The next generation of all-terrain tyre in the Bridgestone Dueler family has been launched in North America, replacing a tyre line Bridgestone describes as having "set the standard for toughness, durability and quiet comfort." The Dueler A/T Revo 2 was first introduced to the market in July 2009 and is now available in 27 sizes from 15 through to 20-inch rim diameters.
Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced that, in response to consumer demand, it has added new sizes to a number of its tyre line-ups. These new sizes, the company states, form part of its effort to ensure replacement tyre buyers have the ability to make the right tyre purchase for their vehicle. The expanded Cooper tyre ranges include the following additions:
Sykes-Pickavant has announced its new Pneumatic Wheel Lifter, which the company says helps to comply with regulations regarding the working environment and safety in the workplace. It is â says Sykes-Pickavant â particularly useful for larger SUV, 4WD and Van wheels and tyre.
Features include the ability to lift wheels in less than ten seconds with its all in one continuous movement, stopping precisely at the desired position, the wheels rest on rollers making it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found and it has an additional compressed air outlet to connect an air wrench with free access to wheel nuts.
In addition to the lifter, the company has announced a wheel trolley, specifically for mounting and dismounting large wheels on SUVs, 4WDs, vans and trucks. It has rotating rollers make it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found, with the rollers able to be fitted in 3 positions for different wheel sizes. Find the detailed specifications for both pieces of equipment after the jump.
Pirelli has announced its range of winter tyres designed for the 4×4/SUV and van segments. The Scorpion Ice & Snow is designed to work particularly well at low temperatures and is produced in aspect ratios 35 to 75 Series, wheel diameter codes 15 to 21 and speed codes T, H and V. The Chrono Winter, meanwhile, is available for vans in aspect ratios 60 to 75 Series, wheel diameter codes 14 and 16 and speed codes R, S and T. Both tyres are emblazoned with the âSnowflakeâ symbol in the North American market, which is embossed on the sidewall of winter tyres that indicates their specialisation for snow.
The US senate dotted the final âiâ on its âCash for Clunkersâ scheme â an answer to the UKâs own scrappage deal dubbed, with equal panache, âBangers for Cashâ â on 19 June. The scrappage bill will allocate $1 billion for vouchers worth between $3,500 and $4,500 when a customer trades in an old vehicle for a new one. However, unlike the British governmentâs reliance on customers to make the decision to buy more ecologically friendly products, the US programme is contingent on the fact that the traded-in vehicle achieves 18mpg or fewer and the new one supersedes the original figure by 4mpg (car), 2mpg (small truck or SUV) or 1mpg (large truck or van).
Deutsche Bank reports estimate that 28 per cent of the relevant US car parc will qualify for the deal, while it also calls the potential benefits to the US auto industry ârelatively modestâ. It continues, âGiven the fact that most eligible vehicles will be trucks, we believe that a disproportionate benefit will accrue to the US automakers (and to suppliers such as American Axle).â
Audiâs list of requirements for its Q7 4×4 include a tyre capable of handling the vehicleâs considerable performance output. The manufacturer has thus decided upon the Yokohama Advan as original equipment on its first full-size, luxury SUV, and is offering the Advan in two sizes â 275/45R20 110Y or 265/50R19 110Y â for both the front and rear wheels.
The tyre was selected, comments Yokohama, for its high level of overall performance â proven stability and comfort at high speeds (300 km/h and above), as well as excellent braking. The Q7 is the third Audi model to have Yokohama tyres fitted as original equipment, joining the S6 and S8 in Audiâs top-class S series.
Pirelli has introduced a 4×4 dealer of the Year Award which will judged businesses on key areas of 4×4 tyre customer service. Each 4×4 Key Dealer Club member will be âmystery shoppedâ once a quarter by an independent agency in order to ensure regular assessment of credentials. The announcement follows the launch of the Pirelli Performance Centre of the Year Award for Pirelliâs UHP focused network in 2006. Pirelli will announce the winner of the inaugural 4×4 Key Dealer of the year award in December.
Pirelli established its 4×4 Key Dealer Club 11 years ago in response to demand from this unique segment of the tyre market. Initially consisting of four members, the network of 4×4 specialist dealers now stands at 14 members who cover 100 points of sale. All member companies offer end users specialist advice on 4×4 tyre related matters and are required to stock a range of key Pirelli 4×4 fitments.
Bob Phoenix has been named vice president of sales for Kenda USAâs Automotive Tire Division. Phoenix, most recently a regional vice president for Kumho Tire USA, will be responsible for the sales and marketing of Kenda radial passenger and light truck/SUV tyres in the US and Canadian markets. As of 1 May, Kenda will be actively signing distributors/dealers for its lines of passenger and light truck/SUV radials, president Jimmy Yang said. (Tire Review/Akron)
Weâve been bombarded with a multitude of Trinny & Susannah style homely to comely shows and home renovation programmes along the lines of âChanging Roomsâ, but to date vans have been largely left out of this makeover mania. One UK company â Vanstyle â intends to change all this. While it wonât be coming to a television near you any time soon, the company is calling upon all van, SUV and truck drivers to join its campaign to give the nationâs vans the once-over with new wheels and accessories.
Ultimately every van or truck driver chooses his or her vehicle for its functionality, and this naturally shouldnât be overlooked at makeover time. But Vanstyle says this âdoesnât mean the beast canât be tamedâ. In other words, why not make your machine look good?
MAK S.p.A. reports that the wheel production company is to show a wide range of new and existing products at Autopromotec 2009. First of all, the Brescia-based Italian producer will exhibit the brand-new MAK Mistral, the first directional wheel the company has launched on the market. The interesting thing about this five-spoke design is that while they have a straight structure and they are perpendicular to the external rim, âthere is a diamond insert that points the to the designâs left sideâ. This visual illusion gives the wheel movement and lightness, making it appear slimmer.
Black Ice Alloys has announced the presence of a new wheel in its range. The aggressively-named âB4 â Marauderâ features a black and chrome finish with six chrome spokes raised up against six black spokes. The Marauder has fitments for most Truck/SUV and passenger vehicles, and is available in 22×8.5 and 20×8.5 sizes.
Black Ice states that âconsumer demand for custom finishes on aftermarket wheels [is] at an all-time high,â and the B4 is clearly an attempt to create a visually impressive fitment. The contrasting black and chrome appearance, says the company, is âsure to draw in customers from all demographics.â The company also stresses the durability of its black paint and chrome finish, saying that âit will not separate from the wheel.â
Toyo Tire USA has added nine new sizes to its passenger and light truck/SUV tires lines: the Versado LX is now available in 215/50R16, 215/55R18 and 235/45R18, the Proxes T1R in 245/45ZR19, the Proxes R1R in 225/45ZR17, the Proxes 4 in 265/25ZR30, the Proxes R888 in 265/30ZR19 and the Open Country H/T: P265/65R18 and LT285/75R16 LRE.
The company has also introduced the street legal drag radial, the Proxes TQ, in six sizes, ranging from 16- to 18-inches in wheel diameter. (Tire Review/Akron)
Uniroyal has built up something of a reputation for delivering good wet weather performance, and its Rallye4x4Street is said to be no exception. The 4×4 segment tyre features Uniroyalâs trademark double V-tread, which the manufacturer says offers excellent performance in wet conditions by dispersing water away from the tyreâs contact patch. This is, says Uniroyal, the most effective protection against aquaplaning. By choosing Uniroyal, it adds, the driver has opted for wet weather safety and the retailer possesses a unique selling position and clear message for the customer.
The ever-increasing range of Marshal 4×4 tyres is available through nationwide, distributor Bond International.
Street Tyres â KL17, KL12 and KL51
The Matrac X3 KL17 range recently introduced for top line SUVs includes most popular sizes for 17 to 22-inch rims, including Y speed rated and XL fitments. The tyreâs key features include stability at high speed, excellent traction, durability and powerful braking performance. The high performance Matrac STX KL12 SUV tyre is engineered to combine extreme wet weather performance with stylish appearance. It is available in sizes from 15-inch through to 28-inch and H, V and W speed ratings. Another relatively recent introduction is the Road Venture PT KL51. Available in sizes from 15 to 18-inches, this all-purpose street touring tyre provides excellent all-season traction, extended mileage performance and a quiet ride.
Indian manufacturer MRF has announced the launch of its new tyre series for SUVs, the MRF Wanderer. The range is all-terrain with a cut-resistant compound in addition to a reinforced steel-belt package under the tread and a multi-layered carcass and the sidewall, adding up to a tyre designed for longer life. It also boasts heavy, very visible branding on the sidewall, giving it a striking appearance.
The tyre is to be released onto the domestic Indian market, with a specific focus, according to the companyâs press release, on such models as the Mahindra Scorpio, the Bolero, the Xylo, the Tata Safari and the Sumo.
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