Yokohama’s UK distributor, Yokohama HPT, saw the Autosport Show as a great opportunity to launch Mangels Wheels. The addition of the Brazilian brand is designed to complement the company’s existing portfolio, which includes well-known names like TSW and MAK. The range includes designs for the growing performance road car and sport SUV segments. Yokohama HPT will exclusively distribute the new wheels in the UK.
The Sun VIC 3000 ATL Automatic Test Lane, from Snap-on Diagnostics, has been approved by VOSA for MoT testing.
Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager of Snap-on Diagnostics, said that the VIC 3000 ATL is available in Class IV and Class VII configurations and is one-man operated. He went on: “It is very easy to operate and uses a Windows-based software package that guides the operator through the testing procedure using icon driven command sequences for testing brakes, suspension and side slip. It offers rapid vehicle inspection diagnosis, is fast and accurate and also offers the possibility to integrate other Snap-on Diagnostic products into the Test Lane.”
Confusion over the difference between retreads and re-grooved tyres means retreads may not be phased out of the Malaysian market after all. The news comes after Malaysian transport Ministry Secretary General Datuk Mohd Safaruddin raised the hackles of retreaders worldwide, by reportedly saying that the use of retreaded tyres would be phased out of his country. Digging deeper it appears that the combination of the dishonest sales of regrooved tyres as re-treads and some language confusion has clouded the issue.
In a move which is certain to raise the hackles of retreaders worldwide, Malaysian transport Ministry Secretary General Datuk Mohd Safaruddin has said that the use of retreaded tyres on all forms of vehicles in the country will be phased out.
During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.
Hi-Q, is offering free motoring health checks this winter in an effort avoid the kind of car problems that leave drivers out in the cold. With this winter forecast to be one of the coldest in over a decade, many more demands are going to be made of drivers and vehicles.
With some weather forecasters expecting a cold winter, Stapletons Tyre Services is urging motorists to ensure their vehicles and tyres are in tip-top condition to brave through the icy winter roads. Stapletons retail centres across the country are offering motorists a free winter check on their vehicles.
Stapletons Tyre Services has made a substantial investment in the relocation and improvement of its Watton branch. Motorist can now benefit from a brand new, dedicated fast fit and exhaust centre.
STS Holburn Tyre and Exhaust Centre in Watton was recently launched by ex-Norwich City FC Goalkeeper, Bryan Gunn. The centre, based at Brecklands Business Park, off Norwich Road hosted a family fun day in conjunction with the official launch, where motorists and families enjoyed competitions, give-aways and discounts on tyres and exhausts.
Kalyani Brakes Ltd, Bosch’s Indian subsidiary has set up a joint venture with Italian brake company Brembo. The two businesses are set to establish a 50:50 joint-venture company for the application engineering, production and sales of motorcycle brakes following an agreement signed on 17 October 2005.
(Akron/Tire Review) ArvinMeritor is selling the assets of its off-highway brake business to Carlisle Braking Products, owned by Carlisle Companies Inc. The business, which includes equipment and assets from manufacturing facilities in York, SC, and South Wales, UK, was sold for approximately $39 million.
According to Chip McClure, ArvinMeritor chairman, president and CEO, the sale of the company’s off-highway brakes operation is in line with ArvinMeritor’s strategy to focus on its Light and Commercial Vehicle Systems unit.
Alcoa has developed a new wheel for the Axor construction vehicle together with DaimlerChrysler. The new product does not have any hand holes and has been developed to protect the vehicle’s disc brakes from sand and gravel on the drive axle.
The “workhorse” wheel has the same load and mounting characteristics as a standard Alcoa wheel and will be on display at the DaimlerChrysler stand at the up and coming European Road Transport Sow in Amsterdam.
It is available in three sizes: 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00 and 22.5 x 11.75 and in a Diamond Brite finish.
The South African retreading business obviously has some work to do judging by an article on health website, Health24.com. The article listed 21 supposedly hazardous activities under the subtitle “dangerous things no-one should ever do.” Among them were the usual suspects – leaving medication lying around within reach of toddlers; swimming in the sea when you have had too many; not keeping guns locked in a safe and unloaded.
Most would agree that these are all potentially dangerous activities. However, the list also included “driving with worn or retreaded tyres and not regularly checking your brakes.” Now, the industry would surely agree that driving on worn tyres is a bad idea and not checking your brakes is equally stupid, but running on retreads? What do you think about Health24’s comments and what can be done to improve public perceptions of retreaded tyres? E-mail info@77.237.250.82 to have your say.
Following numerous complaints from pickup and SUV owners, General Motors Corp has issued a US recall for 804,000 of its Chevrolet and GMC branded vehicles. The complaints refer to a problem caused by corrosion from road salt gets in between the casing surface and the sensor of the manufacturer’s ABS system. The problem is reported to lead to false readings, causing the anti-lock brakes to activate at the wrong speeds, alarming drivers and making stopping difficult.
Auto parts supplier TRW Automotive Inc. said on Thursday it plans to close a Michigan brake components plant by July 2006 because of increasing industry pricing pressures.
Kwik-Fit Fleet says that safety concerns by fleets have led to record levels of company car and van brake inspection and replacement work.
Last year, Kwik-Fit Fleet launched a major brake initiative aimed at winning an increased share of the UK company car brake replacement market. The result was an increase in the volume of fleet-specific brake work at the company’s centres of 41 per cent on 2003 levels. And this trend has continued in the first half of this year, with a near 40 per cent rise in fleet brake-related work compared with the first six months of 2004.
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