4×4 Tyres
A new poll conducted by Continental Tyres Jeremy Clarkson has topped a poll of the Brits motorist would least like to share a driving adventure with. The controversial motoring journalist and TV presenter was rated as the worst person to share a 4×4 drive across the Sahara Desert. Hot on Clarkson’s heels was Katie Price. Prime Minister David Cameron came a close third.
Falken has introduced the Azenis FK453CC – a tyre specifically designed to improve the stability, feel and noise of vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, BMW X6 and Audi Q7, among others in the performance SUV segment.
Marangoni is turning heads in the automotive industry with the unveiling of its tuned-up Range Rover Evoque, which sports striking red tyres. Marangoni’s project car made its debut at Bologna Motor Show in December 2011, but it is already courting attention in 2012, with Auto Express remarking on its “wild styling” in the 18 January issue of the popular magazine. Now the car is touring the UK throughout January.
Cooper has launched its new 4×4 tyre for extreme conditions, the Discoverer S/T MAXX. The tyre’s compound and tread succeed the popular Discoverer STT. Cooper stated that the tyre will have its first serious test during the 2012 Dakar Rally, in which it will be fitted to Xavier Foj’s Toyota Land Cruiser 150; the third consecutive time the legendary Spanish driver will run on Cooper rubber. The tyre will be launched fully into Europe in February. It is M+S rated and available in sizes ranging from 16 to 18 inch.
SUV and 4×4 drivers are now able to join their car-owning brethren in fitting Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres to their vehicles. The newly launched line-up aimed at this segment is called the EfficientGrip SUV and Goodyear says it provides the road grip qualities found in the passenger car version of the EfficientGrip. The range is, adds Goodyear, available for a “solid range of SUV/4×4 vehicles”, from luxury/full-size vehicles through standard, compact and sub-compact ranges.
Titan International has confirmed its subsidiary Titan Tire Corporation paid “approximately US$9 million” for the physical assets of the Goodyear tyre plant in Union City, Tennessee, which closed in July 2011. Included in the purchase are around 480 acres of land and a 2.1 million square foot building. As part of the deal, Titan has agreed not to produce radial passenger car or 4×4 tyres at the factory and to scrap all curing presses and tyre building equipment that Goodyear requests to be scrapped. Titan will retain the scrap value of these items.
Tyre manufacturer Mitas Tyres Ltd and distributor B.A. Bush have developed a close working relationship which has helped to create benefits for both parties, with both companies reporting recession-beating performances as Tyres & Accessories found out.
With the recession biting hard, there has been a significant amount of turmoil in the tyre market. However, for two companies in the business, tyre manufacturer Mitas Tyres and tyre distributor B.A. Bush Ltd, the business outlook is apparently very positive.
Tyre manufacturer Maxxis has agreed a new distribution agreement with Stapleton’s Tyre Services. The UK’s largest tyre distributor will begin supplying Maxxis products from October 1 and an exclusive distribution arrangement will commence in January 2012. Stapleton’s representatives confirmed that the latest brand to enter its portfolio is an addition to the range and existing brands will remain as they are.
The news follows Maxxis’ recent decision to end its exclusive distribution deal with Grouptyre. Maxxis reports that it is pursuing “ambitious growth and brand development plans and to achieve these it is committed to improving range accessibility in the UK.”
Three members of the board of KRT have completed a management buy-out of the group – UK & Ireland (financed by GE Capital). The new company – Kings Road Tyres Group Ltd will be led by Adrian Bader (managing director), Mark Cooper (commercial director) and Simon Lister (financial director). Bader told Tyres & Accessories that the transition of company ownership is proceeding “seamlessly”, since “most of the people that were running the company before will be running the new company”.
Maxxis has announced that it is bringing back its “hugely popular” Maxxis Rewards programme for the remainder of 2011 and into next year. The initiative was suspended temporarily during the summer while the brand’s exclusive distribution agreement with Grouptyre was dissolved. Maxxis Rewards was previously run in conjunction with the wholesaler, and while Maxxis says it will continue to supply Grouptyre in the foreseeable future, the incentive programme will now be run through the company’s own website. Retailers are encouraged to register through the Rewards microsite, or to contact Denise Prout at Maxxis Internation UK.
Following the news that Maxxis has ended its exclusive relationship with Grouptyre, and with everything pointing to the likelihood that a new distributor will soon be announced, the company has announced how it intends to make a much broader range of its car, van and 4×4 tyres available.
According to a statement released by the company, while continuing to develop its profile and grow its share of the UK tyre market, Maxxis plans to ensure that its product portfolio is readily accessible to retailers across the whole of the UK.
Thieves have raided another parked HGV and stolen its load of tyres while its driver slept. This latest attack took place at the Barton Business Park, off the A38 in Staffordshire. According to local paper the Burton Mail, the driver of a lorry was woken by a ‘rocking’ sensation in the cab and saw four or five men who, having slashed the truck’s kerbside wagon, helped themselves to Pirelli motorcycle tyres. The tyres were loaded into a white mini van, which then drove off southbound along the A38.
Kings Road Tyres (KRT) has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor in for the Matador truck and bus tyre range. The Matador brand is part of the Continental family of products and is produced in Europe. KRT’s newly acquired range includes 17.5, 19.5, 20 and 22.5-inch tyres.
Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tyre has announced an increase in its activities within the European luxury SUV segment, with a range of high performance products including the Roadian HP in the size 325/35R28. This is the largest Roadian HP tyre, specially developed for tuned SUVs or high-performance recreational vehicles, such as the Car Film Components Hummer presented at the beginning of May the the Tuning World Bodensee 2011 show in Germany.
Currently Al-Saeedi runs six outlets around Dubai serving OTR, commercial vehicle, passenger car and industrial tyre consumers’ change and repair needs. However, Tyres & Accessories has learnt that the management is now considering further expansion in the capital city of Uganda, Kampala and in Kerala, India. Al Saeedi Group set up Tyrexpress (U) Ltd. in Uganda on 13 April 2010.
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