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Banner Supplies BMW with AGM Batteries for Hybrid Project

From June 2007, Banner is to equip the BMW 1 and 3 series with AGM technology batteries, which have a lead-acid basis and employ glass fibre nonwoven mats. This product offers the special cyclical resistance, which is needed for use in BMW’s gentle hybrid concept. The recovery of brake energy and an automatic start-stop system reduce CO2 emissions without any loss of engine performance. Banner now offers the AGM batteries in OEM quality and wishes to further expand its co-operation with BMW.

From June 2007, Banner is to supply the BMW plant in Regensburg with a 90Ah AGM battery for standard inclusion in the BMW 1 (3/5 doors) and 3 Series (Coupé). During the remainder of 2007, around 50,000 of these batteries are to be supplied to BMW and subsequently, the delivery volume is to be systematically increased through the linkage of additional BMW plants.

11th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Commended in Product Honours

Continental’s PremiumContact 2 tyre has been awarded a commendation by Auto Express, describing it as: “Among the best in the wet, particularly curved aquaplaning, and managed unlike most rain masters, to match that in the dry and in rolling resistance tests.”

Peter Robb, product manager at Continental said; “We are delighted to have been commended by Auto Express. The ContiPremiumContact 2 is a popular choice with car manufacturers as an original equipment fitting to their latest generation cars. This test result is proof of its outstanding performance. ”

The tyre is approved for the Mercedes-Benz C Class, the Audi A5, the Fiat Bravo, and Toyota Auris among many others. There is also a self supporting runflat version that has just been approved for the BMW 1 and 3 series.

The ContiPremiumContact 2 was a “best buy” recommendation for Which?’s 205/55 R16 V test in the leading magazines February issue. And this is not the first time that Continental has been commended in the Auto Express product honours after 2006 success with the ContiEcoContact 3 for supermini and city cars.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BERU Opens Extended R&D Centre

Beru, manufacturers of the Tire Safety System (TSS) tyre pressure monitoring equipment, have officially opened their extended research and development centre in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The extension, made necessary by the growing demand for the company’s sensor and ignition technology, sees the centre increase in floorspace by approximately 1,000 square metres.

The May 9 opening was presided over by Beru managing director for research & development and sales of original equipment, Dr. Rainer Podeswa. Speaking to industry, political and business representatives attending the ceremony, Dr. Podeswa said: “The extension is a visible sign of a long-term corporate policy and permanent investment in the future.”

10th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Amtel Brand Named Russia Superbrand

(Akron/Tire Review) For the second straight year, Amtel-Vredestein NV’s Amtel tire brand has been tapped as “Superbrand 2007” in Russia.

The Amtel brand was selected based on a series of polls and surveys of consumers and business analysts concerning product quality, brand awareness and brand recognition.

Other Superbrand 2007 winners included BMW, Samsung, VTB 24 and MasterCard.

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

India’s First BMW Plant Inaugurated

The first BMW factory constructed in India was officially inaugurated on March 29. Norbert Reithofer, BMW AG executive board chairman, was present at the Chennai facility for the occasion, and inspected a number of 3 Series saloons built at the factory since production began in February.

According to Reithofer, BMW expects to sell more than 1,000 cars in India during 2007 and has a medium term sales goal of 1,500 vehicles. In addition to the 3 Series the new factory will also produce the larger 5 Series, commencing in May. All cars rolling of the assembly line in Chennai are destined for the Indian market.

2nd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winner of Michelin Motorcycle Competition

A Mansfield man has won a BMW motorcycle in a competition run by Stoke-on-Trent based tyre company, Michelin. Mark Wagstaff, a self-employed HGV driver, entered the competition to win the Michelin shod BMW F800S worth £5,995 at a Motor Cycle News event in Skegness and was randomly picked from around 17,000 entries. The competition also ran in a number of motorcycle magazines.

12th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New ContiContact Run-Flat for BMW X5

The BMW X5 is to become the first vehicle to be OE fitted with new UHP summer run-flat tyres developed by Continental. Known as the ContiContact UHP, the new tyres will be available on the BMW as an all-round fitment in size 255/50 R 19 XL or can be combined with the 284/45 R 19 XL on the rear axle.

5th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama HPT Offers New Marque Specific Wheels

Yokohama HPT Ltd, UK distributor for numerous makes of alloy wheel, including TSW, Mangels and MAK, has added two more marque-specific brands to its portfolio – the Redbourne range, designed exclusively for Land Rover and Range Rover models, and August wheels, intended for the Audi range. Both ranges are manufactured in association with TSW.

22nd February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

F1 Drivers Lukewarm About New Tyres

Kimi Raikkonen has added his voice to that of Robert Kubica in complaining that Bridgestone’s 2007-spec Formula One tyres do not suit his driving style. BMW driver Kubica was the first driver to air his concerns about the harder Bridgestone compounds following tests last December.

When Autosport asked Raikkonen at Jerez whether he thought that the tyres suited his driving style the Finn replied, “No, not really”. He added “I think we need to work on the car to make it work for me. It is getting better all the time but it takes time to get used to (the tyres).”

9th February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Releases its First SAV Run-flat

Bridgestone has unveiled its first 4×4 run-flat for luxury sport activity vehicles (SAV). The company claims that their latest run-flat offering, the Dueler H/P Sport RFT, offers the same wet and dry handling, steering precision and comfort as the non-flat version launched at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.

2nd February 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vredestein Exhibits Cold-Weather Run-Flat at Autosport

Following on from run-flat product launches by Cooper and Marangoni Tyre last May, Russian-Dutch manufacturer Amtel-Vredestein threw its hat into the ring with the launch of its Wintrac Xtreme RF cold weather run-flat. Vredestein exhibited its latest offering behind a glass panelled display at the recent Autosport show in Birmingham. The new tyre will be available in 16 to 18-inch diameters, covering all the main sizes in this range (mainly BMW or similar fitments).

19th January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vettel Not Yet Burning Rubber

BMW-Sauber Formula One team test driver Sebastian Vettel has disclosed that he and the team are struggling to get their best out of the new Bridgestone tyres.

11th December 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone’s Wilson Facility Approved to Supply Run-Flats to BMW

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) has announced that its Wilson, North Carolina facility has sent its first shipment of Bridgestone run-flat (RFT) tyres to BMW. It is the first BFNT facility in the US to produce Bridgestone-brand run-flats. The 225/45R17 91W Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT tyres will be shipped to BMW’s assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina for original equipment application on the BMW Z4.

14th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Heidfeld: F1 Control Tyre Means Less Overtaking

BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld has told motorsport reporters that overtaking will be more difficult when F1 runs solely on Bridgestone tyres next season. “Overtaking always used to be difficult in Formula One and I think its going to remain difficult,” he said, adding: “When you’ve got different tyres, it’s more probable that the cars will take different turns at different speeds. In consideration of this fact, I expect the overtaking to become slightly more difficult.” The new F1 season is set to get underway in Australia in March, with the competitive difference of the tyres being eradicated by the fact that all 22 drivers will be running on the same rubber.

10th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

TRIB Writes Protest Letter to BMW

TRIB managing director, Harvey Brodsky, has written an open letter to BMW North America’s management after remarks against retreads were published in the BMW owners manual. According to TRIB, in the Tire Replacement section, Page 131 of the BMW Owners Manual, BMW wrote: “BMW advises against using retreaded tyres, since driving safety may be impaired. This is due to the possible variations in casing structures and, in some cases to their extreme age, which can lead to a decrease in their durability.” “We ask that this statement be removed from future printings because it is simply not true. The failure rate of retreaded tyres parallels that of the best new tyres and there is ample evidence to back up this statement,” Brodsky replied in his letter. TRIB sent a copy of the letter to all its members.

26th October 2006/by Tyrepress Editors