World speed records for passenger cars may be approaching the 250mph or 400km/h range, but it is possible to be a record breaker at more modest speeds. Bridgestone reports a Volvo wheel loader fitted with its VHS tyres has broken 103 km/h, creating a new world speed record for this type of vehicle.
Vauxhall has confirmed that production of its new Astra model will take place at its Ellesmere Port, Cheshire manufacturing plant – the lead plant of two in Europe building the model. The decision was made after Vauxhall’s workforce signed a new labour agreement, commencing in 2013, on Wednesday 16 May. The facility agreed to implement a number of creative operating solutions to improve flexibility and reduce fixed costs, making it one of the most competitive in the Vauxhall/Opel manufacturing network. The agreement will run into early next decade, through the projected lifespan of the next-generation Astra.
Toyo Proxes R36 tyres have been chosen as original equipment for the new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV. The 225/55 R19 99V Proxes R36 are said to complement the Skyactiv technology introduced on the Mazda CX-5. Skyactiv technology, which is described as a combination of pleasure, efficiency and safety, reportedly offers enhanced handling and stability, greater fuel economy and lower emissions.
April 2012 passenger car registrations in the European Union hit ten-year lows according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. There was a decline overall in the Union of 6.9 per cent in comparison with April 2011, itself a decade-long low – a fair comparison, given that there were the same number of working days in each month. The UK and Germany bucked the trend, posting modest growth in April at 3.3 and 2.9 per cent respectively.
Infinity Tyres and its UK distributor, Bond International will sponsor the inaugural race of the 2012 Dante Festival at York Racecourse on Wednesday 16 May. Infinity was involved at York Races last May too, becoming the title sponsor of that year’s Infinity Tyres Stakes Handicap. Once again, the prize money of £20,000 has attracted a strong line-up of riders.
GT Radial launched its new truck products the GSR220 steer tyre and the GDL617 drive tyre from its stand at the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, but it was the company’s Ree Tread tyre – its first commercial retread tyre – that commanded much attention from visitors to the stand. The company said that the show had been “a real success”, with over 30 high-quality leads, including a large number of senior national and European key fleet contacts, gained from its participation.
In addition to soon to be announced plans for a new factory in Central/Eastern Europe, Apollo Tyres has voiced interest in establishing a plant somewhere in Asia. On 11 May, the Hindu Business Line quoted Apollo vice-chairman and managing director Neeraj Kanwar as saying “we would like to set up a production base in Asean.”
Pirelli & C. SpA has announced first quarter revenues of 1.556.5 billion euros, up 11.1 per cent compared with 1,400.9 million euros in 31 March 2011. Pre-tax profits (EBIT) after restructuring charges grew by almost half to 209.4 million euros (up 46.1 per cent compared with 143.3 million in the first quarter 2011).
Alcoa Wheel Products will be present at the Tip-Ex show 25 – 27 May. The company will be exhibiting examples from its range of wheels aimed at heavy and medium duty trucks, trailers and buses.
This weekend Castle Combe will host the tenth anniversary of Japfest, Europe’s biggest Japanese Car Show. On 12 May the Maxxis British Drift Championship will be the star attraction, with three extended track sessions, during which star drivers from all three classes will be demonstrating their skills and precision in a mass drift train. The title sponsor of the UK Drift series will be strongly represented at Japfest, with the Maxxis Babes joining its two sponsored drifting teams, Team Japspeed and SATS Motorsport.
A number of Michelin factories across Europe, including the firm’s Dundee, Scotland plant have opted to reduce output in order to manage “the market requirements and stock conditions.” According to the company, Dundee – the firm’s only British passenger car tyre factory – has been impacted because the issues centre on the car tyre sector. Recently announced investment projects are also being delayed.
Sometimes punctures are unpreventable. That is why Bridgestone UK is so pleased by its latest breakdown response times. According to the company, the figures show average call out response times of 48 minutes anywhere in the UK – day or night.
The network has more than 300 independent outlets and 1,000 service staff that are trained specifically on servicing truck tyres, reassuring customers that it can properly provide service cover across Europe.
Five months after its foundation stone was laid in December 2011, Starco’s new central warehouse in Winsen, 30 kilometres south of the German city of Hamburg, is virtually ready for business. The company reports that the relocation of staff and stocks from its previous warehouse in nearby Lüneburg is almost complete, and Starco is set to benefit from the major expansion in capacity the new central warehouse delivers; the Winsen facility offers 11,400 square metres of indoor storage with 12 metres headroom (a doubling of the previous six metre headroom) giving space for 20,000 euro pallets. A further expansion that will bring capacity up to 30,000 euro pallets is already being planned, and the location can handle additional expansion when the need arises.
Maxxis-sponsored Team Japspeed dominated the opening round of the Maxxis British Drift Championship on 21-22 April at the Teeside Autodrome, as the team scooped three of the top four spots in the Super Professional class, which the title sponsor refers to as the premier league of drifting. Maxxis-sponsored SATS Motorsport, also using the MAZ1 Drift tyre, leads the constructor’s title race after Steve Moore made it on to the second step of the podium in the Super Pro class. The Infinity Tyres sponsored Acorn Motorsport Division team also had a successful time at the Teeside Autodrome, finishing in third place in the team standings.
Kumho Tires claims to have developed a tyre capable of achieving an ‘A’ rating in the European tyre label for both rolling resistance and wet grip. The tyre in question is the Ecowing ES01, which Kumho intends to launch in Europe in the second half of 2012.
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