New Prius to roll on Yokohama
Yokohama Rubber has begun original equipment supply for Toyota’s new Prius ἀ, or alpha, in the Japanese market. The hybrid car, which went on sale May 13, is fitted with the Advan dB in size 205/60R16 92V.
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Record BTCC line-up awaits Dunlop in 2011
NewsIn 2011 Dunlop continues as title sponsor of the British Touring Car Championship and this year the tyre maker’s name is attached to a series being contested by more entries than ever; the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship has confirmed a record entry list ahead of its 2011 season with the highest number of different makes and vehicle models entered for the series in the two decades it has run as an all two-litre formula.
Goodyear launches Assurance Fuel Max tyre in India
NewsGoodyear India has announced the launch into the market of its Assurance Fuel Max tyre. “In the current environment where the rising fuel costs are a huge concern, Fuel Max technology is designed to improve fuel consumption without compromising on mileage or performance,” said Rajeev Anand, chairman and managing director, Goodyear India.
Pirelli Seeks 2011 Spec F1 Car to Continue Tyre Development
NewsPirelli is seeking the chance to test its Formula One tyre on a 2011 season specification model, in order to continue to refine its tyres for its first season as exclusive tyre supplier. The manufacturer has thus far run its development tyres on a 2009 Toyota, acquired from the team following its exit from the series at the end of that season.
Pirelli Completes Private F1 Tyre Testing
NewsIncoming Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli reports the completion of its private testing campaign on January 18 ahead of the 2011 F1 season. In the latest testing, held in Abu Dhabi, Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa spent four days at the wheel of the Toyota TF109 that has been used to test the Italian rubber since August: two days to run through the entire range of PZero dry tyres and two nights during which he tested the wet and intermediate tyres. The wet tyre test was, Pirelli noted, the first occasion ever that a Formula One car has been run in wet conditions in the dark.
Cooper Tire Expands Dakar Rally Assault for 2011
MotorsportCooper Tire will back an expanded team in the 2011 Dakar Rally as it aims to go one better than its debut attempt in the 2010 event. The Toyota Cooper Tire outfit finished second in the T2 Diesel class and 16th overall this January, but veteran Dakar pilot, Xavier Foj, is aiming to take the class victory in 2011. Spaniard Foj and his co-driver, Pablo Jaton, will once again compete for the team in a Toyota Land Cruiser KXR and they will be joined by a second duo – Spanish TV personality Jesus Calleja and co-driver, Ignacio Santamaria.
Socks an Effective Winter Tyre Alternative, says Vauxhall
NewsWhile manufacturers such as Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are promoting winter tyres in the UK, Vauxhall is promoting that perennial Christmas favourite, socks. No need to fear finding Vauxhall-endorsed footwear wrapped and waiting for you under the Christmas tree though – the socks recently added to the carmaker’s range of accessories are ‘Snow Socks’, a type of tyre cover.
Toyota Launches Winter Tyre Programme
NewsA peek out the window right now may be enough to silence even the most vocal winter tyre sceptic, and the weekend’s weather conditions provide a fitting backdrop for the latest vehicle manufacturer to announce a British cold weather tyre programme. Toyota has launched a trial winter weather tyre scheme in order to help motorists “be best prepared” and is targeting owners of its most popular models, the Auris, Avensis and Corolla, plus the Dyna and Hiace light commercials. Two Toyota centres are handling fitting: Currie Motors in West London and Ron Brooks Toyota in the East Midlands.
Toyota Celebrates 20 Millionth Sale In Europe
Company NewsToyota recently celebrated the sale of its 20 millionth vehicle in Europe, just 10 years after recording its 10 millionth sale in the continent. The company's entry into the European market began in 1963, supplying 190 Crown models to a distributor in Denmark. Today, Toyota has nine production plants in Europe, building vehicles, engines and transmissions, as well as R&D, design and training centres. The company's investment in its European operations stands at 1.2 billion Euros and it employs around 3,000.
Hankook Focuses on Eco-Tyre Trend
NewsAccording to Hankook Tire’s vice president, Pae Ho-youl, green tyres will be the tyre industry’s “keyword” for some time to come. For this reason the Korean company is making substantial investments in this area. Pae recently told the Korea Times newspaper than Hankook had spent 20 billion won per annum while working on its enfren environmental tyre, which was released in 2008 following two years’ of technical development. Now the tyre maker has previewed its latest version of the green tyre, the ‘enfren eco’, at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Hankook says the enfren eco is designed with fuel efficient vehicles such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid in mind.
New Dunlop LT/SUV North American Line Rolled Out
NewsGoodyear has launched a new Dunlop SUV tyre line, aimed at mid-market SUVs and light trucks, Tire Review reports. The Dunlop Rover H/T, which replaces both the Dunlop Grandtrek AT 20 and the Dunlop Rover A/T, is now available to US and Canadian dealers. Officials said about half of the 33 total sizes are now available for shipment, with the remainder slated for early 2011 release.
Could Grosjean Land Longer Pirelli F1 Test Role?
NewsFollowing his short-notice replacement of Nick Heidfeld as Pirelli’s Formula One test driver for this week at Monza, Romain Grosjean is keen to extend the deal for the remainder of the season. He told Auto Hebdo that the decision on his future with the Italian manufacturer beyond the Monza tests remained pending, though the Franco-Swiss said, “a decision will have to be taken quickly… another test will begin again the following week. I hope to be with it until the end.
Grosjean Confirmed to Fill Heidfeld’s F1 Shoes at Pirelli
NewsWhen testing of Pirelli’s Formula One tyres continues in Monza next week, former Renault F1 driver Romain Grosjean will take Nick Heidfeld’s place behind the wheel of the Toyota TF109 being used for pre-season tyre development. Heidfeld has been released from his contract with Pirelli following the announcement that he will drive for Sauber Motorsport for the remainder of the 2010 season.
Watts Tyre Group Passes ISO 14001 Assessment
Company NewsIn the past year Watts Tyre Group has attained the new ISO 9001:2008 standard and renewed its Approved Supplier status from Toyota Industrial Equipment SA, and now the UK based industrial tyre and wheel producer reports it has again passed the ongoing assessment for ISO 14001:2004 and its Environmental Management system. In announcing this latest achievement, company CEO Jean-Paul Mindermann commented “our quality accreditations are very important to us as a business and we are delighted that we continue to keep our standards high. As a key supplier to the world’s leading materials handling manufacturers it is vital for us to ensure that the quality of our products and processes is world class.
Joining Pirelli a ‘Great Privilege’ – Heidfeld
NewsNick Heidfeld, who is busy testing tyres as part of Pirelli’s Formula One development programme, has thanked the Mercedes racing team for releasing him from his contract so he could carry out this work. “It’s a great privilege for me to join Pirelli in order to carry out this vital work and I am very grateful to Mercedes GP Petronas for releasing me from my contract to take on this role,” he said. “Through the experience I have built up over the years, I’m confident that I will be able to provide Pirelli with some important feedback regarding the development of next year’s tyres. I’ve got a lot to give but I haven’t been driving so much this year, so it is good to get started. Together, I’m sure that we can create a dynamic range of tyres that will make Formula One an even more exciting sport in the future.”
