In spring 2014, Pirelli introduced the Carrier, a van tyre range it hopes will deliver it market leadership in the LCV tyre segment. The company has now expanded the Carrier portfolio with the addition of a cold-weather version, the Carrier Winter. Pirelli says the new tyre offers safety in winter conditions, good mileage and improved performance in the wet.
After three million kilometres of testing with some of the leading European fleets, Pirelli has launched a new range aimed at van operators. The tyre maker says its Carrier line guarantees a long tyre life, reduction in rolling resistance, better performance in the wet and increased comfort compared to previous generation tyres. Pirelli claims technology it developed for the UHP segment has been utilised in the Carrier; the tyre is said to have been created using state-of-the-art design criteria already successfully applied to the P Zero and Cinturato P7, albeit with an increased emphasis on two key factors for the van market – safety and total life cost.
In a test reminiscent of a stunt pulled by Top Gear’s original Stig, but fortunately with a different end result, double Superbike World Champion and four-time 250cc World Champion Max Biaggi tested the braking qualities of Pirelli’s new Angel GT motorcycle tyre on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Thule, the world’s largest manufacturer of car roof systems, accessories and roof boxes, has launched its 80-page 2012 catalogue, including its new 520l Excellence box. UK business manager, Peter Barker commented: “The new catalogue for 2012 includes truly innovative products, developed to the high standard our customers expect from Thule.”
Load carrier specialist, Gebhardt of Cham in Bavaria, has launched the latest addition to its product portfolio: the new tyre rack ECOTIRErack. The newly designed rack, which is manufactured in Germany, lowers both price and net weight, according to the company. Gebhardt also claims the rack should allow companies to reduce empty rack cargo space by 20 per cent.
The risk that cable corrosion could lead to spare tyres coming loose and causing safety hazards has led Toyota to begin the voluntary recall of around 600,000 vehicles in the US. The manufacturer is recalling first and second generation Siena 2WS minivans sold between 1998 and early 2010 to address a problem that may occur on vehicles that have been driven in cold climate areas where salt is frequently used to de-ice the roads. Toyota says it is currently working to develop a remedy for this condition, and until this remedy is developed, customers will receive an interim notice instructing them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection. Once the remedy has been developed, customers will receive a secondary notice advising the customer of the remedy availability.
Goodyear has appointed a new vice president for the company’s Asia Pacific Consumer Product Business Unit. Daniel Smytka will be responsible for heading up all Goodyear consumer tyre products and services throughout the region, from the company’s Shanghai office.
Before joining the company, Smytka was the president of the Building Systems & Services division of Carrier Corp. in the United States. He also worked as a company officer and vice president at General Electric Co., where he served as CEO and president of the Engineered Systems Division. He was also CEO and president of GE’s Consumer and Industrial Group in the Asia Pacific region.
(Akron/Tire Review) A surprise move by the U.S. Senate cut off funding for the Bush Administration’s much desired cross-border trucking pilot programme, just days after select Mexican trucking companies began hauling loads on U.S. roads. Tacked onto the 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, the amendment ending funding was approved 74-24 in the Senate. The amendment prevents the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from using funds for the program.
The U.S. House of Representatives took similar measures on its version of the bill back in July.After a lengthy court battle, the cross-border programme finally started on 6 September, and allowed Mexican trucks to operate beyond the designated commercial zone in the U.S.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Industrial Products division is now offering Inflation Station portable air compressors. Available in two models, the units are designed to supply up to 150 psi to inflate tyres, air springs, air mattresses, swimming rafts, sporting goods and other products requiring inflation.
“These compressors are a great addition for toy haulers to deflate and inflate tyres while using their toys in the desert. They can also be used to blow the dust and dirt off an ATV or motorcycle. And they’re not frustrating to use – our products are so powerful they can inflate a 31×10.5 tyre from 15 psi to 30 psi in less than two minutes,” said Paul Gibson, product manager for Firestone Industrial Products.
Both Inflation Station kits feature a heavy duty 150 psi air compressor, a 12-foot power cable with brass alligator clips, a 25-foot coiled air hose, tyre inflator tool with gauge, two blower nozzles, a needle valve tool and an extra heavy duty canvas carrier. The heavy duty version features a 35 per cent duty cycle (1.69 CFM at 60 psi), while the smaller kit has a 20 per cent duty cycle (1.02 CFM rating at 60 psi). For more information, visit www.ride-rite.com.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Industrial Products division is now offering Inflation Station portable air compressors. Available in two models, the units are designed to supply up to 150 psi to inflate tyres, air springs, air mattresses, swimming rafts, sporting goods and other products requiring inflation.
“These compressors are a great addition for toy haulers to deflate and inflate tyres while using their toys in the desert. They can also be used to blow the dust and dirt off an ATV or motorcycle. And they’re not frustrating to use – our products are so powerful they can inflate a 31×10.5 tyre from 15 psi to 30 psi in less than two minutes,” said Paul Gibson, product manager for Firestone Industrial Products.
Both Inflation Station kits feature a heavy duty 150 psi air compressor, a 12-foot power cable with brass alligator clips, a 25-foot coiled air hose, tyre inflator tool with gauge, two blower nozzles, a needle valve tool and an extra heavy duty canvas carrier. The heavy duty version features a 35 per cent duty cycle (1.69 CFM at 60 psi), while the smaller kit has a 20 per cent duty cycle (1.02 CFM rating at 60 psi). For more information, visit www.ride-rite.com.
The owner of a garage who asked an acquaintance to dump 100 tyres on land near Burnham-On-Sea has been fined £1500. In a case brought by the Environment Agency, garage owner Roger Collins was ordered to pay £1,500 plus costs for allowing the tyres to be left on Kingsway Road at Mark.
The court was told that on March 23rd last year a blue transit van was seen fly-tipping the tyres. During a clear-up operation by Sedgemoor District Council, a letter found inside a tyre was traced to Rogers Car Repairs in Blackford, which was later found to be owned by Mr Collins.
Goodyear announced that its Flight Radial aviation tyres have been selected to equip Qantas Airways’ new low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways. Goodyear is exhibiting its aircraft tyres at Asian Aerospace, formerly known as the Singapore Airshow. Goodyear’s five-year agreement with Jetstar Airways also was announced here.
In January, two men pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates court to charges relating to the illegal dumping of scrap tyres in a case brought by the Environment Agency. The two men were fined a total of £12,250 and ordered to pay costs of £5,500.
Degussa-Hüls AG of Frankfurt/Main will again increase prices for precipitated Silicas and Silicates from their European operations effective from November 1, 2000 by 8 %. These products are used as an active filler or carrier in a variety of different applications, e.g. tyres. Degussa-Hüls has an annual capacity of more than 240.000 tons at seven production sites.
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