Premium Archives - Page 63 of 112

Same tyre wins, placed last in tyre test

1st April 2015

Comparative tyre tests sometimes deliver surprise results, however there usually is a clear winner and loser. Not so in testing performed by Auto und Sachen magazine. The German publication selected nine size 205/55 R16 tyres produced by European and Asian manufacturers and rated them for various wet and dry criteria, and for environmental performance, in a ‘double blind’ test. All good so far: But the Auto und Sachen testers unwittingly tested one of the nine tyres twice, and voted it both the winner and wooden spoon recipient in the magazine’s “test of ten tyres”.

Will sale to ChemChina alter Pirelli’s motorsport focus?

30th March 2015

After the second grand prix of the second year of Pirelli’s second three-year stint as exclusive Formula One tyre supplier, Motorsport director Paul Hembery addressed questions about its F1 programme in the ChemChina-owned era. “For us, it’s business as normal,” Hembery told motorsport magazine, Autosport. Indeed, the centrality of top-level motorsport to the manufacturer’s brand – “Motorsport for Pirelli remains key,” in Hembery’s words – is an obvious attraction to a Chinese company buying into the premium manufacturer’s market positioning.

One tyre, three treads – Falken’s contribution to the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II

30th March 2015

A concept tyre produced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries offers a glimpse into how future drivers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, may be able to enjoy both sporty handling and efficiency. The Falken concept tyre features different tread areas in order to address the conflict between rolling resistance (and its influence on range) and the need to offer the sharp, sporty dynamics that sports SUV drivers expect.

Wayne Hemingway to give closing address at Tyre Industry Conference

27th March 2015

The NTDA has announced that Wayne Hemingway MBE will be the closing speaker at the Tyre Industry Conference on 1 October at the ICC, Birmingham. Hemingway is known as a designer, entrepreneur and broadcaster. He founded the famous Red or Dead label and shop, has been a forceful voice in sustainable and social responsible design and design education, and has designed everything from houses to sofas to garden sheds.

Is Yokohama’s Top Gear Live sponsorship in doubt after Clarkson dismissal?

26th March 2015

Now that Jeremy Clarkson must be considered an ex-Top Gear presenter, the future of the planned Top Gear Live arena tour also been called into question. Four shows due to take place in Norway were postponed with replacement dates yet to be announced while the BBC’s investigation into Clarkson’s behaviour was completed. Having reported its findings that Clarkson made “an unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on his producer on 25 March, it appears the shows, and the rest of the ambitious Top Gear Live arena tour, remain in jeopardy – a potential marketing headache for the UK tour’s title sponsor Gocompare, and tyre supplier, Yokohama.

Tuning in to RFID – ‘Chipping’ retreaded tyres saves time & adds value, says Roline

26th March 2015

Innovative practices aren’t only found amongst the big players in the retreading industry. One small Dutch firm has invested in a better way of keeping tabs on the tyres it retreads, and aims to extend this to the fleets it works with. In February, Tyres & Accessories spoke with Hans Jörg from Lopik-based retreader Roline, and learnt how a technology of interest to top level motorsport is being used in retreaded bus and truck tyres.

Buckinghamshire Merityre the latest to receive Pirelli Performance Centre upgrade

25th March 2015

Merityre Little Chalfont in Buckinghamshire is the latest Pirelli Performance Centre to receive an upgrade. The LED reception upgrades have been fitted to the waiting areas of selected Pirelli Performance Centres, in a scheme that will be rolled out across more of Pirelli’s most prestigious dealers in the future.

Pirelli/ChemChina deal, the story so far

24th March 2015

On 22 March 2015 Pirelli was sold to ChemChina in a move that was both broadly expected and yet surprising at the same time. Expected inasmuch as Pirelli’s top management had been hinting at an exit for the last couple of years. Surprising due to the identity of the successful bidder and because of the speed at which the acquisition appears to have been agreed. But it was not a surprise who had been in high level talks with the Chinese for around three years. Here Tyres & Accessories compiles the latest details relating to the enormously influential story and considers what the impact will be on the company itself as well as the wider market place.

Auto Bild tests 53 summer tyres

24th March 2015

Another tyre test win for Continental: Following on from its victory in the ADAC summer tyre test (size 185/60 R14 H), the PremiumContact 5 has beaten 52 other tyres to take top spot in Auto Bild magazine’s 2015 size 185/60 R15H summer tyre test, and was also voted Auto Bild’s ‘eco champion’ due to its low wear and rolling resistance.

Tyre test results mock European label ratings

23rd March 2015

If the latest tyre test published by auto motor und sport teaches us one thing, it is that consumers shouldn’t blindly trust the European tyre label. The German magazine tested nine highly-ranked summer tyres, yet some of the test results were at odds with the figures printed on EU tyre labels. The Kumho tyre – which achieved an ‘A’ label rating for wet grip – effectively failed the test, while the Bridgestone participant was only ‘conditionally recommended’. Auto motor und sport awarded top test honours to Continental’s SportContact 5.

Pirelli shareholding to be controlled by ChemChina

23rd March 2015

In the early hours of 23 March 2015 Beijing Time, ChemChina’s China National Tire & Rubber Co. (CNRC) subsidiary signed an agreement with Camfin S.p.A. to purchase Camfin’s 26.2 per cent Pirelli shareholding at 15 euros a share. This values Pirelli at around 7.1 billion euros (£5.15 billion pounds). A joint tender offer by ChemChina, Camfin and other investors on the rest of Pirelli’s shareholding is now expected to follow.

Starting with the first life – Obo Tyres finds a new solution to the casing shortage

20th March 2015

Should Europe’s retreaders play a word association game, most if not all would pair the word ‘casing’ together with ‘shortage’. The dearth of retreadable casings in certain sizes has been an issue for a number of years now, and as yet no end to the situation is in sight. Retreaders not content with idly sitting by and waiting for suitable casings to come their way have needed to be creative and find alternative ways of sourcing them. Obo Tyres is doing just that; the Netherlands-based company has decided to break its reliance upon the open used casing market by entering into a new business area, and recently spoke with Tyres & Accessories about its plans to ensure the ongoing prosperity and growth of its retreading operation.

New Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 optional original equipment tyre on Audi R8

18th March 2015

Michelin has specially developed a new variant of its Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high performance tyre for the original equipment fitment on the new Audi R8. The tyre is an optional fitment to be specified by customers, which can be identified by the RO1 marking on its sidewall. Michelin describes meeting the requirements of Audi as a technological challenge; engineers sought to combine high levels of dry grip to improve lap times on the track, without any compromise in safety on wet roads. The tyre sizes are 245/30ZR20 (front) and 305/30ZR20 (rear).

Guy Jones appointed Bridgestone North region business development manager

17th March 2015

Bridgestone has boosted its North region senior management team with the addition of a new business development role. Guy Jones, formerly of Land Rover and Kia, brings a wealth of automotive experience to the new Bridgestone management team, which has been revamped considerably in the last few months.

Toyo Tire anti-quake rubber controversy sends shockwaves through share price