Bridgestone has released its first 4×4 tyre that incorporates run-flat technology. Called the Dueler H/P Sport RFT, this tyre designed for upmarket SUVs offers added safety while maintaining comparable performance and comfort to the conventional variant of the tyre, released in March 2006.
(Akron/Tire Review) No one doubts that 2006 has been a very tough year for tyre dealers and manufacturers alike. The RMA revealed yesterday just how tough the year will finish: tyre shipments will be down 4.5 per cent overall compared to the record-setting results of 2005. RMA said the decrease in tire shipments “reflects the overall slowdown in the U.S. economy during 2006,” driven by a shrinking GDP, higher energy costs, and a declining housing market. OE and replacement segments combined in all categories shows shipments will be down some 14 million units to a total of 306 million tyres.
Be careful what you say – an off the cuff remark recently resulted in a VW Touareg towing a jumbo jet down a run-way. On Thursday this week, a Volkswagen crew did indeed hook up a new generation Touareg V10 TDI to a 747 and it pulled it off. However, there hasn’t been a rush on orders from airport operators wanting to replace their 70-ton pushbacks with Touaregs.
In order for the Touareg V10 TDI to be able to tow the big bird, the weight of the Volkswagen had to first be increased by 4250 kilos. This sounds paradoxical but is absolutely necessary so that the power of the engine can be converted into propelling force. For this purpose steel balls and steel plates were distributed in the SUV. Other modifications were kept to a minimum, but the crew did have to increase the air pressure in the standard Michelin tyres to 4.5 bar. The speed was also limited to protect the tyres, says VW.
(Akron/Tire Review) Mazda’s all-new CX-9 SUV will ride on Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 radials, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire announced. Available in three models, the CX-9 will be fitted with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400s in sizes P245/60R18 104H and P245/50R20 102V.
Pirelli & Co SpA has announced it will increase the price of its passenger car, light truck and SUV by an average 5 per cent across Europe and export markets by the end of 2006. All brands within the Pirelli group will be affected by the increase.
Kumho Tires has announced that it has developed an ultra-large tyre with a 32 inch rim diameter for the SUV (sports utility vehicle) conversion market. The 305/25R32 size tyre is claimed to be the world’s first ultra-large UHP (ultra-high performance) tyre and extends the boundaries of the SUV conversion market still further.
Yokohama HPT has added three new ranges of alloy wheels to its product portfolio, with each range specific to a vehicle marque. The wheel ranges are from US companies Bayern, Mandrus and Victor Equipment and the marques are BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, respectively.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Wrangler SR-A tyres in size P215/65R17 will be the OE tyre on the 2007 Jeep Compass, a new compact SUV from DaimlerChrysler. The Wrangler SR-A is a tyre that features all-terrain traction and on-highway quiet. Its aggressive tread pattern is also designed for a smooth, quiet ride, said Goodyear.
(Akron/Tire Review) Federal regulators have announced plans to require electronic stability control in all vehicles, a move that advocates call the single greatest vehicle safety improvement since the seat belt. Once all vehicles are equipped with the stability systems, likely by 2012, they could save more than 10,000 lives, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and eliminate more than 500,000 crashes annually, while saving billions of dollars in medical, repair and insurance costs.
A Canadian union leader has said that expansion plans for a Michelin plant on Canada’s east coast expose “the company’s long-term strategy to rid itself of unionised plants.” Michelin is to expand its non-unionised factory in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, with a provincial contribution of between $3 million and $8 million, a government source told the Canadian press. Dozens of jobs will be created according to reports.
After comprehensive tests, Audi opted to fit is first ever SUV (the Q7) with three tyre lines made by Germany’s leading tyre manufacturer. Continental will be supplying summer and cold weather tyres for the vehicles in five sizes and dimensions ranging from 18 to 20 inches.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp. has introduced the Hankook Ventus AS RH07, an all-season performance line intended for direct OE replacement and for plus-sizing light truck/SUV applications. Hankook said the new Ventus AS RH07 will initially be available in 14 sizes, covering 17- to 22-inch wheel diameters.
The 2007 Dodge Nitro will be exclusively equipped with Goodyear tyres. The Nitro is the first mid-size SUV for Dodge, and is recognized for its distinctive style, sporty performance and cargo flexibility. It features five passenger seating and a slide-out cargo floor for extra flexibility. The SLT and R/T models will be equipped with Goodyear Wrangler HP tryes in P245/50R20 size. For the base Nitro models, Goodyear provides tyres in P225/75R16 and P235/65R17 sizes. Export vehicles will be shipped with Goodyear Eagle RS-A tyres.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America said today that it is raising prices on all of its replacement market passenger and light truck/SUV tyres sold in the U.S. by 3 per cent. The increase will be effective Oct. 2.
For Italian wheel company MAK S.p.A. the Automechanika show is an important event, attracting as it does so many visitors who are involved in the car components market. MAK says that the Automechanika exhibition provides a unique opportunity to meet other businessmen, investors, brokers and the press and is particularly important when you consider that 75 per cent of the company’s revenue comes from export sales. MAK S.p.A., which has always concentrated its efforts and its business on exports, participates in this show with the aim of establishing new contacts to develop its business.
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