Since its debut almost two years ago, some 30 passenger car tyre dealers have joined Kumho Tyres Australia’s ‘Platinum’ dealer programme. The tyre maker has now extended the scheme to the commercial vehicle tyre market with the opening of its first Kumho Komplete Platinum dealer – Bernie’s Tyres in Rockhampton.
A third tyre has been added to Pirelli’s trailer and semi-trailer line-up. The new ST:01 Base joins the ST:01 Neverending and Formula Trailer to round out the Italian tyre maker’s range for this market; with the commercial launch of the ST:01 Base in July, Pirelli says its trailer and semi-trailer portfolio now covers “every need from every haulier” and caters to varied priorities, including mileage and retreadability, low rolling resistance or durability – Pirelli says it now offers an answer to each of these.
Cheng Shin Rubber has unveiled a new global website for its CST tyre brand. The company says it aimed to develop a user-friendly site that features a responsive design, one that allows customers to “seamlessly find the tyre that best suits their passion.”
Vehicle manufacturer Škoda has ‘Clarksoned’ a baby’s pram with 20-inch alloys and all-terrain tyres, plus other features not typically found in the Mothercare catalogue. The pram was given the works to mark the launch of Škoda's fastest ever car – the latest generation Octavia vRS.
Having introduced a new range of brake discs at the beginning of the year, ACDelco’s UK and European aftermarket operation says the company has been “delighted with the uptake”. Taking in some 1,200 part numbers, the range provides comprehensive coverage of the pan-European vehicle parc and complements the distributor’s existing range of 1,500 brake pads.
UK-based WheelRight is aiming to “revolutionise tyre management across the automotive sector”, with the launch of a tyre-monitoring system designed to help the transport industry save “billions of pounds each year”. According to the company, the product enables critical tyre characteristics to be sent to a mobile phone within seconds, without the driver having to leave the vehicle and without the need for sensors to be fitted to the vehicle.
Leading Indian retreading equipment supplier Elgi is targeting new tyre manufacturers with the launch of a monorail tyre handling system, developed by its Brazilian subsidiary Armonas. India is home to 39 tyre manufacturers and 60 individual production plants and Elgi hopes to take advantage of producers moving into, or developing their retreading capacity.
Cooper Tire has replaced its mid-range Lifeliner GLS in the US with a new model, the CS3 Touring. The new all-season tyre is available in T, H and V speed ratings, and sizes designed for highway and urban driving in today's modern passenger car and crossover vehicles. Cooper says the launch of the CS3 in combination with its current premium CS4 Touring tyre “offers a wide breath of sizes and feature options, giving appropriate choices for each consumer.”
Daisy Tires, Zeetex’s Italian distributor cut the ribbon at the launch of the brand’s latest tyre during Autopromotec in May. The new ICE 1000 studless winter passenger car tyre will be available in sizes ranging from 14 to 17 inches and is said to be part of a new generation of products which are set to replace the S-100 line over the next few years. The ICE 2000C is a winter commercial tyre with zigzag sipes. According to the company, the tyre offers “remarkable handling and enhanced stability on slush and snow surfaces”. This tyre is available in 15 and 16 inches with high end load ranges.
Interstate has announced that it will launch a new all-terrain tyre for the US market at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo – the first A/T American exclusive in the Benelux-based distributor’s range. The Interstate Tracer A/T will be available immediately following its preview at the Interstate dealer meeting just before the Panama expo, which takes place on 24-27 July. The tyre will be available in 10 LT/SUV fitments, with three-ply tread and/or three-ply sidewall construction in select sizes.
Retail Motor Industry Standards and Certification (RMISC), a subsidiary of the RMI, announces the launch of the RI-MARK logo following its UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approval.
Stuart James, RMI Director commented, "We are pleased with the positive response to our PAS125 accreditation service and our new logo allows accredited companies to demonstrate their compliance by displaying the RI-MARK that will become recognised as the definitive certification mark in the automotive industry.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is set to launch its onsite diagnostic training later this year. Following on from the success of their hybrid training which has so far seen the IGA deliver free training to over 1,250 technicians at more than 500 individual member garages, they are positioned to launch diagnostics training later in 2013.
The unique model will involve IGA staff visiting garages and training technicians to make the best use of their own equipment in "real world" diagnostic situations on customer's cars.
Earlier this month, Continental’s Malaysian operation, Continental Tyre PJ Malaysia Sdn Bhd, announced the official local launch of the Conti360° Fleet Services tyre management system. Currently the programme is offered in ten Malaysian states – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor/Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor – and Continental says it will expand Conti360° Fleet Services to the states of Sabah and Sarawak in the near future.
Goodyear has released its latest all-season performance tyre in North America. Initial sizes of the Eagle Sport All-Season are now available, and the tyre maker says the full line-up of 47 sizes will be on offer by the end of 2013. Goodyear says the Eagle Sport All-Season is suited for a wide range of vehicles, from the Honda Accord to the Audi A4 and Ford Mustang.
Calibre has announced the launch of the latest addition to its higher end Calibre Couture range, the Potentia. The new rim is designed primarily for the luxury saloon and SUV market, and is available only in a 9×22” size to reflect this.
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