Motorcyclists are an ageing consumer group – according to some figures, more than 60 per cent of riders now over 40 years old, almost double the proportion of ten years ago. While motorcycle performance has improved with significant increases in horsepower and top speeds, many riders run older models, and according to a recent report from German publication Motorrad, the average two-wheeler age in now more than 14 years old, two years older than in 2007.
When viewing current regulatory and competitive trends, few fleet operators harbour the illusion that life will get easier in future. Fleet operators in the UK and Western Europe must contend with rising costs and ever-stricter regulations, along with increasing competition from markets further east and a need to maximise payloads. Generally speaking, any measure that offers a cost-saving advantage is now being taken very seriously, including when it comes to tyres. But while this drive towards cost effectiveness is occurring industry-wide, fleet priorities differ depending on the routes driven and the cargoes hauled. While some consider total mileage of utmost importance, others place fuel efficiency at the top of their list.
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In the September issue of German publication Auto Motor und Sport (20/2013), eight brands of winter tyre were put through their paces. Seven types of size 225/50 R17 V tyre and a set of Michelin 225/50 R17 H tyres were fitted to a BMW 330d for the test and subject to handling and braking tests in snow, wet and dry conditions, along with condition-specific tests such as aquaplaning, traction, comfort, rolling noise and rolling resistance. Here is what Auto Motor und Sport found out:
Marc Preedy, commercial director for Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK has just completed a 335km bike ride for the international development charity, Transaid. The cycle ride, which saw Marc conquer the roads of both the UK and Holland in just three days, has seen him raise an impressive £4000 for the charity.
Dunlop has confirmed its reappointment as official tyre supplier by the MSA British Touring Car Championship. This extends the sole-supplier partnership that began in 2003, and continues a relationship between Dunlop and the BTCC that can be traced back to the championship’s creation in 1958.
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will be at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northampton this weekend, as rounds 22, 23 and 24 all take place on Sunday. With nine of the 30 races remaining the top four drivers are separated by 30 points, with over 200 points still up for grabs. Honda Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal only six points clear of Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan at the top. The weekend marks the tenth anniversary of BTCC’s landmark first visit in 2003. Tyre supplier and title sponsor Dunlop is anticipating an exciting weekend following 15 year high attendances at Knockhill in Scotland, where 2009 BTCC champion Colin Turkington scored twin victories in his eBay Motors BMW on the tight, twisty Scottish track. Rockingham provides an excellent contrast, with fast sweepers and tight hairpins sure to provide some of the best overtaking opportunities of the season. The entire race day will be broadcast live and in high definition on ITV4 from 10:45, providing the sort of branding opportunity that has made the series so attractive to Dunlop.
Dunlop has developed tyres for the new Opel Monza Concept car, revealed at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt this week. Dunlop says that work on the concept tyre, in size 245/35R21, began in early 2013 and underwent a number of stages in collaboration with Opel to meet the car manufacturer’s expectations. The design features the same sleek lines found on the Monza Concept, enhancing the car’s overall look through the tyres and onto the ground.
“Dunlop and Opel design teams worked on the design and development of the tyre to ensure the tread matched the sleek shape of the car perfectly”, explains Helmut Fehl from Dunlop’s advanced design and development centre in Hanau, Germany. “Every detail of the tyre was discussed, evaluated and designed to meet the highest standards and expectations of the Opel team.”
Continental's ContiSportContact 5 has come out on top in the demanding tyre test carried out by leading car magazine Auto Express. The Auto Express test celebrates the best of the best in the tyre market, highlighting exceptional performance, quality, safety, desirability and value. It is seen within the motoring industry as a stamp of approval offering motoring enthusiasts confidence when looking for their next tyre purchase.
Goodyear is nearing the launch of its new generation of European market truck tyres, the Kmax and Fuelmax steer, drive and trailer tyres. The new tyres represent an interesting departure from other premium brand manufacturers’ portfolio strategies, taking the emphasis off the type of operation – long or regional haul for example – and put it on the fleet’s economic priority. Speaking to Tyrepress ahead of the official unveiling of the Kmax and Fuelmax, Marc Preedy, Goodyear Dunlop UK and Ireland commercial director, said that the altered focus of the new tyres reflected a changing market.
The British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA) has elected Erich Fric, Goodyear Dunlop’s UK and Ireland managing director, as its new chairman. Fric was elected as the at a recent board meeting and takes over with immediate effect. He brings with him 20 years of experience in the business. Erich Fric will also represent the BTMA on the board of the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF). He replaces Michelin Tyre plc managing director, Eric Le-Corre whose chairmanship ended recently when he took up the Paris-based role of head of public affairs for the French tyre manufacturer.
In July Dominique Aegerter broke the Moto2 lap record for the Mireval circuit by nine-tenths of second. According to the company, Dunlop carried out extensive analysis on data from the tyre test and continued work on the Moto2 range including work on tyre stress and a new rear tyre specification for 2014, or possibly during the remaining races in 2013, with Aegerter from Moto2 riding in addition to the Dunlop test team with Stefan Nebel and two riders from the IDM championship. The tyre has previously been tested by Rabat and Terol in Argentina.
Metzeler has rounded out its road racing season with its first year as title sponsor of the Ulster Grand Prix, at which Tyco Suzuki’s Guy Martin took three victories on the company’s rubber. Martin’s Supersport and feature Superbike race wins were joined by victories for Ivan Lintin in the Lightweight class, while Gary Johnson and Dean Harrison also enjoyed strong performances in the Superstock race. The weather led to the cancellation of the Dundrod 150 races on Thursday, but Metzeler enjoyed a victorious day on Saturday as the brand completed the first of three years as title sponsor to the World’s fastest road racing event, the Ulster Grand Prix.
Truck tyre retreading is an important means by which transport companies can reduce costs per mile. Goodyear Dunlop operates three mould cure retreading facilities in Europe – in Lyon, France, Wolverhampton, UK and the 2011-opened Wittlich plant in Germany – and has built up its mould cure retread portfolio. The company has now extended its range of services; in addition to acquiring and exchanging casings, as of September 2013 it will mould cure retread customer own casings.
No dinosaurs went into the production of a tyre Sumitomo Rubber Industries will launch at the Tokyo Motor Show – some 12 years after it began working to reduce fossil fuel content in its products, the Japanese company is now ready to roll out its first 100 per cent fossil fuel-free tyre. And when the show begins on 23 November, visitors won’t just be looking at another concept tyre – Sumitomo says it is gearing up to introduce this milestone in its Enasave programme into the domestic market. The new tyre will be sold under the Dunlop brand name.
On 1 August, Andreas Penkert, former CEO and director of Continental India Ltd, the former Modi Tyres operation acquired in 2011, has taken over leadership of sales and marketing for Pirelli in Germany. In his new role Penkert reports to Pirelli Deutschland GmbH CEO Michael Schwöbel and Pirelli tyre S.p.A. Central Europe CEO Daniele Deambrogio.
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