Westlake to expand 4×4/SUV range in 2014
Westlake Tyres, Zhongce Rubber’s flag brand, has announced plans to expand its range with the intention of positioning itself as “a leading provider of tyres in the fast-growing SUV and 4×4 tyre segment”.
Posts
New catalytic converter designed to cut fuel and manufacturing costs
A British scientist has designed a new type of catalytic converter that could cut fuel consumption and manufacturing costs. Dr Benjamin Kingsbury, a scientist from Imperial College London, suggests that the new prototype could reduce fuel consumption in a standard vehicle by up to three per cent. Furthermore the new design uses up to 80 per cent less rare metal, a development that could significantly reduce costs for vehicle manufacturers. Catalytic converters are expensive to manufacture because they use precious metals such as platinum to eliminate emissions. These metals currently account for up to 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of the component.
Continental gains Golf, Beetle, CC approvals from VW
Volkswagen has approved Continental summer tyres for original equipment fitment on three of its models – 15 and 16-inch versions of the ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5 will be fitted to the Golf 7, the CC receives a 17-inch rim diameter version of the ContiSportContact 5 and ContiEcoContact 5, while the car maker says that the Beetle will be fitted with the 20-inch ContiSportContact 5.
Hercules Tire launches all-position highway tyre
Hercules Tire has introduced the Hercules H-801 all-position premium highway tyre. The newest addition to the Hercules H-Series line of medium truck tyres, the next generation H-801 excels in regional steer applications, delivering exceptional treadwear and superior handling capabilities.
RAC rolls out Dynomec universal spare wheel
The RAC has opted to roll out a universal spare wheel designed to speed up the fix time and minimise inconvenience for members who experience a puncture without having a spare, following a successful trial of the product which began last Autumn. By early February all RAC patrols across the UK will be equipped with the Dynomec-produced wheel, which provides a solution to the increasingly common problem brought about by manufacturers not including a spare wheel in their cars as standard.
ARI Fleet UK signs Michelin, ATS Euromaster agreements
A leading UK fleet management company has signed agreements to make ATS Euromaster its tyre service provider, and Michelin its first choice tyre brand. Chippenham-based ARI Fleet UK’s agreements cover its fleet of cars, vans and trucks, which are supplied to customers such as the RSPCA and Autoglass, on a mixture of leasing, contract hire […]
Conti extends 3G commercial range to goods haulage sector
Last year, Continental introduced the first tyres in its third generation commercial vehicle range. These initial products, the HA3 Conti Coach, Conti CityPlus and the Conti Urban, catered to passenger transport, and now the manufacturer has followed up with the launch of its first 3G tyre for the goods sector, the Continental EcoPlus HT3 trailer tyre.
TÜV Süd, Dekra tests back performance of Michelin CV tyre range
Data derived from tests conducted by independent certification organisations TÜV Süd Automotive and Dekra backs Michelin’s fuel efficiency and safety claims for its current long distance and regional commercial vehicle tyres. TÜV Süd compared the Michelin X Line Energy long-distance tyres against four competing brands in June 2013 on a Mercedes Benz Actros 1842, with a gross train weight of 40 tonnes and equipped with new tyres. In July Dekra compared the Michelin X MultiWay 3D regional tyre against three competing brands fitted on a Mercedes Benz 1820, loaded to a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes and equipped with new tyres that were two-thirds worn. Both tests were requested by Michelin and were designed to recreate “real world” conditions.
Bridgestone extends London public transport deal
Bridgestone has announced an extension of its existing deal with City of London bus fleet Metroline. The tyre supplier will maintain 500 extra vehicles for the company, one of the city’s biggest public transport providers. The buses operate predominantly in the north west of London, from five different locations. Bridgestone describes the extension of its existing two-year deal, which already involves a ‘full maintenance package’ with 1,200 buses, as “a huge coup for the business”.
Four Bridgestone motorcycle lines to debut in February 2014
In February, Bridgestone Corporation will introduce four new motorcycle radials into the global market, the company announced on 18 December. This new line-up includes three lines in the Battlax series and one Battlecross range.
Galgo Pre-Q gets SmartWay approval on second precure design
Galgo Pre-Q’s DP tread for use on Long-haul class-8 drive axle has been awarded SmartWay approval, the second time a Galgo tread has been accredited in his way. According to a company statement, this means the product meets the requirements of the SmartWay Technology programme that verifies low rolling resistance retreaded tyres which help reduce truck fuel consumption by at least 3%, according to the EPA. This programme is compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) as well.
Autoparts UK winter promotion
Autoparts UK has launched its latest winter promotion with a heavy emphasis on crash repair and winter products, with a number of spend incentives also available to garages.
Hanson aggregates fits Enaikoon TPMS
Since its launch earlier in 2013, the Enaikoon TMS has already been installed on vehicles at two UK quarries. At Hanson Aggregates’ Shap Beck Quarry near Penrith, a CAT775 haul truck was recently fitted with TMS external sensors and the Enaikoon TMS.
PRA calls for OFT fuel investigation to re-open
“As Australia’s largest supermarkets cease making fuel offers after a watchdog deems that offering customers discounted petrol is a threat to competition, it is imperative that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) re-open their investigation into the UK fuel market” said Brian Madderson, Petrol Retailers’ Association Chairman.
DAF trucks first to get Goodyear Kmax and Fuelmax tyres as standard
DAF has become the first truck manufacturer to offer Goodyear Kmax and Fuelmax tyres as standard original equipment. The new tyres will be supplied on the company’s brand new CF and LF models as well as its flagship XF range as of December 2013. The Goodyear Kmax and Fuelmax ranges were introduced in September. Kmax, as the name implies, has been developed for high mileage performance, while not compromising on other important criteria such as fuel efficiency and traction. Likewise the Goodyear Fuelmax range is for the operator who wants optimised fuel efficiency combined with good mileage.
