(Akron/Tire Review) Kevin Sapp of Rema Tip Top/North America was elected chairman of the Tread Rubber and Tire Repair Materials Manufacturers’ Group (TRMG) during its recent annual meeting in Las Vegas. Jeff Young of Patch Rubber was elected vice chairman, Phil Boarts of Oliver Rubber Co. was elected secretary, and Thad Perdue of Robbins LLC was elected treasurer. All will serve a one-year term.
Motorists are reportedly spending less time in garages than they have before because of longer periods between services. This could all mean dangerous tyres are not getting spotted.
Online tyre retailer, Rubberball.co.uk, has warned service routines are now stretching to 20,000 miles or longer, tyres are not being checked for as much as 10 years.
Kraiburg Austria aims at increasing its market share by integrating end-users. As part of this strategy the company offers its retreader partners a comprehensive service package which includes modules for improving productivity and for providing support in advising users and selling the right tread patterns.
To enhance this service, Kraiburg has brought an additional industry expert onto the team. Thus, since October, Michael Schwämmlein (40) has been assisting Kraiburg in providing customers with advice and support
The sale of part-worn tyres is still a cause for concern, the Tyre Industry Council has reported. These concerns are backed-up by the environmental protection services at Glasgow City Council who found in checks at tyre dealerships, that a high percentage of the second-hand tyres checked did not meet the legal requirements and therefore could have posed a risk to an un-suspecting motorist.
(Akron/Tire Review) Retreading material manufacturer Bandag Inc has increased prices by 7 per cent on some of its tread stock and tyre repair products sold in the US. The 1 November increase does not impact other markets.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has introduced three new Michelin X-Ice PAX system winter tyres that can be operated after a puncture for 125 miles at 50 mph, according to MNA. The Michelin X-Ice PAX System 225-700R480A, Michelin X-Ice PAX System 245-680R460A and Michelin X-Ice PAX System 235-710R460A tires are available now for the Nissan Quest, the Acura RL and the Honda Odyssey Touring Edition, respectively, stated MNA.
(Akron/Tire Review) Becky MacDicken, director of government affairs with TIA, has announced her resignation. She is leaving the association as of 2 December to work with the Pennsylvania state government on a business education initiative. MacDicken, who has been with TIA for more than five years, has played an active role in helping shape TREAD Act regulations for the tire industry, and numerous other legislative and bureaucratic issues impacting tire dealers and the industry at large.
Avon Tyres has launched Ice Touring, a brand new winter tyre range. Designed to cope with the demands of winter motoring, the Avon Ice Touring range comes in a variety of sizes to fit most small to medium-sized vehicles, from the Vauxhall Corsa to the Volkswagen Golf.
According to the manufacturer, engineers developed the bespoke tread, and high silica content rubber, in some of Europe’s most challenging winter conditions. The end result is a tyre that provides exceptional braking in the snow, grip on ice and resists aquaplaning in the wet. The Ice Touring is the result of an 18-month extensive test programme conducted in the demanding Kaunertal glacier region of Austria. The new range will be available across the UK.
(Akron/Tire Review) Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. is introducing two 24-inch sizes of its Proxes 4 ultra-high performance tyre. The new sizes – 255/30R24 and 275/30R24 – are made with Toyo’s “Generation S” silica-reinforced tread compound and the tyremaker’s T-Mode design technology and are “ideal for even or stagger fitments,” Toyo said.
The Proxes 4 tyre features a unidirectional “w-shaped” tread design, curved centre rib for water evacuation and a five-variable pitch tread design for reduced noise, said Toyo.
(Akron/Tire Review) At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Kumho Tire USA Inc introduced its new Ecsta AST high performance, all-season tyre as well as its new Road Venture MT, reportedly the widest and tallest light truck tyre the company has ever offered.
The Ecsta AST tyre, designed for sports cars and tuned sedans, according to Kumho, features a directional tread design with dual-angle cross grooves and asymmetrical lateral grooves for cornering grip, hydroplaning resistance and wet traction.
The NTDA reports that the official launch of the 3mm tread depth awareness campaign has been deemed a major success. The association is confident that the campaign has received widespread publicity throughout the UK, citing 75 minutes of radio airplay, which is said to have reached over 3.5 million listeners.
Marangoni Tyre has launched a new tyre series aimed at the European ultra high performance market. The new Mythos range will combine “leading-edge technology” with “experience acquired in motor racing” to make a Y-rated road tyre, the Italian manufacturer explains. Marangoni even goes as far as describing the new tyre as the “jewel in its crown.”
Currently 30 per cent of the European replacement tyre market is made up of tyres approved for speeds of 240 km/h and higher. With this percentage expected to increase, Marangoni’s efforts to produce a UHP tyre are seen as a response to these developing market conditions. The manufacturer puts it another way: “This new product is the synthesis of the know-how and experience acquired by Marangoni over many years of research, races and tests in the most extreme conditions.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) announced that the 2006 Subaru Impreza will be fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tyres. Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models will sport the Potenza RE92 tyres in size 215/45ZR17. ”Interlocking triangulated blocks and circumferential grooves in the tread design” enhance wet, dry and snow traction, according to BFNAT. “The computer-enhanced tread design also minimizes road noise, and the tyre’s polyester cord body promotes ride comfort,” the manufacturer added.
The Motor Industry Research Association has conducted further tests that highlight the importance of adequate tread depth on vehicle tyres.
Independent braking tests were carried out to measure stopping distances and cornering performance of car tyres on wet road surfaces. According to the safety body the results showed “conclusively” that both stopping distances and cornering performance “noticeably deteriorated well before the end of a tyre’s life.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) rolled out a new urban application truck tire, which it claims delivers “up to a 40 per cent improvement in removal miles.” The XZU3 line was introduced at the American Public Transportation Association Expo 2005 in Dallas.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
