Civica, a provider of specialist systems and business process services that help organisations around the world to transform the way they work, and GreenRoad, the leader in driver performance and safety management, have announced a partnership to help organisations reduce maintenance costs, fuel spend and minimise accidents.
Pirelli has finally acquired its own Formula One test car, though the supplier is still yet to announce who will be driving it. The car in question is Renault’s 2010 R30, which Pirelli will adapt to simulate the latest technical and aerodynamic regulations, as it develops future tyres. Pirelli states that a test driver will be appointed later in March.
Bridgestone has launched the newPotenza S001 RFT run-flat tyre. According the company, the S001 provides the superior driving performance of the Bridgestone Potenza S001 combined with the added safety of Bridgestone run-flat technology.
With fuel prices reaching record levels, TyreSafe has reminded motorists about the fuel efficiency benefits of correct tyre pressure as well as providing maximum safety and prolonging tyre life.
While beleaguered UK motorists are now paying as much as 144.67p per litre for diesel on average, TyreSafe points out that apart from improved safety and the reduced risk of experiencing a dangerous blowout, correctly inflated tyres provide lower running costs.
FleetMatics GPS has illustrated how its systems have been used to improve the cost efficiency of businesses’ fleets. Growing customer demand led Surrey boiler services company, B&K Boilers Services to employ FleetMatics’ fleet management solutions for commercial fleet vehicles. The company employs 10 registered ‘Gas Safe’ fitters and their management depended on phone calls and check-ins at the office: “As each fitter can complete up to 10 jobs every day, that’s a lot of calls to answer in a week,” said Mr Worthington, B&K Boiler Services Owner. Since fitting the FleetMatics GPS fleet tracking system, Worthington has made scheduling of jobs more efficient, and he can better manage his fitters.
Hankook reports its Enfren Eco H433 has been given the top grade for energy efficiency in the ratings set out by the Korea Energy Management Corporation. The tyre maker says the H433 is the first tyre from a Korean manufacturer to receive this grade. In December 2011 the tyre also received the highest AAA rating for rolling resistance in the labelling system set up by the Tire Fair Trade Commission in Japan.
With commercial tyre sales show continual year on year growth, Hankook is once again appearing at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC 24 – 26 April 2012.
The company will be presenting a range of tyre solutions at this year’s show including the Hankook e-cube AL10, TL10, AH22+ and RA18 and specifically new sizes for the e-cube. The Hankook AL10 e-cube tyre for the steer axle is now also available in super single size 385/55 R 22.5 for better fuel economy.
A number of Indian tyre makers have shared their views on commercial vehicle radialisation with the Financial Chronicle. Estimates of current radialisation levels within this sector vary between 18 and 24 per cent, and all who spoke to the newspaper believe the radial to cross-ply ratio will change dramatically in the coming years.
In a guest editorial for Reuters, Lanxess CEO Axel Heitmann has described low rolling resistance tyres as being a primary focus for the specialty chemicals company. “As the fastest growing sector in the tyre industry, “green tyres” have enormous growth potential and increase globally by around ten per cent per year. In Asia demand is currently increasing by as much as 14 per cent annually,” he stated. “Our position is therefore clear: Lanxess will continue to build on its leading position and expand its production capacities, particularly in Asia.” Heitmann expanded upon the Asian theme by sharing that Lanxess will produce 140,000 tonnes of Nd-PBR-rubber per annum at a new site in Singapore by 2015.
As of April 2012, Continental and Marangoni Group will hand over the promotion and sales of ContiTread pre-cure treads to Continental Tyre Group Ltd in the UK and Ireland. Commenting on this move, commercial marketing manager Tracey Hyem said “the addition of ContiTread to our core sales offering, further underlines Continental's commitment to the ContiLifeCycle concept. Customers will now have one contact for all elements of ContiLifeCycle, and can rely on comprehensive advice to help reduce costs through better fuel consumption and longer tyre life.”
Nokian claims a pair of tyre test victories for its summer products; the Nokian Z G2 scored a win in the German Volkswagen and Audi specialist magazine “Gute Fahrt”, while the Nokian H took top honours in the “Auto Zeitung”, which is also published in Germany.
The Road Haulage Association's latest weekly fuel price survey – the most reliable guide to what hauliers actually pay for diesel deliveries to their depots – shows a national average price of 116.33 pence before VAT (139.60 after VAT).
Yokohama’s orange oil technology is hitting the replacement market in the US with the introduction of the Avid Ascend all-season tyre. The new range goes on sale 1 March and the initial line-up includes 45 sizes for 15 to 18-inch tyres in T, H and V speed ratings; suitable applications include passenger cars, crossover vehicles and minivans. Upon announcing the new tyre’s introduction, Yokohama Tire Corporation described the Avid Ascend as the first tyre “to collectively achieve – without compromise – exceptional all-season performance, remarkable tread life and excellent fuel efficiency.”
Haweka UK has announced that it will offer one free alignment check to dealers and CV/PSV operators with over 20 vehicles. The promotion is to encourage those fleets considering bringing wheel alignment in-house, and will feature Haweka’s new Axis200 wheel alignment machine. Every free check undertaken Haweka will provide a detailed print out to the customer of adjustments required and any necessary recommendations.
Bad news for hauliers, as the price of diesel has hit a record high having rocketed by 10 pence per litre (ppl) in just 12 months – an inflation-busting 7 per cent rise – reports RMI Petrol.
The increase leaves diesel at 143.05 pence per litre (ppl), a level that could derail Government plans to curb inflation, is a disaster for motorists, and puts the livelihoods of hundreds of fuel retailers at further risk says RMI Petrol Chairman Brian Madderson.
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