The uncertain economic outlook in Europe looks set to hit sales of heavy trailers in 2012. Demand for new trailers is now forecast to fall below the level of 2011, according to some market analysts. As a consequence the sales figure for 2012 will be 10,000 trailers less than was forecast in May this year.
The 2 millionth ContiSeal tyre produced at the firm’s manufacturing plant in Lousado, Portugal rolled off the production this month. The 235/45 ZR 17 dimension tyre will be mounted on a Volkswagen Passat as original equipment, according to the company. Continental has been manufacturing car tyres with ContiSeal technology since 2008.
At its annual general assembly in June, members of the European retreading association BIPAVER elected a new presidium. Taking over the reins as president is former vice-president Jan Driessen, from VACO in the Netherlands. Former president, Italy’s Brenno Benaglia (AIRP) now serves in the capacity of vice-president, and Portugal’s José Silva Gomes, from the ANIRP, has been appointed second vice-president. The BIPAVER offices remain, as before, in the premises of the Dutch tyre organisation VACO.
UK insurance broker Garratts has landed a 700,000 euro contract to arrange tyre warranties for car dealers in Spain and Portugal. The Preston based broker was appointed by Spanish broker Sanz & Domecq to provide an annual warranty policy covering 411 workshops and 180 garages across the two countries.
Ecological innovations will take pride of place at the European Tyre Recycling Association’s 17th European Conference on Tyre Recycling in Brussels on 17-19 March, 2010. The themed event will comprise a “Pyrolisys Forum” during the ETRA Assembly Meeting, including the presentation of research studies on tyre recycling materials and their employment on road sector and civil enginery, rubberised bitumen and asphalt, buildings and concrete, thermoplastics, thermal and acoustic insulation.
Pirelli has announced its latest motorcycle trackday and race slick tyre, the ‘Diablo Superbike PRO'. The company says the tyre has been released now to coincide with the start of the new World Superbike season tests at Portimão, Portugal. The new tyre is aimed at club racers and track day riders, with technology directly devised from Pirelli's development programme in World Superbikes. The ‘PRO' has been created with racers and track day enthusiasts in mind – it is designed to wear consistently and last for more than one racing event. It is easily recognized by a red stripe which is printed on the tyre and for its red "PRO" marking on the sidewall.
Continental has announced the availability of its new tyre for high performance sports cars, the ContiSportContact 5 P. The tyre is already fitted as standard on several Mercedes AMG models, displayed alongside the new Audi TT RS at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The tyre’s official launch in Portimao, Portugal this week is marked by a particular focus on the sorts of technological developments for which Continental is often lauded; representatives of the manufacturer describe the brand as “technology-driven”.
At the start of May Continental kicked off its “Road-Show 2009”, and is taking its show truck – featuring a display of its tyres and their various features – on a European tour. The road trip traverses the continent, from Helsinki to southern Portugal, Paris to the Baltic states and on to Sofia in Bulgaria. In total the Road-Show will cover more than 20 European Union lands and stop at more than 50 locations.
Avon Tyres, a brand owned and manufactured by Cooper Tire, dominated the opening round of the 2009 FIA European Rallycross Championship at Lydden circuit, in Kent. In a championship where tyre choice is completely open and where tyres have to provide traction on both asphalt and gravel on every lap, Avon reports that the popularity of its selection has increased over recent seasons. 37 of the 38 drivers who scored at Lydden use Avon Tyres.
The official tyre supplier to Formula One, Bridgestone Motorsport has completed its first group test of 2009 at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, Portugal, where two compounds of 2009 specification slick tyres were used, as well as current specification wet and extreme wet tyres. Five teams were present over four days of testing between 19-22 January.
Though the Algarve location is famed for its good weather, the test was affected by wet and windy weather, and at one stage hailstones fell on the track during the course of the four days. While Bridgestone’s soft and super soft compound slick tyres were available for use, teams predominantly opted for the wet and extreme wet tyres. Adding to the difficulty of the wet weather, the ambient temperature was also much cooler than is expected to be experienced at races this season. This restricted the amount of meaningful data that could be obtained. Compounding the problem was the relatively new circuit, whose surface was very slippery as a result of both the weather and its freshness.
Portuguese retreader, Recauchutagem São Mamede, recently invested in new equipment including a buffing machine and tyre builder. “With this new equipment we have increased our productivity and quality to attend the needs of the competitive European market” said company owner Jorge Pereira. “Our clients are really satisfied with Vipal products and we wish to continue growing with the partnership,” Mr Eugenio Pereira added.
São Mamede was founded in 1998, located in Guimarães, North of Portugal, and has grown successfully since then by supplying high quality retreads to the market. Owned by the Pereira Family; each part of the company is co-ordinated by a family member. Mr. Joao Pereira; comments that “the company is well established and managed because of the commitment to quality from all employees.”
Continental is now equipping further high-class vehicles at DaimlerChrysler with tyres. Germany’s leading tyre manufacturer has recently been awarded the contract to factory fit a share of all models in the new Mercedes- Benz C Class.
Continental supplies ContiPremiumContact 2 and ContiSportContact 3 in sizes 16, 17 and 18 inches to the Mercedes-Benz C Class. The ContiPremiumContact 2 excels with short braking distances, comfortable handling and low rolling resistance, while the ContiSportContact 3 offers superb grip for acceleration and braking.
Continental manufactures the new tyres for Mercedes-Benz in Germany, France, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Jato Dynamics’ analysis of new car registrations in the EU and EFTA region for the first five months of 2006 shows that the overall European market for new cars rose by 2.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2005, to a total volume of 6,918,355 units.
Year-to-date (YTD) growth was significantly higher than in April, due to an overall rise of 10.6 per cent in the European market for new cars in May 2006 (a total volume for the month of 1,455,421 units).
Driving while listening to football (particularly penalty shoot outs!) is as dangerous as using a mobile phone a new survey reports. According to the poll conducted by online insurance broker motorinsurance.co.uk UK roads must have been dangerous places to be throughout the game against Portugal on Saturday.
Shepton Mallet-based Framptons Transport Services Ltd has identified an average fuel saving of 0.24 mpg (nearly three per cent) on its ERF ECT tractor units, following a trial of Michelin Energy tyres, which are designed for trucks operating primarily on major roads and motorways. The trial saw two tractor units fitted with 315/70 R22.5 A2 Energy tyres as original equipment in 2004, with the fuel economy carefully monitored for a period of 18 months. Fuel consumption was measured against identical vehicles in the fleet operating on Michelin’s ‘E’ segment tyres.
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