BMW has selected Bridgestone tyres as original equipment for the new BMW 3 Series model. A combination of standard touring and Run Flat Technology (RFT) tyres have been selected to run across the BMW 3 series range. With a strong focus on safety and balanced performance, the chosen tyres have been introduced to the European market for 2012.
Falken has won the original equipment contract to provide its bespoke Sincera SN831A tyres to Volkswagen’s city car, the Up!. The German manufacturer has thus become the first European automobile manufacturer to commit to the Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand’s high performance products, and specify the Japanese tyre producer as an OEM supplier. The announcement was confirmed at 2012 Reifen Tyre Show in Essen.
US-based wholesaler Tire Group International has announced the formation of a partnership with Tire Warehouse, Inc., a tyre distributor with a focus on the construction, industrial, forestry, earthmover and agricultural tyre segments. Commenting on the new partnership, TGI’s vice-president of Business Development, Osvaldo Marchante, said “our strategic partnership with Harvey and Rick Malove, along with their key management personnel, will allow TGI to strengthen our position in the fast growing off-the-road market segments.” Tire Warehouse’s Rick and Harvey Malove stated they are “looking forward to our new partnership with TGI. As a result of this partnership, we shall further enhance our main focus of continuing to offer top quality products and services to our customers."
Goodyear has appointed JB Tyres of Tobermore to the position of exclusive farm and industrial tyre dealer for Ireland. The agreement means that JB Tyres has become one of the largest Goodyear farm tyre dealers in Europe. The manufacturer said the distributor is topping European league tables for sales in 2012.
Momo, a well known Italian automotive brand most famous for its wheels, has announced that it is launching a tyre range in partnership with Univergomma S.p.a. at next week’s Reifen exhibition in Essen, Germany.
Pirelli has confirmed that it will be the only tyre supplier to the GT Cup Championship until at least 2014. Pirelli UK met with championship organisers Bute Motorsport at Pirelli’s Didcot base last week to discuss the terms of the contract. Pirelli UK Motorsport’s operation manager Matthew Corby said: “The GT Cup Championship is home to some of the most spectacular racing cars in British motorsport, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with this prestigious series. The opening two rounds have proved very exciting and with the new regulations introduced for 2012, I look forward to watching the series grow from strength to strength.”
Bridgestone Europe will supply original equipment tyres to Volvo Car Corporation, securing the tyre manufacturer’s first partnership with the Swedish firm. The Turanza T001 will be fitted to the new Volvo V40 five-door hatchback and the Volvo XC60 will be shod with Dueler tyres during May 2012.
Maxxis Tyres has agreed to sponsor Liverpool FC for a further three years, extending its partnership with the club until 2015. Maxxis Tyres first worked with Liverpool FC in 2009 and has enjoyed successful campaigns with LFC fans, and increased brand awareness through online inventory and LED advertising on match days which is shown to millions of fans around the world.
Thornleigh Freight has announced it is overhauling the look of some of its vehicles, turning them into a striking Hankook branded fleet. Thornleigh Freight has worked with Hankook for over 10 years and has recently signed a new contract to store and distribute Hankook products. To cement the partnership even further Thornleigh Freight also chose to develop some Hankook branded vehicles to form part of their existing fleet.
American transmission company Competition Clutch has opened a dedicated UK sales office and logistics centre. The company has partnered with Universal Automotive in Kidderminster, from whose 40,000 sq ft facility Competition Clutch products will be available to UK end-users and retailers. The manufacturer said the move will build on the sales success of its diverse race-quality clutch range in its native USA and in UK motorsport.
Kumho, who only recently was appointed official tyre supplier to the global Auto GP Series, has now also won the contract to supply all the tyres for the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile's (FFSA) F4 single-seater racing championship.
Tyre pressure monitoring system technology provider Advantage PressurePro and Alliance Wireless Technologies, manufacturer of mobile rear vision camera systems and wireless communications products, have announced a new partnership agreement. The companies, who have worked together since 2009 as integration partners on Advance Wireless’ Vivid units, have formed a new relationship to bring PressurePro’s stand alone TPMS units to the waste and commercial markets.
This year the World Superbike Championship celebrates its 25th anniversary, and Pirelli – who has been involved in the series from its inception and as sole supplier since 2004 – has decided to mark the occasion by creating an exclusive version of the Superpole tyre the riders will use at Monza on 5 May to decide the starting order for the next day’s races.
Hankook Tyre UK has announced that its partnership with Northampton Saints Rugby Club will be extended for a further four years, having begun in 2009. The new agreement means Hankook will remain the elite sponsor until 2016, with the company’s logo positioned on the team’s shirts. The tyre manufacturer’s headquarters are in Daventry, Northamptonshire, near the Saints’ home ground, Franklin’s Gardens. Tony Lee, managing director of Hankook Tyre UK stated that “The partnership between Hankook and the Saints has been a great success to date.”
Zircotec says its new technical partnership with Maxxis British Drift Championship holders Falken Tyres drift team will enable the coatings specialist to test and measure the performance of its coatings in the extremely harsh, high underbonnet temperature environment of the growing sport. Initial results completed after engine mapping have already demonstrated the turbo spools up 200rpm quicker than the previous uncoated housing, suggesting that both performance and reliability gains are possible.
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