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Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.

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Cambrian Dealers Win Free Bridgestone Rubber

Tyre retailers from Colchester and Weymouth have secured free Bridgestone rubber to reward their support of a prize draw aimed at promoting bike safety. Sean Davies, of Sean Davies Service & Repair, and Alison Bethell, of Full Throttle, each won of a set of Battle Wing tyres after encouraging customers to win an off-road skills weekend in South Wales in return for a free tyre health check. Bridgestone UK also used the promotion with Cambrian Tyres to raise awareness of its new Battle Wing BW 501-502 pattern, which is designed for road and off-road use on powerful adventure sports bikes.

Sean and Alison were among scores of Cambrian account holders to get involved, submitting entry forms on behalf of customers who fancied the thrills and spills of off-road riding.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Turanza Now OE on New Chrysler Minivans

(Akron/Tire Review) The Bridgestone Turanza EL40002 will be the OE tyre on the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited. The T-rated tire, in size P225/65R17, will also be optional equipment on the Chrysler Town & Country Touring and the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

FIA Reveals Details of McLaren Ferrari Scandal

The FIA has released details of the email conversation between Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa that led to McLaren being excluded from this year’s Formula One constructor’s championship amid accusations of spying. Interestingly, the emails which were exchanged over the course of three months centred Ferrari’s tyre inflation gas, brakes and weight distribution.

According to the FIA, de la Rosa emailed Alonso on 25 March identifying identified an unspecified gas that Ferrari uses to inflate its tyres to reduce the internal temperature and blistering. The e-mail concludes with a statement (in relation to the gas) that “we’ll have to try it, it’s easy!”

Alonso replied that it is “very important” that McLaren test the gas that Ferrari uses in its tyres as “they have something different from the rest”, and “not only this year. There is something else and this may be the key; let’s hope we can test it during this test, and that we can make it a priority!” de la Rosa replied stating the following: I agree 100% that we must test the [tyre gas] thing very soon.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Wins Evo Tyre Test

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric has taken its first major independent tyre test victory, with ‘Evo’ magazine declaring the latest Goodyear ultra-high performance tyre as the winner in a comparison of nine brands. The test was particularly significant because the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric topped the handling tests in both wet and dry conditions.

The test took place at the Bridgestone Research and Development centre, and measured handling, aquaplaning resistance and braking using a Volkswagen Golf GTi. The Goodyear set the fastest lap times in wet and dry conditions, generated the most cornering force and had the shortest stopping distance in the wet. The test drivers raved about the Goodyear performance: “The steering feels clean, direct and positive. It is a decisive win for the new Goodyear” stated Jethro Bovingdon from Evo.

17th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres and Tubes for Today’s Market

Through almost 60 years of trading, the company, a major player in the UK Tyre Wholesale sector, has experienced many changes in this ever-evolving industry, from the early days of crossply tyres, to the now, commonplace radial tyre. Coupled with this the extensive development of the varying aspect ratios now required to meet the many needs and applications of not only road transport, but for all pneumatic tyre equipped vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, open space management, plant & machinery and much more. In meeting the present day requirements R H Claydon offers tyres for all these requirements and being solely a wholesaler, with no retail outlets, there is no conflict with its customer base.

The exclusive brand, BKT, manufactured in India, forms the greater part of this supply for all products outside Car, Van, 4X4 & Truck, The range could be stated as meeting all needs pneumatic, indeed this is signified in BKT’s own advertising strapline “Off-Highway Tyre Solutions”. In this year, there have been many additions to the BKT Range including, 70/65/90&95 Agrimax Radial Tractor, Tele Handler sizes in 460/70R24 (17.5R24) and 19.5R24. BKT Armaturf KV Tyres for the professional ride-on mower, now offer an estimated 90 per cent protection from punctures. The year has also seen the growth in earthmover units; in this sector sizes such as 1800-25 40pr & 1800-33 40pr Rock Grip E4, both sizes also produced for Port & Terminal operations. The BKT range fully justifies Claydon’s own slogan “All- Season All- Reason Agricultural & Industrial Tyres”.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Top in US OE Tyre Satisfaction Across All 4 Segments

Michelin ranks highest in customer satisfaction among original equipment (OE) tyre manufacturers in all four segments examined, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study. Bridgestone was rated average or below average in every survey, coming last in the sport/luxury research where Bridgestone may have expected to have been strongest.

The study measures overall customer satisfaction with their original equipment tyres in four segments: luxury/sport; mass-market/non-luxury; pickup/full-size van; and SUV. Within each segment, five key factors are examined to measure customer satisfaction. They are: wearability, appearance, traction, ride and handling. Rankings are based on owner experiences with their tyres during the first year of ownership.

Michelin ranks highest and well above the industry average in each segment and performs particularly well in all segments on all five factors. Additionally, the 2007 study marks the fourth consecutive time Michelin ranks highest in the luxury sport and SUV segments, and the third consecutive time within the pickup/full-size van segment.

13th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Supermaxx in Silverstone Group Test

The popular Maxxis Supermaxx, a ZR rated Sports/Touring motorcycle tyre, now in its third generation, has demonstrated its credentials in a group test at Silverstone. An instructor from California Superbike School put the Supermaxx through its paces using a race specification Suzuki GSXR1000 (2007 model). In good weather conditions he completed 100 miles at race speeds on the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit.

“Silverstone is a fast, flat racetrack where cornering speeds can reach up to 140mph and 170mph-180mph is the norm on the quickest straights,” said Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.

12th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Geoff Bradburn Retires from Bridgestone OTR Department

After 46 years in the OTR Tyre industry Geoff Bradburn is to retire at the end of September 2007. Bradburn worked on some key accounts Bridgestone’s OTR business, including Ainscough crane, McAlpines, Foster Yeoman, to name a few that Geoff has had account management and responsibility for in his long career.

Commenting on his career and pending retirement, John McNaught, Bridgestone UK MD said: “Geoff has made a great contribution to Bridgestone OTR dept his commitment, professionalism, and dedication to his accounts makes him one of the best in the business, we wish him well in his retirement.”

11th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

US Trade Group to Visit Bridgestone HQ

The US state of Ohio is keen to let Bridgestone know that they are welcome in its part of the world. Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Lee Fisher is heading a delegation of almost 50 business and financial development leaders to Japan in order to foster relationships that will create new jobs and investment in the state.

The delegation’s itinerary includes a visit to the headquarters of the world’s largest tyre major. Bridgestone already has a strong presence in the city of Akron and adds much to the local economy. ”Anyone who is here already, we want to thank them for being here and assure them of the state’s commitment to them,” said Carin Rockind from Team NEO, one of the organisations participating in the visit. Rocksin added that if Bridgestone, or indeed any other company, is looking to expand their US presence, ”we want those new investments to come our way.”

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rejection of TPMS Challenge Has Implications

(Akron/Tire Review) It was a challenge that had to be made, but at least for now, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in mid-June regarding NHTSA’s rule on tire pressure monitoring systems will stand as originally written. The court ruled the petitioning parties – four tire companies, TIA and consumer watchdog Public Citizen – failed to establish their standing in the dispute.

The court, however, made no comment relative to the merits of their argument. The reaction from the tire industry and the companies that challenged NHTSA’s “final rule” on TREAD Act-mandated TPMS is predictable. “We are still studying the decision,” says a Goodyear spokesman. Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper, Pirelli North America, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and consumer group Public Citizen all challenged the NHTSA standard requiring factory-installed TPMS to notify drivers if tire pressure drops 25% below carmaker-set tire inflation pressures.

Goodyear’s comments are typical of the reactions from the other plaintiffs. A spokesperson for Cooper says that they are evaluating their options, and added, “We still believe that consumer safety would be enhanced if this rule was changed.” The other members of the challenge either didn’t issue a statement or were waiting for the next step in the process.

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dueler H/P Sport On New Mazda CX-7

The Mazda CX-7, available in the UK from this month, boasts the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport tyre as original equipment. The Dueler H/P Sport is Bridgestone’s first SUV tyre derived from Formula One technology and was designed to bring driving agility and comfort to the increasing number of powerful SUVs on the roads today. According to the company, it gives drivers the best of both worlds by offering excellent wet and dry handling, sharp steering precision and an aggressive edge design that gives the tyre a sporty look while ensuring a comfortable ride with low noise levels.

The Mazda CX-7 is heavily orientated towards a sports car in its styling and driving dynamics, but retains the commanding road presence of a sports utility vehicle. There is ample space for five occupants to travel in comfort, with sports utility-style rear-seat functionality and generous boot space – making it ultra-practical.

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone OE for New Hybrid Lexus in US

Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tyres have been selected by Lexus as OE for North American models of the company’s all-new LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan. The specific tyre fitted as one of the options to the world’s first full V8, all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle is the all-season Turanza EL42 in size P245/45R19 98V, a tyre Bridgestone Firestone North America Tire believes will deliver the sleek styling, low noise and outstanding performance in dry and wet conditions prerequisite on a vehicle that has a US market starting price in excess of $100,000.

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L powertrain combines a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with two powerful electric motors that reduce emissions by 70 per cent compared with a vehicle fitted with a conventional engine – earning it a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating. “Bridgestone Firestone is proud to support vehicles that minimise fuel use and environmental impact,” said Michael Martini, BFNAT president, Consumer OE Tire Sales.

6th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Contemplates MotoGP Withdrawal

Michelin may bow out of MotoGP racing at the end of the current season if the Honda and Yamaha factory teams switch to Bridgestone for 2008, reports Eurosport.

After ruling the roost for a number of years, the 2007 season has seen Michelin’s fortunes decline, with Bridgestone shod rider Casey Stoner securing eight victories in contrast to Michelin’s four. Both Yamaha and Repsol Honda’s tyre contracts are due for renewal at the end of this year, and to date neither party has offered any firm indication that they intend to re-sign with Michelin.

Should Michelin not retain its factory teams, it may choose to end its relationship with the championship. “If we don’t have any factory teams I don’t think we’ll stay. Or we won’t have a really good reason to continue the development,” Jean Philippe Weber, Michelin’s director of motorcycle racing, told Eurosport. “If our partners don’t trust in our potential then maybe we don’t have to stay.”

5th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Declining Material Costs may Harm Industry, Say S&P

According to a new report released by Standard & Poor’s, global tyre manufacturers may actually feel more pressure on margins and cash flow as the prices of raw materials decline. The financial and investment specialist added that the industry could suffer if manufacturers take lower costs as a signal to reduce prices in order to gain market share. The reduced income and cash flow from such a price war would in all likelihood more than cancel out the benefits of lower material costs.

“This is because pricing discipline in the industry may fade if tyre makers start reducing prices on the back of lower input costs in the expectation of gaining market share,” said Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Werner Staeblein. “Therefore, declining raw-material prices could spark more price competition in the industry with likely more negative effects on earnings and cash flow generation than the positive effect from lower input prices.”

5th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Opens Largest Oceania Truck Tyre Store

Bridgestone has opened what they believe to be the largest truck tyre retail centre in the Australia/New Zealand region. The centre is operated by the company’s retail business, Bridgestone Select, and is located in the Adelaide suburb of Wingfield. The facility covers an area of more than 15,000 square metres and offers seven dedicated B-double work bays.

Manager of the new store, Justin Purdie, reports that the planning process for designing the Wingfield site was very thorough. “Because we can cater for all sizes of trucks up to and including road trains, we put a lot of work into ensuring access to the site is easy for all trucks. All of our bays are totally under cover and offer convenience without the hassle of uncoupling. There is no question that, with this facility, we can now maximise speed of operation and minimise down-time for drivers.”

Bridgestone Select outlets also stock a comprehensive range of products including Bridgestone and Firestone truck tyres and Bandag retreads.

31st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors