BMW Group has debuted the second generation of its BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, a car that, according to the manufacturer, sets “a new standard in the premium compact segment.” Order books are now open in the UK, with prices starting at £34,915 on the road. A range of summer and several winter tyres are approved for UK deliveries.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV gave it a run for its money, but Continental’s PremiumContact 7 recently won the What Car? With a weighted score of 86 per cent, the PremiumContact 7 was one percentage point ahead of the second-placed Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV (85%). Michelin’s Primacy 4+ rounded off the podium, albeit some way back, with a weighted score of 71 per cent. The test also considered a number of tyres outside the premium stable. Interestingly, What Car? ranked Triangles EffexSport TH202 ahead of the GT Radial FE2 SUV and the Landsail LS588 SUV.
Whether your vehicle is fed from the pump or a socket, there’s a Giti tyre for you – and that’s the message that Giti Tire is promoting with its new Giti AdvanZtech EV ready tyres strategy, which currently incorporates both the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2 tyre lines.
Giti Tire has launched the Giti GTR956 HD Combi Road, a trailer tyre for severe Heavy Duty (HD) regional applications. Initially available in 385/65R22.5 – with 265/70R19.5 planned for quarter four – the tyre is designed for rugged working sites, heavy loads, mountainous and winding roads, rough terrains and has limited off-road capacity.
Visitors to The Tire Cologne 2024 encountered numerous upgrades and additions to both the Giti and GT Radial tyre brands. Members of the Giti Tire team shared details of these developments with us during the show.
The latest Brand Finance data shows that Michelin is “the world’s most valuable and strongest tyre brand” followed by Bridgestone in second and with Continental rounding off the podium. However, Far Eastern brand value is rocketing, with Giti the fastest-growing tyre brand in the ranking, following a 19 per cent brand value increase. Similarly, Sailun, Linglong Tire and Sentury Tire accelerates off the back of an overseas demand surge.
Although Giti Tire will concentrate on its dual electric vehicle (EV) approach and sustainability at The Tire Cologne 2024, it’ll also find the time to unveil new tyres for the passenger car, light truck and heavy truck markets at its exhibition space (Hall 7.1, Stand: C030 D039).
Giti Tire’s European truck and bus portfolio has utilised its latest tyre launch to highlight a move to a range of tyres that the tyre maker says deliver vastly improved Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) – the Giti GDL617 Ecoroad. The newcomer is based on the well-received Giti GDL617 long-haul drive pattern and features a new and innovative tread compound that significantly lowers hysteresis generation, raising the RRC up two grades to a B.
Giti Tire has announced the appointment of Dr Pang Chong Hau as the company’s Chief Sustainability Officer. Dr Pang is based at Giti’s global headquarters in Singapore and brings a wealth of experience in sustainability to his new position, having led the development of sustainable procurement frameworks and initiated key green projects in his previous roles.
Team Oliver Racing’s (TOR) British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) entries have unveiled a new Giti Tire Motorsport livery ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch 31 March – 1 April. The bonneted Volvo VNL of Stuart Oliver and MAN TGX 18.480 of Michael Oliver feature new grey, yellow and black racing colours alongside several modifications in their racing set-up. Giti is maintaining its role as official partner and exclusive tyre supplier for the third consecutive season in 2024, its sixth year in the championship. All trucks will race on the Giti Race-Tuned v1 competition truck tyre in size 315/70R22.5.
Giti Tire has increased the available “Powered by Sparco” fitments of its GitiSportS2 ultra-high performance tyre in Europe, adding 22 new dimensions to the existing eight. This version of the tyre, which targets sports cars and premium SUVs with low ratio sizes between 225/45R17 and 315/30R22. All sizes are rated A for wet grip and the majority are speed-rated Y. In total, the GitiSportS2 is now available in 63 sizes with rims from 16-22”, section widths from 195-315, series sizes from 30-55, including SUV, and speed indices from V-Y.
Giti Tire Motorsport and Team Oliver Racing enjoyed another successful season in the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) with Stuart Oliver securing a top three finish in the standings. The manufacturer also maintained its role as Official Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier for 2023, with all trucks racing on the Giti Race-Tuned v1 competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5.
Recently, Sentury appointed Philippe Oberti as deputy general manager and director of its R&D centre.
Giti Tire held a groundbreaking ceremony on 20 September to officially inaugurate the start of work on its latest facility, an event the tyre maker says holds a “particular significance” as it also marks the group’s 30th anniversary of manufacturing in China. Executive chairman Enki Tan reinforced this during proceedings by stating that “the upcoming modernised Hefei plant not only celebrates our legacy but also sets the stage for Giti’s next chapter.”
Giti Tire welcomed over 750 guests from across Europe onto its stand at this year’s Convoy in the Park at Donington Park, with Honda TT legend John McGuinness MBE the star attraction driving in his first-ever truck races.
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