Audi’s new A7 Sportback, released in Europe in Autumn 2010 and now being introduced into global markets, is to be fitted with Yokohama Advan tyres as original equipment. Yokohama Rubber reports its Advan Sport in size 265/35R20 99Y XL has been selected for the four door coupe, the fourth Audi model to be shipped with Yokohama tyres as original equipment.
Nissan’s ‘Leaf’ electric car goes on sale in December 2010 and will hit the streets fitted with tyre’s from Bridgestone’s Ecopia range as original equipment. In Europe and Japan the Ecopia EP150 is being supplied to Nissan in size 205/55R16 91V while North American customers will receive their Leaf fitted with a size P205/55R16 89H version of the Ecopia EP422, a product designed for all-season use in this particular market. Beyond this fitment, Bridgestone states it will “continue working to bolster its line-up of Ecopia tyres, roll them out globally, and increase their use as original equipment.”
Tyre manufacturer Maxxis International has received original equipment accreditation from PSA. The company says it has developed its MA-510 tyre in conjunction with PSA specifically for the European OE market – it already complies with the European type approval standard 661/2009 – and is supplying the tyre in size 175/65R14 on the Peugeot 206+.
Kumho Tire has been awarded an original equipment supply deal for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The manufacturer will supply its Solus KS21 UHP tyre in sizes 265/60R18 or 265/50R20 for versions of this new Jeep destined for markets outside of North America, and in doing so Kumho expects to “generate an even stronger momentum in its pursuit of overseas markets.”
Motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has selected Pirelli’s ‘Scorpion Trail’ as original equipment on its new Tiger 800. The Pirelli tyre has been described as “ideal for the extremely varied riding conditions” of Triumph’s new middleweight motorcycle, a 799cc, 94bhp three-cylinder machine aimed squarely at the important and ever-growing ‘adventure sport’ market. The Tiger 800 will come fitted with 110/80 19 Scorpion Trail tyres at the front and 150/70 17 on the rear.
Apollo Tyres has demonstrated it is moving towards its goal of becoming a global player and entering the top 10 within the next five years with the news that it has joined the list of globally approved suppliers to German car marque Volkswagen. However the prestige associated with VW's global OE approval of Apollo's tyres is multiplied by the fact that the company has been selected to supply the replacement to VW's compact Fox model, known as the “Up”, which can be described as a European OE contract. This mini model is expected to be produced at the German carmaker's Brazil plant, where the Fox was previously constructed.
Production of the wide-body Airbus A350 XWB began in August 2010 and the European aircraft manufacturer reports having already received more than 570 firm orders for the new jet from 35 customers. The first delivery is scheduled for 2013, and when the airliners are handed over to their proud new owners each and every one of them will be fitted with Michelin rubber; the French tyre maker states it has been selected to develop and supply tyres for the A350 XWB’s landing gear.
Bridgestone’s Battlewing Adventure Sports tyre will be original equipment on Triumph’s latest model, the eagerly anticipated Tiger 800 XC. The tyre was chosen after rigorous testing for compatibility. The bike was unveiled in Milan earlier this month and is aimed at the adventure touring bike market. The fitment will help maximise the motorcycle’s on and off road capabilities, says Bridgestone.
Continental reports the approval of its ContiCrossContact Winter as original equipment on the Land Rover Freelander and Range Rover Sport. The cold weather tyre has been approved in size 235/55R19 105H for the Land Rover Freelander and 275/40R20 106V for the Range Rover Sport.
Pirelli Tire North America has expanded its OE business with Ford with the new fitment on the upcoming 2012 Mustang Boss 302 and Boss 302 Laguna Seca models, says Tire Review. The cars will be shod with P Zero and P Zero Corsa tyres, respectively.
Renault is in the process of launching several models in Russia through its partnership with vehicle manufacturer AvtoVAZ. Included in this arrangement are the Logan and Sandero, which will be imported in CKD form and produced in AvtoVAZ’s Moscow factory from September 2010 onwards. Sibur-Russian Tyres reports its Cordiant tyre brand is being fitted as exclusive original equipment on these two models. The tyre maker anticipates it will ship some 100,000 tyres for the Logan and Sandero by the end of 2010.
Kenda’s Komet Plus tyre in size 175/65R14 will be fitted on the Chinese-manufactured GM Chevrolet Sail on the Chilean and African markets, the manufacturer has announced. The Komet Plus tread design utilises Kenda’s NMA technology, which reduces the sound emission from the tyre. Water channelling grooves enhance wet and dry traction.
The newest member of Audi’s RS family is the 4.2 litre, V8 powered RS 5 coupé, a vehicle capable of producing 450hp. Toyo reports it has supplied its Proxes T1 AO tyre as OE since the launch of the RS 5 earlier this year. The Proxes T1 AO is already fitted as original equipment to the Audi S6; a size 265/35 R 19 98Y tyre is being supplied to the RS 5.
Volkswagen opened a new factory in Chakan, western India in March 2009 and, along with the Skoda Fabia, now produces Polo models there. Russian tyre manufacturer OAO Nizhnekamskshina reports that it is supplying OE tyres for the new saloon version of the Polo, known as the Vento, built at the 115,000 square metre facility. Following the shipment of a batch of tyres for testing in late July 2010, the first consignment of Kama-Euro 236 tyres was air freighted to India.
The much-anticipated BMW M5 (based on the company’s F10) is due to be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show between 15 and 25 September, but eagle-eyed bloggers at the Bimmerpost.com website have already been able to post shots of the new model with minimal camouflage as it lay unattended in a German car park. Of particular interest to tyrepress.com readers were the sedan’s 265/40 ZR19 (102Y) tyres. Their manufacturer? Pirelli (click the additional picture for a close-up). Could this be an original equipment deal in the making?
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