Nexen Tire has released details of its new 15 series UHP N3000 tyre following the company’s development of Nano technology and 20 series tyres in previous years. The company believes that its new technology will provide an ideal tyre option for current sports cars. The tyre equals the record for the lowest profile tyre on the market, a feat set by Kumho with its Ecsta SPT.
Despite reportedly “drastically reduced visitor numbers at SEMA 2008,” PCL says its stand attracted the usual flow of customers to its stand. Tyre inflations products were said to have been an especially hot topic this year due to Barack Obama’s campaign comments about tyre inflation. Whilst John McCain was quick to ridicule Obama’s statement that the expansion of offshore drilling could be prevented by keeping tyres inflated, it is true that ensuring tyres have the accurate pressure can reduce CO2 emissions, save fuel and prevent potentially fatal accidents.
PCL says the company has experienced high acceptance on the US market, with a fast-expanding customer base satisfied with the performance of its market-leading products. Visitors to SEMA were reportedly keen to check out the automotive industry’s most advanced handheld and mobile nitrogen inflation equipment, and find out how every little helps when it comes to energy savings and safety.
Goodyear has released images of the NCC-produced, Goodyear-branded GPS units displayed at the SEMA show (as reported in late October on Tyrepress.com; ‘NCC Directs Goodyear to SEMA Show’). Readers don’t need a satellite navigation system to see that the picture is reproduced directly to the right of this text…
Fresh off the 2008 SEMA Show, TIA has turned its focus on the the 2009 Commercial Tire, Retread & Recycling Conference (CTRRC), which will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando on Feb. 9-11. The CTRRC will again be held in conjunction with the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting.
As part of the CTRRC, TIA is bringing back the Retread Appearance Contest, which will be held at the TIA Retread Pavilion. In a twist from previous years, this year’s Retread Appearance Contest will be voted on by the TMC fleet attendees. Details on the Retread Appearance Contest are available at TIA’s Web site at www.tireindustry.org. (Tire Review/Akron)
Cooper has announced its arrival on the fuel efficiency scene at one of the world’s premier automotive specialty products trade event, SEMA. The company has debuted the Cooper GFE, the company’s first low-rolling resistance touring tyre. Cooper states that it is “dedicated to developing technology and fuel saving benefits.”
The GFE has been designed to provide Greater Fuel Efficiency (as its initials imply), and reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life or traction. The company says that the tyre, through its enhanced polymer system, silica tread compound and the company’s own mixing technology, will provide exceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride.
Yokohama is adding a new tyre to its global flagship Advan range. Known as the Advan Neova AD08, the new sports product made its first public appearance at the November SEMA show in the US and will go on sale in the second quarter of 2009. Release of the new tyre around the world will occur gradually, and although the Advan Neova AD08 will be produced in a total of 39 sizes from 15 to 19-inches, Yokohama reports that not every size will be available in every market.
A 20-inch size has now been added to Vogue Tyre & Rubber’s white/gold stripe tyre range. The 245/40R20 fitment, publicly displayed for the first time at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, will be available as of mid-November through Vogue’s US dealer network.
The 20-inch tyre is an addition to Vogue’s existing line of 16, 17, and 18-inch passenger car tyres. The white/gold tyre has been part of the Vogue range for over 40 years. “There is a great deal of consumer interest in this product,” said Greg Hathcock, president of Vogue Tyre. “We are proud to add the 20-inch white/gold to our product line of quality tyres.
The TAC-Scan, a kind of laser scanner designed to record and predict tyre wear, is being launched at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. While it is not the first device that claims to be able measure tyre wear to minute levels of detail, what sets this invention apart is its handheld design and realistic price-tag (TAC-Scan will reportedly market at around £1000 in the UK). As a result, the new device is likely to appeal to fleets and high performance tyre dealers who want to demonstrate the effects of tyre wear to customers. TAC-Scan has been developed by Oxfordshire based company, RL Automotive in association with US based Tire Profiles Inc.
The NCC, an American manufacturer of consumer electrical devices, is to showcase its new line of licensed Goodyear-branded GPS navigation systems at the 4-7 November SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas. The systems are designed for use primarily in passenger cars, though a commercial model will also be displayed.
The units – model numbers GY130 and GY135 (affordable range) and GY140 and GY145 (Mid-range) – will feature the company’s “INSTANT Rerouting” system, which utilizes a constant, proactive analysis of all possible routes within a one mile radius to calculate new directions instantly when a user changes their route. In effect the system prevents the time-inefficient recalculations made by some GPS units whenever a turn is missed. This feature will be exclusive to Goodyear GPS products.
Kumho has announced its development of the lowest aspect ratio tyre available, the 15 series Ecsta SPT 385/15ZR22. Designed for sports cars such as the Ferrari F430, Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper, the South Korean manufacturer says the tyre delivers ‘incredible’ handling, stability, control and safety.
At the recent SEMA show in the US, battery tester and monitor manufacturer Argus Analyzers released its latest product, a unit the company refers to as a ‘clear, digital window into battery health’. Called the Battery Bug, the deep cycle monitor (DCM) enables a constant monitoring of batteries with results immediately visible to users. Argus Analyzers reports that use of the Battery Bug can extend battery life while also providing peace of mind.
Congress passed sweeping legislation to strengthen intellectual property protections for American businesses. The Pro-IP Act increases civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, and establishes permanent programs in which the U.S. government works with industry and foreign governments to fight global piracy.
“Lawmakers have taken an important step in helping combat the scourge of counterfeiting,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “Our industry is all about innovation, technology, and quality. Counterfeiters rob our companies of those valuable assets. This provides the U.S. government with new tools and resources to fight intellectual property thieves.” Automotive components, tyres and accessories have long been a target for illegal counterfeiting, SEMA pointed out.
(SEMA eNews) The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has reason to believe that www.expo-guide.com, a company operating out of Mexico, is targeting SEMA Show exhibitors and SEMA members to purchase a three-year commitment of advertising that is cleverly disguised as an offer of a free directory listing.
Custom wheels and performance tyres in the US are rapidly expanding beyond the hot rod and racing market and into the mainstream aftermarket population, reports the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Retail sales of custom wheels increased from US$1.265 billion in 1991 to more than $4.5 billion last year, a rise of 257 per cent. The percentage of cars produced with custom wheels has grown from 40.3 per cent in 1996 to 66.5 per cent in 2006, and the number of light trucks so equipped has gone from 70.9 per cent to 72.2 per cent during the same period.
Specialty/performance tyres often follow the custom-wheel market, SEMA adds. When customers upgrade the wheels on a vehicle, there is an inclination to do the same for the tyres. The market for performance tyres is slightly larger than the custom-wheel market. Performance tyres generated $4.4 billion in retail sales in 2006.
SEMA has established the SEMA Cares Committee, charged with identifying and creating additional opportunities for its members to enrich the lives of children nationwide. “SEMA members have a long history of giving back to our communities by assisting children and families who require a helping hand,” said Joel Ayres, who will be serving as the SEMA Cares Committee Chairman. “The SEMA Cares Committee will allow us to be even more effective, as we work as a collective group and pool our resources.”
Among the goals of the SEMA Cares Committee will be to establish an even higher goal of charitable activity by creating new opportunities for SEMA members to give back through more events and to identify new charities to support. (Tire Review/Akron)
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