After a week on the road, travelling some 1,000 miles to the Arctic Circle, the 2013 Fulda Challenge has ended with Team Austria at the top of the table. The Austrian team, made up of Renate Reingruber and Andreas Leiter, secured overall top points in the ten events in this year's Challenge. Reingruber and Leiter also respectively secured the number once place on the female and male athletes' tables.
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Continental AG reports that 2012 was another record year for the automotive supplier. Despite slumping auto markets in Europe, the corporation reports in preliminary figures that it boosted 2012 sales by more than 7 per cent to approximately 32.7 billion euros. At around 10.7 per cent, the adjusted EBIT margin topped the previous year's figure of 10.1 per cent.
BEN has announced the date for its 2013 BEN Scotland Ball. An acknowledged highlight of the Scottish automotive calendar, the Ball is now in its 15th year and is returning to the prestigious Crowne Plaza Hotel Glasgow on Saturday 2nd March 2013. The Ball is a key fundraising event for BEN which, thanks to activities such as a charity auction, traditionally raises a substantial sum for the charity.
American tyre news source Tire Review has broken the news that Bridgestone Americas is to resurrect its Dayton medium truck tyre brand. The manufacturer discontinued the brand on the first day of 2011, and was said to have distributed its remianing inventory in the second half of 2010. Bridgestone issued its own statement on Daton confirming that "renewed interest from drivers, small fleets and managers" had led to the revival of the US manufactured product.
Infinity-sponsored golfer, Virginia Espejo, recently qualified for the Ladies European Tour 2013 during the LET 2013 qualifying school, which was held at Morocco’s Al Maaden Golf and Amelkis Golf clubs, in Marrakech.
Releasing its figures on commercial vehicle registrations for December, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders described 2012 as "a tough year", during which the market dropped by -5.9 per cent to 285,343 units.
From 1 January 2013 the QH Brake Discs range of 2,000 standard, high carbon and black discs will be packaged as single parts, adding convenience and flexibility to this very popular product. Category manager Jon Haywood explains why the change of packing policy has been implemented:
US trade body Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has reported that tyre shipments remained unchanged in 2012 at 284 million units, as an increase in OE shipments offset a decrease in replacement shipments. Furthermore, the association predicted a 2 per cent rebound in tyre demand during the course of 2013.
With the aim of further improving its financing structure and maturity profile, while enhancing its flexibility, Continental has refinanced its syndicated loan, which is due in April 2014. Within the scope of the planned refinancing, the loan volume is to be reduced slightly – to a total of 4.5 billion euros – and split up into two tranches with different maturities: a 1.5 billion euro term loan with a term of three years, and a five-year revolving 3 billion euro credit facility. Conti also intends to “ease the documentation complexity” through this refinancing.
Bike Tyrestore plans to introduce a new Sava range to UK customers at the Motorcycle Trade Expo show in Birmingham in the second half of January. This new product, the Sportforce radial, is aimed at riders of sports, naked and Supermoto motorcycles as well as for riders of sports touring machines who enjoy dynamic rides.
Kwik-Fit has confirmed it will sponsor one of the award categories in the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2013 and also serve as an associate sponsor. The fast fitter is sponsoring the Reader Award for the most exciting car of 2013.
Toyo Tires has secured its first original equipment deal with Mitsubishi in the United States, and the manufacturer says this initial agreement involves the supply of tyres to the most popular Mitsubishi sold in that particular market. Models of the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport crossover sold with 18-inch aluminium wheels will be fitted with Toyo’s A24 in size 225/55R18.
Early next year Michelin will launch several new motorcycle products. Available from the start of 2013 is the replacement for Michelin’s Power One Track, the Power SuperSport. The new tyre is said to slot between the Street and Power One Power Cup in Michelin’s motorcycle line-up, and be intended for 50-50 road/track use. One front wheel size – 120/70-17 (58W) – and four for the rear wheel – 180/55-17 (73W), 190/50-17 (73W), 190/55-17 (73W) and 200/55-17 (78W) – have been announced.
Use in tyres, particularly in harsh environments such as underground mines, is just one of a number of areas the product of a new partnership will be applied to. Specialty chemicals company Chemtura Corporation and machinery firm Caterpillar Inc. have announced their entry into a joint venture agreement to explore “novel applications” for Chemtura’s Duracast hot-cast urethane pre-polymer technology for construction and mining equipment.
A package of measures promised as part of the Red Tape Challenge is being launched for consultation by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond today. The consultation looks at ways of streamlining the way in which operators have to comply with regulations around drivers' hours; tachographs and the support of green technology.
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