The Lexus Group has selected Yokohama tyres as original equipment for its new crossover SUV, the Lexus NX. Exact fitments will vary according to region, however worldwide the tyre maker is supplying two models of tyre in a total of three sizes. The Yokohama tyres selected for the Lexus NX are the BluEarth E51 in size 225/60R18 100H and the Geolandar G91 in sizes 225/60R18 100H and 225/65R17 102H.
Yokohama Rubber reports that it will supply original equipment tyres for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in certain markets. The compact SUV will come equipped with either a standard or run-flat version of its C.drive2; both are size 235/50R18 97V tyres. The standard tyre will have the letters ‘MO’ printed on the sidewall while the run-flat version has the original equipment designation ‘MOE’.
Under an agreement recently signed between Michelin and Carlsson, three Michelin tyre lines are being delivered to the German tuning manufacturer as a works-fitted option for its “most powerful models”. The Pilot Sport 3, Pilot Super Sport and Pilot Sport Cup 2 ranges are supplied by the ‘Specialty Products’ department within the Michelin Motorsports division, a department set up to manage the tyre maker’s ultra high-performance car tyre business and to serve both small and large manufacturers and tuners. The Carlsson supply deal commenced on 1 July.
Top ten tyre manufacturer, Giti Tire has confirmed its first GT Radial original equipment homologation fitments for the European passenger car and light truck market. Both Renault Nissan and PSA Peugeot Citroen will fit the manufacturer’s tyres on European models, with the latter’s Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo models running on GT Radial in Western European markets.
Its tyres are already fitted on Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class cars, and now Hankook Tire reports it has begun supplying Daimler AG original equipment tyres for the C-Class, including run-flat tyres. The midsize Mercedes receives both standard and HRS (Hankook Runflat System) versions of the Ventus S1 evo² in size 225/50 R17 W. This is the first time that Hankook has supplied run-flat tyres as original equipment.
Russia’s JSC Tatneft reports that Kama Euro-236 tyres are being supplied as original equipment for the Lada Largus. The first tyres were supplied from the Nizhnekamskshina factory in May 2014, added Tatneft in a press statement. The Lada Largus is built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance VO platform; the equivalent vehicle is sold in Europe as the Dacia Logan MCV.
Jaguar has approved Pirelli’s Sottozero 3 as an original equipment fitment on its F-Type two-seater. Sizes homologated for the coming winter include 245/45 R18 100V (front axle), 275/40 R18 103V (rear axle), 245/40 R19 94V (front), 275/35 R19 96V (rear), 255/35R20 97V XL (front) and 285/30 R20 99V (rear). All versions of the Pirelli Sottozero 3 approved for original equipment supply feature specific sidewall markings; those destined for the F-Type will bear the letter ‘J’.
For the first time ever, a tyre produced by Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. has been selected as an original equipment fitment by a US vehicle maker. The Toyo Open Country AT II will be factory mounted on Ford F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks.
Commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures for June, Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, said: “June has been a good turning point in the year for the commercial vehicle market, and we have seen a modest improvement in overall sales figures”.
Kumho Tire has become the latest manufacturer to report original equipment homologation for the VW Polo. The tyre maker will supply its ecowing es01 KH27 in size 185/60R15 84H to Volkswagen-Navarra S.A for fitment on Polo models built at its plant in Pamplona, Spain.
Maserati has homologated Continental’s ContiSportContact 5 for original equipment on its Ghibli. The Continental tyre will be supplied in eight 18 to 12-inch dimensions, and all Maserati-approved fitments will carry the letters ‘MGT’ on the sidewall. The Ghibli approval follows last year original equipment homologation for the Quattroporte.
Kumho Tire has announced that work will resume on its tyre plant in the US state of Georgia. In a Korean-language statement issued 30 June, the company said it had approved an investment by creditors, and anticipates that the US$413 facility will be complete in early 2016. This information was confirmed the following day by the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.
Nexen Tire has officially confirmed that it is building a new plant in Zatec, Czech Republic with the stated aims of developing its European foothold and expanding its global production base. The company also confirmed that the project will cost 1.2 trillion Korean won, approximately 829 million euros, bringing some clarity to reports that have also suggested a US$1.17 billion pricetag.
A lot has been going on at Nexen this year. Much of this activity has been taking place within the European market. And more still was going on during the weeks before, during and after the Essen Show.
Less than two weeks before the exhibition opened the company highlighted its recent progress with first quarter results punching above the company’s weight. During the exhibition the company was ostensibly there to display examples from its range and launch three new products – the N’blue HD Plus, Winguard SnowG and Winguard WT1(see textbox for more about what was actually presented in Essen). But it quickly transpired that there is more than this going on.
Swedish agricultural implement manufacturer Väderstad has recently added Starco to its portfolio of certified strategic suppliers. In common with other certification processes completed by Starco in recent years, the Väderstad certification began with a comprehensive audit of the most vital aspects of Starco’s product and service, including quality, product variance, delivery on-time, cost, and service factors such as purchasing, spare parts, service quality and logistics. The audit also included two focus areas of importance to Väderstad; delivery precision and production lead time. Starco shares that it scored top points in the focus areas of quality and delivery.
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