L-Ray offers differometric tyre analyser for under $100,000
Non-destructive tyre testing equipment provider L-Ray has launched its newest differometric tyre analyser model for the tyre manufacturing and retreading industry. The new MDA-48 series machines will use the same differometric technology as previous, more expensive models, but in a manual load/unload, two-camera configuration with a base price of under $100,000.
Continue ReadingToyo SEMA booth to feature four vehicle fitments
Toyo has announced three out of the four vehicles to be displayed on its stand at SEMA in Las Vegas. The Toyo Tires Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes custom Dodge Durango, the 2011 Ford F-150 Raptor by Street Concepts, and the BMW 5 Series based WALD F10 Black Bison will all feature, shod with the manufacturer’s rubber. Attendees visiting Toyo’s booth will also have the chance to win one of its special vehicles.
Continue ReadingMichelin launches 2012 Britain & Ireland guide
Some may dismiss British cuisine with a smirk and a lazy, generalising sweep of the hand, yet should they sample the wares featured in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2012, they’d quickly learn many such gastronomic assumptions simply aren’t worth their salt. A new edition of the guide was launched today, and for the first time ever its listings include a two-star British pub.
Continue ReadingTall and thin – Hankook unveils its EV concept tyre
Last month’s IAA motor show in Germany featured numerous concept vehicles. Concept tyres also made an appearance, including Hankook’s new concept for electric and hybrid vehicles, the Kinergy Eco EV. Described by the manufacturer as a “further development” of its spring 2011-launched Kinergy Eco, the tyre shown at the IAA featured tweaked contours to reduce air drag and rolling resistance below that of its production counterpart. Hankook also notes that the Kinergy Eco EV’s 155/70 R 19 dimensions give it an “unusually large” diameter (700mm) compared to its width.
Continue ReadingToyota winter tyre programme, supplied by Yokohama, Stapleton’s
Toyota has introduced a winter tyre programme, with Yokohama winter tyres supplied by Stapleton’s. Toyota secured its supply of “thousands of winter tyres” earlier this year suitable for most current – and many past – Toyota and Lexus models. Hybrids, in particular, are well catered for, with a healthy supply available for the 17-inch wheels featured on Prius, Auris Hybrid and the Lexus CT 200h. Toyota Centres will supply competitively priced tyres and carry out the changeover for vehicle owners, who can also store their standard set with the Centre until the spring.
Continue ReadingHankook to premier UHP, concept tyres at IAA
Tyre manufacturer Hankook will present its latest tyres along with what the company calls an exciting program at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt from 15-25 September 2011. Hankook’s booth (Hall 8, No. F03) will have world premieres of new premium ultra high performance tyres, next generation winter tyres, and a concept tyre specifically designed for electro vehicles.
Continue ReadingRTA’s Brodsky to address India conference
Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Retread Tire Association, will be a featured speaker at the Asian Tyre & Rubber Conference. The conference will be held in Chennai, India, on 2-3 December. Brodsky’s presentation will be retread quality and its importance to India.
Continue ReadingOrange oil Yokohama tyre becomes ‘museum piece’
The museum may be the last place you’d expect to see new-generation environmental tyres, yet Yokohama Tire is proud to announce that is exactly where specimens of its BluEarth-1 can be found. As of this autumn, the orange oil-infused tyre will be highlighted in a two-year exhibit as the Museum of Science in the US city of Boston. The “Making a Greener Tire” interactive display, which will be in the museum’s Transportation, Renewable Energy and Nanotechnology area, revolves around the BluEarth-1’s technology, which combines oil extracted from orange peels with silica and natural rubber to form “Super Nano-Power Rubber” (SNPR), a substance initially utilised in Yokohama’s dB Super E-spec tyre. Also to be featured is the BluEarth-1’s Airtex Advanced Liner, designed to reduce the amount of air loss from the tyre.
Continue ReadingBridgestone's Eco Rally showcases green technology
The Bridgestone Eco-Rally took place for the fifth year running this year and was more relevant than ever as motorists are hit in the pocket by ever-rising fuel costs.The rally started from Broad Street, Oxford at 10.00am on Sunday 31st July and culminated in the UK's largest sustainable transport exhibition at The Mall in London at 3pm, after a pitstop at the BRE Innovation Centre in Watford. As always the rally was a convoy of the world’s best low and zero emission vehicles from cars and motorbikes to vans, trucks and taxis.
Continue ReadingTAFF Awards 2011: Industry Advertising Campaign
This award category is sponsored by this magazine and in the past has showcased a series of creative and effective advertising campaigns, across a variety of media. Four of the finalists – Continental, Hankook, Michelin and Pirelli – are also nominees in the 'Tyre Manufacturer' category and they are joined this year by newcomer Infinity Tyres Europe. Winners for the past two years have been Continental – can they maintain their high standard?
Continue ReadingNZ tyre shop tackled over use of All Black name
Major football teams such as Manchester United and Germany’s HSV have gladly taken on tyre makers as sponsorship partners, but unauthorised affiliation is another matter entirely. A tyre shop in Auckland, New Zealand discovered this recently when it fell foul of the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Continue ReadingTrade Group golf day goes with a swing
The Directors of Trade Garage Equipment Limited, the garage equipment specialists, recently hosted their 2011 Golf Day at the superbly appointed Lingdale Golf Club, near Loughborough. Joining The Trade Group in celebrating a successful year's business together were their key supply partners including Rotary Lift, Maha, Permex, SPX, Alentec Orion and Hofmann Megaplan, amongst many others.
Continue ReadingTyres & Accessories May 2011
May's edition of Tyres & Accessories featured special reports on Retail/Buying Groups; Industrial Tyres and Van Tyres. Subscribers can view this in our online virtual e-paper format by clicking more.
Continue ReadingHamashima clarifies MotoGP tyre issues at Dutch TT
The assistant to director at Bridgestone’s Motorsport Tyre Development Division Hirohide Hamashima has released a statement discussing events at the Dutch TT last weekend. The event was lively from a tyre point of view, with riders disagreeing over whether to have the manufacturer supply new rear slicks before the Saturday practice and race – in the end they stuck to the original tyres – and cold conditions creating problems as riders chose to run a softer compound that was more susceptible to graining. Track temperatures were 29 degrees Celsius cooler than in 2010, while rain interrupted running every day and left the circuit very greasy.
Continue ReadingCooper Avon range supplying “strong demand” for mid-range UHP tyres
The high performance segment’s continued importance in Europe at a time when price consciousness is at a premium gives Cooper Avon’s brands an opportunity. Representatives of the company told Tyres & Accessories that: “The performance tyre sector of the market continues to be a core part of the brand strategy for Cooper and Avon. There is still a very strong demand from UK and European customers for products that deliver optimum grip and performance but at a less than premium price. Our commitment to this sector is illustrated by the development and introduction this March of the brand new Avon ZZ5 tyre. This is a UHP product that has been designed and manufactured in Europe for European roads and conditions… As another indication of Cooper’s commitment to the market, the Avon ZZ5 was also developed and tested on some of Europe’s most challenging roads and race circuit, including the famous Nürburgring, to help to ensure excellent high-speed durability.” The tyre will receive an official launch later in the year, but is currently available on the UK market, where it is also manufactured.
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