Online tyre company rubberball.co.uk has published research showing that 10 per cent of British motorists will be driving with at least one faulty tyre this winter. Only 9 per cent of drivers surveyed were aware that the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6 millimetres and a further 10 per cent believed that their tyres were still safe below this level.
Almost one-in-five women drivers boycott Britain’s motorways for fear of breaking down, a survey shows. More than two-and-a-half million refuse to drive on motorways, resulting in travelling an extra 384 miles each a year, according to research conducted by insurance company Direct Line.
While the TRA has done great things developing the tyre collection market in the UK, in the Philippines companies are taking steps to develop their own system. Tyre recycling is said to be “in its infancy” in the Phillipines, according to a Sun-Star newspaper report. And all parties involved, including the Board of Investments Office that recently received a grant from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), agree that more research is needed in this area. Currently old tyres are used in pot making, sandal production and as fuel for cement kilns.
A survey conducted by Michelin has found that one in three drivers get lost when on holiday in France. In response the company has given its advice for the safest way to drive to the slopes this year.
“Regular UK ski/drive holidaymakers have adopted the same policy as many motorists in France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria and fit their cold weather tyres when there is an R in the month. In fact London is the second largest sales area for Michelin cold weather tyres behind Scotland, indicating that ski fans are purchasing tyres especially for their journeys to the slopes. If you are planning a similar trip prepare your car with cold weather tyres, de-icer, anti-freeze screen wash, a blanket or two and some reserve refreshments,” the manufacturer explained.
Marangoni Tyre has launched a new tyre series aimed at the European ultra high performance market. The new Mythos range will combine “leading-edge technology” with “experience acquired in motor racing” to make a Y-rated road tyre, the Italian manufacturer explains. Marangoni even goes as far as describing the new tyre as the “jewel in its crown.”
Currently 30 per cent of the European replacement tyre market is made up of tyres approved for speeds of 240 km/h and higher. With this percentage expected to increase, Marangoni’s efforts to produce a UHP tyre are seen as a response to these developing market conditions. The manufacturer puts it another way: “This new product is the synthesis of the know-how and experience acquired by Marangoni over many years of research, races and tests in the most extreme conditions.”
A meeting of the Formula 1 commission has voted to re-introduce tyre changes into the racing series. The Daily Telegraph described F1’s decision to reintroduce tyre changes as “far from unanimous”. In addition the series will adopt a new qualifying system for next season as well as a radical alterations to vehicle aerodynamics and appearance.
Romanian university graduates are self-motivated and optimistic about the future, a survey commissioned by Continental AG has found. Although strongly attached to their home country, they are basically willing to relocate, with a career preference for Western countries and, above all, the United States. On the other hand, they would flatly reject a job offer in neighbouring East European countries like Russia or Ukraine, regardless of how attractive the position might be. Equally unpopular are offers from China or Brazil.
In general students feel they have received a good education although they are said to “greatly regret not having received much practical experience.” Continental is one of the largest investors in Romania and runs plants in Timisoara, Sibiu and Satu Mare.
The new Automotive Trade Show website has gone live at www.atshow.com. Visitors will be able to book entry tickets and plan their visit to the show. They will also be able to research exhibitors and details of their exhibits through the A-Z listings and product locator.
The Aftermarket Show is putting the finishing touches to its visitor attractions. The Live Action Arena, will be presented by Fulda Tyres, and will offer a 5,500 seater indoor arena for the duration of the event. An interactive driving experience will also be featured to the exhibition.
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(Akron/Tire Review) Gary N Benninger, PhD has been appointed chief operating officer at Amerityre Corp, effective 16 October. Previously, Benninger was director of technology development at auto parts supplier Magna International Inc. and its affiliate MEC. He was responsible for identifying new technologies and managing product launches.
In response to sky-high fuel prices, US consumers are switching their SUVs for CUVs or crossover utility vehicles. Sema’s Research and Information Center has published figures which suggest that although American vehicle owners are becoming more efficiency conscious, there are no signs that they will abandon SUVs altogether. 56 per cent of those surveyed indicated that they do not plan to downsize their vehicles at all.
(Akron/Tire Review) Denman Tire Corp. has named James Tuschner to the newly created position of director of marketing. Tuschner, who joined Denman in 1999, was previously the company’s mid-central regional sales manager. In his new position, Tuschner will be responsible for formulating market plans, product planning and positioning, new product development and service, and assisting in international business development, as well as market research, competitor analyses and developing customer retention initiatives.
How does motorsport engineering influence series development and vice versa? This question will be at the heart of the Global Motorsports Congress to be held in Frankfurt on 17 and 18 November.
Researchers and developers from throughout the world of motorsport and series development will attend the two-day event in Germany.
The Motor Industry Research Association has conducted further tests that highlight the importance of adequate tread depth on vehicle tyres.
Independent braking tests were carried out to measure stopping distances and cornering performance of car tyres on wet road surfaces. According to the safety body the results showed “conclusively” that both stopping distances and cornering performance “noticeably deteriorated well before the end of a tyre’s life.”
Peter Harris, who operates the Snap-on Tools franchise, based in Rowlands Castle, Hants, is celebrating being named as one of the top performers in an industry worth over £9 billion a year to the UK economy after reaching the final of the 2005 BFA Franchisee of the Year Awards, backed by HSBC Bank and Express Newspapers.
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