Toyota has approved the Toyo Proxes A20 as original equipment for its 2012 North American market Prius v, which is scheduled to go on sale this autumn. The all-season tyre is being supplied to the Prius in P215/50R17 for inclusion in an optional package that also includes 7 X 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels.
Launched in 2000 by the then UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, the United Nations Global Compact is a global initiative for corporate social responsibility that sets out principles in the areas of human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. Today the Global Compact boasts over 8,000 signatories from 135 countries; Germany’s Lanxess has now added its name to this list.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries reports that on June 15 its subsidiary in China, Sumitomo Rubber (Changshu) Co., Ltd., manufactured its 50 millionth tyre. This milestone was reached after less than a decade of operation; the company was established nine years ago to meet the growing needs of the Chinese market, and production of radial tyres began in April 2004.
Continental Matador Rubber has reportedly asked Slovakia’s Ministry of Economy for tax relief measures worth 14.58 million euros. The tyre maker, who is said to be investing 130 million euros in its Puchov plant to, amongst other things, ready it for the production of low rolling resistance tyres, intends to hire 324 new workers and has asked for tax relief in the years up to 2015.
Upon the retirement of Michelin North America chairman and president Richard “Dick” Wilkerson later this year, current president of Michelin’s Truck and Bus division, Pete Selleck, will step into the role of heading up the company’s North American operation. Wilkerson will become chairman emeritus of Michelin North America when he retires from his current role.
According to Continental, two new tyres it has launched “provide exactly the right answer to the diverse challenges of regional and cross-regional transport.” This assertion refers to the German manufacturer’s LSR1+ steer axle tyre and LDR1+ drive axle tyre; 17.5-inch fitments that Conti says prove their qualities in both urban and long-distance use.
Yokohama Tire has updated its website and introduced the world to Shin – the tyre maker’s new corporate icon. The red persona, who resembles a tyre handling robot, is a prominent feature on the revised yokohamatire.com website.
Key requirements of van tyre users are durability, economy and good performance, particularly in the wet. Bridgestone aims to meet these with its van tyre range. The tyre maker notes that long distances frequently come with the territory for the average commercial van driver, and for businesses and individuals who are often on the road, going the distance with long-haul journeys, it recommends the Duravis R410. This is, Bridgestone comments, a durable, high mileage tyre, designed for withstanding heavy use and daily deliveries at highway speeds.
A DAF dealer in West Sussex has purchased two TA-20 wheel aligners from Haweka, a measure it says will “help hauliers reduce their operational costs in the tough economic climate”. Barnes Group in Shoreham-by-Sea & Guildford believes the investment will help its customers save costs on fuel and tyres. Haweka is a UK supplier of commercial wheel alignment and wheel balancing accessories; it demonstrated the equipment to Barnes Group in its workshops, leading to the purchase.
Goodyear has announced that it officially broke ground on its new global headquarters complex in Akron, Ohio today. Goodyear chairman, CEO and president Richard J. Kramer, Ohio governor John Kasich, Akron mayor Don Plusquellic, and Summit County executive Russ Pry made brief remarks, then were joined by a number of federal, state and local officials – all of whom helped negotiate the deal – to shovel the first earth. The project was announced several years ago, but the credit crisis and its effect on the manufacturer forced delays. The new facility is located next to the company’s Innovation Center; Goodyear will lease the office space until 2038 as part of the agreement and have potential options until 2093. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2013.
Toyo Tires’ has updated its flagship Proxes range, with the addition of the Proxes T1 Sport and the Proxes C1S. The Proxes line has been selected as original equipment on brands from Audi, Mazda and Nissan to bespoke sports cars like Westfield, Farbio and Invicta.
According to the company, the Ultra High Performance Proxes T1 Sport is all about making “the best even better.” For ultimate handling and grip in both wet and dry conditions, the Proxes T1 Sport is said to be “supremely stable,” even at fast motorway speeds. The tyre has an asymmetric tread pattern with a multi-compound concept engineered for braking, aquaplaning and cornering performance.
In response to widely circulated fears about the effect the disaster in Japan and subsequent nuclear reactor issues will have on demand for natural rubber, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries has opined that these events “will not have significant impact on rubber demand from the country.” Supporting this statement, the ANRPC points out that major tyre manufacturers have already confirmed their plants remain largely unscathed and will resume full production upon the restoration of reliable electricity supplies.
A motorist survey conducted by HiQ shows economic factors are prompting 32 per cent of drivers to opt out of regular vehicle servicing. This is, admittedly, four per cent less than a similar survey taken by the fast fit network a year ago, yet HiQ manager Stuart Car points out that “while the initial outlay for a car service might be off-putting for some drivers, the implications of not taking one will hit the pocket harder in the long run.”
Essex-based Ovenden Papers has used Michelin tyres on its delivery vehicles for a while, but chose to fit budget brand solid rubber tyres across its industrial fleet – until now, following a puncture-free 12 month trial of the XZM radial tyre. Joint managing director James Ovenden says: “We have been both surprised and impressed by the differences between economy tyres and Michelin fitments for our forklifts. The trial that Michelin set up lasted 750 hours, which is much longer than we are used to, and there were no punctures at all – even though we operate on high-risk surfaces.
Fuel cards are vital in the fight against fraudulent fuel claims which are expected to rise as austerity measures kick in, says leading fuel card reseller The Fuelcard Company.
New research has revealed that around 25 per cent of all fuel claims could be exaggerated, costing fleet businesses millions of pounds every year at a time when budgets are already stretched.
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