The Japanese trading company behind both Kwik-Fit and Stapleton’s here in the UK (Itochu) sold Reifen Gundlach (Raubach) to Dutch group Pon effective 1 January 2012. In a news article published at reifenpresse.de last month, Gundlach CEO Gebhard Jansen confirmed the news to Tyres & Accessories' sister magazine Neue Reifenzeitung by phone. No further details of the transaction have yet been made public.
Kumho recently introduced the Solus KL21 all-season tyre for on-road use as a way of extending the company refers to as its range for all seasons. Available in top-selling sizes such as 235/65 R17 and 235/60 R18, this street terrain tyre is designed to deliver wet traction combined with low noise and rolling resistance. The KL21 is extensively fitted by Hyundai and Kia to their latest SUV models and has recently been approved for fitment to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Tyres & Accessories kick-start to 2012, our January magazine, is now available to subscribers as a virtual paper. Featuring special reports on the motorcycle and agricultural tyre segments, the latest issue of T&A can be read at the touch of a button. Click more to see the first publication of the year.
Firestone has presented its sponsored Farming Personality of 2011 Award, to celebrity farmer, Adam Henson for his services to the industry. The prize, awarded in conjunction with Farm Business Magazine, was awarded to Henson at a ceremony at the House of Commons. Firestone and Farm Business said the star of BBC1’s Countryfile as a result of the work he has done to bridge the gap from 'farm to fork', in addition to his passion for farming.
Falken’s 2011 British Drift Champion, Matt Carter and his teammate, Paul Cheshire have marked British television programme and magazine Top Gear’s ascension to 10 million Facebook fans. Using a number of Sumitomo brand, Falken’s FK452 tyres, a stretch of old runway in Oxfordshire and two of its cars, the drift drivers used techniques from the sport to write the number 10 on the tarmac. A video of the stunt, completed in a single take, is available on the Top Gear website.
Tire Review reports that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has begun moving tyre production equipment out of its Findlay, Ohio, tyre plant. The US magazine reports that late last week the tyre maker was moving the equipment, even as the 1,050 union workers there continued picketing outside of the plant, where they have been locked out since 28 November.
Continental has been awarded top spot in monthly car magazine, evo’s annual tyre test, published in its February edition. The evo performance tyre test, in its third year, measured such performance indicators as wet and dry handling, aquaplaning and braking using 225/40 R18 sized tyres on a range of high-end cars at MIRA. The magazine described Conti’s tyre as giving “an impressively complete performance”.
With the 2012 season on the horizon, Formula One’s tyre supplier is looking towards 2013 to develop its product further; however, developments have hit a road block due to the unavailability of a suitable testing vehicle. Pirelli’s Motorsport director, Paul Hembery told Autosport magazine that its hunt for a 2011 car is being compromised by F1 teams’ hawkish attitude to the possibility of another team gaining an advantage by donating its car to the tyre supplier.
Continental has unveiled a new motorcycle tyre for the custom and cruiser sector, the ContiMilestone 2012 Mileage Plus. This new version of the ContiMilestone is said to offer a new for 2012 compound that, combined with deep tread, delivers even more mileage without compromising levels of grip; silicone technology has been used in the new compound, and Continental says this guarantees good wet grip without reducing mileage. Tread wear is also reduced through the tyre’s breaker construction – the tyre maker states that it ensures even pressure in the contact area.
Marangoni is turning heads in the automotive industry with the unveiling of its tuned-up Range Rover Evoque, which sports striking red tyres. Marangoni’s project car made its debut at Bologna Motor Show in December 2011, but it is already courting attention in 2012, with Auto Express remarking on its “wild styling” in the 18 January issue of the popular magazine. Now the car is touring the UK throughout January.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has received plaudits from American consumer magazine, Consumers Digest in its January/February 2012 issue. In the “All-Season Car Tires” category, Goodyear’s Assurance TripleTred All-Season was the editors’ selected Premium tyre, receiving “Best Buy” designation. The company’s Assurance ComforTred Touring was awarded a Best Buy label in the “Touring Car Tires” category.
The Range Rover Evoque has been named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year. The announcement, which was made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, saw the Evoque triumph over tough competition from the BMW X3 and the Honda CR-V. The judging panel of senior US automotive journalists chose the Evoque as the winner after reviewing it against its competitors in six key categories: value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction.
The new safety advisor to MotoGP and series promoter Dorna, Loris Capirosi has told an Italian motorsport magazine that he has made it his priority to improve the safety of tyres supplied to the series by Bridgestone. The 22 year racing veteran – including 10 years as a MotoGP rider – said that he had met with Bridgestone in Valencia, characterising the encounter as “tough”.
Continental has responded to the Which? magazine winter tyre test published in December, saying the “best buy” rating the ContiWinterContact TS830 and TS800 were awarded was a “real honour”. The test was the first time the consumer advice magazine has recognised the increased awareness of the product in the UK, with many premium brands putting extra effort into the promotion of seasonal tyre changes. The test encompassed 69 tyres across six of the most popular sizes on the market, with Conti tyres given “best buy status in four sizes.
The latest edition of Tyres & Accessories (December 2011) is now available for virtual reading in our e-paper format. Subscribers can electronically flick through the pages containing a review of the year and a feature on workshop equipment (as well as all the regular coverage) by clicking more.
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