Truck Tyres
Hankook Tire has released an optimised version of its AH22 truck radial; this new tyre called the AH22+ and is aimed at drivers and fleets operating in regional and delivery traffic. The manufacturer says the all-axle truck and bus tyre makes improved performance possible in both city and overland traffic thanks to an optimised tyre structure with wider belt, reinforced bead and new tread design.
The Nizhnekamsk SSC Tire Factory has began production of a new size rear axle fitment for its Kama N 202 series range; the new addition is a 295/80 R 22.5 fitment. In a statement announcing the new tyre’s release, the Russian tyre maker shares that its Kama ‘N’ series tyres with a 202 index are “designed to run on asphalt, rough terrain or dirt roads at any time of the year at temperatures from -45°C to +55°C.”
Toyo’s new tyre plant in China’s Jiangsu Province is officially open. On 8 December Toyo Tire & Rubber held a ceremony to mark the entry of the Toyo Tire (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd. passenger car and light truck tyre factory into the company’s global manufacturing network.
The uncertain economic outlook in Europe looks set to hit sales of heavy trailers in 2012. Demand for new trailers is now forecast to fall below the level of 2011, according to some market analysts. As a consequence the sales figure for 2012 will be 10,000 trailers less than was forecast in May this year.
The latest forecast for the UK’s replacement tyre market for 2011 suggests volumes total 1 million units, which will be marginally down on the comparable 2010 figure of just over 1,050,000 units. Speaking at the recent Continental UK market trends briefing in London, new commercial vehicle marketing manager Tracey Hyem explained that the recent UK trend was at odds with the European experience, which has seen most other countries experience positive growth in replacement tyre sales with an average increase of 3 per cent overall.
Norfolk-based tyre business TYM International has secured its continuing relationship with leading Chinese tyre manufacturer Triangle Tyres. The deal was sealed following meetings between TYM International general manager Steve Eke and Triangle senior vice president and international export director Lin Bin at the manufacturer’s Weihai, Shandong Province headquarters at the end of November. Furthering a relationship that first began in 2004, the agreement sees the two companies aim to develop their growing mutual business in the UK earthmover, truck and passenger car tyre segments.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association, which represents the manufacturers accountable for more than 90 per cent of all US tyre shipments, has lowered its 2011 tyre shipment forecast by one per cent due to downward revisions in year-end economic growth in the US. This revised full-year forecast of 287 million total units is approximately two million units more than in 2010. For next year, the RMA retains a “guardedly optimistic” forecast as US economic growth is anticipated to remain slow, and the association expects overall tyre shipments in 2012 to increase by more than two per cent to over 290 million total units.
The Tire Industry Association has posted the newly released charts from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration on its website. Commercial truck tyre service providers in the US are required by 29 CFR 1910.177 to have a copy of these charts in every service area, which includes mobile service trucks. Previously a two-chart set, OSHA added a third chart so the procedures for demounting, mounting and inflating single and multi-piece assemblies could be addressed separately.
Sailun Tyre’s exhibit at the recent SEMA in Las Vegas resulted in the company’s new Atrezzo SVR LX tyre being recognised by judges as being “one of the best new international products on show” and winning the 2011 SEMA Global Media Award. Sailun company literature describes how the company was “extremely prominent” in many ways at the recent SEMA (Speciality Equipment Market Association) Show held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre. In addition to a 1500 square foot stand, Sailun tyres were showcased with a demonstration car in the LVCC lobby and Sailun also took part in the SEMA Project Vehicles Sponsorship Programme.
Financial analysts have commented on Nokian’s plans to scale back its heavy tyre production, saying they are symptomatic of the macro-economic environment. Nokian announced the news of the 25 November, following a reported slowdown in orders for the first quarter of 2012. “While this is not huge news (Nokian expected weaknesses in 2012) it stresses how fragile demand is for the pro cyclical heavy and truck tyres is in a recessionary environment,” financial analysts from Morgan Stanley reported in an investor’s note published the day of the news.
You need to look carefully to spot the ‘+’ sitting alongside the familiar Marathon name, yet the addition of this symbol is said to represent a sizable decrease in rolling resistance and thus reduced vehicle operating costs. Goodyear has introduced its latest generation commercial vehicle tyre range, the Marathon +, and says rolling resistance in its new LHD II+ and LHS II+ drive and steer tyres is seven per cent lower than in their predecessors.
Tyre wholesaler Kings Road Tyres (KRT) has voiced its support for next October’s Brityrex International exhibition. The company describes itself as a long-standing supporter of the UK’s only dedicated tyre and equipment show; purchasing and marketing manager Tim Bader shares: “We are strong believers in the importance of the UK industry having its own successful and truly representative show. Brityrex aspires to become the focal point for our industry, a dedicated show where people do business, and that’s something we think is really important.”
According to Continental, the harsh UK and Northern Ireland winters of recent times have brought about an increase in demand for truck winter tyres. To meet this higher demand, the tyre maker has added five new sizes to its Scandinavia 2 range of winter tyres for truck, bus and coach.
German machine manufacturer the Pallmann Group and Spanish tyre recycler Gestión Mediambiental de Neumáticos – otherwise known as GMN – have begun a partnership for developing, building and selling complete tyre shredding and reprocessing plants. These products will be marketed under the Ecotrec name and encompass all modules necessary for recycling car and truck tyres; these include Pallmann’s shredders (the Lion and Tiger units), granulators (Panther), and separators (Eco-Sep), as well as complete conveyor and control technology, including appropriate know-how. Initially the companies will focus on marketing the product line in Europe and North America.
Goodyear has announced a new range of low platform trailer tyres for applications such as car transporters in both long and regional haul service and also for heavy haulage trailers. The Regional RHT II 19.5” and 17.5” have been developed to provide increased operational mileage and improved wet grip. Goodyear says the low rolling resistence tyres meet the requirements of the future EU Regulation 661/2009. The Goodyear Regional RHT II is fully regroovable and retreadable.
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