According to Tire Review, the NHTSA is apparently nowhere near ready to unveil the final regulations for its long-planned tyre testing and labelling programme. The US agency announced it will hold a public hearing on March 26 to further define the consumer education element of the congressionally mandated programme. In advance of the hearing, the agency is seeking written comments from interested parties.
The Tire Rack has made a major enhancement to its TireRack.com consumer tyre and wheel sales website, reports Tire Review. The enhancement is “designed to make the tire buying experience even faster, easier and more efficient,” Tire Rack said, by allowing easier access to TireRack.com’s three consumer tire research pages: Surveys, Reviews and Tests. Users can now see all three areas at the same time.
The CRF Institute, an independent research organisation specialised in labour conditions, has certified the Brussels based Bridgestone Europe headquarters a “top employer” in its Top Employers Belgium 2010 ranking. According to CRF, Bridgestone’s most outstanding employer attributes are its internal promotion policy and the training it provides.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with agricultural OEM AGCO. The deal sees the two companies undertake to cooperate in tyre development. The partnership is said to illustrate “the desires of both companies to continue investing in specialization, focusing on innovation, quality and excellent customer service…Through synergies and by sharing research and development tools and methods.”
Stefano Bettinelli, Original Equipment Director at Trelleborg’s Agricultural and Forestry Tires division had this to say: “The experience both companies have gained and strengthens the positioning of both brands,” says “Its main objective is the development of innovative solutions that anticipate the needs of agricultural specialists.”
Pirelli & C SpA is scheduled to reports its fourth quarter results and 2010-11 guidance on March 10. Deutsche Bank Equity Research anticipates that in the fourth quarter Pirelli Tyre revenues should benefit from a volume increase (Deutsche Bank estimates a 15% increase) compared with decreases in the previous nine months, a negative price mix (a price mix of -2% versus +6.9% in Q1, +5.6% in Q2 and +4.7% in Q3) which Deutsche Bank believes has allowed Pirelli to gain market share on the continued discipline of manufacturers, and a 2 per cent positive foreign exchange impact. Furthermore, says Deutsche Bank, margins should benefit form low raw material prices, as the large price increases for these commodities took place in 2010.
Goodyear reports that its FuelMax Technology for truck tyres came out a winner at awards held by the Luxembourg Business Federation (FEDIL). The federation bestowed its 2009 Environmental Award upon Goodyear, recognising the environmental and cost related benefits FuelMax Technology delivers. According to Goodyear, the judging panel concluded that the development of products featuring new technology proves the importance of research efforts at Luxembourg based sites, such as Goodyear's Innovation Center.
Yesterday we reported on Continental’s performance in several European tyre tests, but the German manufacturer was not alone in receiving kudos. Finland’s Nokian Tyres reports its “Nokian H” received a “very recommendable” rating from Germany’s ADAC automobile association during its latest summer tyre test. Nokian notes with pride that its tyre received the best result for dry road performance while also performing well on wet roads, a result that prompted the ADAC to call the Nokian H a “very balanced summer tyre”.
Those of you with around £180,000 stashed away in your piggy bank may wish to add Lamborghini’s new Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera to your new car shopping list, and if your budget does stretch to this latest supercar from Sant’Agata Bolognese, your next set of wheels will come fitted with the finest Pirelli has to offer. In the countdown to the start of the International Motor Show in Geneva, the Italian tyre maker has bolstered its ongoing technological partnership with Lamborghini and announced the premiere of its new PZero Corsa System at the exhibition.
The specialised requirements of rice and cane farming are being addressed by the latest Goodyear Farm Tires product. Parent company Titan Tire Corporation reports its engineers have worked together with rice and cane farmers and with Bobby Henard Tire, a Titan and Goodyear brand dealer located in Brinkley, Arkansas in order to develop the new Goodyear Special Sure Grip TD-8 Radial R-2 480/80R50, a tyre it says allows rice and cane farmers to plant in 30-inch rows helping to maximise crop yields. In addition, Special Sure Grip is said to provide additional crop clearance and improved flotation in wet fields, and the extra lug bracing provides strength for the horsepower needed in rice and cane conditions.
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.
Three tyres in the Infinity range are to receive additional fitment sizes. Family car pattern INF-030, small to medium car tyre INF-040 and van radial INF-100 have had their ranges increased in response to “customer requests”, according to general manager of Infinity Tyres Europe, Martin West. Infinity tyres are exclusively distributed in the UK by Bond International.
If you wish to avoid becoming a victim of road rage, a recent study by Colorado State University suggests you could help yourself by not decorating your car with stickers. This unusual finding was reached following research that showed drivers with stickers or ornaments in their rear windscreen are more likely to drive in an aggressive, abrasive fashion. It was also found that such drivers are more likely to defend their road space and react angrily to drivers who encroach on them territorially.
Eco-mineral recycling technology firm RockTron revealed new research results at the recent Tire Technology EXPO in Cologne highlighting the possibility of reducing costs through the use of an eco-friendly, recycled filler. The company believes the results of this research, carried out by ARTIS on RockTron’s Advanced Products, will assist the tyre industry through showing that its 100 per cent recycled fillers can reduce CO2 emissions, cut costs and improve tyre performance – factors that will manufacturers’ margins and protect their bottom line.
Snap-on Equipment is urging tyre shops to consider the commercial opportunity of adding wheel alignment to their existing undercar service business. Field research by the garage equipment manufacturer has shown that by carrying out just four alignment procedures per day can generate additional net income of £32,910 per annum, based on a five and a half day week, direct costs of £15 per hour and a charge of £50 for each alignment procedure. Accurate wheel alignment also diagnoses chassis problems due to kerbing and pothole damage that can often require replacement suspension and steering components, resulting in further revenue generation.
The majority of volume car manufacturers with UK plants are showing strong interest in sourcing more locally-built components. That’s the view of the latest independent research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which highlights the tactical advantages of UK component sourcing including: benefiting from a favourable exchange rate; minimising the vulnerabilities and logistical costs associated with an extended supply chain; and the UK’s flexible labour force and positive industrial relations as reasons for looking for supply options within the UK.
The report recognised the significant opportunities arising from the transition to a low carbon economy, but also identified some conventional technologies that manufacturers would like to source more of in the UK. This list included what are described as “basic automotive components” such as: alloy wheels, alternators and starter motors, brake components, castings and forgings, fasteners, nuts and bolts, plastic mouldings in general, large stampings, sheet steel and aluminium, transmission components and wring harnesses. So called high technology areas included: electronic control units (ECUs) in general, satellite navigation systems, advanced air conditioning and safety systems especially airbags.
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