Toyo Proxes R36 tyres have been chosen as original equipment for the new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV. The 225/55 R19 99V Proxes R36 are said to complement the Skyactiv technology introduced on the Mazda CX-5. Skyactiv technology, which is described as a combination of pleasure, efficiency and safety, reportedly offers enhanced handling and stability, greater fuel economy and lower emissions.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has said it is to spend an additional £1 billion with UK suppliers over the next four years amid continued global demand for the Range Rover Evoque.
JLR has increased the value of UK supply contracts by £1 billion, in addition to the £2 billion supply contracts it awarded to more than 40 UK suppliers in March 2011. These suppliers provide components, facilities and services to support the Range Rover Evoque production line at Halewood on Merseyside.
Regional car registration figures for the month of April, released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, show a wide variation across the UK. While England, Scotland and Wales showed an increase (the latter posting an impressive gain of 7.37 per cent), registrations in Northern Ireland were down -5.38 per cent.
"It is encouraging that new car sales increased in April with private registrations continuing to improve" said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT's new car registration figures.
Great Wall Motor Company reports that it has become the first Chinese marque to get its cars on sale in UK. The first from the firm to land on these shores is the Steed pick-up on sale now, priced from £13,998 (CVOTR) and it comes with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. Earlier this year another Chinese OEM, Geely, announced its plans to market vehicles in the UK.
Audi AG has agreed to buy Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. for a reported £708 million. According to the company, the transaction will be completed “as quickly as possible” once authorized by the competition authorities. Ducati is now a third pillar for Audi AG in Northern Italy alongside Lamborghini and Italdesign. The company sees the move as "another building block in its growth strategy."
Renault has chosen to fit Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres as original equipment for the Renault Clio RS Red Bull Racing RB7, launched in March 2012. The 200hp limited edition car was developed to celebrate Red Bull Racing’s Formula One Constructors’ title – Renault has supplied its RS27 V8 engine to the Milton Keynes-based team since the 2007 season.
Automotive and transport consulting group, CLEAR has shown that there was growth of 58 per cent in heavy trailer demand in Eastern Europe in 2011. Thirteen of the fifteen countries covered in the report had growth of over 30 per cent, while three other markets grew by more than 100 per cent. The stand-out nation was Turkey, which completely recovered from the downturn of 2009 to post record trailer demand in 2010 and 2011, making it the largest trailer market in Eastern Europe.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced a new aviation tyre supply deal, continuing its original equipment range expansion in the industry. Brazil-based Embraer Defense and Security has selected the tyre manufacturer to equip its KC-390 twin-engine, jet-powered military airlifter and tanker with Goodyear military aviation tyres.
In recent times run-flat champion BMW has spurned this particular sort of tyre for a number of entry-level models, and now it is offering its 316d to 320d and 316i to 320i with standard tyres. Hankook has been selected as a supplier for this more affordable end of the range; its Ventus S1 evo² has will be fitted in size 205/60 R16 W as original equipment. Following on from the Mini and the 1-Series, the new 3-Series is the third BMW Group model to be fitted with the Korean manufacturer’s tyres.
Nexen Tire has announced that it has been selected as original equipment (OE) manufacturer by Fiat. Under the agreement, Nexen will supply tyres for Fiat's Multipla model range, scheduled for production from March 2013, as well as Fiat's Doblo light commercial vehicle (from 2014).
"The increase in retail car sales highlights the early signs of a more stable market" said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s new car registration figures.
New car sales figures show month on month sales were up 1.8 per cent compared to March last year. Private registrations showed one of the best monthly increases in the past two years, up 7.4 per cent in March.
After winning the "Car of the Year 2012" award, the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera has now also won the 13th International Monte Carlo Rally for electric and alternative propulsion cars.
Four Amperas ranked among the top 10 vehicles. The French duo Bernard Darniche and Joseph Lambert managed to beat the entire competitive field. On Sunday, the final day of the contest, the revolutionary electric vehicle reached the finish line in the capital of the Côte d'Azur principality.
Under a newly-announced original equipment supply agreement, Hankook Tire will supply Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) with tyres for its Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado models, starting in May 2012. The two flagship Freightliner trucks will be equipped with Hankook Tire’s AL11 steer and DL11 drive tyres, the tyre maker stated during the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show.
Russian car maker AvtoVAZ, manufacturer of the Lada brand, has announced its entry into a three-year strategic partnership agreement with tyre maker Nizhnekamskshina. The deal was signed by Damir Kashapov, vice-president of procurements at AvtoVAZ and Nail Maganov, first deputy general director of Nizhnekamskshina’s parent company OAO Tatneft; it provides for delivery of up to nine million tyres from 2012 to 2014.
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