In recent months, Linglong Serbia tyre factory has been certified by car manufacturers including: Nissan, Volkswagen, Audi, Ford, Stellantis group, Hyundai and Kia as well as the truck manufacturer MAN and approved for the production of original equipment tyres – an essential prerequisite for the production of tyres specified for delivery to automobile manufacturers.
Continental Tyres is supporting “global nomad” Bobby Bolton in his attempt to drive his converted MAN truck 10,000 miles from the UK to Australia. Conti has fitted four off-road optimised HCS tyres to the truck and installed the ContiPressureCheck tyre pressure monitoring system and ContiConnect digital tyre management system, enabling remote monitoring of temperatures and pressures. Bolton will travel through more than 25 countries with his Labrador, Red, on their journey. Bolton has documented on his social media channels the preparation of his 18-tonne, four-wheel-drive overland-style truck for the hostile terrain it will encounter on the journey south. The travellers will use the load bed of the former water bowser as accommodation while on the road.
Bridgestone Mobility Solutions is partnering with digital service provider RIO, a part of Traton SE and sister company to MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus. The collaboration involves integrating Bridgestone’s Webfleet fleet management solution with MAN trucks using the existing RIO Box OEM hardware.
Hankook Tire Europe’s intensive expansion of its original equipment truck tyres business over the last half-decade hit significant headwinds at the end of 2021. As a result, the manufacturer made the decision to largely discontinue corresponding deliveries at the start of 2022. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories’ sister magazine in Germany, Neue Reifenzeitung (NRZ), representatives from Hankook’s European headquarters in Neu-Isenburg were clear that the company had not withdrawn from original equipment, but that there has been an interruption, which will be followed by a “restart” in the next two years. This raises the question of how this strategic decision will be received in a shrinking market, while many in the aftermarket are wondering why such a drastic move was necessary in the first place.
MAN Truck & Bus and Michelin have announced a new training partnership at Hanover’s IAA Transportation show. From January 2023, Michelin will begin a three-year global cooperation with MAN ProfiDrive, the driver training programme from the Munich-based firm. MAN said that Michelin’s commitment to sustainable motoring made the tyre manufacturer a good choice of partner. The programme trains commercial vehicle drivers in the safe operation of safety and assistance systems, fuel-efficient driving, and the use of telematics services, as well as other topics relevant to fleet managers and entrepreneurs in the transport sector.
Linglong Tire has provided further details of its original equipment partnership with MAN Truck & Bus, which it first announced at The Tire Cologne in May. The world’s 12th largest tyre maker will equip the MAN TGL with the Linglong KLS200 steer axle tyres and KLD200 drive axle tyres in sizes 245/70 R17.5 136/134M and 265/70 R17.5 140/138M.
Torsus has revealed the Praetorian School Bus, an extreme and special-made version the durable, heavy-duty and versatile Praetorian intended for the toughest school run routes in the world.The Praetorian is based on an upgraded heavy-duty MAN chassis and is powered by MAN engines and drivetrain. The School Bus edition of the vehicle features uprated off-road Michelin tyres and coating on body parts meaning that Praetorian is engineered to take on any terrain, anywhere in the world.
This year got off to a good start, says Linglong Tire. Between 7 and 9 January, a team from Man Truck & Bus visited the Linglong International Tire (Thailand) Co., Ltd facility in Rayong, Thailand. The MAN team, responsible for auditing potential suppliers, spent three days at the truck and bus tyre plant. After it passed the MAN potential supplier audit, the team entered the facility into the MAN supplier system.
A good concept vehicle shouldn’t just be stuffed full of forward-thinking technologies and ideas, it should also look as if it’s absconded from the future. The CitE – MAN’s vision of the “future of city delivery transport” – ticks both boxes. Currently on display at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show, the all-electric CitE displays the truck manufacturer’s latest ergonomic and safety concepts. The tyres are also a one-off, made especially for the CitE by Continental. The tyre maker views the concept project as an opportunity to gain experience in electric vehicle tyre development, referring to the Conti e.MotionPro study, as a “starting point for the development of tyres for electric commercial vehicles.”
Michelin’s 315/70 R 22.5 X Line Energy tyres has become MAN’s preferred choice for its new EfficientLine2 model. The tyres’ fuel-saving credentials are cited as MAN’s key consideration, with the model designed for improved efficiency. Trials were conducted with the support of Michelin’s UK technical team; the tyres ran a 130 mile test route for a week.
Goodyear has become MAN’s exclusive tyre partner for its MAN ProfiDrive driver training initiative across Europe. The partnership includes equipping all 25 tractors and trailers used by MAN ProfiDrive with the latest Goodyear premium tyres. These comprise the fuel-efficient Fuelmax, the dedicated mileage line Kmax and the mixed service Omnitrac II for use both on and off road. Goodyear will maintain the tyres, which includes taking over the tyre repair shop. The partnership further involves Goodyear training the MAN trainers in tyre matters. This builds on Goodyear’s and MAN’s long-term close collaboration related to original truck equipment. The two companies have worked together for some time with events such as the MAN Trucknology Days.
Goodyear reports its selection as exclusive tyre partner to the MAN ProfiDrive driver training programme. As such, all 25 tractor units and trailers used at the main MAN ProfiDrive facility in Germany will be changed over to Goodyear tyres – they will be fitted with FuelMax and KMax tyres along with Omnitrac II mixed-service range. Going forwards, new vehicles entering the MAN ProfiDrive fleet will be fitted from new with Goodyear tyres. Goodyear will take over all tyre service duties and also provide ProfiDrive trainers with tyre training.
Continental AG, a major supplier to truck maker MAN, reports that it is strengthening its long-standing partnership with the truck and bus manufacturer further. Continental’s Conti EcoPlus tyres, part of its Generation 3 truck tyre range, are standard fitment on the MAN TGX EfficientLine 2 long-haul vehicle. In addition MAN has added Conti Hybrid, as well as all standard sizes of the Conti Scandinavia truck tyre range, to its original fitment portfolio.
Continental’s original equipment supply to truck manufacturer MAN has grown with the announcement that the MAN TGX EfficientLine 2 long-haul vehicle will be fitted with Conti EcoPlus tyres. The Conti Hybrid and Conti Scandinavia have also been added to the MAN original equipment portfolio.
MAN and Scania will be cooperating on vehicle gearboxes in the future. As part of this collaboration, from 2016 Scania’s gearbox hardware will be gradually implemented in TGS and TGX series MAN vehicles. MAN will develop the gearbox software for the optimal gear changing strategy. Testing of the first prototype vehicles has already begun. The aim is also to develop the subsequent generation of the current Scania gearbox portfolio together. The details of the cooperation are currently being drawn up.
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