Marshal’s Matrac X3 forms the centrepoint of the company’s 4×4 tyre range, with five different patterns designed to suit any terrain from smooth tarmac to mud, sand and rock. According the company, the line-up includes all popular fitments as well as several niche sizes.
Kumho recently introduced the Solus KL21 all-season tyre for on-road use as a way of extending the company refers to as its range for all seasons. Available in top-selling sizes such as 235/65 R17 and 235/60 R18, this street terrain tyre is designed to deliver wet traction combined with low noise and rolling resistance. The KL21 is extensively fitted by Hyundai and Kia to their latest SUV models and has recently been approved for fitment to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Now well established in the UK and European market sectors, the Firenza SV053 light truck and van tyre, manufactured by Singapore based Stamford Tyre International, offers a pattern designed using Japanese technology, the company says. Rob Henderson, Firenza business manager for the UK and Europe says: “Our transition into the light commercial and van market has proved to be really successful and during the course of 2012 Firenza will be looking to maintain steady growth pattern in this competitive sector.”
Nokian has introduced its new Rotiiva AT (All Terrain) summer tyre for SUVs into its core European markets. The tyre, says Nokian is excellent on asphalt or gravel, but also performs well in lighter off-road conditions. The sturdy structure and tailored, cut-resistant tread compound give the tyre excellent durability when used with heavier cars. The comprehensive selection of sizes is aimed at light trucks, larger SUVs, and pick-ups. The selection of sizes covers a total of 26 models from 15" up to 20".
Micheldever/Southam Tyres has added the new General Eurovan 2 to the General Tire product range. This means the new van range covers 88 per cent of the UK van sector. According to the company, the new Eurovan 2 is optimised to European road conditions through a combination of flat belt technology and tread design, ensuring high mileage performance and safety.
Available through Stapleton’s Tyre Services in the UK, Maxxis International has a range of economically priced van and light truck tyres that the company says deliver value through good durability and handling capabilities in all conditions. The company has announced that it has added a “next generation” product to its extensive van range, the MCV3.
Nankang Rubber Tire has been granted a “Taiwan Excellence award 2012” from the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bureau of Foreign Trade and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. The award was given for six Nankang tyre products, including the company’s first ever ‘green’ tyre, the ECO-1. Nankang was also awarded for its NS-20 passenger car tyre, FT-9 off-road tyre, SV-2 winter tyre, ESSN-1 asymmetrical tread winter tyre and Roadiac motorcycle tyre. The Nankang tyres were selected from a pool of 1,145 products.
Trelleborg Wheel Systems will unveil a new solid industrial tyre, the Monarch M2, at next week’s Modex 2012 manufacturing, distribution and supply chain show in the US city of Atlanta. The Monarch M2 is designed for use in industrial applications such as material handling and ground support equipment.
According to 2011 data from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, the European scooter tyre market for P speed ratings or higher has grown 73 per cent over a period of six years. A large chunk of this growth equates to more scooters on the road – the ETRMA says 81 per cent of users ride their scooters every day and 78 per cent ride their scooters to work. A third of all scooter riders are also motorcyclists.
Malaysian retreading specialist Goodway Rubber Industries is drawing its five product brands together under a new housemark, GIIB. Pronounced ‘gheeb’, this new ‘umbrella’ brand name is intended to represent a new phase in Goodway’s growth and business direction; the company says the GIIB name unifies the brands and presents customers with a more dynamic message.
On 27 January Michelin unveiled the first set of specially designed race tyres for the Project 56 DeltaWing vehicle that will compete in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. And the tyre maker says that just one look at the tyres, and their “unique” size, makes the radical nature of the US group’s prototype design obvious.
Motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has selected Pirelli’s new generation Diablo Supercorsa as original equipment for its latest offering, the Speed Triple R. The new Triumph bike, which recently premiered at the EICMA, will feature the ‘SP’ or Sport Production version of the Diablo Supercorsa in size 120/70 ZR17 tyre for the front and 190/55 ZR17 on the rear.
Dunlop’s RoadSmart motorcycle tyre range has won plaudits from UK dealerships, who voted it the “Best Bike Accessory” at the British Dealer News Industry Awards 2011. The award was presented at the British Dealer News Awards Evening on Sunday 22 January 2012. The event followed the opening day of the Motorcycle Trade Expo at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Falken has introduced the Azenis FK453CC – a tyre specifically designed to improve the stability, feel and noise of vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, BMW X6 and Audi Q7, among others in the performance SUV segment.
A fifth production unit for producing tyre tread blacks is to be added Orion Engineered Carbons’ facility in Yeosu, South Korea. The new unit will increase the plant’s annual output by 36 tonnes to a total of 188 tonnes. The project is expected to be complete in May 2013. According to Dietmar Balschukat, Orion's Asia-Pacific region general manager, the fifth unit will also produce carbon blacks for export, particularly to Japan and China.
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