In order to create an affinity with its well-armed target audience, General Tire has recruited a former Green Beret to star in a new US-market print advertising campaign. Grady Powell has signed on as the gun-toting protagonist in the new “Anywhere Is Possible” campaign, which will promote the Grabber tyre range in magazines such as Guns & Weapons, Combat Handguns, Tactical Weapons, and Recoil. The campaign begins in April 2013.
Visitors to Bauma 2013 may be mistaken for thinking ‘WOW’ stands for WithOut Walking – as BKT, who recently adopted the three-letter word as its new advertising slogan, is sponsoring the show’s entire fleet of rickshaws. Weary-footed visitors will be ferried from one end of the Munich Trade Fair Centre to the other courtesy of the tyre maker, and each rickshaw will simultaneously serve as a mobile billboard.
Dutch off-road tyre company Magna Tyres Group is presenting a wide range of OTR tyres at April’s Bauma 2013 show in Germany, including its largest 57-inch fitment.
During the course of 2012, Continental expanded its retail network in China by some two-thirds, and this year it looks to grow by a further 40 per cent. Beijing-based publication China Daily reports Jay Dhillon, general manager of Continental Tires China, as calling 2012 the company’s “most successful year” in terms of its retail operation. He shared that 1,000 new authorised franchised shops were added to Continental’s network, giving it a total of 2,500.
Bus and coach registrations declined 22.8 per cent to 1,034 units in March and the first quarter of the year has ended 17.3 per cent down on last year, posting 1,937 units for the year-to-date. Purpose-built bus and coach registrations fell 18.6 per cent to 456 units for the month. Converted bus registrations also fell in the month, 25.9 per cent to 578 units.
The organiser of last month’s Pneu Expo in France reports that 100 exhibitors from 17 countries displayed their wares at the three-day show. Exhibitor numbers were thus similar to the previous show, and organiser Editions VB says two thirds of the 2013 exhibitors have signed up for the next event.
Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge, has been named Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month by the road safety charity Brake and Direct Line Group for his work campaigning for 20mph limits in his constituency and across the UK.
The GO 20 coalition, launched by Brake in Road Safety Week 2012, calling for 20mph to become the norm across built-up areas, so children and adults can walk and cycle for their health and enjoyment, and for cheap and sustainable travel, without being or feeling endangered.
The organiser of Tyrexpo Asia 2013 recorded a “substantial increase in visitors” to this year’s Singapore show. Exactly 4,355 individual visitors from 97 countries attended the trade exhibition held at the Singapore Expo Centre between 19 and 21 March, an increase of 22.5 per cent in comparison to the 2011 show’s prior record. Exhibitor numbers at the 2013 show were 64 per cent higher than two years ago, with 250 suppliers displaying their products at Tyrexpo Asia 2013.
Croatia has been cleared to join the European Union (EU) as earlier as July, according to online news reports including BBC News.
However, the process is not yet complete. It won’t be until all 27 member states have ratified the agreement that it can go ahead. That said 19 member states have reportedly signed off on the Balkan state's EU accession. But it was not without criticism. A commission monitoring report is quoted by theparliament.com as saying the country needs to take further steps to tackle organised crime and corruption. Nevertheless Deutsche Welle cited an EU report as saying: "The commission concludes that Croatia will be ready to join the EU on 1 July 2013.”
Calling all keen motorcyclists: BEN – the automotive industry charity, has a very special event planned for you this summer. Between the 22nd and 25th June, riders will embark from the UK on a route through four countries to reach the second highest pass in the Alps – the Stelvio Pass in Italy.
Maxxis launched its latest 4×4 product, the Trepador Competition at Autosport 2013. The tyre, designed to improve control on difficult terrain, has a multi-stage staggered shoulder pattern and nylon belt reinforced construction, and is designed to offer dealers the possibility of good margins. Maxxis invited specialist 4×4 tyre dealer Jerry Hunt of SETYRES in Portsmouth to join the manufacturer, and he declared himself impressed with the brand and new product.
Michelin’s status as a culinary authority will come in handy at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (FoS) 2013; during this year’s event the tyre maker and Michelin guide publisher will draw visitors in with cooking demonstrations by Michelin starred chefs on its main exhibition stand.
Yokohama has a wide range of 4×4 tyres in the aftermarket, with recent original equipment deals testament to the brand’s on and off-road credentials. The Advan ST ‘MO’ is an OE fitment for Mercedes-Benz and the 2013 Toyota Rav4 sports the new Geolandar G91AV pattern as original equipment.
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It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Once again, Michelin’s guide inspectors have travelled through 20 countries looking for the best hotels and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. The result of their labours is the 32nd edition of the Michelin guide Main Cities of Europe. The 2013 issue of the gourmet’s bible offers a selection of 3,728 establishments, including 2,154 restaurants and 1,574 hotels.
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