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MRF Temporarily Relocating Production from Locked Out Plant

India based tyre manufacturer MRF Ltd appears set to circumvent the lockout and worker protests at its Arakonam factory in Tamil Nadu state by temporarily transferring production to its Medak facility. In a press statement, the company made reference to vehicle manufacturers’ dependence on tyres it supplies, commenting that “MRF has made all efforts to ensure regular supply of OE tyres from its factory at Medak in Andhra Pradesh.”

The Business Standard newspaper reports that on May 21 around 800 employees and their families were arrested for continuing their sit-in strike within the company’s premises and were evicted.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess Opens Expanded China Research Centre

The Lanxess research and development facility in Qingdao, China has undergone a ten million euro expansion programme, a measure the company says will facilitate its strategy of profitable growth in Asia through targeted investments in research and development. Upon announcing the official inauguration of its bigger and better High Performance Rubber R&D Center (RRCQ) on May 22, Lanxess Board of Management member Werner Breuers commented that the upgraded research centre “will give us a competitive edge by developing new products and applications for the growing Chinese rubber market.”

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

CTNA Extends Engage360 Programme to CV Dealers

Continental Tire North America has released a new online training programme it says responds to the training and technical information needs of commercial vehicle tyre dealers. Called “Engage360 Untamed Innovation”, the programme is available in the commercial vehicle section of the company’s interactive training website for tyre dealers. According to Engage360 training manager Amy Spears, Engage360 Untamed Innovation allows dealership personnel to learn the basics about the construction of Continental premium commercial tyres, review product technical information and become certified as a Continental Commercial Tire Specialist.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Wolfrace Website Re-Launched

Wolfrace, one of the UK’s best known alloy wheel brands, with a 38-year history, announces the all-new and improved Wolfrace website. The new website www.wolfrace.co.uk showcases the Wolfrace alloy wheel portfolio, providing details on all the wheel ranges including the new premium collection Wolfrace GB as well as Wolfrace Eurosport, Asia-Tec and Classic. Also shown are associated brands Wolf Design (for SUVs) Excite (entry level 4×4 wheels) ATS – for which Wolfrace is a UK distributor and the BMW specialist brand Breyton – for which Wolfrace is the sole UK distributor.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Grudge Leads to Tyre Damage Conviction

Retired and at a loose end? Don’t know how to keep yourself occupied during those long idle days after the boss presents you with a watch, shakes your hand and sends you packing out the door? You could take up golf, travel with the wife, dabble in a rewarding spot of voluntary work – or you could nurture a two-year vendetta against a neighbour. A 70-year old Norwich man settled for this last option and embarked on an odyssey that recently ended in Norwich Magistrates Court.

Trevor Mallett – known to readers of the Norwich Evening News by the dramatic (but inaccurate) moniker the “OAP tyre slasher” – allegedly fell out with neighbour Carol Keable, 66, over a parking dispute a couple of years ago. It has been suggested that Mallet took exception to a vehicle parked opposite the front gate of his house, and decided to exact justice by “nailing” the offender, so to speak.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Motaquip Picks MAM To Replace Paper Catalogues

Motaquip, one of the leading aftermarket parts suppliers in the UK, is to use MAM Software’s latest electronic parts cataloguing solutions in a bid to reduce its reliance on paper parts manuals. As well as recommending Autocat+ to its customers, Motaquip will use MAM’s new Catalogue Data Tool (CDT) to maintain the Motaquip product data that Autocat+ holds.

Motaquip currently produces 54,000 paper catalogues a year, spread over eighteen product categories. By actively encouraging the use of alternative electronic mediums such as Autocat+, Motaquip is aiming to not only save money, but also improve the quality of product information its customers receive.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Autoglym Aids Record Attempt

The British team behind ‘Inspiration’ – the vehicle that will next month make an assault on the world land speed record for a steam-powered car – recently called on the skills of car care experts Autoglym as part of final preparations before the car is shipped to the USA for its record attempt. The Autoglym team was tasked with reducing surface drag and enhancing the appearance of the already stunning-looking car with a coat of its super-durable High Definition Wax.

At Edwards Air Force in the Mojave Desert, California, the team will attempt to break the 145mph US national record (set in 1985) and the FIA record of 127mph which has stood for 103 years. The Inspiration team hopes to hit 170mph, and every effort has been made to optimise aerodynamic performance and reduce drag. Autoglym’s High Definition Wax was applied to Inspiration’s metallic British Racing Green paintwork to provide a smooth, ultra-glossy surface that will help the car to cut through the air with minimal resistance.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Americas Title Sponsor of IndyCar Finale

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) will serve as the title sponsor for the IndyCar Series championship finale, held at Homestead-Miami Speedway, just outside Miami. “The past three IndyCar Series championships have been decided on the last lap of the last race of the season,” commented Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing. “In the final lap of this year’s Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, just as they have on every other lap this season, drivers will rely on their Firestone Firehawk tires to carry them to the checkered flag.”

The Firestone Indy 300 will be part of the Indy Racing League’s championship weekend celebration, as the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion will also be crowned during Homestead-Miami Speedway’s “SpeedJam” weekend, Oct. 9-10. event will take place on 10 October and will air live on VERSUS from 4-7 p.m. The Firestone Indy Lights championship finale from Homestead-Miami Speedway will also air live on VERSUS on 9 October (time TBD). (Tire Review/Akron)

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo’s Proxes Chosen for 3rd Gen Prius

Toyota’s Prius, seen by some as the de rigueur environmental motoring statement, was released onto the Japanese market in its third generation incarnation on May 18. According to Toyo, its eco-friendly Proxes R30A tyre has been selected as an original equipment fitment for the new hybrid.

“Proxes　R30A is a tyre with improved lower rolling resistance and super silence,” a Toyo press statement comments. “This tyre was developed for the new Prius, which aims for both overwhelming performance in eco-friendliness and fun for driving.”

The new summer tyre is supplied to the Japanese market Prius in size 215/45R17 87W.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Industrial Tire Names Dealer of the Year

Continental Industrial Tire, a division of Continental Tire North America, named Equipment Depot, located in Irving, Texas, as the 2008 Dealer of the Year. Ed Fritz, Equipment Depot executive vice president, received the award at the Material Handling Equipment Dealer Association Convention, held at the JW Marriott Desert Spring Resort in Palm Desert, California, on 2-6 May.

In its first year as a Continental Industrial distributor, Equipment Depot became Continental’s largest aftermarket distributor in North America, according to the tyre-maker. Joe Pauli, Continental’s US BUIT market manager, presented the award. “Equipment Depot has embraced the concept that industrial tires are the fastest wearing part on today’s forklifts,” said Phil Lannon, Continental’s U.S. Business Unit Industrial Tire sales manager. “We are pleased to award them the 2008 Dealer of the Year and consider them one of our most valuable aftermarket distributors.” (Tire Review/Akron)

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Resumes Truck Tyre Production in Poland

Production at Michelin Polska’s Olsztyn facility has resumed after a six-week pause. Lower demand for truck tyres led to the plant in northeast Poland halting production in April; initially a one-month stoppage was planed, however management decided to extend this by two additional weeks. Although production has now recommenced at Olsztyn, Michelin says it cannot rule out further short-term stoppages.

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Paid Royal Visit at Monaco Grand Prix

Bridgestone Motorsport has described itself as “honoured” when it received a princely visit from Albert II, sovereign prince of Monaco, on the Thursday of the 67th Monaco Grand Prix. Prince Albert was welcomed into Bridgestone Motorsport’s motorhome, meeting Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport. Bridgestone has enjoyed a thirteen-year continuous association with the FIA Gold Medal Award-winning race at Monte Carlo, enjoying ever increasing global TV coverage both from its technical association and commercial signage around the track.

Yasukawa said, “It was a great honour to receive Prince Albert at Bridgestone and to earn recognition from His Serene Highness for our association with the Monaco Grand Prix. This is the most important and prestigious motor race in the world. It is the jewel in the racing crown seen around the globe by one of the biggest television audiences of the year, producing the highest return in commercial value of all the races.”

22nd May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pro-Align: Hunter HawkEye ‘Special’ is a Real Bargain

With the recession biting and more of the aftermarket looking to wheel alignment servicing to generate revenue and increase profit margins, Pro-Align is its new Hunter HawkEye ‘Special’ alignment system at an economical price. The idea is to increase access to premium quality products by offering an entry-level model at a competitive price.

The HawkEye Special is very similar to the Hunter HawkEye 100 model, with the only real difference being it uses a two camera system instead of the four camera system of its sibling. The camera lift system offers versatility enabling the HawkEye Special to operate at variable adjustment height. With the console mounted on the main column, the system remains compact, offering great space savings in the workshop whilst not compromising on quality and accuracy of alignment readings as well as offering the valuable ‘before’ and ‘after’ colour customer printouts. According to the Hunter HawkEye imaging provides low cost of ownership through the use of its polycarbonate HEX targets and the cameras being mounted out of harms way.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Seeks Passionate Performance Drivers

Dunlop is calling for passionate performance car drivers to take part in a national tyre test to discover what difference the choice of tyre makes to their car. The company will provide tyres and tuition from a top Hi-Q British Touring Car Championship driver to transform the driving experience of 6 drivers from across the UK. The test, which will run throughout the summer will be launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where drivers will be able to put themselves forward to take part.

James Bailey, Dunlop’s communications manager said: “We want drivers to understand what difference the tyres make to their car. Dunlop incorporate design elements from race tyre technology in our road tyres to improve the connection and feedback between driver, car and road. More drivers have won demanding races such as the Le Mans 24 hours and British Touring Car championship on Dunlop than any other tyre make, and we want to show drivers how this experience translates into ultimate road tyre performance.”

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Introduces Snowcontrol Series II

Pirelli has launched the Winter Snowcontrol Series II, which the tyre manufacturer describes as an “environmentally-friendly high performance winter tyre developed for small to mid-sized vehicles.” According to the company the new Snowcontrol Series II, like Pirelli’s UHP-orientated Sottozero Series II, aims to broaden the company’s winter tyre range in order to meet every market’s requirements.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors