Speedline Truck has reported a further advance in its OE sales drive alongside developments in its aftermarket marketing strategy.
In mid-March Speedline truck announced that it has been chosen by its ongoing industrial partner Daimler as exclusive partner for equipping the weight-optimised Arocs Loader cement mixer with its lightweight forged wheels.
The Pirelli Diablo Rosso II has been chosen as original equipment for MV Agusta’s Rivale 800 and Brutale 800 Dragster models. The latest models from the Varese, Italy based high performance motorbike manufacturer will fit the Pirelli tyres in sizes 120/70 ZR17 (front) and 180/55 ZR17 (rear) to its Rivale 800, while the Brutale 800 Dragster will run on 120/70 ZR17 (front) and 200/50 ZR17 (rear) Diablo Rosso IIs.
Hyundai Motor has sold six million cars to European customers since the company began sales in the region in 1977. It took the company 19 years to sell its first million cars in the region. Since then it has taken less time to reach each subsequent milestone, with the latest one million cars sold in just over two years.
Dunlop’s Sport Maxx RT has been selected as the exclusive original equipment fitment for models of the new Subaru WRX and WRX STI sold in North America. Both cars will be launched in this market during the spring; the WRX will roll on size 235/45R17 tyres, whereas the WRX STI receives 18-inch rims and size 245/40R18 tyres.
Michelin will supply radial aircraft tyres to the upcoming version of the Boeing 737 after its selection as an original equipment supplier for the model. The 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 8, scheduled to enter service in 2017 and 2019, will both be fitted with Michelin aircraft radials featuring NZG (Near Zero Growth) technology.
This year, Continental expects to sell a total of 11 million more tyres in the European and the NAFTA replacement markets than in 2013. Speaking at the company’s press day in Hannover, Germany today, Continental CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart stated that the tyre maker anticipates an increase of two per cent in these two regions, markets he said were “very important to our tyre replacement business”. He added that together with further growth effects in Asia and South America, Continental is looking forward to its global replacement tyre business rising three per cent this year. In regards to the original equipment segment, the CEO said Continental expects global production of passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles to increase by about two per cent.
At the opening of a new mixer at its factory in Enschede, The Netherlands last week, Apollo Tyres chairman Onkar Kanwar stated that marketing will be the driver of the company’s planned growth in Europe and he spoke of the “big challenges” awaiting Apollo Vredestein director of marketing Jaap van Wessum and his team. A week later, van Wessum further expounded upon Apollo Vredestein’s strategy for Europe at the Geneva Motor Show.
Monster Jam, the US-based Monster Truck event tour, has signed BKT Tires on as its official and exclusive tyre sponsor. Through to 2018, BKT will have an on-site presence at Monster Jam events held in over 100 cities in North America, and will also go international with Monster Jam in the near future. As part of the deal, the off-road tyre specialist has designed and developed a purpose-made tyre, the BKT Monster Jam Tire, for fitment on the Monster Jam truck fleet.
Two of South Korea’s three tyre makers have developed tyres specifically for fitment on the Soul EV, the first electric car produced by Kia. The Korean manufacturer says Kumho Tire and Nexen Tire have developed low rolling resistance 205/60R16 tyres for the vehicle, which debuts at the Geneva Motor Show this week. These reduce rolling resistance by ten per cent without impacting on ride comfort, handling, NVH or braking distance, says Kia.
Chrysler has approved Goodyear’s Assurance Fuel Max in size 215/55R17 as standard equipment for certain models in its upcoming 200 range, which goes on sale in North America during the second quarter of 2014. In announcing this latest original equipment deal, Goodyear Tire & Rubber notes that its tyres are on more new vehicles in North America than any other brand.
Mercedes-Benz has signed a deal with Maxxis to supply its MCV3 van tyres as original equipment on the 5.0T and 3.88T variants of the Sprinter.
One of the most effective means of elevating brand awareness is through original equipment fitments, and after rising through the ranks of aftermarket tyre suppliers, Hankook Tire is busy assembling a portfolio of new vehicle approvals that place it in league with the world’s best-known and trusted tyre brands. The list of Hankook original equipment approvals from the last few months alone includes fitments for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and E-Class, plus the BMW 5-Series and X5. These deals come at a time of growth for Hankook’s performance tyre business – as evidenced by the 12.9 per cent year-on-year rise in European UHP tyre sales during 2013 – and Hankook is in the mood to celebrate its success. The tyre maker recently invited journalists from Europe and beyond to Spain in order to get to know the company and its latest Ventus lines a little better.
The Advan Sport V105 N-0 has been approved as an original equipment fitment for the Porsche Panamera. Yokohama Rubber shares it will supply the Porsche saloon with the Advan in size 255/40ZR20 (101Y) for the front wheels and 295/35ZR20 (105Y) for the rear.
Volkswagen has approved Continental summer tyres for original equipment fitment on three of its models – 15 and 16-inch versions of the ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5 will be fitted to the Golf 7, the CC receives a 17-inch rim diameter version of the ContiSportContact 5 and ContiEcoContact 5, while the car maker says that the Beetle will be fitted with the 20-inch ContiSportContact 5.
UK car producers have come out as strong supporters of Britain’s membership of the EU, and a new group has commissioned a major research study into the benefits of belonging to the trading block to underline the ramifications of a potential exit.
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