The industry’s 3mm campaign has received support from top UK motoring TV programme Fifth Gear, which called on Government to change “dangerous” UK tyre tread laws. Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson hosted a slot on the programme in July which showed the dramatic effect of worn tyres on stopping performance which travelling at 50mph.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire has again undertaken a recall of certain Firestone Radial ATX, Radial ATX II and Wilderness AT tyres in size P235/75R15 and Wilderness AT tyres in sizes P255/70R16. These tyres were originally recalled in August 2000 and October 2001 as part of the massive tyre recall in connection with Ford Motor Co. SUV and light trucks.
A group of BFGoodrich dealers recently experienced rallying at its best, enjoying a once in a lifetime trip to an FIA World Rally Championships (WRC) event as part of a dealership incentive programme from the leading performance and 4×4 tyre brand.
(Akron/Tire Review) Sean E. Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, is calling for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate the effectiveness of Firestone ATX and Wilderness AT consumer replacement programs in 2000 and 2001 and launch another consumer notification programme.
2006 has seen ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket embark on a major new parts development programme. During the first quarter of the year 55 exhaust and 30 catalytic converter references were added to an already market leading range, providing a further 100 model applications. With plans in place to accelerate the development programme, by year end the company aim to have added a total of 400 new references.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook’s Optimo H725 all-season touring tyre will be OE on the 2007 Ford Focus, Hankook Tire America Corp. announced. The tyre will be fitted in size P195/60R15. “This new Ford Focus application for our tyres is another major step forward in growing our brand position here in the U.S.,” said Bill Bainbridge, Hankook’s marketing director. “As more and more OE vehicle manufacturers select our brand with confidence, that will translate to driving more consumers to look for the Hankook brand when choosing replacement tyres.” Globally, Hankook supplies tyres to Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia, Volvo, GM and Mitsubishi, among others.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook’s Optimo H725 all-season touring tyre will be OE on the 2007 Ford Focus, Hankook Tire America Corp. announced. The tyre will be fitted in size P195/60R15.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp. will have OE positions on several GM vehicles, including the Chevy Cobalt, Chevy Malibu, and the Pontiac G5 and G6. Hankook’s Optimo H725A all-season touring line will be on those vehicles in sizes P205/55R16H and P225/50R17S. Hankook said it invested two years in the development of the H725A, is OE on the Saturn Ion. Hankook also supplies tires to Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia, Volvo, and Mitsubishi, among others.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Discoverer tyres played a prominent role in a recent airing of The Learning Channel’s “Overhaulin’” car makeover show. The tyres were installed on a 1968 Ford Bronco remodeled by automotive designer Chip Foose on the “Photo Shoot Fiasco” episode of the show.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Corp. founder Shojiro Ishibashi is among seven individuals selected for induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame on 3 October. Joining Ishibashi in the class of 2006 are vehicle designer Nuccio Bertone, race driver Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR chief Bill France Jr., AutoNation founder Wayne Huizenga, former Ford president Arjay Miller and designer Bruno Sacco.
GSF Car Parts – one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of quality car parts for German, Swedish and French cars – has launched an ‘All-Makes’ range incorporating products suitable for the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Fiat cars.
Michelin will actively support the GreenFleet drive-day event at Silverstone 11 April. The company says the event will demonstrate the value of its new Primacy HP tyres which are said to deliver “at least 25 per cent more miles than equivalent competitors’ products and the huge fuel saving benefits of its Energy low rolling resistance tyre range.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Ford Motor Co plans to ask NHTSA to tell US car owners to change their tyres after six years of service – regardless of their condition. Ford and DaimlerChrysler already advise owners of their vehicles to discard tyres after six years through their respective vehicle owner’s manuals. Ford claims its testing and research shows that the effects of aging on tyre reliability increases significantly after six years.
A high proportion of the new cars launched at the recent Geneva Motor Show and set to reach the UK market shortly feature Varta calcium-silver and AGM batteries as original equipment. Varta claims a share of more than half the European OE market. Among the new cars with Varta as OE are two high-performance coupes from two of the UK’s most famous marques; the Jaguar XK8 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Ford’s Volvo Car Corporation has said it will begin making cars in China this year, at an existing Ford joint venture plant. The initial target is for 10,000 cars a year to be produced in 2007.
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