Commercial Vehicle Tyres
Prometeon is introducing a new generation of Pirelli-branded truck tyres, with five product lines for long haul, regional, urban and construction site applications arriving in EMEA markets early April. The range includes the first long haul Prometeon tyre with an EU label A rating for fuel efficiency.
Bridgestone has appointed David Almazán as its new commercial business unit director for Bridgestone in the North Region. He fills the role vacated by Greg Ward, who left Bridgestone in January to become Halfords Autocentres commercial sales director. Almazán first joined Bridgestone in April 2016. He moves to the UK from Madrid, where he served as the company’s commercial business unit director for the South West Region, encompassing Spain and Portugal. He previously worked for MAN Trucks & Bus, initially as controlling manager and subsequently as trucks sales director for Spain. He will report to Andrea Manenti, Bridgestone’s North Region vice president, and will take responsibility for developing and executing Bridgestone’s commercial business strategy within the UK and Ireland.
Vipal Rubber’s manufacturing units in southern Brazil have received recognition for sustainable practices. EcoVadis assessed the retreading materials supplier’s Nova Prata facilities, awarding it an additional two points versus its Silver-certificated inspection n 2019. Vipal said the sustainability of its operations, extending beyond the environment to focus on people too.
Kier Highways Solutions is the latest company to embrace Wheely-Safe technology for its transport fleet. The technology is being rolled out across the company’s 25-strong commercial vehicle and trailer fleet, having impressed the business with the system’s flexibility and ease of use.
Bridgestone has published a series of free, downloadable e-books designed to inflate commercial fleet operators’ tyre knowledge. The tyre and mobility solutions supplier has also developed a digital information hub from which to provide insights and tips about tyre maintenance and best practice advice. The Keeping You on the Road e-guides cover a number of common topics including the core functions of tyres; tyre care and maintenance and tyre components and their markings.
After 19 years with the company, Greg Ward’s time as Bridgestone as commercial sales director UK & Ireland has come to an end. Ward revealed the news in a social media post dated 28 January 2022 and Tyres & Accessories understands that he has now completed his last day with the premium brand tyre manufacturer. Prior to joining Bridgestone nearly two decades ago, Greg Ward had experience elsewhere in the tyre and automotive business, including at National Tyres. Details of where the highly-experienced commercial vehicle tyre specialist is headed next have not been confirmed.
UK commercial vehicle (CV) production grew 11.3 per cent in 2021, following the worst year on record (dating back to 1933), with 73,600 of the latest vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches leaving factory lines, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
M&N Transport is a Wiltshire-based bulk transport firm. The company runs its growing commercial vehicle fleet of 35 trucks and 40 trailers exclusively on Michelin, having found the tyres to last significantly longer than any other truck tyre in the market. M&N is also utilising Michelin’s Effitrailer telematics package across its fleet of trailers and the company has experienced reduced downtime and cut its fuel costs since making the switch to Michelin, improving the sustainability of its operation in the process.
Hankook has collaborated with Hyundai and other partners on a new sustainability roadshow. A Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell fitted with Hankook SmartFlex AH31 and DH31 tyres is travelling around Germany until 8 December to promote ecologically optimised supply chains. Hankook’s partners in the event include H2 Green Power & Logistics GmbH, which is building an ecosystem for green hydrogen in the commercial vehicle sector, including company filling stations; and H2 MOBILITY Germany, the world’s largest hydrogen filling station operator, which operates 87 of the 91 public H2 stations in Germany alone.
Vehicle rental company Collease has signed a two-year agreement with Bridgestone, incorporating all types of trailers and motorised equipment. Collease operates around 2,000 vehicles from the east of England. It said Bridgestone’s flexibility, attention to detail, and long-term approach to fleet management secured the partnership.
Hankook is highlighting its range of regional hybrid tyres, the SmartFlex AH51 steer and SmartFlex DH51 drive tyre at Solutrans (16-20 November at Eurexpo in Lyon, France, stand 3B127). The manufacturer’s premium retread offer, Alphatread, and its 2020-launched Laufenn TBR tyre range are also a focus of Hankook’s exhibition.
Giti has expanded its Genesis retread range with the Giti GDR691. The next generation drive axle tyre is available immediately on the UK market in the most prominent size, 315/70R22.5. The tyre, which is suitable for regional and urban applications, features a new non-directional pattern and optimised tread block shape for an even footprint. The Giti GDR691 is the successor of the popular Giti GDR690 which remains available in 295/80R22.5 and 315/80R22.5. The GTR990 trailer tyre completes the portfolio in 385/65R22.5.
Sailun has presented ‘The Smart Experience’ at the NUFAM 2021 commercial vehicle show in Karlsruhe, Germany, in collaboration with German truck tyre distributor Bohnenkamp AG. Sailun said its stand attracted much interest, with visitors enquiring about the Bohnenkamp partnership, as well as enjoying a game of table football on stand.
Ascenso Tyres UK has sponsored World Champion Clay Pidgeon Shooter, Kallum Burrell. The partnership between Ascenso Tyres UK and Kallum Burrell will commence with immediate effect, supporting him through his winter training and into the new season in April, throughout 2022 and beyond. Handled exclusively by BAB Distribution, part of the BA Bush Group, since April, the off-highway brand provides a range of agricultural, industrial, and commercial tyres.
Kermit the Frog may have been amongst the first to ponder the difficulties of being green, but it’s a dilemma now shared by a transportation industry operating in an environment that places sustainability high on the agenda. Tyres have a role to play when it comes to achieving Europe’s lofty targets, and Goodyear points out that the fuel and CO2 efficiency gain achievable with low emission tyres and accurate tyre pressure management is equal to the gain by using more efficient engine technology. The tyre maker has a new truck range that it promises will deliver fuel efficiency on all manner of roads; it launched the Goodyear Fuelmax Endurance via an online presentation this morning.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
Prometeon
Bridgestone
Hankook
Hankook
Giti Tire