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Alcoa Wheels on Green Coca-Cola Truck

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.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

8 Year-Old Vans Now Qualify for Scrappage Deals

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.”

22nd October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin OE on New Renaultsport 250 Cup

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.

16th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone OE for Mercedes S-Class Hybrid

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.

15th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Proxes R30 OE on 3rd Gen Prius

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.

7th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Scrappage Scheme Boosts Sales For Kia And Mazda

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.

6th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone ‘RRR’ Tyres OE on Airbus A350 XWB

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.

2nd October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Prospect of Toyota Deal Benefits Hankook Share Prices

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.

24th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Holland Chooses AirBoss Tyres

New Holland in the UK has announced that it is to fit AirBoss segmented tyres as standard on its L160 skid steer loaders for the waste recycling industry. The tyre features puncture-proof segments attached to a specially tailored disc, which AirBoss says will reduce downtime and callout charges for equipment operators. Dave Goddard, senior sales executive at AirBoss said, "If a segment of the tyre does get damaged beyond repair, the operator of the skid steer can easily and safely unscrew the damaged segment and replace it. It is extremely rare for a segment to be damaged, but if it is, the fix doesn't require outside assistance or the replacement of the whole tyre and it can be completed by the operator in minutes".

11th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

6% Rise in August Registrations Could Help Korean Tyre Manufacturers

The latest SMMT figures reveal there was 6 per cent rise in new car registrations in August 2009, with the monthly total growing to 67,006 units. The second successive month of growth in new car registrations is widely attributed to the success of the government’s scrappage initiative, with August’s figures building on on a 2.4 per cent gain in July. As you might expect in light of the scrappage scheme, private purchases of small cars grew particularly strongly with this type of sale accounting for 35,694 (53.3 per cent) of August’s sales, compared to 23,717 (37.5 per cent). However, the recent growth disguises the fact that sales are still 15 per cent off the 78,800 total monthly market average between 1999 and 2008.

Ford and Vauxhall continued to dominate sales in August, however it is the surprise success of the Korean car manufacturers that has the potential to re-shape the UK car parc. And as these car manufacturers are almost exclusively supplied by Korean tyre makers, there is also likely to be a positive effect on Korean tyre sales in the UK.

4th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Proxes A20 Chosen for Lexus HS 250h Option

In the US, the Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tyre has been selected as the 18-inch OE upgrade for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. The first dedicated hybrid for Lexus, it features the optional P225/45R18 Proxes A20, a so-called eco-friendly tyre.
Lexus introduced the HS 250h as the “World’s First Hybrid-Only Luxury Vehicle”. According to the company, it produces the best combined estimated EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the US at 35-mpg and also achieves 35-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.

24th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Supply BMW Driver Training Programme

More than 54,000 drivers have taken part in BMW Driver Training programmes in Europe during the last three years and benefited from its specialised courses to improve individual driver skills, reactions and awareness. In August, Bridgestone announced the signing of a three-year contract to supply tyres to this business group within the German manufacturer’s “M” division. Through the agreement, Bridgestone becomes the exclusive tyre supplier for the BMW Driver Training fleet, which is made up of 1-Series, 3-Series, X5 and X6 vehicles, as well as the BMW M model range.

14th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin’s OE Business 40% Down in North America – Wilkerson

Michelin North America’s Dick Wilkerson has engaged in a further tête-à-tête with his local newspaper, and he is clear that the company is “committed to manufacturing our product in North America and selling it in North America.” The regional operation’s chairman and president told The Greenville News that around 90 per cent of the company’s North American sales tonnage is produced on the continent, including at its Mexican and Canadian plants. These four factories complement Michelin’s 11 major US manufacturing facilities.

20th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Tire Gets Volkswagen OE in North America

This month Hankook Tire began supplying Volkswagen’ Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle cars manufactured at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico plant and destined for North America with Optimo H725A tyres. Hankook already has fitments on Volkswagen cars in other global markets, but this development represents a significant increase in VW fitments on Volkswagens to be sold in Canada and the US, where the Jetta is the highest selling VW model vehicle.

“We are extremely excited to supply the Optimo for Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle exports to the U.S. and Canadian markets. By leveraging our Kontrol Technology in the development of UHP products, Hankook Tire is able to tailor its products to current environmental sustainability standards, and this in turn allows Hankook Tire to deliver quality products to our consumers,” said Seung Hwa Suh, CEO, Hankook Tire, adding: “After working closely with Volkswagen as an OE supplier in other world markets, we have created excellent relationships, and we look forward to earning even more fitments on VW vehicles to be sold in the US and Canada.”

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kenda China Plant Aims for PSR, Company Adds OE

Kenda Rubber Industries’ recently opened tyre plant in China will serve as a stepping stone to growing the company’s presence in that country, officials said. The first phase of the new plant in Teinjin, China, at $23 million, is set to produce bicycle and motorcycle tyres and tubes. Later phases, though, will add production of some five million radial passenger tires per year, Kenda said.

Kenda has also been aggressively pursuing OE positions, and recently landed slots with Iranian car maker Saita Group. Kenda will supply some 200,000 radial tyres per year for Saita’s Pride line. Kenda claims it has also gained OE business with an unnamed Chinese automaker. (Tire Review/Akron)

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors