(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA announced that it’s upcoming Spring Expo and Off-Road Show will be enhanced with the addition of several educational seminars geared to installers and retailers. Set for Mar. 23-24, 2007 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, the Spring Expo and Off-Road Show is open to all automotive retailers.
Alcoa Wheel Products have introduced a new product providing fleet operators real time data on their vehicle’s tyre pressure and tread depth. Called the InTire™ Management System, Alcoa’s new offering is a web-based system the company reports can maximise tyre life, enhance fuel economy and increase productivity in maintenance procedures. The InTire software interfaces with the vehicle-based sensing equipment wirelessly.
Optional add on equipment allows users to monitor items requiring periodic maintenance, such as fluid levels and the condition of filters.
Michelin Tyre plc has launched the Pilot Road 2, unveiling its latest dual compound offering at the Motorcycle Trade Expo at Stoneleigh park. The French manufacturer claims that its latest product means riders no longer have to compromise between wet grip and tread life. Michelin hopes results of tests conducted by CERM will help convince retailers and the motorcycle riding public of this.
The number of motor traders failing during 2006 reached its highest point at 303 for more than a decade, an increase of 7.1 per cent compared to 2005. The industry had seen a poor start to the year with the number of business failures in the automotive industry increasing by 67.9 per cent, according to Experian. This was the second largest increase in insolvencies experienced across the 34 industries reviewed by the global information solutions company.
(Akron/Tire Review) Schrader Bridgeport International’s AirAware TPMS sensors and service pack lines are now included in e-catalogs by Activant and Wrenchead, the company announced.
“Our TPMS sensors and service packs are now available in the monthly eCatalog updates from both Activant and Wrenchead,” said David Weber, Schrader TPMS
project manager.
“Our aftermarket customers will now have the latest product application data in their system on a timely basis,” said David Weber, Schrader TPMS project manager. “With the rapid growth of TPMS at the OE level, our customers have told us how important it is to keep pace with new applications as we add them to our line.”
MAM Software has announced the forthcoming release of EMI+, a reporting and data analysis tool for its existing Autopart software. The application, which is currently undergoing beta testing, enables businesses to interactively interrogate their sales and product data in order to identify under-performing products or profit weaknesses.
Pirelli Tyres and Fioravanti have announced plans to work together to develop Pirelli’s patented Cyber Tyre concept. Pirelli Tyres has agreed to acquire the rights to the Fioravanti patent for “a method and system of monitoring the tyre footprints of a motor vehicle, particularly for automatically optimising the behaviour of the motor vehicle.”
Derbyshire-based Pneu-Logic has introduced a new wireless and paperless fleet data recording system. The company has gone into partnership with Goodyear Dunlop to market and promote the system. Pneu-Inspector is a hand held, easy-to-use, tyre tread depth combined pressure gauge which collects accurate tyre data and uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with a hand-held mobile computer. The result is real-time information, allowing fleet managers to view data about their tyres within seconds of them being inspected.
White & Company plc, the largest independent removal company in the UK, has adopted a fully managed Michelin tyre policy which sees each vehicle in its 155-strong commercial vehicle fleet undergo a detailed monthly tyre inspection. Checks are carried out by ATS Euromaster utilising an electronic data capture (EDC) system which allows their technicians to record each tyre’s condition and tread depth onto a small handheld computer, before uploading the results via mobile phone to a central database. Once collected, the results are sent by email to Michelin, which co-ordinates any tyre replacements or regrooves that are required directly with ATS Euromaster.
Northwich-based Roberts Bakery has appointed ATS Euromaster as its sole commercial vehicle tyre services provider, responsible for a 90-strong fleet, which includes car-derived vans, rigids and tractor units and trailers. The new agreement will see ATS Euromaster’s truck centre in Warrington fit Michelin tyres across the Roberts Bakery fleet – replacing a previous Bridgestone policy which was managed by a local independent tyre dealer.
“We wanted higher service levels from our supplier and ATS Euromaster was able to offer a range of additional benefits,” says Nick Crank, Transport Manager at Roberts Bakery. “These include fortnightly fleet checks, together with the ability to regroove and turn tyres on the rim to ensure maximum mileage performance.
Michelin North America will soon be marketing WABCO’s Integrated Vehicle Tire Pressure Monitoring System (IVTM) in Canada. The system has been available to European hauliers for the past three years and it will be available in Canada early next year. The IVTM system offers real-time pressure information; an on-board monitor gives the driver a continuous readout of tyre pressure and can warn of incorrect pressure and slow leaks, thanks to an algorithm that constantly compares information between and across axles.
(Akron/Tire Review) NHTSA reportedly has proposed maintaining confidentiality of certain vehicle safety data uncovered by consumer complaints, warranty claims, and information on vehicles involved in deaths and injuries. The agency said the release of such information “will cause substantial competitive harm and will impair the government’s ability to obtain this information in the future if released.” The release of such information had been included as part of the TREAD Act’s early reporting provisions. Automakers, auto suppliers and tyremakers argued that release of such information without verification of any claims could lead to incorrect conclusions.
In order to enhance the service offered to its factor customers, aftermarket parts supplier Motaquip has launched a new Web Portal facility – www.motaquipinfo.net, which is designed to provide a gateway to all Motaquip systems, including ordering, pricing and data, product support, credit claims, promotions and advice features.
(Akron/Tire Review) AAIA reports that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed reducing some of the early warning requirements and reporting burden for manufacturers called for under the TREAD Act.
Mike Dorward, former Managing Director of Kerridge, has joined Euro Car Parts as a Non–Executive Director to the Main Board. As part of the original Kerridge founding team, his was in a pivotal role in the company’s overall development and successful positioning as the principal IT provider to the UK motor industry for over 25 years, culminating in the recent sale of Kerridge to ADP of USA – one of the world’s largest data companies.
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