He’s performed sterling service battling an evil fuel pump and doling out fuel efficient tyres for the benefit of motorists, and now Bibendum – known more widely as the ‘Michelin Man’ – returns for the second phase of Michelin’s “the right tyre changes everything” advertising campaign. This time round Bib has been drafted in to save animals from becoming roadkill.
Thorite, Britain’s largest supplier of compressed air products and process systems, is celebrating half a century in business by publishing a new brochure which is said to feature the widest choice of branded air compressors in the business. According to the company, the brochure includes compressors from FIAC, ABAC, SIP and Thorite’s own-design Diamond range. Of the 70+ compressors listed buyers can select from portable direct drive models for go-anywhere convenience, belt drive stationary machines ideal for workshops, and machines powered either by petrol or 110volt electricity supply for on-site use.
As a regular exhibitor at the Brityrex Show, Southampton based Supertracker will once again be present in Manchester in October, this time introducing a recently launched Steering Angle Reset Tool which was released in May. Sharing details of its Brityrex exhibition stand, the firm said this tool has been developed in direct response to the industry's increasing popularity for steering angle sensors on modern vehicles. This latest Supertracker product allows the user to reset the sensor to the correct wheel alignment settings and ensures that any stability control electronics to operate correctly.
Tyre makers whose products performed well in the 24 Hours of Le Mans have expressed delight with the results obtained. First amongst this group, naturally, is Michelin, following a one-two-three Audi finish. Following the successive eliminations of its four main Peugeot rivals, the Michelin shod Audi team was able to secure a fourth hat-trick at Le Mans. In addition to monopolising the top three places in the overall standings, Michelin runners took the top prize in each of the four classes for the third straight year.
Michelin has announced a new promotion for motorcyclists buying and fitting a pair of Michelin Power Pure or Pilot Road 2 motorcycle tyres. Between 1 June and 31 July, purchasers of these tyres will receive £20 of fuel vouchers from selected dealers throughout June and in all dealers throughout July.
Wheel alignment company Supertracker has announced a new Steering Angle Sensor Reset tool to its product portfolio in order to further enhance the precise operation and technical requirements. Vehicle electronics continue to develop apace, and steering angle sensors are now a common feature on new car models. Supertracker states the tool allows any stability control electronics to operate correctly when the sensor is reset to match the correct wheel alignment settings.
Continental is working together with two other companies on a project related to lithium-ion batteries for commercial vehicles. Specifically, Continental, along with automotive suppliers ZF Friedrichshafen and ads-tec, are embarking on a joint project to develop production techniques for optimising the pre-assembly and final assembly stages of lithium-ion energy storage unit modules for use in hybrid commercial vehicles. This joint project, titled “FUEL” or “Future goes Electric”, is being sponsored by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of a government economic stimulus package.
According to a recent survey, British businesses are squandering millions of litres of petrol because employees don’t drive company vehicles efficiently. Poor driving technique, inaccurate fuel gauges and bad record keeping are all contributing to companies being unaware of the real consequences of their fuel usage, the survey adds.
The research by leading telematics expert Trimble MRM found recent hikes in petrol and diesel prices is the biggest challenge facing fleet managers today. The drive to make business more fuel efficient is forcing fleet managers to take a long hard look at their vehicles and driver behaviour.
The European Road Safety Charter was established by the European Commission in 2004 with the aim of halving the number of road deaths within the EU. The following year Bridgestone Europe signed an agreement to support the charter, and has now opted to extend its support for a further three years. Bridgestone says its new charter agreement will be backed by a proactive programme of tyre safety checks to educate motorists on the importance of correct and regular tyre maintenance.
Goodyear has won the Environmental Award at the prestigious 2010 Fleet News Awards in London. The award’s judges praised the fuel saving qualities of Goodyear’s EfficientGrip tyre and recognised the successful green programmes introduced by the firm at the event held on Wednesday 17 March.
Lisa Faulkner, fleet manager for Goodyear, said: “We are delighted to win this award in recognition of the benefits delivered by EfficientGrip. This is something that fleet managers have been quick to realise by choosing a tyre that offers exceptional fuel efficiency without the need to compromise on safety. The award also underlines our company-wide commitment to the environment.”
The Michelin Green X Challenge is described by the tyre maker as a ‘race within the race’ at motorsports events such as the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The idea behind the challenge is summed by Michelin as “if fast is good, then faster and cleaner is even better,” and the company notes that this approach paid off for 12 of the 20 ALMS Michelin green X Challenge winners last year, as they also won their respective class on track. The 2010 US based round of this environmental motorsport awards programme gets underway at the Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20.
Michelin has launched the UK part of a new global ad campaign based on the theme: “The right tyre changes everything.” According to the company, the new campaign is intended to illustrate the competitive advantages of Michelin tyres and will roll out across the country from 15 March.
While creating a link with the grand tradition of Michelin advertising, the company has chosen a fully animated presentation for its new advertising campaign. It features the famed Michelin man, Bibendum, in an animated world. As ambassador of the Michelin brand, he comes to the aid of motorists in trouble, replacing their inefficient tyres with Michelin tyres that he pulls from his body, thereby enabling them to keep on driving.
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Klarius has launched a new range of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) for the aftermarket. Marketed by Klarius through the largest of its European manufacturing plants in Stoke, the new range of DPFs is said to match OE quality and is fully recyclable part. Klarius DPFs are also Bio-Diesel compatible, providing the vehicle was originally manufactured to run on Bio-Diesel.
Some say he is holidaying in Australia this February, and that during his down under jaunt he’ll be performing his world-first driving stunt – all we know is, he’s called the Stig, and Bridgestone is offering its Australian devotees the chance to drive like the Top Gear tame racing driver.
One of India’s largest tyre manufacturers has released a statement looking at the link between the 250-plus deaths that occur on the country’s roads every day and the recently observed statistic that 75 per cent of vehicles run on incorrect tyre pressure. Apollo Tyres’ survey found that amongst 36,000 tyres tested over six months, “only 22 per cent of cars… had with the OE recommended inflation.” The company suggests that while the winter season sees the highest number of road accidents, with “fog, cold, roadside revelry and…drinking and driving… the major causes”, perhaps incorrect tyre pressure should also be addressed as part of the problem. Apollo began the self-titled “Safe Drive” programme in 2006 “to educate and create awareness on the benefits of proper tyre care among passenger car and commercial vehicle users.”
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