TPMS and RFID
During Autopromotec week Tech Europe honoured the contribution of a number of loyal distributors who had reached milestones in terms of service and distribution. Plaques were presented by Gary Armstrong (senior vice-president global sales and marketing at Tech International), Martin Blakey (vice-president sales and marketing, Europe) and Walter van Loon (vice-president sales and training, Benelux) to the following distributors:
Continental has much to talk about having recently begun a series of planned third generation commercial tyre launches with three coach and bus tyres. The third generation is being marked by an increased level of application specialisation in the commercial segment, the details of which can be found on pp. 52-53 of April’s Tyres & Accessories. The Conti Coach, for long distance travel, the Conti CityPlus, for regional, or intercity use, and the Conti Urban, which has been optimised for typical city-based usage. All three tyres are grouped under the more traditionally Conti-style product number, HA3, though increased branding is one of the focal points for Conti’s third generation.
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With half of all tyres sold through tyre specialists, this is clearly the most influential route to market for tyre suppliers. Within this segment the balance of power is divided between a relatively small number of nationally influential retail chains and large numbers of smaller operators. In fact, according to the Tyre Industry Federation Factbook 85 per cent of tyre specialists operate from a single outlet. At the same time we have all been dealing with the financial effects of general economic upheaval. All this makes insights into the ebb and flow of the tyre retail sector all the more valuable.
Aston Martin has added to its long heritage of innovation with a world first hydrogen-fuelled zero CO2 emission lap of the 24 km Nordschleife circuit in Germany. The lap was completed on Saturday (27 April) with Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez at the wheel of the prototype Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, and was a perfect test run ahead of a formal record-breaking attempt at the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring (N24) next month.
Continental AG has been named as the 2013 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award for its tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with patented LocSync software.
The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) from Continental is designed to provide the driver with the current inflation pressures individual tyres. If a particular tyre’s pressure is too low, the instrument alerts the driver. According to the company, the new tyres and sensors are detected automatically without the need for any additional electronic equipment by using the LocSync software to combine the data from the wheel speed sensors and tyre sensors.
The UK distributor of TSW, Beyern and Mandrus replacement alloy wheels, Yokohama HPT has confirmed the addition of several new wheels to its UK line-up that use the “rotary forging” process to create strong, dynamic and lighter wheels. During manufacturing the outer rim is forged while the wheel centre and rim mould are spun at high speed. TSW’s Panorama and Tanaka, the Beyern Spartan, the Mandrus Rotec and the Victor Equipment Innsbruck are all products of this technique in the current Yokohama HPT range.
Schrader is partnering with Fuller Brothers, the manufacturer of the Tire Life tyre and rim protection product, in order to distribute Schrader’s complete Off-The-Road (OTR) range. The partnership was formally announced at the 2013 Tire Industry Association OTR Conference held from 20-23 February 2013 in Puerto Rico.
After a double-dip recession in the UK last year and with widespread financial turmoil across Europe, no-one is denying that these are tough times for garages, autocentres and tyre specialists. And in tough times you need options. So this month we are taking a look at the role that non-tyre services play in the tyre business and asking what they offer garages. For the purposes of this feature we are lumping together everything that is not a tyre and calling it all “ancillary garage services”. Everything that’s not a tyre is probably a clearer definition, but this offers a clear category for all the products that aren’t our beloved round black circles.
In the February issue of Tyres & Accessories, as well as all the latest news, developments and product releases, we focus on Van Tyres and TPMS technologies. Subscribers can view their own virtual edition online by simply clicking more.
Continental reports that a new feature related to its TPMS system has entered series production. The company says an Asian vehicle manufacturer now offers its customers a sub-function of Continental’s ‘Filling Assistant’ – feature that uses a motorist’s smart phone. An app on the phone omits a short ‘honking’ noise upon achieving optimal pressure during tyre inflation. The Filling Assistant function ensures that tyres always run on the correct pressure, even if they are filled using non-calibrated equipment.
Bridgestone Ireland has gained a new fleet to be supported by the company’s Truck Point network. Cappoquin Transport Ltd, based in Cappoquin, Co Waterford, offers nationwide delivery service.
Following approval by the antitrust authorities, Bosch completed its acquisition of SPX Service Solutions, a US automotive diagnostics specialist at the beginning of December 2012. The agreement to purchase the company was signed the preceding January. SPX Service Solutions develops, manufactures, and sells service equipment, repair-shop accessories, and software for the global automotive market. Based in Canton, MI (USA), SPX Service Solutions generated sales of some US$920 million (some 660 million euros) in 2011. The diagnostics specialist employs 2,800 associates in 17 countries, and has manufacturing sites in the US, Germany, France, and China. The purchase price was $1.15 billion (885 million euros).
As tyre pressure monitoring systems become obligatory at the OE level throughout Europe, Tech Europe reports that it is offering what it says is “the most comprehensive range of TPMS products in Europe today, and a TPMS programme recently nominated for the ‘Product Innovation’ award at the annual NTDA TAFF Awards.”
Yorkshire-based tyre wholesaler Bond International has announced that it has secured a deal with one of the fastest growing independent tyre, wheel and car service centre networks in the UK. From 1 November 2012, Bond will supply its exclusive brands Sailun and Jinyu as the main budget tyre offering to Point S.
The USA's Time Magazine has awarded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) with the title of one of its "Best Inventions of the Year 2012”. AMT is designed to help drivers maintain optimal tyre pressure, helping to increase the longevity of the tread and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. All of AMT's components, including a miniaturised pump, will be fully contained within the tyre. Time's technology editors listed AMT alongside the Tesla Model S electric car amongst others as one the year’s 25 “most important innovations.”
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