Amerityre Corporation announced on December 8 it will supply components to a “major OEM manufacturer of track systems” through its licensed Canadian distributor, Flat Free Tires Inc. The name of the track systems manufacturer or details of the deal’s worth have as yet not been disclosed.
The prototype tyre containing the BioIsoprene technology developed by Goodyear and Genencor is gaining much attention at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, yet Goodyear points out that products it has already made available to consumers are also represented at the high profile event. The tyre major notes that journalists covering the conference are being transported around the Danish capital in a pre-production example of the electric-powered Renault Fluence Z.E. fitted with its EfficientGrip tyres.
When Toyota begins shipping its North American market 2011 Sienna minivan, certain models in the range will be fitted with Bridgestone’s latest run-flat technology as standard. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced the selection of its Turanza EL400 run-flat tyres as an OE fitment on AWD variants of upcoming Toyota line-up. The Toyota Sienna AWD thus becomes the first vehicle in the world to be fitted with this third generation of run-flat technologies.
Kumho Tire has given word of arrangements to supply truck tyres to Daimler AG in its home market. As of late November the Mercedes Benz Actros will be sold in South Korea with Kumho tyres as OE. Due to a confidentiality clause, however, the company has not revealed how many tyres will be delivered to Daimler as part of the arrangement.
Continental Tyre Group has appointed Steve Ashcroft to the role of OE manager for its UK & Ireland truck tyre business. In his new position, Ashcroft will liaise directly with both manufacturers and fleets on all OE truck and trailer activities. Commenting on his appointment, Ashcroft commented: “It’s an interesting time to be taking on the OE Manager role, but my years of experience as well as the insight gained from working in both the manufacturing and supplier side of the business, I’m convinced will be of great benefit.”
Continental Tire North America has extended its partnership with GGI European Tuning, and will be the sole tyre supplier for all Carlsson Mercedes-Benz tuning packages sold in the United States. The exclusive use of Continental brand tyres extends Conti’s ongoing relationship with GGI – Hartge BMW and Sportec Porsche tuning packages that GGI sells in the United States are already fitted with Continental tyres as standard.
Audi has chosen Toyo’s Proxes T1-AO as an original equipment fitment on its latest model S6. The tyre is supplied to the 5.2 litre V10 four wheel drive Audi in size 265/35 ZR 19 98Y in European, US and Asian markets
Renault Trucks is making a test hybrid propulsion system vehicle for Coca-Cola Enterprises Belgium (CCEB). The vehicle which will come fitted with Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels will “speed up development of the Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech by having it used under actual operating conditions,” according to the company. Alcoa points out that its wheels are not only lighter and stronger than steel, but also easy to clean thanks to the Dura-Bright surface treatment.
The terms of the Government’s revised scrappage scheme, which includes provision for replacing vans, comes into force today (22 October). In September it was announced that an extra £100 million was proposed for the Government’s scrappage scheme bringing the total budget to £400 million and covering up to 400,000 vehicles in total. The scheme will end in February 2010 or when the funding runs out, whichever is sooner.
The key change to the policy is that van owners looking to trade in their vehicles will now be able to scrap their 8-year-old van instead of the previous 10-year requirement. Car owners must trade in vehicles registered on or before 29 Feb 2000 (V registration).
Arguably sounding like the nation’s biggest second-hand car salesman, business secretary Lord Mandelson said: “Consumers and businesses looking for a new vehicle should make the most of the scrappage scheme now…but it has to end when the funding runs out.”
The new Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup, due out in January 2010, will come fitted with 235/40 ZR 18 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 high-performance tyres as standard. The new car will be available with the standard Sport chassis with the Cup chassis option for even more track-focussed performance. In addition to Michelin tyres, the Cup chassis will also feature different springs and dampers, a thicker anti-roll bar and a limited slip differential to help push track performance to the highest levels. According to the company, the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 is Michelin’s high-performance road tyre and is inspired by the Company’s past experience in Formula 1, it is also fitted as standard to the Bugatti Veyron.
The tyre features a Variable Contact Patch that increases the area of tread in contact with the road as cornering force increases and an asymmetric tread pattern which has a rubber-to-groove ratio close to that of an F1 tyre. Michelin’s Pilot Sport 2 is available in various sizes to suit most high-performance cars and the Megane Renaultsport 250 will be available to order from November, with customer deliveries starting in January 2010.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid Long is the first imported hybrid vehicle to hit Japan’s roads, so it’s no surprise that Bridgestone is proud to announce the supply of its Potenza RE050 Ecopia range as original equipment. The RE050 Ecopia will be fitted to the large German saloon in 255/45R18 99Y size.
Toyo’s Proxes range has been chosen as original equipment for the new, third generation Toyota Prius in a number of European markets. According to Toyo Tire Europe GmbH, the OE arrangement will see the Proxes R30 in size 215/45R17 87W fitted to the Prius.
With sales reaching 9,772 in September, Kia Motors (UK) Ltd. has hit a new record for the brand in any European market. No Kia subsidiary or distributor in Europe has ever sold so many new cars in one month throughout the brand's history and with total sales for the year passing 34,700, the UK performance has overtaken Kia Motors Deutschland – traditionally the biggest market in Europe.
The result gives Kia a 2.66 per cent market share in the UK – and a 3.73 per cent share of the retail market in September – both new records for Kia. Kia's Picanto was the runaway leader in terms of sales, with 3,395 registered during the month. Rio was hot on its heels with 2,066 sales followed by the cee'd family at 1,592 – before the new model introduction from 1 October and Sportage at 792.
Michael Cole, managing director said: "It would be wrong to say that the Government's scrappage scheme hasn't helped us and in particular Picanto has proved very popular amongst those trading in 10 year old cars. But our September performance and our year-to-date result cannot be attributed to scrappage alone.
Bridgestone has been selected to supply tyres for the Airbus A350 XWB (eXtra Wide Body). The tyres fitted to the aircraft, comments the Japanese tyre major, will include its “RRR” (Revolutionary Reinforced Radial) construction, which Bridgestone says will contribute to reduced fuel consumption, enhanced cost management, and improved safety.
Shares in Hankook Tire rose 5.94 per cent today after Korean media quoted the company’s vice-president as saying it was negotiating a supply deal with Toyota. “Orders from Japanese such as Toyota could accelerate Hankook's brand image enhancement and we would view the order positively if it were to be finalised,” commented Morgan Stanley in a note.
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