Marangoni Completes Tennessee Plant Expansion
(Akron/Tire Review) Marangoni Tread North America said it has completed expansion at its Nashville, Tennessee, tread rubber plant, effectively doubling capacity at the facility.
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New ConRad Tyre Strengthens Continental Radial Range
Product NewsContinental Tyres has introduced the new ConRad tyre, a powerful addition to its radial industrial range. The manufacturer describes the ConRad is “ideally suited for heavy transport or lift trucks carrying loads up to 10 tonnes in weight, operating on smooth, paved and mixed terrain.”
New Goodyear Tyre Has Carbon Fibre
Product NewsCarbon fibre is part of the construction of the new Goodyear Eagle(R) featuring ResponsEdge Technology™, which will be available to consumers in May. With threadlike strands of carbon that are strong and flexible, carbon fibre is a substance that weighs much less than steel of similar strength. As a woven composite fabric, it is increasingly used in high-tech racecars and jet planes.
In the new Eagle featuring ResponsEdge Technology, the outboard sidewall of the tyre is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fibre insert that provides stiffness for responsive handling and steering precision. Combined with conventional tyre construction on the inboard sidewall, the ResponsEdge tyre delivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
Indian Tread Rubber Producers Raise Prices
Product NewsThe All Kerala Small Scale Tread Rubber Manufacturers Association has decided to increase the price of tread rubber by 8 rupees (10 pence) per kilogram, India’s Business Standard reported. The association general secretary, George Varghese, said the increases were necessary to counter high raw material costs and protect tread rubber producers’ livelihoods.
Kelly Navigator Touring Gold
Product NewsIn response to continued growth in the H/V speed-rated auto tyre segment in the USA, Kelly Tyres is introducing the Navigator Touring Gold in 17 initial sizes. The Navigator Touring Gold is a premium-touring tyre that carries a 60,000-mile tread life limited warranty.
The new tyre’s tread design provides a consistent footprint for a quiet ride and long, even wear. Three-dimensional tread elements near the centre rib in the five-rib tread design help to evacuate water on wet days. An optimised footprint shape distributes pressure to allow more of the tyre to maintain contact with the road at any given time.
The Next Millennium
Product NewsViking International is set to launch a new “competitively priced” ultra high performance tyre range – the Millennium. According to the company, the new exclusive tyre comes as the result of massive investment and is designed to deliver “the ultimate in reliability and predictability at the extremes of performance handling.”
Viking reports that it has completely re-engineered its Millennium UHP range and that the line is now available in 36 sizes, fitting 15 to 18 inch diameter wheels. An 18 inch option is set to follow later in 2006. The new European-produced Millennium, uses a unique silica compound and is W – Y rated for speeds of up to 186 mph.
Millennium’s new UHP directional tread pattern represents the very cutting edge in design technology, according to the company. It is currently available in 35, 40 and 45 series to fit wheels from 17 – 18 inches. The directional pattern is available in both W and Y speed ratings.
Unusually for a UHP tyre the Millennium claims to be a class leader when it comes to wear rates. Viking representatives report that this is down to low rolling resistance and point out that an integrated rim protector helps safeguard alloy wheels.
Furthermore, the Millennium’s asymmetrical tread pattern is said to deliver superb all weather handling. Featuring new “tri zone” technology, the Millennium also claims “superior” ride comfort and reduced noise with excellent high-speed water dispersal; superb corning stability and steering response. Available from 40 series to 65 series to fit wheels from 15 – 17 inches, this variation is available in V and W speed ratings.
Mike Curry, managing director at Viking International, said: “The new Millennium range offers an exceptional quality alternative to the more expensive, premium-branded high performance products, with the added advantage of providing significantly better profit potential for the retailer. We will be supporting the launch with a high profile trade marketing campaign running throughout 2006 and we have developed a full range of support including point of sale; signage; merchandise; clothing and consumer / trade incentives.”
He added: “The Millennium range is only available through Viking International and with the rapid growth in the performance market, we are expecting a very high level of demand for this exciting new range.”
Coach Company: Michelin Beats Bridgestone for Durability
Product NewsKirkcowan-based Kings Coach Hire, located in Dumfries and Galloway, has completed a trial using a set of Michelin and Bridgestone tyres on two similar vehicles operating on virtually identical local bus routes.
The Michelin 17.5 inch XZE2 tyres were fitted to a 31-seat midibuses in March 2005, with the tyre performance on both buses closely monitored. The Bridgestone tyres were replaced after 48,000 km whilst, in comparison, the Michelin tyres are said to have already covered 89,000 km, with a further 4mm of tread remaining.
Flexible New Zafira Fits Bridgestone Tyres
Product NewsVauxhall has launched a new version of its user-friendly Zafira, which fits Bridgestone tyres as original equipment. Featuring the versatile Flex7 seating design that first appeared on the original car in 1999, a wide range of engines, and a choice of Bridgestone’s Potenza or Turanza tyres, the new Zafira is expected to become a popular choice for UK drivers.
Bridgestone Concept Tyres Exhibited in Detroit
Premium, Product NewsBridgestone Corporation has equipped two concept vehicles with custom-made Bridgestone Potenza tyres for an exhibition stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The one-off Bridgestone brand tyres were built in cooperation with Mazda and Infiniti, the original equipment automotive manufacturers’ vehicles on which they will be featured.
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Dunlop and Jaguar: Performance History
Product NewsDunlop has been appointed as the sole supplier of bespoke tyres for the 19 and 20-inch fitments of the new Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible. According to the company, the Dunlop and Jaguar partnership embraces many of the iconic successes in the history of both brands. Six Le Mans victories were shared between the two companies, with the success story spanning the 1951 Jaguar XK120C through the legendary D-Type era to the Jaguar XJR-9LM that won in 1988.
Alliance Launches New Tread Pattern
Product NewsIsrael-based agricultural tyre manufacturer, Alliance, has released a new tread pattern and tyre size. The new 358 drive tyre tread pattern is characterised by strong lugs for heavy-duty services on medium HP agricultural tractors and implements. According to the company, the triple angled lugs deliver smooth ride in the field and on the road. The tyre’s “strong nylon diagonal carcass” is said to guard against mechanical failures and moisture deterioration. The new 358 is available in size 15.5 – 38.
Yokohama Applies for Construction Machines Radial Tyre Patent
Product NewsYokohama Rubber Company Ltd is in the process of patenting a method of producing radial tyres for construction vehicles. The new tyre production method reportedly facilitates “a vast reduction in facility costs.”
Amerityre Testing Polyurethane Retreads
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Amerityre Corp says that it has had “positive results” from both independent lab and field-testing of its proposed polyurethane tread stock for truck tyre retreading.
The company claimed that the testing included “pull tests” to test the “adhesion of the polyurethane elastomer tread compound to a rubber tyre casing,” and that “all tests have been conducted by an independent laboratory in accordance with ASTM test standards.”
Parents sue Cooper
Product NewsThe parents of two young women killed in a head-on collision on Florida’s Turnpike are suing Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, alleging the company’s tyre caused a Thanksgiving 2004 wreck that left six dead. According to an associated press report, the lawsuit, in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, seeks more than $15,000 in the deaths of Michelle Seville, 23, and Marsha Seville, 18.
Increased Safety in Cold Weather
Product NewsNext year will see Continental launch ContiCrossContact Winter, a new 4×4 SUV winter tyre with asymmetrical tread design. Development of this tyre has been focused on safe driving properties on typical winter roads, superb handling in the dry, and a high resistance to aquaplaning. Starting in the autumn of 2006, the ContiCrossContact Winter tyre will gradually replace the company’s well-proven Conti4x4WinterContact.
