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Monaco GP Grip “Main Challenge” for Bridgestone Tyres

Bridgestone is to exempt the Monaco Grand Prix from its Formula One race tyre allocation policy of varying the compounds used by at least two degrees in an effort to attain more grip on the slippery streets of Monte Carlo. The company announced that it is bringing its soft and super soft Potenza slicks to the event, which begins officially with practice sessions on Thursday. Bridgestone will also debut a new softer compound intermediate tyre, designed to deliver more grip in the wet. It will be used for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone’s director of motorsport tyre development, appears ready for the difficulties posed by the street race in Monaco: “Finding grip will be the main challenge… This is a very interesting circuit, and one where the track is made of many different types of surface as well as there being public road markings on the track. Also notable is that F1 does not run on Friday, so the track conditions can change quite a lot between Thursday and Saturday. When there is no racing taking place, public vehicles and also people use the track. This makes it difficult for rubber to build up and the surface can become dirty again, which does not help the track surface develop well for racing.”

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GITI Eyeing European OE Business

In order to strengthen its place in the lucrative European replacement market, and with a view to positioning itself for OE contracts, GITI Tire has invested significantly in the expansion of both the company’s main R&D centre in China and the development of a world-class European Technical Centre (ETC). The ETC is based at the renowned MIRA Ltd. facility near Birmingham in the UK where company representatives emphasised that they are already making thorough use of state of the art test facilities a highly experienced test engineers.

For the team, which is led by experienced tyre R&D expert Eddie Young, the first step was to undertake an extensive benchmark programme in order to gain a full understanding of the main competitor’s current performance levels and strengths and weaknesses with the clear objective of designing and engineering GITI products to reach and even surpass these premium competitor’s performance levels. And when you consider that the global R&D is both international in its representation and comprised of technicians who have previously worked at the highest levels of leading tyre brands, you can understand why the bar has been set so high.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone-Firestone Receives State Funds for Job Retention Project

A grant of US$1 million is to pay for repairs on roads around the company’s Bridgestone Firestone Tech Center in Akron, Ohio, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. The city of Akron will use the state provided Road Development Grant in support of the Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC job retention project. According to a news release from the Ohio Department of Development, this $11.5 million project will support the retention of 1,000 jobs.

The grants, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, was approved by Ohio’s State Controlling Board.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Fourth Michelin Sustainable Development Report Published

Michelin has released the fourth edition of the Michelin Performance and Responsibility report, its document outlining the company’s commitment to balanced development. This year the report is organised around the five stages in a tyre’s life: design, raw material purchases, manufacture, sale and use, and end-of-life recovery. The information contained within the document, says Michelin, comes from lifecycle analyses conducted to measure the tyre’s environmental impact, and its objective is to demonstrate that this commitment to responsible development is fully integrated into all Michelin projects and initiatives.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Retains Interest in Conti’s Tyre Division

Michelin has once again signalled its interest in rival Continental’s tyre division, reports Reuters Germany. Michelin Group managing partner Michel Rollier is quoted as commenting at the company’s May 15 Annual Shareholders Meeting “we won’t remain on the sidelines during discussions about Continental.” He added that Michelin was not currently engaged in any talks with the German company.

Conti has declined to comment on the matter, and Reuters quotes a person familiar with the situation as saying “nobody is working towards a sale of the tyre business.”

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres Burn in Paris as Conti Protests Continue

The air around the Place de la Bourse in central Paris, previously home to the French stock market, was heavy with the stench of burning tyres on May 18. Hundreds of Continental employees, together with representatives from the CGT union, congregated at the historic trading site and vented their emotions ahead of planned talks on the closure of Conti’s Clairoix factory.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor to Close Carrollton Wheel Assembly Facility

Global market weakness has been cited as the reason behind ArvinMeritor’s decision to idle its Carrollton facility. Wheel end assembly operations at the plant, located in the US state of Kentucky, will be moved to other facilities in Kentucky and Ohio and the machining and casting activities currently performed on-site will be outsourced.

“Although the employees in Carrollton have demonstrated a strong commitment to performance and quality, the continued weakness in the global markets has driven the company to aggressively reduce costs to lower its breakeven point,” said Wayne Watson, general manager, North American Operations for ArvinMeritor. “Closing the Carrollton operation is another necessary step toward improving the company’s overall cost structure.”

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Launches Next Generation Commercial Tyres

Continental has announced the launch of its new range of commercial vehicle regional and long distance tyres. The manufacturer has called the launch its “biggest for ten years”, representing four new design features for the second generation of steer and drive tyres, joining the HTR 2, which has been on the market for about a year. The tyres feature entirely new inner liner technology, dubbed AirKeep for its ability to stay inflated for longer, in addition to modifications to the belt, bead and contour design.

Conti is backing up its new range with a “Technology Truck” tour throughout Europe, including a visit to the UK in June, to showcase the range to fleet managers and dealers, as well as providing a new electronic tool, based on research conducted by Continental and certified by DEKRA, which calculates the economic and ecological benefits of fitting the new range to customers’ fleets: the ContiCostCalculator. The series 2 regional and long distance tyres will be available initially in the following sizes: Regional HSR 2 (steer) and HDR 2 (drive) – 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5, 315/70R22.5; HTR 2 (trailer) – 385/65R22.5, 445/65R22.5. Long-Distance HSL 2 (steer) and HDL 2 (drive) – 295/60R22.5, 315/60R22.5. The HTL 1 series trailer tyre is still available in sizes 385/55R22.5, 385/55R19.5 and 445/45R19.5.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TRW Opens China Test Facility

TRW Automotive Holdings has announced the opening of a new test track in Heihe, northern China. Work at the site began in 2006 and TRW states that during the last three years a “significant investment” has been made in the facility. The track specialises in winter testing and includes a variety of track surfaces designed to test active safety systems such as advanced braking and steering systems and integrated vehicle control and driver assist technologies. According to TRW, the opening of the test track, which is to receive support from the company’s Shanghai technical centre engineers, completes its footprint to locally engineer products and applications for China-based customers.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Richbrook Offers ‘Pro Valve’ Bolt-in Wheel Valves

Why do some enthusiast enthusiasts think nothing of forking out a four-figure sum on a decent set of wheels and tyres and then finish them off with a cheap rubber valve? That’s the question Richbrook are asking with the launch of their latest range of high quality low weight wheel valves aimed at so-called “automotive aesthetes.” As the title suggests, these new units are simply bolted into the wheel to not only provide a more secure fitment and seal, but also a subtle visual kick to any style of wheel. They’re also a worthwhile addition to any track car or club motorsport racer looking to remove the worry of rubber valve failure during those more ‘press-on’ moments. Priced from just £12.95 for a set of four, they don’t cost much, but they do make a better aesthetic impact than the standard rubber valves.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Lockout Declared at MRF Facility

According to a statement lodged with the Bombay Stock Exchange, Indian tyre manufacturer MRF Ltd has declared a lockout at its Arkonam facility in Tamil Nadu “on account of labour unrest in the factory.” The lock out officially commenced at 3.00pm local time on May 17, the statement adds.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin and Goodyear Top JD Power Survey

Michelin and Goodyear have topped the most recent JD Power (OE) tyre satisfaction survey in three segments, while Goodyear won in one segment. Michelin ranked highest in the luxury, passenger car and truck/utility segments, while Goodyear topped the performance sport segment. Within each of the four segments (luxury, passenger car, performance sport, and truck/utility) four factors are examined to measure tire owner satisfaction: wearability, appearance, traction/handling, and ride. Rankings are based on owners’ experiences with their tyres after two years of ownership.

In the passenger car and luxury segments, Michelin performed particularly well in the wearability and appearance factors. In the truck/utility segment, Michelin performs particularly well in the tyre wearability factor. Goodyear ranked highest in the performance sport segment. While the tyre manufacturer performed well in traction and handling, according to the survery, Goodyear differentiates itself in the area of tyre wearability.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ContiSportContact 3 Specially Modified for Panamera Fitment

Hot on the heels of OE reports from Michelin and Pirelli is news that Continental has especially adapted its ContiSportContact 3 for the Porsche Panamera. Conti states the new sports saloon will be launched with its tyres, tweaked to match the car’s chassis and particular specifications. This limited series of Porsche specific tyres will display the designation ‘N0’ after the product name as a point of difference from the standard ContiSportContact 3.

The Panamera’s front wheels will be fitted with size 255/45 ZR 19 (100Y) tyres while the rear will wear size 285/40 ZR 19 (103Y). The alternative sizes 245/50 ZR 18 (100Y) and 275/45 ZR 18 (103Y) have also been approved by Porsche for the Panamera and also carry the special designation ‘N0’.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ATS Euromaster Pumps Up Tyre Pressure Message

ATS Euromaster is urging motorists to adjust their tyre pressures if they plan to travel with a heavy load this summer, in a season which is expected to see more Britons pack their cars for a holiday on home shores than in previous years. Chris Hufflett, group operations director for ATS Euromaster, which has 460 automotive fast-fit centres across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, said:

“If you are carrying a full load of passengers with luggage or will be towing a caravan or trailer, tyre pressures must be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. It’s a simple five minute job, but from our experience, the majority of drivers don’t bother. Few people realise that it is the air inside a tyre which carries the weight of the vehicle and its load, not the tyre itself, hence nearly every car has two recommended pressure settings – one for ‘normal’ use and a higher figure for full loads.”

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Terry Richardson – Spotted at Work on Pirelli’s 2010 Calendar?

According to Black Book, rumours circulating in recent months about Terry Richardson’s involvement with the 2010 Pirelli Calendar have been given some extra weight following sightings of the fashion photographer at work in Brazil. Word is that Terry is busy in Bahia with a list models that include Ana Beatriz Barros, Gracie Carvalho, Georgina Stojiljkovic and possibly also Catherine McNeil.

A picture of Richardson at work in Brazil, depicting a model resembling Catherine McNeil bareback on a white horse, has been leaked in the media. According to Black Book, for the 2010 edition of the Cal we should expect a wodge of nude models – nothing new for Richardson – provocatively posed in a pastoral setting.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors