it comes to mass production, only one chip will be used in each tyre. Teamwork Qingdao Mesnac Co., Ltd, was established in 2000, but in this short time the company has developed key relationships with organisations both at home and internationally. At home Mesnac is involved with a postdoctoral research programme that sees the company join hands with CRIA and the Shandong Rubber Industry Association in the establishment of the Qingdao Rubber and Tire Engineering College. In addition, Mesnac has established a number of international cooperation agreements in order to keep up with worldwide technological advances. According to company literature, the Chinese manufacturing systems supplier has cooperated with Matador Machinery and Konstrukta in Slovakia and US-based Farrel in relation to the development of informatization equipment and technology of radial tyres. Furthermore the Mesnac brochure reports that it has strategic partnerships with world-renowned suppliers such as Siemens, Rockwell and Mitsubishi on the subject of industrial automation production. Mesnac’s relationships with Slovakian companies Matador and Konstrukta are well established and have been going for some time. Both deals agreements were formalized in November 2002, with the Chinese company cooperating with Konstrukta in the production of a 15-70 degree steel ply cutting machine and inner-liner extrusion line. By March 2003 the company was working with Matador on an all-steel, three-drum, radial tyre building machine. By May 2004 this particularly cooperation had expanded to include the establishment of an international technical centre and the manufacture of hydraulic curing machines and radial passenger tyre building machines with Matador. The Matador-Mesnac Technical Centre was opened at the same time, in parallel with the Shandong Rubber & Tyre Technical Centre.
Continue ReadingHiQ’s First Motorsport Forum
HiQ hosted its first ever motorsport forum at its Grays store on Thursday March 27, where Vauxhall driver Tom Onslow-Cole showed off his four wheels before answering questions about the championships. The event was the first of its kind ever staged, and was the ideal precursor ahead of the first round at Brands Hatch on Sunday. The aim of the forum was to bring the excitement of the BTCC into the community. The evening featured a question and answer forum with Tom Onslow-Cole and the Vauxhall team, an autograph signing session, competitions to win free tickets and computer simulations. Similar events are set to be staged at HiQ stores near to race tracks around the country as the championship progresses.
Continue ReadingPirelli P6 & Cinturato P4 Fare Well in UK, European Tests
Pirelli’s Cinturato P4, launched in January, and the Pirelli P6, has gained favourable attention from experts in the UK. The consumer magazine Which?, in the tyre test featured in its edition released February 28, has defined the two Pirelli products as the best in their respective categories. The magazine reviewed 99 premium and economy tyres in the nation’s two top-selling sizes – 195/65 R15V and 175/65 R14T. A total of seven Pirelli tyres were included in the test, including the Cinturato P4 in size 175/65 R14T and the P6 in both sizes. Following wet and dry grip testing plus evaluations of road noise and wear, the P4 was defined as the best tyre to buy thanks to its mileage under all examined parameters, so much so that it was recommended as a good value for money product. The P6 was evaluated as very safe and the best in its category in the important area of braking on wet surfaces.
Continue ReadingCrank It Up!
Sealey launches new products all the time and one of the latest additions is a range of ‘Cranked Handle Ratchet Wrenches with built-in LED’. Ergonomically designed and finished in Chrome Vanadium steel, the wrenches come as standard with comfort handle and anti-slip grip. For ease of use in restricted areas, they feature an ultra smooth 72-tooth ratchet action allowing ratcheting in increments of only 5º. The built-in LED light shines through sockets, illuminating the work area directly – particularly useful when working in and around engines where light is restricted. Sealey supplies these wrenches in three different drives, 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2”.
Continue ReadingSealey Vehicle Service Equipment Promotion
Sealey has launched its latest Vehicle Service promotion featuring nearly 400 of the hottest products for the professional Auto Engineer. The 32 page promotion includes a combination of new and innovative products and incredibly low priced deals, with up to 77 per cent off list prices. Amongst the many products featured is a new range of EOBD (European On-Board Diagnostics) Code Readers which save time and money by taking the guesswork out of fault-finding and diagnosis. Also available with 31 per cent off list price is the new VS8192 Colour Video Bore Scope - ideal for internal inspection of cylinder bores, engine components and other machinery/industrial applications.
Continue ReadingHakkapeliitta Truck E Points to New Truck Tyre Range
Nokian Tyres introduced the Hakkapeliitta Truck E a new tyre for trucks and buses, designed for the most demanding winter conditions. This new winter drive tyre is also the first member of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck product family. The tyres tread design features more than 1,100 efficient transverse sipes, forming a dense network that helps maximise grip. The tyre is also equipped with special sipe activators that are very sensitive to the road surface and rapidly activate the sipes, particularly in changing temperatures and road conditions. “Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck E is the result of years of intensive work; its a new-generation product that combines the excellent grip and resistance properties that professional drivers value very highly,” says Teppo Siltanen, Product Manager, Nokian Truck Tyres. Development work drew on the experiences of the highly commended Nokian Noktop 41 traction surface and the Nokian NTR-817 truck tyre.
Continue ReadingMichelin Challenge Design Announces 2009 Competition Theme
On January 15 Michelin announced the 2009 theme for its global vehicle design competition, the Michelin Challenge Design (MCD). As part of the latest competition, the French tyremaker is asking entrants to explore the future of transportation and share their vision of Americas Next Iconic Vehicle. Designers this year are asked to render unique vehicle concepts that demonstrate emotional appeal, design courage and technical execution when reviewed by a jury of transportation industry professionals, whose names will be announced later in 2008. Additional consideration will be given to entries with attributes that benefit safety and the environment and include a separate rendering of the tyre and wheel component assembly.
Continue ReadingPearls of the Orient
The thirty-fifth edition of the now iconic Pirelli Calendar – the first ever to be photographed in Asia – has been unveiled in Shanghai. Set entirely in China’s largest city, the calendar uses as a backdrop the picturesque streets of the old French Concession, the splendid gardens of the former British Legation, the mysterious and sensual atmosphere of forbidden China, the convulsive Nanjing Road and the characteristic tea houses. In each of the twenty-three portraits in this latest calendar (two for each month, except August) Pirelli aims to recount “the pomp of ancient China, with its splendour and the colours in which the Oriental myth of female beauty - perfection, purity, grace – is searched out.” Popular Chinese actress Maggie Cheung, featured in the 2008 calendar, explains this beauty: Very often I find Western people seem to go for the more cliché Chinese faces: long hair, slanted eyes. All that has changed I think. Many Chinese women are graceful; I think we have an inner grace thats more rare than you find in the West.”
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