Continental AG has received its fifth straight Excellence Award in Supplier Diversity from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. The award was presented at Toyota’s recent Supplier Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony.
Toyota said the award program acknowledges suppliers that exceed expectations in launch performance, technology, supplier diversity, value improvement and quality. (Tire Review/Akron)
The new Jaguar XF is being launched this month (March), preceding its worldwide launch programme covering the rest of Europe, the United States of America and the Far East. And what’s more, the powerhouse XF 4.2 V8 supercharged version will be supplied exclusively on 20-inch, Pirelli P Zero Tyres. The new Jaguar replaces the S-type models in the range.
PCL will be headlining its appearance at this year’s Essen show with the launch of its Accura Mobile portable Nitrogen (N2) tyre inflation cart. Featuring the same high level accuracy as the rest of PCL’s Accura range, the mobile features N2 “convert and purge” and “top-up” facilities and can be used with either an N2 bottle or generator. It includes six hose outlets for high speed on site or off site multi tyre inflation.
PCL told Tyres & Accessories that the launch comes at an exciting time for PCL, as the company expands its European distributor base, strengthening the growing network already in place. The nationwide move towards quality and accuracy in the field of tyre inflation offers distributors a higher income stream while offering the market products developed for these new requirements. PCL are appearing on booth 1.0-114.
Maywood Equipment Group, sole UK importers of Hofmann lifts, has announced the launch of the Service lift 4000. The first new lift that Hofmann has introduced for four years, the Service lift 4000 has undergone extensive design and field tests to make ensure quality meets the company’s high standards.
The Service lift 4000 is an electro-hydraulic full-length platform scissor lift designed for general service work and wheel alignment. It has a 4 tonne capacity and the height compacts to just 180mm. Safety photocells for synchronisation control and stability at maximum height and incorporated into the Service lift 4000, as is a manual lowering device for use in the event of a power outage.
Continental has announced that it will use the CV Show to mark the European launch of a brand new trailer tyre for regional applications – the 385/65 R22.5. Speaking at the relaunch of ContiNetwork, truck brand manager, Mike Nyren, explained that other product launches include: new steer and drive tyres in 295/80R22.5, 12R22.5 and 11R22.5 sizes for construction or off-road applications. Also on display will be additions to the ContiRe retread range including the new 315/80R22.5 drive tyre for regional applications and 295/80 R22.5 construction drive tyre.
Continental will also show its new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, the comprehensive tyre management package available from ContiEuroService Fleet Management and the new ContiNetwork dealer network structure.
Maxxis is continuing to expand its position in the high performance sector, with a range of tyres in some 200 sizes. The latest offering comes in the shape of a low aspect ratio unidirectional ultra-high performance. Available in sizes from 195/50 R15 to 255/35 ZR20, the new Maxxis MA-Z4S Victra features a reinforced casing and robust body ply structure for improved handling and stability, while a hard bead filler compound is said to aid cornering.
Aftermarket software developer provider MAM Software is about to launch the latest version of its electronic catalogue solution Autocat+ Version 5, which provides motor factors and retailers with new tools for improving the identification and selection of automotive components from a range of over 170 aftermarket suppliers.
In this latest version, product identification will be improved with the introduction of a number of enhancements including improved data matching, VIN decoding and full-text note searches.
Michelin has reported that the stand it has booked (8-340) for this year’s CV Show in April will be twice the size of last year’s. Michelin’s stand will publicise the UK launch of its new 255/60 R19.5 and 205/65 R 17.5 MaxiTrailer tyres as well as a range of other products. The firm says that all of the tyres on show will include its patented Durable Technologies, which it describes as “a series of innovations that set new performance standards for customers.” Tyres & Accessories has also seen a preview of ATS Euromaster’s, the French manufacturer’s retail equity, show stand. The ATSE stand represents another significant investment and is apparently taking on a “green” theme this year with carbon neutral invitations and recycled tyre-based flooring.
Gastronomes take note – Friday January 25 is the launch date for the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2008. Priced at £15.99 (€23.20 in the Republic of Ireland), this year’s guide includes 15 new one-star restaurants, and making the list of ‘Rising Stars’ for 2008 are five establishments tipped for one star and three that are serious contenders for two. There are also 33 new Bib Gourmand establishments, offering ‘good food at moderate prices’ – three courses for less than £28 (€40 in Ireland).
The Guide’s editor, Derek Bulmer, says: “Informal dining, greater use of locally grown produce and seasonality are the trends evident in this year’s guide. Customers are demanding more information about food provenance and sustainability, and chefs are responding by rediscovering local ingredients.”
Speaking at the launch of the Pirelli’s new Cinturanto tyre, Pirelli group chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera reiterated his intention to repurchase the 39 per cent stake in its tyre unit that was sold in group of banks for 740 million in 2006. “There is room to achieve a price that would be satisfactory…within a reasonable timeframe,” Tronchetti Provera told journalists.
January 2008 sees the launch issue 22 of the Timax catalogue from Klarius UK Ltd, listing the company’s full range of Timax emission control products. One key change is that since the company takeover in 2007, the Timax replacement exhaust brand now features prominently on the front cover, replacing Arvin. Klarius acquired the European Light Vehicle Aftermarket division of ArvinMeritor in August 2007. The acquisition included the manufacture and distribution of all emission control products including, in the UK, Timax exhausts and MetalCat & EuroCat catalytic converters.
Bridgestone’s motorsport poster-boy for 2007, MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner, has told reporters he’s unconcerned about the threat rival Valentino Rossi may pose in the upcoming season following the Italian rider’s switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres. Speaking at an Italian ski resort, venue for the launch of a new Ducati cycle, Stoner commented: “Everyone is always asking me if we’re worried about it. We’re just worried about our own situation.
“I’m not afraid of the fact that Valentino is on Bridgestones,” stoner added. “We saw at the first test there was nothing in particular very special, but we will have to see as the season goes on.” Rossi finished the year two places behind his Australian counterpart, and his negative comments regarding the performance of his Michelin tyres were widely circulated in the media.
Amerityre Corporation is to launch an updated version of its website by the end of the year. According to the company, the new site is being redesigned to enhance access to information and provide simplified navigation and improved search functions. “The new website will clearly show how Amerityre plans to change the way tyres and tyre products will be made in the future,” stated Dr. Benninger. “Especially now that our run-flat polyurethane passenger car design has successfully passed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 139 testing, we want visitors to our website to know that Amerityre does more than make the best polyurethane foam lawn and garden tyres available.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA plans to launch a new luxury touring tyre at the upcoming SEMA Show. The Ecsta LX Platinum features an asymmetrical tread, three dimensional “waffle” sipes, and a jointless nylon cap, and comes with a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty, the company said. The tyre has a UTQG rating of 600 AA, and will be available in 36 H-, V- and W-rated sizes covering 14- through 19-inch wheel diameters.
(Akron/Tire Review) Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced plans to develop more fuel-efficient passenger and light truck tyres. Company officials said that in the near future, Sumitomo will launch new tyres with rolling resistance about half that of existing standard tyres. The planned new radials are expected to improve fuel economy by some 10 per cent, the company said.
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