When Vipal opened up European sales offices in 2005, the Brazilian retreading materials supplier was just starting out in the collection of disparate markets that make up the continent. Now European sales make up nearly 15 per cent of the companyâs global turnover. With this in mind and with growth still top of the agenda, Tyres & Accessories asked Vipal Europe general manager Alessandro Bottesini Campos how this happened and what is happening next.
Spring 2014 launch for Hankookâs Ventus V12 evoÂČ
Hankook says it is rejuvenating its line-up for the refitting/tuning market and in spring 2014 will introduce a new high performance wide tyre, the Ventus V12 evoÂČ. In addition to considerable improvements in all performance parameters over the prior-generation Ventus V12 evo, the manufacturer reports that environmental characteristics were also a key element for the development team when creating the V12 evoÂČ.
Avon Tyres British GT to conclude at Donington Park
Donington Park hosts the finale of eth Avon Tyres British GT Championship on 5-6 October, and both the GT3 and GT4 titles are still to be decided. Only 21 points separate the top seven drivers in the GT3 standings. Tyre supplier and title sponsor Avon Tyres declared itself âvery proud to have been involved and to continue to be involved with such a strong race championship.â
AM Bromley has unveiled a new OTR (off the road) Tyre Monitor System that utilises telematics technology to provide cost-savings as well as safety and tyre life improvements. Developed in collaboration with ENAiKOON, the global leader in telematics communications, the new system combines AM Bromleyâs Tire Monitor System (TMS) with ENAiKOONâs advanced tracking software to deliver an integrated system that offers real-time, anytime reporting for large off-road vehicles.
Whatâs in a name? Keeping a good name means as much in business as in life. When it comes to online marketing it arguably means even more. For the last nine years Tyres & Accessories has surveyed the prominence and sentiment of tyre brand names in the online world. Weâre not experts in the very specialist and highly technical research field so we have spent all this time partnering with a company in silicon fen, which knows a whole lot more about this than we do. Previously our research partners were known as Envisional, but in the year since our last report the company has re-branded itself as NetNames. Nevertheless it is the same system and therefore it continues to be comparable with our data archive.
Fiat selects 2 Goodyear tyres to equip 3 new 500 models
Goodyearâs EfficientGrip and Vector4Seasons have been selected by Italian car manufacturer Fiat to fit its latest 500 models, including the 500C and the new 500L Trekking. The models will be supplied with tyres in size 195/45R16 84V. Fiat has selected Goodyearâs EfficientGrip for the 500 and 500C cabrio version, while the Fiat 500L Trekking will roll on the Vector4Seasons. The popular mini is available in more than 100 countries, with over 1.1 million cars produced since 2007.
Vredestein reaping benefit of merged Facebook presence
The various local Vredestein Facebook pages were recently merged into a single global account in order to give the companyâs products better international exposure, and Vredestein reports gaining more than 10,000 fans within the space of four weeks as a result. The new global page can be found at www.facebook.com/Vredestein.
Govt grant for Dunlop Aircraft Tyresâ Airbus project
A ÂŁ1.5 million government grant is winging its way to Dunlop Aircraft tyres. The grant was awarded by the Governmentâs Technology Strategy Board and the funds will aid the Birmingham-based company in its development and testing of tougher, lighter aircraft tyres.
Bridgestone claims it âpushes back the boundaries of performance and tyre lifeâ with it latest trailer axle truck tyre, the R168Plus, and states the tyre offers vastly superior tear resistance, lower rolling resistance and longer tyre life.â The R168Plus will be available in size 385/65R22.5 as of 1 October and is aimed at both the original equipment and replacement markets.
This winter, Michelinâs first European market winter tyre for scooters will hit the roads. The new range has been named City Grip Winter and is specifically designed for safe riding on wet and snow-covered road surfaces. Michelin says the M+S labeled City Grip Winter aims to offer optimum grip on surfaces while giving a comfortable ride and high total mileage; in order to develop a tyre that delivers performance in these three areas, Michelin reports pulling several technical innovations from its bag of tricks.
Mitas has entered the motorcycle radial business with the global launch of the Sport Force. The new tyre is manufactured in Slovenia by Savatech, the former Sava rubber manufacturing division acquired by Mitasâ parent company CGS Holdings in October 2012. Sport Force is a sport and touring range that is initially available in three front and five rear sizes.
Goodyear retreads to launch alongside new tyre lines
A point of difference between the introduction of Goodyearâs new Kmax and Fuelmax truck tyre lines and that of previous generation tyres is that retreaded versions of the Kmax and Fuelmax will be available from day one. âIn the past we made a clear division,â notes Rupert Kohaupt, Goodyear Dunlopâs commercial vehicle tyre sales director for emerging markets. âWe introduced a new product and took the approach that the demand for retread versions of the range would first come when the tyres were worn. We would wait a year or 18 months before introducing the retread version into the market.â
Uniroyal has launched the latest generation of its wet weather-orientated RainSport line. However as much as this launch is a definite upgrade and refresh of its classic wet product after more than a decade in service, the move also represents a renewal of attention on the very well established brand. As well as bringing the RainSport range into the labelling age (every single fitment in the wide 185/55 R14 to 305/30 R19 range has scored an A in wet grip), the RainSport 3 seeks to extend its âbest in wetâ reputation further with a few percentage points of improvements in virtually every other respect as well. The exceptions are wear and noise, which remain relatively static compared with the predecessor product.
Goodyear commercial ranges address specific fleet requirements
When viewing current regulatory and competitive trends, few fleet operators harbour the illusion that life will get easier in future. Fleet operators in the UK and Western Europe must contend with rising costs and ever-stricter regulations, along with increasing competition from markets further east and a need to maximise payloads. Generally speaking, any measure that offers a cost-saving advantage is now being taken very seriously, including when it comes to tyres. But while this drive towards cost effectiveness is occurring industry-wide, fleet priorities differ depending on the routes driven and the cargoes hauled. While some consider total mileage of utmost importance, others place fuel efficiency at the top of their list.
Pirelli may be Italian, but its world-famous calendar began life here in the UK, the baby of the companyâs British marketing team, which was given the task of producing a calendar for Pirelliâs most valued clients and associates. This year, the British-born âCalâ celebrates its half-century, and Tyres & Accessories spoke with Pirelli Calendar project coordinator Julie Naylor about the origins of the Calâs success, how it has developed over the course of five decades and what meaning it maintains in Pirelliâs marketing mix alongside the Italian firmâs Formula One involvement.
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