A further round of price increases will be implemented by Bridgestone Europe during the third quarter of 2011. The tyre maker states that, starting July 1, prices for truck and bus radials will rise by an average of 12 per cent, agricultural, off-road tyres and retreads by an average of eight per cent, while an increase averaging five per cent is planned for passenger car, 4×4, light commercial vehicle and motorcycle tyres.
Making a guest appearance at round two of the Maxxis British Drift Championship, drift star Remmo Niezen from the Netherlands piloted his V8 BMW E30 to victory, while title sponsor Maxxis’s Super-Pro championship leader Mark Luney used his MA-Z1 Drift tyres to make it on to the podium.
Transense has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Translogik Limited recently took a further order for “a number” of Truck Tyre Inspection Kits from Goodyear Dunlop for its FOS (Fleet Online Solution) Mobile programme. This relationship began 18 months ago when Goodyear Dunlop began integrating the Translogik tyre inspection probe to work with its FOS system.
Apollo Tyres has opened what it says is “India’s first full-service commercial vehicle tyre outlet.” Located on the outskirts of Delhi, the first Apollo CV Zone was inaugurated by company chairman Onkar S Kanwar on May 30; the tyre maker now plans to establish a network of outlets across India.
Maxxis has described a record attendance at Japfest on Saturday, 14 May, as having “cemented the event’s reputation as Europe’s biggest Japanese car show.” The tyre manufacturer’s heavy involvement in the event as an Official Partner allows it to promote its range to enthusiastic buyers of performance, tuning and styling products and increase brand awareness within the Japanese car scene.
At this year’s eSafety Challenge, which begins in Vienna on May 30, Bridgestone will present and demonstrate two new tyre pressure monitoring systems. The patented commercial system that Bridgestone will demonstrate features a valve containing a built-in radio frequency unit that screws onto the valve stem; a passenger car version integrated to a snap-in valve will also be demonstrated.
Aston Martin refers to its V8 Vantage S as a “driver-focused” vehicle: “The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before,” exclaims Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range.” Bridgestone is thus pleased its Potenza RE050A has been selected as original equipment on the freshly released coupé and roadster. The Bridgestone tyre is fitted to the 430hp Aston Martin in size 245/40 on the front wheels and 285/35 on the rear.
Infinity Tyres, part of the Al Dobowi Group recently sponsored the first event of the 2011 horseracing season at York racecourse in a meet which was long awaited by racing professionals and fans. This sponsorship was conducted in conjunction with Bond International, distributor of the brand in the UK and it is reported forms part of two firms’ strategy to “to get closer to the customer”, as Reg Bond, owner and managing director of Bond International, stated. “To promote a brand, you must go to the consumer and a tyre means little to a consumer, what grabs him, is something special, and this is special.”
The UK features strongly in the Klarius Group’s plans for growing its European business, and the Leicester based manufacturer of exhaust systems, catalytic converters and other automotive components says this commitment to UK growth can be seen in the appointment of Richard Morley as UK sales director. Morley, who was previously with German owned automotive electrics company Hella, brings more than 21 years of automotive aftermarket experience with him into his new role, in which he assumes day-to-day responsibility for Klarius’ UK sales team. Key tasks that Morley will undertake include developing and implementing the company’s commercial strategy, identifying and prioritising new business opportunities, developing existing customers whilst bringing innovative new products to market in the UK.
Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tyres has announced the availability of its new high-performance summer tyre with what the company terms “smooth-run features”. Nexen believes the CP661 (TR) offers “noticeable energy savings” and “excellent handling on both wet and dry surfaces”. The range comprises twenty-five sizes from 13” to 17” with aspect ratios between 55 and 70 and is made at Nexen’s Korea and China production facilities. A CP661 tyre is currently fitted as OE on the KIA Soul and the KIA Forte model.
Through its new, refreshed web presence, the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association hopes not only to convey its progressive approach; the association has structured the itma-europe.com website to serve as a valuable tool and resource for its members.
The Campaign for Better Tyres has published tyre comparison data originally commissioned by the Dutch Government. The information supplied covers rolling resistance, road noise and wet grip measures for a number of summer and winter/all-season tyres currently sold in Europe. The Dutch data categorises tyres into those that are ‘safe, fuel efficient and silent’, those recommended as a ‘secondary choice’ and tyres that fail to measure up. The tyre information can be downloaded in pdf form at http://www.bettertyres.org.uk/why-better-tyres/buying-better-tyres.
Gaither Tool is credited for introducing the first portable automatic bead booster, and Gaither Europe has now launched what it considers to be the next generation of modern bead booster – the Gaither Bead Bazooka. This latest model offers the considerable advantage of being lighter and more compact; Gaither reports the Bead Bazooka weighs just 5.5 kilograms – less than half that of the 12.5 kilogram Gaither GB5A. It is also 60 per cent smaller. Gaither believes these reduced dimensions are just one of the advantages the Bead Bazooka offers; it also sees customers being attracted by its pricing and its delivery of the “most powerful automatic rapid air release system” of any bead seating device on the market.
Germany’s PS motorcycle sport magazine has released its 2011 tyre test results, with Bridgestone’s Battlax BT-016 Battlax BT-016 Pro Hypersport receiving top honours. The full wet and dry evaluation of size 120/70 ZR 17 (front) and 180/55 ZR 17 (rear) on a Honda CBR 600 RR with ABS was conducted on an international testing circuit in southern Europe in spring 2011.
The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) has launched a new website for its members. Not only does the new site have a much improved visual design, reflecting the association’s recent decision to develop a more two-directional communications strategy, but it has also been structured to be a resource for members.
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