PallEx, which operates the UK’s largest fleet of compressed natural gas powered forklift trucks has switched to Michelin Stabil’X XZM pneumatic radial tyres in a move aimed at cutting running costs by extending tyre life. Following an 18-month trial comparing solid tyres with pneumatics, PallEx and Barloworld determined that the Hyster Fortens fitted with Michelin Stabil’X XZM tyres delivered.
Continental Truck Tyres Europe has announced the launch of its wide-base tyre for the growing Megatrailer market. Designated 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1, the new tyre offers fleet operators the benefits of fuel-saving, higher mileage and maximising load-carrying volume. According to the company, fleet users will gain fuel savings of five per cent, higher tyre mileage and maximised load volume.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (NA) has launched the Michelin Latitude Tour HP, an all-season premium touring line targeting luxury cross-over vehicles and SUVs that the company said can cut driver fuel costs. The Latitude Tour HP features a dual tread compound, MNA said, for enhanced wet and dry traction; “load-sensitive contact patch technology” to help maintain “the widest possible footprint” at all times; “Secure Lock technology” for control and grip in wet and snowy conditions; dual sidewall plies and an aramid nylon belt for durability.
From February of this year, Hankook tyres are being fitted to the fifth generation Golf. The Volkswagen Golf has been the single best-selling model of car in Western Europe since the first generation debuted in 1974. Hankook will supply the high performance Ventus Prime K105 205/55R 16. Furthermore since Hankook moved into its purpose built warehouse complex, high performance stockholding has more than doubled, company representatives told Tyres & Accessories.
David Price Food Services Ltd is enjoying an average 27.8 per cent increase in mileage performance from each of the Michelin drive axle tyres on its fleet of 26 commercial vehicles by regrooving them in-line with Michelin’s recommendations. According to the manufacturer, the company fits new Michelin 295/80 R22.5 XZE 2+ and XDE2+ tyres as standard across its fleet, with each tyre regrooved by the local ATS Euromaster branch when the tread depth reaches two to three millimetres.
This year again, Continental AG is taking on well over 1,000 highly qualified graduates and young professionals throughout the world, around 500 of them in Germany. “We invest in knowledge and innovation, especially the skills and talent brought by new employees, with the objective of further consolidating our position as one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers”, states Thomas Sattelberger, Human Resources Director at Continental. The company primarily recruits engineers and scientists as well as management and administrative experts. As in previous years, more than 800 workplaces are to be filled with university graduates in 2006, around 40 percent of them in Germany.
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Beginning this year, Bibendum the Michelin Man will once again serve as Michelin’s spokesman in the UK and Europe. Still funny and playful at 108, he is returning to centre stage in Michelin’s advertising — after several years’ absence — in a multi-media European campaign which started in late January 2006 and extending throughout the year. In the UK, the Michelin Man will be featured on radio, in magazines and newspapers, and on the Internet and in sales outlets.
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Tyre inflation specialist Pneumatic Components Ltd (PCL) is helping to keep Britain’s roads safe by supplying its equipment to Hampshire Police. PCL’s D10 digital wall-mounted unit is used to inflate tyres on the force’s fleet, which must be kept in peak condition at all times, with safety of paramount importance. With 900 police vehicles covering some 15 million miles per year, Hampshire Police must source only the highest quality products to maintain its vehicles under guidelines outlined in the government’s Driving at Work document.
Hankook Tire has announced that it has developed an “ultra fuel efficiency tyre” called the fx-Optimo, which the company claims “drastically maximizes fuel efficiency” by lowering rolling resistance. The company has spent five years and 10 billion won developing the new tyre and has hinted that this release will form the basis of a “green strategy” that will target the hybrid vehicle market.
Hankook reports that compared to existing tyres of the same size, the new tyre boasts 25 per cent lower rolling resistance, for a maximum 3 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. In addition the tyre is said to exhibit enhanced wet braking and control characteristics compared to existing tyres.
Goodway Rubber Industries is a leading provider of rubber compounds and other related products, including retreads. Innovative technology, coupled with intensive research and development efforts, has paid off with the development of the winning formula, Supercool Hi-M. This high mileage formula has been tested on leading highways and expressways in several countries with a winning reputation.
At this year’s Essen show, Matador will be introducing its hp and uhp sales programme, with tyres from its existing range and a new tyre; the MP 43 Aquilla EVO.
This is a summer tyre with a directional tread pattern, aimed at high performance passenger cars. On show on the Matador stand will be the very popular size 205/55 R16 91W and 94V XL – this is the first of a range of sizes that are being developed in Matador’s R&D Centre and which will be on the market in time for Summer 2007.
In this age of high fuel prices, commercial users will be pleased to learn that the new Bandag BDLT is a cost saving and reliable alternative to even the best new tyres on the market. It is an application-specific design for all wheel positions on mid-range to light trucks and vans, operating in busy city centres or covering regional distances on a variety of road types, in all seasons.
The tread is designed to deliver good traction and responsive handling in all weather conditions without sacrificing tread wear. It has been approved by customers in its target market as a top-quality and cost-saving substitute for new tyres.
Goodyear’s Engineered Products division has introduced what it says is the first alternative fuel dispensing hose verified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). The products are being introduced this week at the NAHAD hose and accessories distributors’ annual convention.
According to Keith Collett, industrial hose marketing manager for the company, a complete line of hose, including Goodyear Flexsteel, Ambassador, BC Gasoline and BC Marina, are available to meet the nation’s growing demand for clean burning biodiesel and E85 environmentally-friendly fuels.
Shepton Mallet-based Framptons Transport Services Ltd has identified an average fuel saving of 0.24 mpg (nearly three per cent) on its ERF ECT tractor units, following a trial of Michelin Energy tyres, which are designed for trucks operating primarily on major roads and motorways. The trial saw two tractor units fitted with 315/70 R22.5 A2 Energy tyres as original equipment in 2004, with the fuel economy carefully monitored for a period of 18 months. Fuel consumption was measured against identical vehicles in the fleet operating on Michelin’s ‘E’ segment tyres.
The Fuel Efficiency Study by the Transportation Research Board in the USA has called on Congress to allow the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to collect data on the fuel efficiency of different tyres and to make this available to the public. The Board believes that, were they given all the facts, motorists would opt for the most fuel-efficient brands. If this were to happen, no doubt low rolling resistance and fuel efficiency would assume paramount importance in new tyre design.
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