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Bridgestone Bandag Expands FS560 Plus Range

In the US, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions is introducing six new sizes to its range of Firestone FS560 Plus steer tyres. Fleets operating in short-haul or urban applications now have numerous new size options to choose from, including 9R22.5 and 10R22.5 in “F” load ranges, 10R22.5 in “G” load range, and 255/70R22.5, 275/70R22.5 and 215/75R17.5 low profile sizes all in “H” load ranges. The 215/75R17.5 size will be available in the fourth quarter; all other sizes have already been released.

7th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Warms Up the Colder Months

For the upcoming cold months Maxxis rolls out a number of solutions to the hazards of winter driving, all of which feature the Maxxis soft tread winter compound and a design that facilitates water dispersal and snow and slush removal.

Passenger cars can benefit from the MA-W1 Wintermaxx, a high performance tyre Maxxis states offers a quiet ride combined with traction that comes into its own in snowy weather. The tread is a zigzag pattern unidirectional design with multiple grooves for effective water drainage and snow removal. The footprint on the MA-W1 has been optimised for secure handling and braking on wet, icy or snow covered roads. The MA-W1 is available in a wide range of size configurations from 13-inches up to a V rated 17-inch variation.

7th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni’s Meteo HPs “Shrug off Winter’s Worst”

Marangoni is urging retailers to plan their winter stock requirements as soon as possible in order to be best prepared for the upcoming season. While the company regards the concept of cold weather tyres as relatively new to the UK market, it still believes that the difference they can make to Winter driving is huge, in terms of control, precision and ultimate safety; all features the company banks upon when attempting to entice new British market customers to make the change come November. Indeed, the company believes that “manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers alike, all have a duty to educate the UK marketplace to the importance of fitting the correct tyres for winter driving conditions… It can be the vital difference between getting home and being stranded.”

Marangoni itself offers, the Meteo HP for UK drivers, which comes in sizes to fit family saloons, performance cars and more recently SUVs, bringing a greater degree safety in the most hazardous driving conditions of the year.

5th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Adds Low Profile FH85 Amaranto Sizes

Pirelli has expanded its range of sizes available on the FH85 Amaranto premium truck tyre range. The tyre is now available in 385/55R22.5 for trucks used on long distances with heavy loads on low severity roads. The new ultra-low profile tyre is designed for the steering axles and the company is confident that it makes for an increased load capacity and volume.

The 385/55 R 22.5 FH85 Amaranto meets the needs of the truck tyre market for ON applications, where the demand for this type of product is growing rapidly and shows great potential to continue to do so. This size has a higher load capacity than other products with a similar diameter – such as 315/70 and 315/60 R22.5 – thanks to the larger volume of air it contains.

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli’s Winter Range Proud to Be Versatile

In addition to the Sottozero, discussed on Tyrepress.com last month, Pirelli has a range of tyres for fitment on cars, sports utility vehicles and vans, and while winter capability is the obvious primary function of the series, the company is proud of the diversity of its seasonal collection.

The winter Snowsport – for passenger cars – attempts to use its versatility to its advantage. Whilst combining excellent traction and braking on snow, it also promises to offer improved handling in both wet and dry conditions, all the while maintaining performance levels. The full silica mixture and the design with Cap and Base technology ensure performance at low temperatures, whilst the four longitudinal channels provide superb aquaplaning resistance.

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Westlake Ups Winter Size Range

After making its debut on the international winter tyre market in 2007, the Westlake brand, manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company, is offering eleven size options ranging from 13 inches to 16 inches, incorporating an imposing and rugged symmetrical tread pattern to combat all winter road condition right across Europe.

The Westlake line is manufactured at one of the largest tyre production plants in China, while the products are distributed throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe by London-based Eskay Tyres. The general manager of Eskay, Rob Henderson states that, “With the Westlake brand already well-established as a quality brand in both PCR and Truck budget sectors of the market, we have every confidence that our new winter tyre range will be well-received and have an instant impact in the market. They will offer the same exceptional value for money as all other Westlake products and the range will be further enhanced with new sizes and patterns in due course”.

29th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Boasts Safety & Performance Benefits From New Drive Tyre

Michelin has developed a new all-purpose drive axle tyre it claims is ideally suited for both road and motorway use in all weather conditions. Called the Michelin X MultiWay, the new tyre incorporates Michelin Durable Technologies to further enhance safety through its self-regenerating tread pattern that continues to deliver grip even when the tyre is two-thirds worn.

Specifically, this technology consists of raindrop-shaped cylindrical channels positioned in the centre of each tread block which, when the tread is two-thirds worn, gradually open to create new grooves in the middle of the tread block. A series of tests using a tyre which was two thirds worn demonstrated that the Michelin X MultiWay delivers reduced braking distances compared to a same size Michelin tyre incorporating standard technology.

25th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

ALD Automotive Signs Three Year Kwik-Fit Fleet Contract

ALD Automotive is furthering its relationship with Kwik-Fit Fleet through the signing of a three-year tyre and fast-fit management services contract. The relationship between Kwik-Fit Fleet and the contract hire and leasing company, which operates a fleet of more than 47,000 vehicles, dates back four years, and the new deal extends to the end of 2011. The contract gives ALD Automotive company car and van drivers access to Kwik-Fit’s UK network of 670 centres and more than 200 mobile units.

22nd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

OTR Keeps The Pressure Up

OTR is now supplying tyre pressure monitoring systems as part of its earthmover tyre management service. “The correct pressure in earthmover tyres not only improves the safety and stability of the vehicle, but gives operators a much improved return on investment.” That, says OTR’s Regional sales Manager Paul Skerritt, is a pretty obvious statement, but he goes on to say “you would be amazed at what we find on site sometimes.”

Graeme Manning, OTR’s Commercial Director, says: “Inflation pressure is one of the most important factors affecting tyre life. Fuel efficiency is greatly affected too – a tyre under-inflated by 10 per cent reduces fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent.”

17th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Pressure Check Campaign Visits Stoke

Despite particularly heavy downpours, this month Michelin staff have been giving members of the public free tyre pressure checks – all part of the company’s “Fill up with Air” campaign. The tour (which is being run in parallel across Europe) is designed to communicate messages warning of the dangers and expense that come with underinflated tyres. The plan is to reach out to consumers at high footfall sites, such as: Eurotunnel; Tesco and Asda branches; and Total Fitness gyms. In addition the tyre pressure roadshow will visit Michelin’s Ballymena truck tyre production plant in Northern Ireland.

11th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Fulda Saves Panda from Extinction

Fulda is sponsoring a 1991 Fiat Panda 4×4 taking part in the Mongol Rally 2008. The Fiat will set off on the 19th July and will be fitted with the Fulda EcoControl tyres.

James Philpott and Sebastian Barraclough from Hereford will be driving the 17 year old Fiat from London to Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia. The rally, in aid of numerous charities based in Mongolia, will take the charitable pair through 18 countries, covering a distance of over 10,000 miles, putting the Fulda EcoControl tyres to the test.

4th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Elgitread Splits Its Divisions to form Treadsdirect

Elgitread, who exhibited its tread rubber manufacturing division in Hall 3, Booth 122 at Reifen 2008, has relisted Treadsdirect as a separate company on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

The new company is categorised as An ELGI Associate, and will concentrate its energies on manufacturing tread rubber, bonding gum retreading and bus operations, while Elgitread – retaining the company name – will give more attention to retreading accessories, retreading machinery and manufacturing with reclaimed rubber. Treadsdirect is now the proprietor of 14 operational retreading units and possesses three manufacturing units.

3rd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

MNA Adds New Laredo AWT II

Michelin North America has introduced the Uniroyal Laredo AWT II, designed for on- and off-road applications. The all-terrain radial offers improved tread life and wet and dry handling compared to its predecessor, the Laredo AWT, with its advanced polymer tread compound, stress-optimised contact patch and DuraShield construction, MNA said.

The Laredo AWT II will be available after July 1 in 21 sizes, including 13 S-rated P-metric and eight Q-rated LT-metric models. Three sizes of the original AWT – 31X10.50R15 109, LT285/75R16 LRD 122/119 and P235/75R15XL 108 – will remain in the line until April 2009, MNA said.

1st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Invests in Agri Show Display Unit

To further meet the needs of its agricultural customers, the Goodyear farm department has this season invested in a new show display unit. The new vehicle, says Goodyear, forms part of the cornerstone for the company’s investment into the agricultural sector. The bespoke unit has been built to assist the farm team’s ability to meet with a greater number of farmers and answer their queries, with an emphasis placed upon Goodyear’s Optitrac range of tractor tyres.

The Optitrac farm tyre concept, comments Goodyear, uses the latest generation compound and construction technology, with the new R+ offering increased load carrying capacity or reduced inflation pressures to help minimise soil compaction. The optimised tyre footprint shape offers even pressure distribution as well as the premium tread depth allowing enhanced traction. The display unit features detailed information on the tyre range and explains the technology behind the range.

1st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Introduces ‘New Generation’ On/Off Highway Tyre

Firestone has introduced what it has called “the first of a new generation of Firestone on/off highway tyres.” Called the FD385 On/Off-Highway Drive, the new tyre is designed to deliver a strong level of traction and exceptional removal mileage in severe service applications. The tyremaker reports it is ideal for logging, construction, mining refuse and oil field applications.

The FD835 has a block tread pattern that Firestone describes as ‘aggressive’, and angled sipes positioned in each block, which are intended to cut through rain for solid wet-surface handling. An extra-deep open shoulder design provides enhanced traction on soft surfaces, including mud and snow. With a tread over one inch deep, the FD835 offers good removal mileage. Ultra-tough tread compounds combat cuts, chips, chunks and tears for long tread life – even in severe service.

26th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors