Omitec, the diagnostics equipment manufacturer, has released Version 13 Software of its OmiScan (handset based) and OmiPro (PC Based) scan tools. Version 13 features software application updates to: Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, MG Rover, Peugeot, Renault, Vauxhall as well as intensive application additions to BMW.
The Mazda CX-7, available in the UK from this month, boasts the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport tyre as original equipment. The Dueler H/P Sport is Bridgestone’s first SUV tyre derived from Formula One technology and was designed to bring driving agility and comfort to the increasing number of powerful SUVs on the roads today. According to the company, it gives drivers the best of both worlds by offering excellent wet and dry handling, sharp steering precision and an aggressive edge design that gives the tyre a sporty look while ensuring a comfortable ride with low noise levels.
The Mazda CX-7 is heavily orientated towards a sports car in its styling and driving dynamics, but retains the commanding road presence of a sports utility vehicle. There is ample space for five occupants to travel in comfort, with sports utility-style rear-seat functionality and generous boot space – making it ultra-practical.
Green appears to be the unofficial colour of the Frankfurt Show, with a number of manufacturers choosing to display their concept of a low environmental impact vehicle. Fiat is doing this with its Panda Aria, a concept car with a range features designed to help the big blue ball, including a two-cylinder 900cc dual petrol/methane-hydrogen engine, optimised gearbox and Stop&Start device and a range of what Fiat calls ‘eco compatible’ materials both inside and out.
The ‘Stop&Start’ system turns the engine off temporarily when the engine is idling or the vehicle is stationary and starts it again when the brake pedal is released or a gear engaged. This feature allows for a 10 per cent fuel reduction (urban cycle).
The interior is upholstered with natural fibres (cotton and linen), woven coconut fibre and biodegradable elements, while the exterior panelling is made of semi-transparent eco-resin and the structure is treated with opaque ‘totouch’ paint.
Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tyres have been selected by Lexus as OE for North American models of the company’s all-new LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan. The specific tyre fitted as one of the options to the world’s first full V8, all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle is the all-season Turanza EL42 in size P245/45R19 98V, a tyre Bridgestone Firestone North America Tire believes will deliver the sleek styling, low noise and outstanding performance in dry and wet conditions prerequisite on a vehicle that has a US market starting price in excess of $100,000.
The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L powertrain combines a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with two powerful electric motors that reduce emissions by 70 per cent compared with a vehicle fitted with a conventional engine – earning it a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating. “Bridgestone Firestone is proud to support vehicles that minimise fuel use and environmental impact,” said Michael Martini, BFNAT president, Consumer OE Tire Sales.
German vehicle engine technology and TPMS producer Beru Aktiengesellschaft has reported sales revenues of 224.2 million euros in the first half of 2007, despite what it calls ‘unfavourable market conditions.’ This first half sales figure was reflected slight sales growth, being 0.5 per cent higher than the 223.0 million euros achieved in the first half of 2006. The company credits strong growth in its Electronics and Sensor Technology and Ignition Technology divisions for the latest results.
Half year operating profit (EBIT) of 24.4 million euros represents an operating margin of 10.9 per cent, lower than the H1 2006 EBIT of 30.9 million euros and EBIT margin of 13.9 per cent. Net profit for the period amounted to 18.5 million euros, slightly lower than last year (20.8 million euros). First half earnings per share amounted to 1.80 euros, down from 2.06 euros in H1 2006.
Beru reports an expanding OE auto industry during the first half of the year and sales in this segment increasing by 3.0 per cent to 154.5 million euros. Sales revenues in the high-margin aftermarket segment decreased by 4.7 per cent to 56.3 million euros, an occurrence attributed to mild winter weather in the first quarter of the year. Although sales revenues stabilised in the second quarter of 2007, they were still lower than projected.
In anticipation of the FIA World Touring Car Championship’s switch to the use of bio-ethanol control fuel for 2009, the upcoming round at Anderstorp in Sweden will see a one-off outing in the championship for Volvo, with the Polestar-run, ethanol-powered S60. The car will be driven by Robert Dahlgren, who has already won two rounds of the Swedish Touring Car Championship and will be the first time a car running to the FIA’s Super2000 regulations will use the fuel in the WTCC.
A development programme will take place throughout the 2008 season, the third using Yokohama Advan as control tyres, which have recently been confirmed as control tyres for 2008 and 2009. Every manufacturer, with the support of Yokohama and other sponsors and partners, will help evaluate different fuel options to determine the ideal solution to reduce the fossil-fuel component, before approval by the FIA.
Blackcircles.com’s rapid success, gained through adapting dotcom technology to suit the tyre business, is well documented. According to Plimsoll’s 2007 analysis, the online tyre enterprise is the 32nd fastest growing company in the UK tyre business and blew away industry sales averages by posting sales growth of 80 per cent. So what’s the secret? The ever-increasing number of “fitting stations” listed as Blackcircles franchisees is one reason for the business’ rapid growth, but the company’s use of conventional media strategies appears to be another way it has kept traffic coming.
As Blackcircles prepares to sign-up its 300th franchise garage, the company has also launched a service designed to give consumers instant access to mechanics across the UK. The move follows the launch of www.mechanic-torque.co.uk in which consumers can post queries about their car and receive an expert answer from a Blackcircles franchise mechanic. Since launching in early 2006, the Blackcircles franchise network has spread across the UK. The franchise arrangement sees local independent garages retain their identity, but gain access to Blackcircles’ stock checking and ordering systems. Blackcircles plans to increase the number of franchises to 500 by December and 800 within a year.
Former United Steelworkers union members who crossed picket lines during last year’s Goodyear strike in the US have filed a complaint against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. The ex-union members claim that the union’s Local 2 fined each of the workers US$620 while also continuing to collect union dues from their pay despite the termination of their union membership.
The tyre makers state their return to work was necessary for them to continue supporting their families, but according to the complaint, the Local 2 then held an internal trial committee and imposed the fine on each employee who had returned. Since that time, the complainants add, the union “has been interfering with, restraining and coercing employees.”
Local news has reported further details on the firebombing of two outlets belonging to a tyre company in Surrey. According to the Croydon Advertiser, the Coulsdon and Croydon premises of RSR Tyres had windows smashed and accelerants thrown inside within a 20-minute timre terrorism is eframe between 12.30am and 1.00am on the morning of May 28.
Managing director John Mullane told the Advertiser that he doesn’t believe this to be a random attack. “This is not just vandalism,” he said. “We have been targeted. I have to admit we are scared.” Mr. Mullane added he does not know who would possibly have such a grudge against himself or the company.
“From talking to the police and the fire brigade and the fact the fires occurred over such a short space of time, it is clear to me they are connected and it is arson. We have been told some kind of accelerant – we don’t know if it was petrol – was thrown in through the windows to start the fires.” The fires were described as “suspicious” by a Metropolitan Police spokesman.
Local news has reported further details on the firebombing of two outlets belonging to a tyre company in Surrey. According to the Croydon Advertiser, the Coulsdon and Croydon premises of RSR Tyres had windows smashed and accelerants thrown inside within a 20-minute timeframe between 12.30am and 1.00am on the morning of May 28.
Managing director John Mullane told the Advertiser that he doesn’t believe this to be a random attack. “This is not just vandalism,” he said. “We have been targeted. I have to admit we are scared.” Mr. Mullane added he does not know who would possibly have such a grudge against himself or the company.
Pneumatics Components Ltd (PCL) is preparing to enter into a joint venture in India. The UK-based manufacturer and supplier of tyre shop, automotive and other transportation products is teaming up with India’s Sumo Hi-Tech Marketing to form PCL-Sumo Air Technology Pvt Ltd, a company that is claimed to be India’s top tyre inflation and pneumatic products provider.
Headquartered in the city of Mumbai, PCL-Sumo will manufacture, sell and distribute a full range of tyre inflation and pneumatic products designed to meet the needs of the Indian market, including both mechanical and electronic tyre inflation products such an adapted Indian market version of PCL’s Accura forecourt inflator. Indian customers will also gain access to the full PCL range, including the Accura 1 electronic handheld inflator: the AirForce, PCL’s brand new generation of mechanical air line gauges: the Hi-Flo MK 3 Air Line Gauge, and the Accura 11, 12 and 13, suitable for tyre shop applications.
Varta Automotive Batteries says that recent evidence from both sides of the Atlantic of a growing trend in premature battery failure caused by the retrofitting of power-sapping accessories has again raised the issue of like-for-like battery fitment.
RAC patrols attending more than half the call-outs in 2006 believe the use of in-car accessories has resulted in an increase in flat batteries. In the USA, a leading car customiser has experienced an increase in reported battery failures from customers who have add-on electronics such as i-pods and Sat Nav systems.
This incidence of batteries “dying young” is likely to have an increased impact on the aftermarket; recent SMMT figures show that sales of retrofitted in-car entertainment and Sat Nav systems grew between 2001 and 2005 from 100,000 to almost 1.9 million units.
Varta’s technicians warn that unless owners fitting these accessories upgraded their batteries to the same specification that would have been used by the vehicle manufacturer had the accessories been factory fitted, it could lead to premature battery failure.
The Michelin Man is being featured in a new high profile advertising campaign on the side of trucks within the Great Bear Distribution fleet, which are used to deliver more than three million Michelin tyres across the UK. Promoting the message “Michelin, for performance that lasts,” the brightly coloured graphics show a 6ft high Michelin Man running alongside a car tyre, and links with the return of the Michelin Man in 2007 to television advertising.
The first stage of the campaign sees the graphics fitted to 22 new Mercedes-Benz Atego rigids, plus a further 50 demountable box bodies. Before the end of the year, they will be joined by a further eight new Ategos and 40 demountable box bodies.
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As sole UK and European suppliers of 12/24v dc air compressors, Absolute Air Solutions are proud to be associated with the XD3000 compressor, which they intend to exhibit at Brityrex for the first time.
Featuring Presolite motors and state of the art control electronics, the XD3000 is capable of delivering shop performance on the road and is designed for extended duty cycles. With a compact design it can be easily mounted in a wide range of locations, providing power where it’s needed most. The XD3000 is competitively priced, and as it has no petrol engine, filters, spark plugs or carburettors to maintain the costs are greatly reduced.
As the XD3000 emits no harmful exhaust emissions and creates low levels of noise pollutions, it is fully compliant with new government legislation. The compressor’s lubrication system virtually eliminates outside contaminants and oil emissions.
Last year Vredestein unveiled the newest big gun in its UHP arsenal, the Ultrac Sessanta. Designed and marketed as a cut above the existing Ultrac range, the new tyre was the Dutch-Russian tyremaker’s response to the ever growing high performance vehicle segment, and with a low profile wide-tread design, Y speed rating and styling by Italy’s Giugiaro Design, the Ultrac Sessanta fitted comfortably into the upper end of Vredestein’s range. However this series of performance car tyres only partially catered for the performance market, and those wishing to drive vehicles the size of small trucks at incredible speeds found themselves without a suitable Ultrac Sessanta offering.
As of March 2007 all this would change: Enter the Ultrac SUV Sessanta, Vredestein’s UHP tyre for 4×4 sport utility vehicles. Based upon the Ultrac Sessanta, this latest tyre takes into account the unique qualities possessed by vehicles that are both fast and very heavy. The Audi Q7, for example – a vehicle Vredestein expressly states the Ultrac SUV Sessanta is ideally suited to – in its 4.2 litre petrol-engine guise has a top speed of close to 250km/h combined with a kerb weight of two and a quarter tonnes. So it goes without saying that the demands these vehicles place upon a tyre when cornering and stopping are far above the norm.
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