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Quality Alignment and Garage Equipment from Snap-On

Snap-on Equipment has been building on its long-standing position as a leading garage equipment manufacturer, supplier and service provider with a comprehensive range of wheel alignment systems, including the John Bean Visualiner 3D Arago, Ultra, V3D1 and V3D Lite systems, through to the new hybrid PRISM.

Three-dimensional wheel alignment offers workshops the latest technology for accurate alignment readings in an easy-to-use package. Designed with the UK wheel service market in mind, the John Bean V3D Lite wheel alignment system has been well received since it was introduced in 2007 complementing the John Bean line up, through to the top-of-the range 3D Arago aligner. The Reading-based company has also gained endorsement for the 3D Arago for all marques under the Volkswagen Group.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Truckers Not Looking to Buy Next Year, Says Study

Only 25% of Class 8 truck fleets say they “definitely will” buy or lease a new truck within the next 12 months, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates Heavy-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study. That 25% figure, said J.D. Power, was down from 41% posted in 2006, and indicates that there may be a very modest pre-buy of new tractors prior to new EPA-mandated engines that will be required as of 2010.

Only 54% of the truck fleets surveyed by J.D. Power said they will expand the size of their fleets, down from 2006’s 63%. The recent study tabbed smaller fleet operations with an average fleet size of 53 trucks at a single location. (Tire Review/Akron)

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

A New Olympic Sport?

A spate of tyre slashings in the US state of Connecticut has been attributed to a local contest. According to local newspaper The Advocate, during the last six months teenagers from different schools and neighbourhoods have been competing in a new kind of team sport that leaves numerous rubbery victims in its wake.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ITC Finalizes Anti-Dumping Ruling Against Chinese

The International Trade Commission affirmed a previous ruling by the Commerce Department, voting 5-1 to place anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain OTR tyres imported from China. It was the final step in a year-long investigation by the U.S. into complaints filed by Titan International and the United Steelworkers. The final duty and penalty amounts will be posted by the Commerce Department later this year but are expected to follow its previous schedule.

The USW union cheered the result. “Today’s decision proves China cheats and that U.S. trade law enforcement is an important tool that will help level the playing field for U.S. workers by requiring Chinese tire imports to be priced fairly,” said USW President Leo Gerard. “This case shows the importance of vigorous enforcement of our trade laws as a first line of defense against unfair trade practices that harm American industries and jobs.”

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Points to Tyre Tests to Confirm Rolling Resistance Qualities

The latest 18-inch UHP wide-base tyre test published in Germany’s leading automotive consumer magazine “Auto Bild” shows that paying attention to rolling resistance does not necessarily have to come attached to an unacceptable sacrifice in the areas of handling or braking. Hankook in particular is pleased with the results of this test, having not only achieved an overall “good” test result, but also coming out ahead of its competitors in the rolling resistance category. At the same time the experts testing the tyres attested that the braking performance of Hankook’s new UHP wide-base tyres was excellent both in dry and wet road conditions. In addition, the Ventus V12 evo also impressed the testers with its noise level on rough roads, something that has generally been a problem with wide-base tyres, but is becoming increasingly important because of reported health dangers stemming from the considerable noise created by road traffic. The test was carried out using 225/40 R18tyres fitted to the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz C class.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

European Metal Recycling Extends ATSE Contract to Scotland

ATS Euromaster has extended its contract with Europe’s largest metal recycler, European Metal Recycling, into Scotland to include a fleet of 15 commercial vehicles acquired through recent acquisitions. Like the company’s Salford-based fleet, these trucks will benefit from daily tyre inspections carried out by mobile service vans from ATS Euromaster’s truck centre in Bellshill.

Craig Fisher, European Metal Recycling’s Transport Manager for the North West and Scotland, said: “Our fleet operates across 70 sites in the UK where there is a lot of scrap metal, so daily inspections to check the condition of tyres ensures that the fleet is always ready for work the following morning. It has also helped to reduce our tyre related breakdowns at the roadside by 25 per cent, which equates to a huge saving in unexpected vehicle downtime,” he adds.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres unit shut down

A lock-out was declared at Apollo Tyres’ facility in Kerala on August 16, reportedly due to a lack of production and strike action from a portion of the workforce. According to a company spokesman, the lock out began in the morning. The factory had recently undergone a £1.86 million overhaul to increase capacity from 280 to 318 tonnes, however the strike meant that the company could not implement an increase to the new full capacity.

18th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Joins Price Hike Round

Pirelli Tire North America is increasing prices in the US up to 7 per cent as of November 1. The increase will cover all of Pirelli’s passenger and light truck/SUV lines. (Tire Review/Akron)

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Amtel-Vredestein Delivers $222 Million Loss in 2007

Despite net sales rising 29.4 per cent to $994 million in the full 2007 year to December 1, Amtel-Vredestein has recorded a pretax loss of $222 million for the year. The company states that its strong sales were boosted by its core passenger car tyre business, as well as good trading in other tyre segments. Sales from the company’s Russian operations grew 30 per cent to $439 million, while sales from European operations via the Company’s Vredestein Banden subsidiary rose 18 per cent to $402 million.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti & Evonik Seek Olympic Gold

Continental AG claims that experts at German specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries have improved Germany’s outdoor Olympic cycling team’s chances of taking gold at the Beijing Olympics. Conti applications technician Wolfgang Arenz says that Evonik has helped Continental reduce the energy loss experienced by its tyres by 26 per cent through optimally interacting three rubber filler components: carbon black, silica, and organosilane. The filler system reduces rolling resistance, which means a cyclist increases speed for the same energy input, and improves grip on wet roads.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Sport Maxx Tyres Help Hollamby in Time Attack

Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup driver Shaun Hollamby, took on one of the most breathtaking circuit phenomenons of the year performing in the Time Attack at Circuit Park Zandvoort, Holland. Time Attack is said to be the next ‘big thing’ in automotive lifestyle and brings full throttle excitement to the track. It puts drivers under pressure with one lap against the clock.

Street legal cars are let loose on tracks across Europe to achieve the fastest lap possible and the best from each track meet in the final later in the year. Shaun Hollamby, a race winner, in the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup was invited to race Milltek’s Audi R8 at the legendary race circuit in Holland. The R8 proved to be quite a different experience from Shaun’s usual winning car the Sport SEAT Leon Cupra 2.0T. Only the Sport Maxx tyres were the common element to the two cars.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Jet Wheel Supports Ferrari Day

First Stop dealer, Jet Wheel Tyre, based in Rayleigh, Essex has been out sponsoring charity initiatives this summer. Jet Wheel Tyre lent their support to a Ferrari Day in aid of Little Havens Hospice which is established to support terminally ill children and their families. The event brought together over 40 Ferrari drivers from around the county who took members of the public for a spin in their car in return for charity donations.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Car Scrappage Scheme ‘Simplistic’

Recommendations from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee for a government–funded car scrappage scheme have been criticised by the Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF). “There is a blinkered attitude towards environmental issues which propels people towards simplistic ‘headline’ solutions, rather than small simple steps which, in combination, can have a significant impact,” says ADF chief executive Brian Spratt.

Spratt contends that tighter environmental inspections in MoT tests, which in turn would lead to better servicing of vehicles, along with programmes of driver behaviour training aimed at reducing pollution and improving fuel economy would be preferable. “Even a simple thing such as the correct tyre pressures,” he says, “will add to the positive impact and, cumulatively, outweigh the environmental costs of producing new vehicles. These straightforward measures will be a greater benefit to motorists who, despite any scrappage incentive, will still find it impossible to fund the purchase of a newer car.”

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

“Our Business Policy is Impeccable” – Michelin

Michelin has responded to an article published by newspaper Le Figaro, which stated France’s competition council was looking into a case of market abuse involving the tyre maker. On August 14 the company stated that its behaviour has been “impeccable” and that it does not dominate the French market.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

MAM to Target Tyre Market With Appointment

MAM Software is aiming to target the tyre market following the company’s appointment of Graham Dunford as a new Senior Sales Manager for its Autopart ERP solution. Dunford will spearhead the company’s drive into the tyre market, with a focus on increasing its penetration of the retail, wholesale and fast-fit sectors.

MAM Software is reportedly the largest provider of distribution and retail ERP solutions into the automotive aftermarket and has already established a significant user base in the tyre, fast fit and repair sector. As well as supplying national chains such as Formula 1 Autocentres, Mr Clutch, Wilco Fastfit, LSUK and Just Car Clinics, MAM also supports several well-known regional tyre companies and exhaust distributors including CES, Goodtread and Cooper Brothers.

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors