Mercedes-Benz World, the new multi-million pound brand centre being built at the historic Brooklands racing circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, has awarded Pirelli Limited “Supplier of Excellence” status. Pirelli will supply its state-of-the-art high performance tyres for the Mercedes vehicles used on the track activities and within Mercedes Benz World.
A North Lincolnshire tyre specialist has become one of the first companies in Britain to rubber stamp the new-generation Mercedes Sprinter van. Grimsby-based North Lincs Tyres has just taken delivery of a high-roofed Mercedes Sprinter 311CDI Long from Immingham dealer H and L Garages. Proprietor Tony Woods bought his first Mercedes van when starting the business in 1994, and has remained loyal to the famous three-pointed star ever since. The latest arrival is the sixth Sprinter on his growing fleet.
Hofmann has been one of Europe’s top names in lifting for a decade. A year ago the company celebrated the 10,000th two-post lift with baseframe sold in Europe. Now another milestone has been achieved, 10 years ago the MTF3000 baseframe-less lift, recently sales passed the 5000 unit mark.
(Akron/Tire Review) All 32 team buses shuttling players to matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup will ride on Continental brand bus radials. Continental AG is one of three primary sponsors of the World Cup, having paid 40 million euros for the privilege.
Sherbrook International is introducing two specific 4×4 designs to its Outlaw Wheels portfolio, combining up-to-the-minute styling with total affordability. The new styles – Samurai and Khukiri – are available immediately. Said CEO Peter Whitehouse, “Not only are 4×4 drivers looking for distinctive, cutting-edge designs but equally they want to be certain that replacement wheels are equal to or better than the OE spec, which is precisely the case with Samurai and Khukiri. The fact that the entire Outlaw range is not only European-manufactured to uncompromisingly high standards and beautifully finished, but is also fully TUV-approved and comes with our 12-month unconditional guarantee, is a huge assurance.”
BRABUS has introduced its new, 21″ Monoblock E light-alloy wheel for the latest Mercedes S-Class. This exclusive, sporty wheel design with nine strikingly-shaped spokes and polished drop centre was custom-developed for the top-of-the-line Mercedes. The new BRABUS Monoblock E wheels can be mounted on the luxury sedan in sizes 9Jx21 on the front and in size 10.5Jx21 on the rear axle.
Corporate problem solver, David James is reportedly in advanced talks to buy the MG Rover brand from Nanjing Automobile. A move that, according to The Times, could “sound the death knell for the Longbridge plant.” James is said to be planning to use the MG Rover brand on Smart Roadster cars. Until now these cars have been produced by Mercedes in Coventry. James is believed to have agreed to buy the design, technology and equipment of Mercedes’ Smart Roadster car for about 20 million euros and old Dunlop tyre factory in Coventry for about 10 million euros.
Florida-based Modular Wheels has launched its new 2006 line of three-piece forged style wheels for Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes & BMW vehicles. According to the company, the new line cuts customer’s costs for high-end vehicle wheels by up to 75 per cent without sacrificing quality, performance or style.
The Citroen C4 has been named Semperit Irish Van of the year 2006, in what the Transport News Network has described as “one of the closest fought battles in the history of the competition.”
An Essex-based alloy wheels repair business is a polished act when it comes to keeping up appearances and it has just returned to Mercedes-Benz for a new fleet of vans. Wicked Wheels UK, of Toppesfield Road, Great Yeldham, Halstead, started life as a one-man operation with a Mercedes Sprinter van five years ago. As the company has expanded, so its fleet has grown. Today, Wicked Wheels operates more than 40 vehicles across 24 UK locations and has a turnover of nearly £3 million.
Autodata has updated its Wheel Alignment Data manual to include information on over 60 new models and important revisions to many other models. The 2006 edition marks 30 years of accurate up-to-date information on Wheel Alignment from Autodata.
OZ Racing have released a new wheel aimed at powerful premium vehicles like the Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Lexus. The Michelangelo II PL is available in 18, 19 and 20 inch sizes and is priced between 440 and 650 euros.
Spark plug manufacturer, NGK Spark Plugs, has launched six new spark plugs, all of which have been fitted as original equipment, to meet aftermarket demand.
Dieter Zetsche, the Chrysler group CEO who was set to take over the running of DaimlerChrysler on 1 January 2006, will now also take over at struggling Mercedes Car Group on 1 September, DaimlerChrysler has announced.
Current Mercedes chief Eckhard Cordes, who was passed over in the race for the group chief executive job, is leaving the world’s fifth-biggest carmaker at the end of August at his own request, the Stuttgart-based company said in a statement, the Reuters news agency has reported.
Under the accelerated switchover, Daimler said Chrysler group COO Tom LaSorda will become up to CEO on 1 September, four months earlier than first planned. The fact that Zetsche might take over at Mercedes had been well documented in the German media, but may last far longer than the time it would take simply to find a permanent replacement for Cordes.
UK wholesaler, Viking International, has invested more than £500,000 in distribution by replacing 34 of its vehicles with new Mercedes Sprinters vans for its nine warehouse distribution centres.
This investment further strengthens its fleet that already consists of 100 vehicles. Mike Curry, managing director for Viking International, explained: “We need to guarantee at all times that our customers get the best possible service and that means we have to continually invest in our company.
“These vans are our face to the customer and they cover considerable distances each year. It is essential that they remain in top condition to ensure that we can continue to maintain our reputation for service delivery.”
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
