BMW has selected Hankook’s Ventus Prime² for several of its 1 Series models. The Hankook tyre will be fitted to the 116i, 118i, 116d and 118d in size 195/55 R16V. The upmarket 120d will also receive the Ventus Prime², in size 205/55 R 16W. The 1 Series fitment is Hankook’s first OEM deal with the German vehicle manufacturer.
Goodyear has announced that its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyre will be fitted as original equipment to Porsche’s new 911 Carrera 2. The tyre, which recently won the Auto Express 2011 tyre test, will be supplied in the sizes 235/40ZR 19 (front) and 285/35ZR 19 (rear). Goodyear remarks that tyre choice on the new 911 is vital, due to its rear engine configuration. The traction improvements yielded require the rear tyres to transfer 350 break horsepower to the tarmac; Goodyear says its Eagle F1A2 will meet this need through its “solid performance and quality credentials”.
Toyota has fitted the Bridgestone B250 Ecopia to its IQ for a couple of years now, and now the tyre has been selected as original equipment on a vehicle that bears more than a passing resemblance to the pint-sized city car. Bridgestone has started supplying the B250 Ecopia as standard equipment for the Aston Martin Cygnet, launched in Europe in September 2011. Each and every Cygnet sold will be delivered with Bridgestone B250 Ecopia tyres in size 175/60 R16.
Aeolus has been selected as an original equipment supplier to tank trailer manufacturer Tremcar. The Canada-based company has decided replace its existing OEM tyre brand with Aeolus tyres at its three Canadian manufacturing facilities; Aeolus will supply a variety of products, mixed-service tyres, all-position tyres and rib tyres.
Mercedes-Benz has selected Yokohama tyres as original equipment for two additional models. The Japanese tyre maker’s C.drive2 AC02 MO tyres, which is based upon its export market C.drive2 high-performance comfort tyre, will be fitted in sizes 205/55R16 91H, 205/55R16 91V and 225/45R17 91V to Mercedes A- and B-class models. In addition to these two recent homologations, Yokohama already supplies original equipment tyres for a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including the G class, CL-class AMG, ML-class AMG, C class, C-class AMG, CLS class and SLK Class.
US specialist vehicle manufacturer Fisker describes its first-ever model, the Karma, as being “the first true electric luxury vehicle with extended range” and the “embodiment of an environmentally conscious vehicle with passion, style and performance.” Along with boasting a solar panel roof and reclaimed wood interior, the Karma sets itself apart from other cars by having 22-inch wheels fitted as standard equipment. And wrapped around these massive rims are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres.
Alongside the introduction of the Run-Flat version of its flagship Potenza S001 UHP sport tyre, Bridgestone announced a run of OE fitments on some of the best known marques. Available in 4 40 to 55 series sizes, Bridgestone Run-Flat Tyres are now fitted right across the BMW and Mini range in Europe, in addition to a large number of models from Audi, Mercedes, Lexus and Volkswagen. Many top sports cars are also equipped with Bridgestone Run-Flats, including Ferrari and Maserati models.
Just over two weeks after reports surfaced that the UK government was targeting automotive suppliers for British manufacturing investment, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to build a new £350 million engine plant in Wolverhampton. According to reports, the new factory will create around 750 skilled jobs to serve demand from Asia.
Porsche has fitted the latest version of its 911 model with Pirelli’s P Zero ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres. Two different compounds of P Zero were specially developed for the new Porsche 911 Carrera which has its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week in sizes 245/35 ZR20 front and 295/30 ZR20 rear.
In August 2010, Michelin signed a five-year tyre supply agreement with Cessna covering supply to the US aircraft manufacturer’s business jet range. The tyre maker now reports this agreement has been expanded to include supplying tyres for piston-engine aircraft. Under this enlarged agreement, Michelin tyres are now fitted on nearly all Cessna piston aircraft and most Citation business jets.
Hankook Tire’s European factory has expanded its original equipment supply to the European market with the manufacture of the Optimo K415 to be fitted to the KIA Sportage, the car maker’s most popular family SUV, now taking place at the Hungarian site. Hankook says its investments in the factory show its effort “to meet the requirements of leading car makers aiming to increase the OE tyre production rate from the current 10 per cent to 20-25 per cent of the total production during the upcoming years.” Besides serving KIA, the Hungarian production site has supplied OE products to the European operations of Volkswagen since 2009 and Hyundai since 2008.
Japanese vehicle makers are set to increase their production output between October 2011 and March 2012 and this is likely to lead to a shortage of synthetic rubber. At roughly the same time Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone notified OEMs that orders for passenger car tyres are likely exceed its domestic production capacity leading concerns that the country could be in line for both a synthetic rubber and a domestic tyre shortage.
Yokohama Rubber reports it is supplying original equipment tyres to Mazda’s latest model Demio, which went on sale in Japan on June 30. The compact car, known as the Mazda2 in many export markets, is a facelifted version of the popular model first released in 2007; the updated car is fitted with the Japanese tyre maker’s Aspec A349 BluEarth in size 175/65R14 82S.
Toyota has approved the Toyo Proxes A20 as original equipment for its 2012 North American market Prius v, which is scheduled to go on sale this autumn. The all-season tyre is being supplied to the Prius in P215/50R17 for inclusion in an optional package that also includes 7 X 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels.
Continental has announced its latest two original equipment contracts with Mercedes-Benz. The German tyre maker will supply tyres for the CLS saloon and high-end versions of the Mercedes Viano and Vito vans.
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