British Gas recently completed a year-round trial of Continental winter tyres on its fleet of car-derived vans. Following the extreme weather conditions experienced in 2009, British Gas took the decision to fit 120 of its Volkswagen Caddy vans with winter tyres to ensure its vehicles stayed on-call and on the road last winter.
The first Chinese designed and manufactured super wide truck radial to be marketed in the US was launched at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on November 1. The Double Coin FT125 super wide, a low rolling resistance trailer position tyre, will be distributed in the US by the China Manufacturers Association; the distributor reports the FT125 has already attained EPA SmartWay verification.
Pirelli has been named a co-beneficiary of the £950 million to be handed out in the second round of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. On October 31, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced details of the 119 successful bids; while the level of support Pirelli will receive was not specified, it is believed the funds heading Pirelli’s way will aid in the development of low carbon tyre production methods.
More than three weeks have passed since a lock-out began at Dunlop India’s Sahaganj factory, and the tyres appear to be spinning on negotiations for resuming production. The Press Trust of India reports that union representatives have voiced opposition to bipartite talks with Dunlop India, while the company is awaiting West Bengal state government approval of three-party talks and the government is waiting for Dunlop India to re-open the plant before attempting further negotiations.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning that many of Britain’s roads will become more hazardous for motorists as the frosts and local council cuts bite. In spite of the last two winters of severe cold, snow and ice, many councils are planning to cut back on winter road services, including salting. The suggestion is that this could lead to more accidents. Last year there was a 37 per cent increase in the number of cars overturning in snow and ice, according to the IAM.
TIA says that the renewed free trade deal with South Korea is a good deal for the U.S. tyre market. President Obama signed the renewal of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which was part of a trade pact originally agreed to between the U.S. and South Korea in 2007 – Korean-United States Free Trade Agreement.
The e-paper edition of Tyres & Accessories October 2011 is now available online. To access the most recently published edition, which contains feature on the wholesale business, e-commerce and batteries subscribers need only click more.
"The motor industry is now in a vacuum which deters investment both in premises and employment. The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) urges Government to provide the industry with clarification of their intentions under the MOT review as soon as possible" said RMI chairman Colin Parlett, speaking at the RMI’s Annual Dinner, held at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London on October 20th.
Yesterday (11 October) Michelin held an open day designed to encourage young people to learn more about manufacturing and potentially become apprentices. Michelin hosted the open day at its facility in Stoke-on-Trent as part of the government-backed “See Inside Manufacturing” scheme. Pupils and students from five Stoke-based schools and colleges visited the site in Campbell Road. A second open day is planned for Thursday 13 October.
Other events took place at the site time in automotive manufacturing centres across the country including several at sites across the West Midlands including Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin.The automotive sector is the first industry to support the nationwide project.
Pirelli has committed itself to support road safety campaigns in Italy, particularly those aimed at students and young drivers, through a number of joint projects with the Italian government. On October 6 the tyre maker signed a protocol of intent with Italy’s Interior Ministry and the Ministry for Education and Research to select and support joint projects and other initiatives. Under the terms of the agreement, Pirelli will work with the two government bodies on various road safety projects for at least three years.
Responding to recent speculation that the Government are considering raising the speed limit to 80 miles per hour on motorways, John Ball, Retail Motor Industry (RMI) MOT chairman, commented: "If cars are allowed to go faster there will be an increased need for a rigorous MOT test."
Axeon, a Dundee-based independent supplier of lithium-ion batteries, says a project it undertook with two other companies, Ricardo and Allied Vehicles, has succeeded in developing a new battery for use in electric cars that offers a more than 35 per cent improvement in range compared with batteries weighing the same and employing existing technologies. The parties involved are said to currently be in “active discussions” about the commercialisation of the new technology.
Bridgestone Corp. has entered into a plea agreement regarding its involvement with a bid-rigging scheme in the US and bribery charges in Latin America. According to Tire Review, under the plea agreement, Bridgestone has pleaded guilty to antitrust conspiracy charges and a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. As a result, the company will pay a $28 million fine, which is said was “a significant reduction from the applicable sentencing guidelines due to Bridgestone’s cooperation and remediation efforts.”
Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East Paul Goggins has reiterated his full support for Motor Wheel Service’s commercial vehicle wheel safety campaign and promised to maintain pressure on the Department for Transport. MWS, which is headquartered in the MP’s constituency, raised concerns about the lack of examination expertise applied to second hand and take-off wheels that are entering the UK CV aftermarket. Its belief that the problem could be increasing due to financial pressures and a lack of regulation for this market was discussed in a Private Members’ Debate in March 2011, for which Goggins was awarded Parliamentarian of the Month, by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line.
"It is vital that motorists MOT their vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive" commented RMI director, Stuart James responding to recent findings published by The Kwik Fit Group. The findings indicated that a staggering "1million motorists are deliberately driving without an MOT."
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