The fourth generation of Michelin’s Alpin cold weather tyre is ready, and the French manufacturer states it will be introduced into European replacement markets during the first half of 2010 in “all regions where winter roads are generally wet – around 80 per cent of the time – and less often icy or snow-covered.” The new tyre has been designed to fit a wide range of vehicles, from city cars and compacts to MPVs and saloons.
Russell Smith from Kent has won the £2,000 holiday of his dreams courtesy of Bridgestone and Guildford Tyre Company in Horley, Surrey, having won the manufacturer’s ‘Ultimate Winter Excursion’ competition. The competition was held in association with 500 dealers, to promote the benefits of having your tyres checked and encourage more motorists to carry them out. The vouchers allow Russell to choose from prizes such as a skiing holiday, husky safaris or an exotic getaway to a faraway shore.
Goodyear has announced the finalists for its 27th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero Award. They comprise a Pennsylvania truck driver used his rig as a “roadblock” to stop an out-of-control car; an Arkansas truck driver extinguished a fire and rescued a trapped fellow trucker whose legs were burning after a crash; a Massachusetts truck driver noticed a burning vehicle more than a quarter-mile off the highway on which he was driving, and made an effort to save the unconscious driver; and an Oregon driver who had his own rig struck in a multi-vehicle accident was able to pull one trapped driver from a burning car and contribute to the rescue of two others from another vehicle.
TyreSafe has warned motorists that replacing their vehicle’s run-flat tyres with standard tyres could pose a safety hazard. The tyre safety organisation is concerned that attempts to reduce vehicle maintenance costs by selecting tyres which do not incorporate the added technology and features found in run-flat tyre could lead to drivers inadvertently yet significantly changing the handling characteristics of their vehicle, increasing the chance of being involved in an accident.
Bridgestone’s 4×4 run-flat (RFT) tyre, the Dueler H/P Sport RFT, has proved a popular choice with 4×4 vehicle manufacturers and has a number original equipment fitments including recent fitments on the BMW X5M and X6M, according to the tyre manufacturer.
At the start of February it was announced that Pirelli Tyre Ltd has joined up as a sponsor for the ‘Young Driver’ training initiative, also sponsored by Seat and Admiral Insurance. At the time, managing director Dominic Sandivasci commented “we’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our commitment to improving road safety through our involvement in the Young Driver initiative. The Pirelli name is synonymous with the high performance and safety characteristics of its products, and as part of our extensive corporate social responsibility programme we are keen to support organisations that share our goal of making the road a safer place.”
It is a sad fact that many motorists automatically distrust the garage trade and there are frequent stories in the press of rip-offs and shoddy service. The fact that the vast majority of garages do a good and efficient job time after time is frequently overlooked. But no longer, as Motor Codes is working in association with the Daily Telegraph and honestjohn.co.uk to seek out Britain's Golden Garage.
According to the findings of a study commissioned by Motor Codes, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders subsidiary established to act as the self regulatory body for the automotive sector, more than an estimated 14 million motorists feel short changed by their local service and repair garages. A sample survey of 1,194 UK motorists shows some 45 per cent of drivers have experienced this ripped off feeling, Motor Codes reports. Those living in the East of England have saw most cause for complaint, with a third claiming to be short changed, compared with just 17 per cent of Northern Ireland motorists. A quarter of motorists considered themselves between £51 and £150 out of pocket, and five per cent felt their wallets to be at least ₤300 lighter following an encounter with their local garage. In total, Motor Codes estimates that some ₤2.4 billion in motorists’ money is being lost in this way.
Startrescue.co.uk figures suggest that the recent cold weather has left the UK’s roads in a bad way, causing the number of call-outs for tyre and suspension related repairs to rise rapidly in the 2009-2010 winter season. The relatively new breakdown recovery service reported a 13 per cent increase in December and January.
Gloucester tyre centre, Chris Mullins Tyres has reported a successful first year in business, exceeding its sales targets by more than 50 per cent according to the company. The centre, located on the city’s Bristol Road, began trading last January.
Specialising in selling and fitting car, van and motorcycle tyres to the general public and local businesses, a statement from the centre says it achieved 155 per cent of its first year’s trading target by selling more than 13,000 tyres and associated services such as wheel alignment. The statement added that it achieved a number of record trading days during the recent cold snap, as motorists replaced or upgraded their tyres to specialist snow products.
Nearly three million motorists have had a run-in with another vehicle during the recent winter weather, according to research by Continental Tyres. One in 10 drivers are said to have crashed into cars in the last month during the snowy and icy weather. 45 per cent said they had two or more near misses over the cold snap. The average motorist involved in a prang has done £320 worth of damage – but a third failed to own up to their wrong-doing if the accident was their fault. Another 34 per cent avoided involving their insurance company in order to keep their ‘No Claims Bonus’.
Now the snow is beginning to recede and the freshly potholed roads are being revealed, TyreSafe is advising motorists to ensure their wheels are properly aligned. Driving over potholes can alter the vehicle’s steering and suspension geometries or damage critical components which can reduce vehicle safety or generate extra running costs. By ensuring wheels are correctly aligned, drivers can minimise the effects of any pothole damage and ensure they remain as safe as possible.
The owner of a new £100,000 fast fit centre in Helston is promising motorists a revolution in automotive care, after officially opening his forecourt to the public. Justin Roberton, who already runs successful operations in Truro, Bodmin and St Austell, is looking forward to welcoming motorists to a new centre in Clodgey Lane, Helston. The red ribbon was cut with HiQ’s retail director Juergen Titz on Saturday 9 January and both men predicted a bright future in the town.
The centre features modern, award winning branding and state-of-the-art facilities, even including a baby changing unit and a children’s play facility.
Coinciding with the current UK obsession with snow and ice-covered roads, consumer-based interactive review website Tyrereviews.co.uk has published its seven reasons for the country’s drivers to consider fitting winter tyres in the colder months, regardless of whether the current extreme conditions – for Britain at least – are a sign of things to come. Starting with the concept that UK drivers misunderstand winter tyres, compared to their status as a “legal requirement in most of northern Europe”, the website substantiates why UK road-users should think about purchasing seasonal rubber in greater quantities than currently seen – estimates put the UK market for winter tyres way under 1 per cent. The relatively new Tyrereviews.co.uk says that it aims to give motorists “impartial feedback on road and track tyres” by allowing “the people that drive on the tyres every day” the opportunity to review them.
Michelin North America has announced the 2011 theme for the Michelin Challenge Design, its global vehicle design competition. In its tenth year the competition bears the name ‘PLUS 10. The Best is Yet to Come!’ and entrants have the opportunity to share their transportation concepts for the year 2021.
This is a short extract. Tyrepress and Tyres & Accessories subscribers can log in below to read the full article.
If you are not yet a Tyrepress or Tyres & Accessories subscriber, you can change that here.
Becoming a member has benefits such as:
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.
