Michelin will bring its latest range of motorcycle tyres in January 2014, with three versions of the Pilot Road 4 available in a total of 17 sizes. The Pilot Road 4, Pilot Road 4 GT and Pilot Road 4 Trail have been developed to decrease wet braking distances. The GT version of the tyre has been awarded a major original equipment contract too; it will be fitted to the new BMW R 1200 RT, one of the bestselling bikes in its category.
Bridgestone will launch a new motocross tyre and announce an exclusive partnership with a historic motocross organisation at the International Dirt Bike Show. The world’s biggest tyre manufacturer says the sport represents one of the fastest growing motorbike tyre sectors in the UK, as well as offering significant brand awareness and sales opportunities. An official announcement is being made at the hugely popular annual show at Stoneleigh Park, which takes place between 31 October and 3 November.
In a press statement dated 21 October, Pirelli & C. SpA shares that the leadership of its Shareholder Block Agreement met that day and decided, at the proposal of Marco Tronchetti Provera, to mandate Alessandro Pedersoli to launch consultations amongst all shareholders belonging to the Shareholder Block Agreement ahead of its expiry on 15 April 2014, with a view to evaluating the possibility of its early dissolution.
Metzeler has enlisted some celebrity help to introduce its latest models at the Metzeler Legendary Knight, a free entrance and open bar event to be held on 5 November at Fonderia Napoleonica in the Motoquartiere of Milan. Aerosmith frontman and Dirico Motorcycles USA spokesman, Steven Tyler will unveil Metzeler’s custom touring ME 888 Marathon Ultra tyre in a Whitewall version and new 23” front size, while popular British rider Guy Martin will help the brand launch its new Sportec M7 RR supersport tyre.
The ONCall emergency road service offered by Michelin Americas Truck Tires has is to be expanded with the January 2014 launch of ONCall 2.0. This extended service will feature mechanical and towing in addition to tyre services. ONCall 2.0 will also include ‘Livetrack’ real-time breakdown monitoring and ‘Fixpix’ tyre event pictures.
ATS Euromaster says the cold weather tyre sales have continued to grow in the UK nearly four years after becoming the first national tyre retailer to launch a dedicated winter tyre service for UK fleets. Demand for car, SUV and van winter products increased by 14 per cent in 2012 according to the tyre service provider, and this figure is on track for further double-digit growth in 2013. With a particularly cold late autumn forecast, ATS-E says demand could climb even more sharply. Were this to happen, the UK could see its stock of winter tyres depleted quicker, even ahead of the winter months.
A range of new Michelin apps are heading our way. Following their recent launch in France, Michelin Mobility Apps will be available in the UK at the end of this year.
The sequel, or successor if you prefer, to Dunlop’s Winter Response is now available throughout the UK following its recent launch. The new Winter Response 2, designed for small and compact tyres, picks up where the Winter Response left off and is described by Dunlop as the “perfect complement” to its high-performance SP Winter Sport 4D. The Winter Response 2 is available in 22 dimensions from 155/65 R14 to 195/65 R 15.
Mitas has entered the motorcycle radial business with the global launch of the Sport Force. The new tyre is manufactured in Slovenia by Savatech, the former Sava rubber manufacturing division acquired by Mitas’ parent company CGS Holdings in October 2012. Sport Force is a sport and touring range that is initially available in three front and five rear sizes.
Brembo has developed a 10-15 per cent lighter brake disc, designed to offer reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact. The new light-weight brake disc, conceived by Daimler AG in partnership with Brembo, has reportedly allowed the company to launch a product with “absolutely innovative characteristics”.
Škoda has unveiled the world's biggest ice cream van, just as Britain gears up for a scorching bank holiday weekend. The giant vRS ice cream van was launched at Great Yarmouth, where local children tucked in to huge ice creams. Members of the public will have a chance to sample free ice creams as the giant ice cream van embarks on a national tour in the coming month.
Since its launch in April, the number of quality garages that have become Approved Garages members has grown impressively to the current figure of more than 350. However to ensure that this momentum for growth is maintained, network manager Phil Seymour has arranged a series of roadshows to drive the message home. According to the organisation, the roadshows are free to garage owners and will allow those not yet part of the network to see for themselves the benefits it delivers.
The first production road car to be developed by Volvo’s Polestar Racing team went on sale in June 2013; Volvo chose the Australian market for a pilot launch of its four wheel drive S60 Polestar, and future introduction in other markets depends on how it is received in Australia. The Swedish manufacturer selected Bridgestone’s Potenza as original equipment, and the tyre will be fitted to the S60 Polestar in size 235/40 R19 96Y.
During its recent annual results statement, YHI announced that it has added Otani and Double Coin tyres to its portfolio of premium and proprietary brands. According to the company, the group plans to accelerate its business development plans through the existing sales network as well as developing new sales channels to increase our commercial tyres business. No further details were given about which geographical areas the exclusivity refers to at this point.
Bridgestone’s training and marketing departments have taken part in an informal testing session of the brand’s latest premium product at the Prestwold Driving Centre in Leicestershire. Members of Bridgestone’s technical team presented the tyre to colleagues in an informal approach, which, according to the company, allowed staff to “feel the difference” between the Potenza Adrenalin RE002 and competitor products. Bridgestone is targeting the sport replacement market with the tyre, which it says is tuned mainly for dry performance.
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