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Renault Picks Alcoa Dura-Bright for Hybrid Refuse Collection Vehicle

The first Renault Trucks refuse collection vehicle equipped with a hybrid engine will start a field test, fitted with Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels, in the Lyon urban area in October 2008. The aim is to confirm, under real operating conditions, that up to 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption – and therefore in CO2 emissions – can be achieved by using Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech. The market launch is planned for end 2009.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Car Ownership Becoming a Love/Hate Relationship

With more vehicles per capita than our European counterparts, some people have romantically described the UK as a nation of car lovers. However, according to a survey carried out by GfK NOP in conjunction with Nationwide Autocentre, it appears that Britain’s love affair with cars is dwindling, with nearly 30 per cent of men and 20 per cent of women now actually resenting their vehicles.

Rising fuel costs and road tax (74 and 53% respectively) were cited as the main reason for the ill feeling. However, those in the tyre industry will be interested to hear learn that 39 per cent of motorists resent their car due to its environmental impact more than even the congestion charge. In addition to the growing trend towards smaller new car sizes, it seems that economical tyres are also likely to grow in popularity – 50 per cent of the country is spending money on essentials like food and clothing instead of maintaining their vehicles.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Carna Transport Opts for Michelin OE Following 18-Month Test

Monaghan, Ireland based haulier Carna Transport has completed an 18-month tyre trial to compare the efficiency of two leading tyre brands in the truck market, and as a direct result the company placed an order for its ten newest Euroliner trailers to be delivered with Michelin tyres as original equipment.

The in-house trial began in late 2006 following the delivery of a fleet of new Scania R420 4×2 tractor units, which were all delivered on the same original equipment tyres. Before the vehicles entered service, Carna Transport arranged for the tyres on two of the vehicles to be replaced with Michelin XZA2+ Energy tyres on the steer axles and Michelin XDE2+ regional tyres on the drive axles. Over the next 18 months the fuel economy of the vehicles running on the competitor’s tyres was monitored against the two tractor units shod with Michelin using the company’s own telematic equipment. The length of the test was judged to be sufficient to take into account the changing drivers, routes and loads, and enabled the company to calculate the average fuel return for the two different tyre specifications.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Company Veteran First Bridgestone Firestone Research Fellow

Dr. William L. Hergenrother has been promoted to the newly created position of Research Fellow by Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology (BACRT), effective October 1, 2008. This achievement recognises Hergenrother’s 45 years of contributions to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT).

Hergenrother joined Firestone Central Research in 1963, at what was then The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, after obtaining his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from The University of Notre Dame. In this new role, Hergenrother will continue advising BACRT management on strategic technical issues. He will also continue serving as both an internal technical resource for all BACRT projects and a technical resource for all parts of Bridgestone Corporation.

30th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosal Introduces New UK Range of Bus Exhaust Systems

Bosal UK, part of Belgium headquartered exhaust systems and catalytic converter designer and manufacturer Bosal International, is strengthening its UK presence in the bus and coach exhaust systems market.

The company has appointed a new UK business development manager for its Truck, Bus & Industrial applications division. Peter Winward brings to Bosal UK a strong background in engineering and several years with another exhaust system manufacturer. Bosal has also published a catalogue covering its initial product range for buses and coaches, and the company says it will make its first appearance as an exhibitor at the 2008 Euro Bus Expo at the NEC, Birmingham in November.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Amerityre Partners Defence Industry Contractor

Amerityre Corporation has entered into a development programme with an unnamed multi-billion dollar defence industry contractor that is a leader in aerospace composite technology. The objective of the Phase I development programme is to establish the base line performance characteristics of Amerityre’s polyurethane passenger car tyre incorporating a “composite hoop” belt, as opposed to traditional tyre belting material.

The composite hoop belt has been investigated in rubber tyre applications by Edward Markow of Edward Markow Consulting. Under the programme, Amerityre will provide the polyurethane tyre design and material, the defence contractor partner will fabricate the composite hoop belts and Markow will consult on the programme.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TransLinc Chooses Goodyear Dunlop as Sole Tyre Provider

Goodyear Dunlop has signed a ‘substantial’ fleet deal with Translinc, the UK’s leading provider of specialist fleet management and passenger services to local authorities, schools, health authorities and public sector clients. The deal includes all tyre orders for Translinc’s 2700 strong fleet of vans and trucks being looked after by Goodyear Dunlop’s TruckForce service network.

The contract includes the latest Goodyear Max Technology tyre that reduces cost per mile through improving fuel consumption and mileage with the help of low rolling resistance and innovative design. Supplying a variety of vehicles, from car derived vans to large refuse trucks, the majority on a contract hire with maintenance basis, TransLinc required a bespoke, cost effective tyre package to its customers.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

High Ambitions For Sailun Tyre

Sailun Tyre is a company that epitomises the rapid technological advances made by Chinese industry in recent years. Although it was only established six years ago, Sailun has plans to expand significantly.
The company is situated in the National Economic and Technological Development Zone in Qingdao and manufactures all-steel radial truck tyres. However, its ambition is to build three modern factories to manufacture a range of medium truck radials and bias and radial special tyres, as well as the existing range. These plans also include a dedicated test track to be used in the development and evaluation of new products.

Sailun has already invested heavily in R&D, utilising CAD software to build mathematical models for finite element analysis, refining the design of a tyre and predicting its behaviour and performance while still on the screen. The company boasts a very short development time for new products and has established long-term co-operation in science and research with institutions such as the National university of Defence Technology and the Qindao University of Science and Technology.

24th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BAT RF Launches Automated CV Tyre Management System in the UK

A computerised tyre management system developed in the US by BAT RF is now being launched in the UK market. The system brings together a series of active RF (radio frequency) components to provide truck and bus fleets with real-time data for tyre inflation, fuel consumption and asset identification. All data can be viewed in real time through the BAT RF website or integrated into existing fleet management software.

A survey carried out in mid-July by BAT RF UK with a large UK fleet operator found that 44 per cent of all tyres were under inflated by more than five per cent, which has a significant detrimental effect on tyre life and fuel consumption. The survey also found that 64 per cent of dual tyres on tractor units were more than five per cent out of balance. This results in one tyre running hotter than the other on the same axle and eventually failing. Initial indications are that many UK truck and bus fleets are facing similar challenges in monitoring and managing tyre pressures cost effectively.

24th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook All-Season Test Success

Hankook’s Optimo 4S has received the best ratings in an all-season tyre test by Auto Bild, the German car magazine, with testers acknowledging “top driving performance under any weather conditions”. The company says that the “exemplary” rating of the tyre substantiates Hankook’s claim to premium standards in its products. The Optimo 4S is also the only tyre in the world to receive the German Federal Environmental Agency’s prestigious Blue Angel mark, attributed because of the tyre’s reduced road and rolling noise, as well as helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent.

Hankook is – According to the US-Magazine Modern Tire Dealer (Jan. 2008) – currently the seventh largest and fastest growing tire manufacturer in the world, and the company is keen to emphasise the “landmark” nature of the results of the tests by Auto Bild, Europe’s largest automobile magazine. Eight all-season-products from various makers were tested on a VW Golf with the dimensions 195/65 R 15 T/H/V. The Optimo 4S (standing for four seasons), was – according to Auto Bild’’s editor – the only tested tyre “that outperforms in any kind of weather”. He also praised its “dynamic handling quality on snow-covered roads as well as short braking distances on wet as well as dry courses,” making the tyre one of only two to receive the magazine’s “exemplary” rating.

24th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo to Push Fuel Efficient Line in U.S., Europe

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. said it would launch fuel-efficient passenger tyres in the U.S. and European markets. The low rolling resistance tyres will reach those markets be 2010. Sumitomo has been selling the line in Japan. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Bandag Releases Fuel Economy Guide

With fuel moving into the lead as a fleet’s top expense, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) is releasing its fourth comprehensive fuel economy guide for large trucks. “Tires & Truck Fuel Economy – a New Perspective” looks at what BBTS has learned after 25 years of studying the relationship of tires to large truck fuel economy, the company said.

The guide provides fleet customers with practical recommendations that take into consideration the real-world factors affecting fuel economy, according to Singh Ahluwalia, president of sales and marketing for BBTS. “There’s no one single thing you can do to be a financial success in the trucking business, and there’s no one single thing you can do to maximize your fuel economy,” he said. “The good news is, practically everyone can do a better job of getting the most out of a gallon of fuel.”

The guide also addresses how speed affects fuel economy, how to select the best tyre for a fleet operation, and how to balance the cost of tyres over their lifetime with their affect on fuel economy, BBTS said. Fleets who wish to receive a copy can ask their Bridgestone Bandag sales representative, call 1-888-694-0469 or visit bridgestonetrucktires.com. (Tire Review/Akron)

17th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Go Global With Ecopia

In April Bridgestone launched its ‘Ecopia’ range of fuel efficient tyres, said to reduce rolling resistance by some 30 per cent. Despite a slight price premium in its home market of about 20 per cent over a standard tyre, the Japanese manufacturer holds sufficient confidence in the product to proceed with its global release. Targeted markets include Europe and North America.

17th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kia Wants Michelin for Fuel Efficient cee’d

Korea’s Kia Motors has selected Michelin to provide the OE tyres for all new additions to the company’s cee’d range. The choice has been inspired by Michelin’s efforts in manufacturing tyres that contribute to the fuel-efficiency of the vehicle they are mounted upon. The cee’d range, Kia states, is to be grown with new low environmental impact models.

It seems that this is a marriage of design principles, with both companies expressing commitment to innovations leading to both increased safety and better fuel economy. The Michelin-Kia partnership began in 2006 when Kia selected Michelin as the exclusive supplier of 15”, 16” and 17” tyres to equip the carmaker’s cee’d range.

16th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Adds New Size to X Terminal-T Range

Michelin has released a new size in its X Terminal-T range. The 310/80R22.5 tyre, says the company, is designed to significantly boost productivity levels in port terminals through its suitability on all articulated vehicle axle positions. Additional benefits, claims Michelin, are double the working life of a traditional radial truck tyre and significantly improved fuel economy compared to a bias-ply or solid tyre. The repairable and retreadable Michelin X Terminal-T becomes available from specialised dealers in September 2008 in Europe, and in November 2008 in the US, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

15th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors