Scientists from Rutgers University and University of South Carolina are warning that the wireless communications technology found in tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) is susceptible to interception and high-tech forgery known as “spoofing.” The scientists concede that the potential for misuse “may be minimal,” but the potential vulnerability is said to demonstrate a “troubling lack of rigor with secure software development for new automobiles.”
A coroner from Gloucestershire has re-ignited the tyre aging debate, by calling for a ban on vehicle tyres that are more than 10 years old. Alan Crickmore has reportedly committed to write to the Transport Secretary calling for MOT after hearing how a mother of two died when the 13 year-old tyres fitted to hear car failed, causing a high speed crash.
Nazma Shaheen’s M-registered Toyota Lucida was travelling northbound along the M5 when the tyre burst and veered right and then left onto the hard shoulder. It then clipped a kerb and rolled over, throwing Mrs Shaheen clear of the vehicle on May 6 last year. Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said he did not think she would have died if the tyre had been newer.
The Nippon Challenge, described as “the nation’s premier racing series for Japanese cars”, will roll out this year with Federal’s new motorsports extreme tyre, FZ-201 semi-slick, as one of the spec tyres. The Taiwanese tyre brand will also be the title sponsor for all of the 14 races over seven weekends between April and October.
At the New York Auto Show, Chevrolet unveiled a new, 40mpg addition to next year’s Cruze model range, the Cruze Eco. And Goodyear reports that the new model, when it hits US showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010, will be fitted with its Assurance Fuel Max tyres in a 17-inch wheel diameter as standard. This latest news follows earlier announcements from the US of the tyre also being chosen as the exclusive fitment for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, and for the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Ford Fusion S.
Bartec USA, LLC announces the latest software update for its Tech400 TPMS re-learn tool. With this latest software update, the Tech400 tool reportedly provides market leading TPMS coverage of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. According to the company, this is perfect timing because a recent survey conducted by the Equipment and Tool Institute (www.etools.org) found 53 per cent of the respondents concluded that Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are the most difficult to work with.
The risk that cable corrosion could lead to spare tyres coming loose and causing safety hazards has led Toyota to begin the voluntary recall of around 600,000 vehicles in the US. The manufacturer is recalling first and second generation Siena 2WS minivans sold between 1998 and early 2010 to address a problem that may occur on vehicles that have been driven in cold climate areas where salt is frequently used to de-ice the roads. Toyota says it is currently working to develop a remedy for this condition, and until this remedy is developed, customers will receive an interim notice instructing them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for a preliminary inspection. Once the remedy has been developed, customers will receive a secondary notice advising the customer of the remedy availability.
Early indications from BrandIndex, YouGov’s daily brand perception tracker, suggest that Toyota's brand health in the UK may recover faster than originally feared from the damage inflicted by the recall of several million vehicles across the world. Immediately following the announcement and subsequent negative press coverage, Toyota's brand perception scores in the UK dropped dramatically from being one of the highest ranked automotive brands tracked in BrandIndex to one of the worst. Toyota's overall ranking (combining all the BrandIndex measures excluding 'Buzz') fell from 7th out of 50 car brands at the beginning of December to 40th at the end of February.
In 2009 Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation posted its first loss since 1931. The financial crisis and recession had strongly impacted upon the previously profitable Japanese home market and triggered the company’s implementation of a number of restructuring measures, notably in Oceania, where the closing of its plants in New Zealand and Australia closed the book on new tyre production in both countries. Furthermore, at the end of the current season the tyre major’s 14-year association with Formula One will come to an end. The decisive factor behind this decision was the cost and the exit of Toyota and Honda from the series, yet it can also be said that the company’s goal – increasing the Bridgestone brand’s recognition and profile – has already been reached. In this respect, remaining with Formula One would not deliver very much more and thus cannot be justified in terms of the enormous costs involved. Ecclestone & Co. also may have done nobody a favour when they decided to go with a sole tyre supplier, thereby eliminating any competitiveness from the equation.
Some say he is holidaying in Australia this February, and that during his down under jaunt he’ll be performing his world-first driving stunt – all we know is, he’s called the Stig, and Bridgestone is offering its Australian devotees the chance to drive like the Top Gear tame racing driver.
New figures show that, of vehicles first used in 2004, the Toyota Corolla has the lowest failure rate – just 11.2 per cent. The Ford Transit Connect had the highest failure rate at 30.5 per cent, followed by the Renault Megane at 28.1 per cent and the Ford Transit at 26.3 per cent. This data refers to 2007 MOT results. VOSA is expected to publish statistics for 2008 and 2009 later this year, and then each year in the future.
Yokohama has announced two new OE fitment agreements for North American markets. The first of these is for the 2010 Toyota Prius, which will be delivered to US and Canadian customers fitted with Yokohama’s AVIDR S33D in size P195/65R15 89S. Last November Goodyear also announced its Assurance Fuel Max tyre will be fitted as OE to the third-generation Prius. Toyota’s 4Runner will also be Yokohama shod in US, Canada and Mexico, with models of the SUV in these markets supplied with the GeolandarR G96B in size P245/60R20 107H.
When Toyota begins shipping its North American market 2011 Sienna minivan, certain models in the range will be fitted with Bridgestone’s latest run-flat technology as standard. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced the selection of its Turanza EL400 run-flat tyres as an OE fitment on AWD variants of upcoming Toyota line-up. The Toyota Sienna AWD thus becomes the first vehicle in the world to be fitted with this third generation of run-flat technologies.
In the US, Toyota is recalling 110,000 Tundra trucks from the 2000-2003 model years following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into complaints of excessive rust in the frame of this particular model. The specific problem relates to the frame rusting to the extent that the spare tyre could fall onto the road, creating a danger for other vehicles.
Goodyear has announced that the 2010 Toyota Prius will fit its Assurance Fuel Max tyres as standard in the US. According to the company, the fitment for the popular Prius will be Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tyres in size P195/65R15. The selection of the new Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max for the 2010 Toyota Prius follows earlier announcements that the tyre will be fitted on the 2010 Ford Fusion S and the exclusive fitment for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.
Thailand-based P.C. Products International is a leading manufacturer of wheel balancing weights in Asia, with 20 years' experience of supplying original equipment to an impressive list of major automobile clients, including Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Isuzu, Volvo, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. The company has invested heavily in R&D, as well as quality control and engineering design, working closely with vehicle manufacturers to tailor products towards specific OE requirements. The quality assurance department has access to a full facility testing laboratory which includes high-tech testing equipment such as the grain inspection machine and pull-force clip testing meter. Products are manufactured strictly to the OEM's own specifications and the JASO standard for general markets. P.C. Products International exports to Europe, America and the Middle East, as well as Asian markets.
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