4×4 Tyres
Netherlands-based international wholesaler, Van den Ban, prides itself on being able to provide a comprehensive range of competitively priced tyres and, furthermore, describes itself as a leading player within the highly competitive UK market. In November VDB launched a new e-commerce site which is said to provide clients with an even more user friendly system that constantly updates prices.
After 30 years of experience in the tyre business, Viking continues to improve its service. In the last year the company has made significant operational changes to improve customer service levels including a complete restructure of Viking’s van runs to increase delivery frequency for customers. The large-scale wholesale operation runs eight warehouses and a fleet of over 100 specialist delivery vehicles, Viking provides a flexible and responsive daily delivery capability throughout the country.
Viking’s popular online ordering system provides customers with real time access to tyre stock, tyre pricing and account management information. The facility has been enhanced with the addition of Viking’s entire exhaust range and has been promoted in the trade press throughout the year.
A group of 4×4 tyre dealers were flown out to Morocco recently, to take part in a 4×4 desert rallying experience, courtesy of BFGoodrich. As part of the five-day trip, the group enjoyed the chance to co-drive with official members of the five-times Paris Dakar winning Mitsubishi team. The group was selected by Michelin’s appointed wholesaler for BFGoodrich in the UK, Southam Tyres. Southam Tyres is the largest distributor of 4×4 tyres in the UK, and selected the dealers in recognition of their continued support of the BFGoodrich brand.
C-Tyres Ltd, the UK-based manufacturer of the Colway and Greenway brands of retread tyres, points out that more and more off-road enthusiasts enjoy the C-Trax Mud Terrain tyres, with an increasing number of 4×4 users who predominantly drive “off-road” opting for Greenway specialist off road tyres.
Cooper will be unveiling its new run-flat technology at the Essen show. The Cooper Zeon 2XS run-flat tyre is designed and manufactured to handle typical air loss situations, allowing motorists to drive on safely for up to 50 miles to their destination or suitable service station. Cooper Tire will be at stand 3-322, exhibiting products including Cooper, Avon and Mickey Thompson tyres.
Reifen Gundlach is demonstrating its status as a leading European tyre wholesaler at the Reifen 2006 international exhibition. Besides its main GT-Radial brand (exclusively distributed in Germany), Reifen Gundlach will present the new Prestivo private brand and its new “Advanti Racing” alloy wheel brand. Furthermore the established Com4wheels wheel brand will be shown as well as some new designs developed for this spring season.
Avex Trade Ltd. from the Czech Republic is acknowledged worldwide as an expert in tyre rack storage solutions and is one of the biggest producers of steel storage systems for tyre, automotive, nuclear and chemical industries. Avex exports most of its production and the daily production capacity reaches 80 tons. Development is on-going and Avex is ready to cooperate with its customers on finding new solutions. Powder paint, hot dip and cold galvanization are available for surface treatment. Customers can benefit from Avex’s more than 10 years’ experience.
BFGoodrich, seven times winner of the Dakar Rally since 1999, is poised to introduce a number of new 4×4 tyres to its range in 2006. These are the All-Terrain T/A Comp, aimed at off-road rallying competitors, the Krawler T/A® KX, scheduled for launch in Europe in May, plus four new dimensions for the Macadam T/A.
Fulda Tyres has a reputation as something of an off-road specialist, with an impressive 4×4 range of tyres. There are seven patterns available covering both on and off-road use, providing the customer with the perfect tyre for every application.
Designed specifically for 4×4 Sports Utility Vehicles on the road, the latest addition to the Fulda 4×4 Range is the Fulda 4×4 Road. This tyre offers the same benefits as mid-to-high-end passenger cars with the additional advantages of a 4×4 design. It is aimed in particular at models such as the BMW X5, Chrysler Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Range Rover, VW Touareg and similar vehicles. The new tyres are designed and built to give increased road safety, road comfort and economy for the driver.
With the popularity and diversity of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) continuing to increase in the UK, sales of 4×4 tyres are soaring with Bridgestone claiming that its Dueler range is once again outperforming the market. While the overall 4×4 tyre market increased by 10 per cent in the UK between December 2004 and December 2005, sales of Bridgestone’s Dueler 4×4 tyres increased by 18 per cent over the same period. These figures come on the back of a remarkable 314 per cent increase in sales between 1999 and 2004, during which time the market grew by 181 per cent.
The Maxxis bias ply M-8060 Trepador competition tyre has enjoyed considerable off-road success – so much so that Maxxis has developed a radial version for day-to-day use. The M-8060 Trepador radial is designed to combine excellent traction with smooth handling and is available in 37×12.5 17, 37×12.5-16 and 40×13.5-17 sizes.
An aggressive directional tread element arrangement ensures a uniform tread contact area for sure-footed handling on all wet and dry surfaces, while the multi-stage staggered shoulder lugs give added control on uneven terrain, especially boggy ground and snow.
Multi-curve tread siping not only improves traction on loose dirt, but also enhances braking and driving performance. A double steel belt construction improves puncture resistance and provides long-lasting wear and uniformity, while a jointless spiral-wrapped full nylon cap boosts strength and stability.
It’s time once again to vote for the winners of the NTDA Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) Awards. These were introduced last year and immediately became the awards that everyone wanted to win, as it is the customers who decided the outcome.
For nearly three decades, the East Anglian company Bickers has been developing the Maxxis brand in a number of niche markets, including motorcycles and scooters, Moto-X, ATV and lawn care. Now, following the establishment of a joint venture between Maxxis and Bickers (Maxxis International UK plc), a concerted effort will be made to develop the brand – especially in the passenger car tyre and LCV markets.
The Tyre Wholesalers Group of the NTDA held its Annual Lunch on Wednesday 23rd November and Chairman Peter Gaster, of Kings Road Tyres, gave brief details of the recent survey carried out by the group – the first for two years. Brief highlights follow.
In the last winter season, the Western European winter car tyre market grew by 7.9 per cent – a fair way above average. During this time some 35.5 million units were sold on the replacement market. As far as the 2005/2006 season is concerned, current Europool figures suggest that it will be another good season for winter and/or cold weather tyres, whatever you call them.
The 4×4 and light truck markets are also likely to demonstrate a continued equalisation between summer and all-season tyres on the one side of the statistics and winter tyres on the other. The European tyre industry claims to be thoroughly prepared in terms of merchandise planning. However one exception is stocks of winter tyres featuring run-flat capabilities.
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