Cam Systems has announced plans to launch a new Online Tyre Catalogue (OTC) to provide the UK tyre industry with a central data hub to address the needs of EU legislation. OEMs and Importers will be able to upload their product data updates into the OTC from 1 July 2012.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is to benefit from BAE Systems’ £1.9 billion deal to sell Hawk training jets to Saudi Arabia. According to the company, 22 Hawks will be built in Lancashire and supplied with tyres made by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in Birmingham. The company, the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer and retreader, already provides tyres for the 45 Hawks already in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Each aircraft uses three tyres – two on the main gear and one on the nose gear – and once the Saudis take delivery of the new aircraft the country will be the world’s second largest operator of the type after the UK.
Farrell Dolan has replaced Peter Tye as retail director UK at Goodyear Dunlop. Dolan, who has over 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, and more than six with Goodyear Dunlop, will be responsible for the business’ retail operations across its HiQ franchise brand and network of retail partners. Former retail director Tye resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities, according to Goodyear Dunlop. Commenting on Tye’s departure George Rietbergen, Goodyear Dunlop UK & Ireland general manager, says: “Peter made a great contribution to our retail business and he leaves with our best wishes. Together with Farrell and the team, we are now focused on the exciting future ahead for our retail division.”
Earlier this year, Dunlop announced the launch of a new European breed of sports tyres with the introduction of its Sport Maxx RT (Racing Technology). This road tyre, which Dunlop says was designed especially for the driving enthusiast, aims to “deliver to the needs of the continent’s most passionate driving aficionados”, motorists who “savour the feeling of being in control of significant horsepower and dream of being in pole position at some of the world’s most prestigious races.”
On the opening day of the Reifen 2012 show in Germany, Goodyear Dunlop unveiled two concept passenger car tyres that achieve an A-grading in both rolling resistance and wet grip on the EU tyre label. The company says its long-term goal is to apply the technologies and compounds utilised in these concept tyres, the Goodyear EfficientGrip AA edition and the Dunlop Sport BluResponse AA, to the company’s top green product lines – the Goodyear EfficientGrip and the Dunlop Sport BluResponse. The concept tyres will not be available for sale, Goodyear Dunlop notes.
Now the nomination process is over, the NTDA has published details of who is in the running for the 2012 Tyre and Fast Fit Awards’ tyre environment, manufacturer, wholesaler, aftermarket supplier and industry advertiser of the year awards.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced plans to present its first concept passenger car tyres to achieve A-grades in both rolling resistance and wet grip on the new EU tyre label. The two concept tyres, the Goodyear EfficientGrip AA edition and the Dunlop Sport BluResponse AA will be on display at Reifen 2012 on the Goodyear Dunlop stand (3-117) at next week’s Essen show. The concept tyres will not be available for sale.
Following the launch of its award-winning EfficientGrip passenger car tyre, Goodyear chose Portugal to showcase its new EfficientGrip SUV tyre, aimed squarely at the 4×4 and SUV market, from luxury, full-size vehicles through standard, compact and sub-compact ranges. The 4×4/SUV market in Europe is growing and is expected to reach several million vehicles by 2014, meaning increased demand for specialised 4×4/SUV tyres which combine performance and fuel economy.
Goodyear has revealed that it is on the verge of introducing a new tyre technology "that will help car makers reach new levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 reductions in Europe. No details have been made available about the new technology, which was developed by the Goodyear Innovation Centre in Luxembourg and which is set to be revealed in the second half of this year.
Whoever LETA – the recently formed industry association representing European tyre traders – is taking to court it isn’t Goodyear Dunlop. Following the news that the group of unnamed tyre traders have joined forces to take up court proceedings against unnamed tyre manufacturers to, in their view, protect the free trade rights and indeed the honour of likeminded companies, Goodyear Dunlop has confirmed that it is not involved in legal action with LETA.
Just days after the company announced that its passenger car tyre ranges have been successfully labelled according to the forthcoming European legislation, Goodyear Dunlop has announced that it has completed the testing of some 500 different truck tyres, covering 16 tyre types in over 55 different sizes, ensuring that these are ready to meet the rules that come into force 1 November 2012.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced the winner of its 2012 Dunlop Art Car Competition, a contest to find innovative designs for the Dunlop-sponsored JMW Motorsport Ferrari F458 GT2 car. Egidijus Gužauskas from Lithuania provided the winning design, featuring a paint-splash effect. The car will first race in its new livery at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Dunlop has a long and successful history to its name, having 34 victories at the iconic endurance race.
Dunlop has unveiled its new scooter tyre on the UK market at the Ace Café, London. The Dunlop ScootSmart applies the brand’s global experience with the RoadSmart motorcycle tyre, bringing what the company says are unprecedented levels of technology to the small wheel class. Mark Sears, Dunlop’s motorcycle product support manager commented that the ScootSmart has benefitted from “advanced Dunlop technology, much of it adapted from high-performance motorcycle tyres”, allowing “scooter enthusiasts to ride with total confidence and manage their running costs.”
The second staging of Tyrexpo India in Chennai next year will see the event tackle the topical issue of the increased radialisation of truck and bus tyres in India, event organiser ECI International says. The company says it is to reflect this in the structure and content of the three-day exhibition. “Indian and international tyre manufacturers are making huge investments in new production capacity for TBR radials for the domestic market,” says Paul Farrant, managing director of ECI International. “We want to reflect that dynamic trend at Tyrexpo India by creating a focus on truck tyre manufacturing, with tyre makers, technology experts, materials suppliers and service providers making a contribution to the show.”
High performance cars require high performance tyres – obviously. What’s not quite as obvious is that today’s tough market conditions are sharpening the motorist’s eye for real value and service – especially in the more discerning and therefore challenging high performance tyre market, which increasingly demands ‘high performance service’ to match. The good news, says Stapleton’s, is that this is exactly where it can make a vital difference – by throwing the weight of its nationwide network of 19 warehouses, 18 distribution points and a stock of 1.2 million tyres behind tyre retailer’s business.
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