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PCL to Show Nitrogen Analyzer at SEMA

Tyre inflation equipment maker, PCL, will be showing its brand new Accura compact nitrogen analyzer – a rugged piece of equipment which can read the actual percentage of nitrogen in tyres. According to the company, other products on the market read only the amount of oxygen and therefore the PCL analyzer removes the need to convert the oxygen percentage into the figure for nitrogen.

As with all PCL products, the new Nitrogen Analyzer provides the highest levels of accuracy and is made for ease of use, with a simple to operate, one button operation, auto diagnostic with error code to simplify troubleshooting, and a replaceable battery and sensor. The battery life is extended by an automatic power off function.

The Accura Mobile features a Nitrogen “convert and purge” of air inflated tyres and a “top-up” of Nitrogen inflated tyres. It can be used with either a Nitrogen bottle or generator. With six hose outlets for multi tyre inflation it can provide high speed on or off site inflation and is especially designed for US applications.

Meanwhile, the company points out that anyone concerned about California Tyre Pressure should “make a pitstop at PCL booth to find out” more about compliance to these new guidelines.

15th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tire Review Top Shop Deadline Today

Today is the final deadline to enter the 2009 Tire Review Top Shop Awards presented by Ammco/Coats, which seeks to honor the “best of the best” independent tyre dealers in the US and Canada. Entries will be accepted until midnight tonight. Entry forms and information are now available via the Top Shop Awards Web site at www.tirereviewtopshopaward.com. Complete entries can be made right online. Dealers can nominate their own businesses, or others can nominate tyre dealer businesses. The entry process is simple: Those making the nomination need to provide basic information about the dealership being nominated and write a short (300-word maximum) essay explaining why that dealership should be considered.

10th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA Chairman-Elect Tapped

Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers of Comp Performance Group will serve as chairman-elect of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) beginning 1 August. Members voted Brothers to fill the position that was held for the past two years by Rick Rollins of Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting. Rollins takes over as SEMA chairman on 1 August.

“Rick and Scooter are both industry veterans who have proven track records for knowing and understanding what’s important and relevant to the industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers leading the association during these challenging times.”

Dan Gresham of Coutant Capital will serve as the new secretary/treasurer for the board, while Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel. (Tire Review/Akron)

8th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Yokohama Tyre Low in Petroleum, Rich in Vitamin C

Yokohama Tire Corporation has effectively re-invented the tyre. This bold statement, made in a company press release, refers to the US market launch of Yokohama’s dB Super E-spec passenger car tyre, winner of a Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award at the Last November’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The new tyre, which Yokohama refers to as “the world’s first orange oil-infused passenger tyre,” is composed of 80 per cent non-petroleum based materials. These are, specifically, a mixture of sustainable orange oil and natural rubber.

3rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Forecast Sees 4.5% Jump in Aftermarket Sales

A new channel forecast predicts US aftermarket sales to increase 4.5 per cent in 2010. The study was funded jointly by three major automotive aftermarket trade associations and is included in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Digital Factbook 2010.

Taking the US economy into account with widely fluctuating gasoline prices, reduced miles driven, tightening credit markets and growing unemployment, total US motor vehicle aftermarket sales in 2008 were about even with the previous year rising only 0.2 per cent.

As the recession continues to hold down consumer spending, a decline of 1.3 per cent is anticipated for the 2009 calendar year followed by a rebound of 4.5 per cent in 2010, the forecast said. The model was created AAIA, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). (Tire Review/Akron)

1st July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Shop Entry Deadline Looms

The entry deadline is fast approaching for the 2009 Tire Review Top Shop Awards presented by Ammco/Coats. Now in its third year, entries will be accepted until midnight on 10 July, 2009. Entry forms and information are now available via the Top Shop Awards Web site at www.tirereviewtopshopaward.com. Complete entries can be made right online. US and Canadian dealers can nominate their own businesses, or others can nominate tyre dealer businesses. The entry process is simple: Those making the nomination need to provide basic information about the dealership being nominated and write a short (300-word maximum) essay explaining why that dealership should be considered.

From there, all entrants will be reviewed and a group of semi-finalists selected. Those semi-finalists will be asked to provide additional information for judging. A panel of judges, including industry professionals and a member of the Tire Review staff, will select the four finalists and, ultimately, the 2009 Top Shop Award winner.

The awards are as outstanding as the dealers selected:

• The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Coats APX90 tyre changer, $1,500 in cash, airfare and hotel for two (2 nights/3 days) to the 2009 SEMA Show, a feature story in the October issue of Tire Review, and a Top Shop trophy to display in their dealership.

• Three Finalists will each receive a Coats 1250-3DV tyre/wheel balancer (featuring on-board training), $500 in cash, a feature story in the October issue and a specially designed finalist trophy. (Tire Review/Akron)

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

AME International Offers ‘Wheel-Off’ Solution

At the world renowned SEMA show in Las Vegas last November, AME International recently introduced its Rollock wheel loss prevention device. Rollock is a patented clamp which is placed over two truck wheel nuts. Once in place, the product does not allow the nuts to loosen. Loosened wheel nuts can cause a serious accident in which the wheel assembly actually comes off of the vehicle while driving at highway speeds, an accident commonly referred to as a ‘wheel-off’.

31st March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA Membership Directory Expands Reach

Changes to the 2009 SEMA Membership Directory will bring increased circulation and added opportunities for more than 7,400 member companies listed in the annual book. Rather than being printed as a stand-alone publication, the directory was bound with the March issue of SEMA News, the association’s monthly print magazine. This change increased the directory’s circulation to 30,000 and is giving the companies listed in the publication greater visibility.

In addition, the directory is designed in an easy-to-use format. Companies can be searched in a variety of ways, including, by name, company type or product.

The SEMA Membership Directory also features useful information about the association and its benefits. A digital version, which mirrors the printed copy exactly, is available at no cost by visiting http://catalog.proemags.com/publication/7c2138a3#/7c2138a3/1. (Tire Review/Akron)

11th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Launches Next Tyre in Extreme Series

First introduced at the 2008 SEMA show, Continental Tire North America is now launching its ExtremeContact DW at a ride-and-drive event in sunny California. The UHP tyre, designed to deliver serious performance on both dry and wet roads, is part of a new line of performance tyres from Continental that also includes the ExtremeContact DWS and the ExtremeWinterContact.

The ExtremeContact DW offers chamfered edges and a solid outer shoulder to enhance dry performance; dynamic temperature distribution to reduce distortion for enhanced energy delivery, lower rolling resistance and improved tread-life; and a high void to tread ratio with enhanced groove curvature to improve water evacuation for outstanding wet handling, the tyre maker said. (Tire Review/Akron)

11th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

How Does This Grab You?

General Tire was introducing a new logo and marketing campaign for its Grabber light truck and SUV tyre, using the slogan “unbridled fury”, so said Kenny Sergeant, of Speedfreaks, on General Tire’s stand at the Sema show.

Sergeant reminded visitors of the success that Grabber has enjoyed in off-road motorsports and General is bringing the same proven off-road competition technology to the light truck market with the introduction of the new DOT legal General Grabber.

A tough, three-ply reinforced body construction and a race-proven Duragen tread compound stand up to the rigours of off-road, as well as, highway conditions. General Grabber’s optimised tread design and multiple tread edges work to deliver great side bite and lateral traction – especially in off-road conditions. Puncture resistant sidewalls and a specially-designed rim protection rib assure the tyre can stand up to any terrain.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook – “Kontrol Technology”

“Kontrol Technology” is Hankook’s technology philosophy, which reflects how the tyre should perfectly control the interaction between the driver, the car and the road while in motion (the ‘K’ stands for kinetic). It is implemented to ensure that Hankook provides the greatest benefits and driving experiences to customers in terms of safety, driving comfort, handling, performance and environmental friendliness.

As well as a Kontrol Technology information booth at Sema, Hankook showcased its new, environmental tyre – enfren – which has completed the Kontrol Technology cycle and was launched in Korea. Hankook is exploring the possibility of a North American version within three years.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Gives Visitors The Needle

Visitors to the Dunlop Stand could take away a permanent reminder of the Sema show, as the tyre manufacturer was offering what was surely one of the more bizarre attractions of any exhibition – a tattooing service.

On the tyre side, a great deal of interest was generated by Dunlop’s latest uhp summer tyre, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Described as “the tyre for hard-core driving enthusiasts and car club members”, the new tyre features a special compound, Dunlop Jointless Band Technology and a high-response directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves. These elements help improve grip, create a consistent contact patch and maintain the tyre’s structural integrity at high speeds.

The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is available in 20 sizes for fitment to most of today’s most popular amateur motorsports vehicle choices. Rim sizes are from 15″ to 18″, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 35 and the tyre is V- and W-speed rated

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Vee Introduce Taiga

Vee Rubber used the recent Sema show to introduce the company’s first light truck and SUV tyre developed specifically for the North American market – the Taiga H/T. The presentation was made by managing director Mr. Vitorn Sukanjanapong and included information about Vee Rubber, such as the fact that production during 2008 would total 24 million units.

The new Taiga has been extensively tested in a number of different climates and on many different surfaces, including off road and the result, says Vee Rubber, is a quiet, comfortable tyre with a long tread life; in the US, the tyre is offered with a 50,000 mile limited treadwear warranty. While the Taiga is not designed as a snow or all terrain tyre, it aims to allow drivers to face everyday driving with confidence, whatever the conditions.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Introduces Three Tyres For US Market

At the Sema show, Continental Tire North America (CTNA) gave debuts to three new uhp tyres, aimed exclusively at the North American market.

Andreas Gerstenberger, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, spoke to T&A about the new tyres, the first of which is the ExtremeContact DW. This tyre, said Gerstenberger, is specially engineered to deliver serious performance on both dry and wet roads and features completely new technology exclusive to Continental Tire. It delivers excellent traction and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions, improved ride comfort, better mileage and industry leading rolling resistance levels.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Save Money, Save The Planet With RightPSI

A new product on show at SEMA was the patented RightPSI tyre pressure management system. RightPSI mounts quickly and easily to any tyre valve stem. Three different coloured tyre-pressure indicators provide a visual reference for tyre pressure status – orange for low pressure, black for correct pressure, and yellow for over-fill status.

The coloured indicator can be seen from up to 15 feet away, making it easy to effectively and consistently monitor tyre pressure. RightPSI is the only product of its kind that can be used as a tyre-pressure gauge, tyre-pressure fill point, and over-fill indicator simultaneously.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors