BYD’s second-generation dual-mode, plug-in high performance hybrid electric saloon car, the Qin, has set a second record month of sales in February. Trends in March now make it ‘China’s Best-Selling Electric Vehicle’ according to China’s National Passenger Car Association. The Qin, in renamed form, is expected to spearhead BYD sales in the European consumer market in the coming years.
According to research carried out for Kwik-Fit, as many as one in eight motorists claim the steering on their car pulls to one side or the other. If the ICM Research survey of 2,024 adults is representative of the wider British motoring public, this means that almost one million drivers are experiencing significant steering pull.
The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the freeze in fuel duty confirmed by the Chancellor in yesterday’s Budget, but has expressed disappointment that he has not taken the opportunity to boost the economy by reducing fuel duty by 3 pence per litre.
British chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne has opted to freeze fuel duty as part of his 2014 budget statement, given today (19 March) in the House of Commons. Arguably the most tyre-specific announcement after the freezing of fuel duty was the news that an extra £200 million for pothole maintenance.
In addition to its specialist national and regional X Coach range, Michelin has also recently added the X Multi D to its portfolio of passenger transportation tyres. The manufacturer says the tyre will be at the forefront of changes in the 17.5” drive axle commercial vehicle tyre segment. The tyre, aimed at medium weight trucks and midi-coaches is designed to provide improved safety, fuel-efficiency, noise and longevity characteristics when compared with the XDE2 tyres they replace.
Goodyear is showcasing its a BA-BB label rated selection of SUV tyres at the Geneva Motor Show. Tyres shown include a BA labelled tyre on the new Nissan Qashqai 2014 edition, itself a new fitment for the company and a BB label on its Eagle F1 Asymmetric SUV tyre. According to Goodyear, the release follows on from the developments necessary for the AA concept tyre previously exhibited at Geneva and which subsequently was launched in a mass-production car tyre form. The message is that driven by its award winning EfficientGrip Performance, which features a BA label across a majority of sizes offered, Goodyear is now focusing its attention to the SUV and cross-over markets.
Targeted at vehicles such as the Audi Q3 or the Land Rover Evoque, the EfficientGrip SUV tyre is designed to be something of jack of all trades. As Goodyear points out, while a performance road tyre only really has to concentrate on the task of gripping the road and off-road tyres with the job of generating as much traction in mud as possible, a modern SUV is a jack of all trades and needs a tyre that’s equally broad in its talents.
In its pre-Budget submission to the Chancellor the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has urged Chancellor to go further than freezing fuel duty and to cut it by three pence per litre. FTA has asked George Osborne who will deliver the 2014 Budget statement on 19 March, to maintain its commitment and consider the economic benefits […]
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is to exhibit highlight its high performance of tyres, with a focus on the Advan global flagship brand and the fuel-efficient BluEarth brand. According to the company, Yokohama’s booth will also display the “AERO-Y” electric vehicle (EV) concept car. Yokohama suggest a number of new products will be introduced at the show including three new tyre products, two of which are described as world premieres and one a European premier.
Dunlop has launched its latest passenger car tyre for smaller European car models, the StreetResponse2. Available in 13”, 14” and 15” sizes, the tyre fits four of the UK’s top five selling vehicles in 2013, including the Ford Fiesta, which Dunlop notes sold more than 72,000 units. The tyre improves several characteristics of its predecessor, […]
Schrader International, the leading global manufacturer of sensing and valve solutions, was presented with Frost & Sullivan’s 2013 North American Price Performance Value Leadership Award in Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in early February. Frost & Sullivan recognized Schrader as the best-in-class leader for the design and manufacturing of valve and sensing technologies for TPMS, in both the original equipment and aftermarket channel
Now UL/Malaysia’s sustainable raw material for more fuel efficient tyres is in commercial production, Ekoprena is being showcased at this week’s Tire Tech Expo.
Ekoprena representatives report that they will be explaining why this material is “the only way for tyre manufacturers to be at the forefront of green innovation and to claim ownership of the most ecologically sound tyres.”
Autoparts UK has produced a new Ultratec oil selection poster to assist garages and motorists with selecting the correct oil for a specific vehicle.
The use of incorrect engine oil can lead to problems and result in expensive repairs. Also, car manufacturers have clearly defined oil drain intervals for oils which meet their specifications and the use of a lower quality lubricant in, for example, a long oil drain schedule can result in reduced engine component life and poor fuel economy.
Chrysler has approved Goodyear’s Assurance Fuel Max in size 215/55R17 as standard equipment for certain models in its upcoming 200 range, which goes on sale in North America during the second quarter of 2014. In announcing this latest original equipment deal, Goodyear Tire & Rubber notes that its tyres are on more new vehicles in North America than any other brand.
According to statistics published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), new car registrations in the UK rose 7.6 per cent year-on-year. Last year’s best-seller the Ford Fiesta retained the top ranking in January 2014, with 9,072 units registered during the month. Ford also occupied the number two position, with Focus registrations reaching 5,333 units, while the Vauxhall Corsa was the third best-selling car in the UK, with 4,470 units registered.
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