Truck Tyres
Giti Tire has launched the Giti GTR956 HD Combi Road, a trailer tyre for severe Heavy Duty (HD) regional applications. Initially available in 385/65R22.5 – with 265/70R19.5 planned for quarter four – the tyre is designed for rugged working sites, heavy loads, mountainous and winding roads, rough terrains and has limited off-road capacity.
In the U. S., J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Bridgestone Americas and Kodiak Robotics, Inc., have celebrated an ongoing collaboration that has surpassed 50,000 autonomous long-haul trucking miles, incorporating Kodiak autonomous trucks to ship Bridgestone passenger car tyres between South Carolina and Dallas. Since launching in January, the autonomous route has been driven with no accidents and achieved 100 per cent on-time pick-up and delivery, according to the companies.
Following the re-introduction of Yokohama’s commercial vehicle tyre range into the UK market during the last year or so, followed by the appointment of RH Claydon as distributor in January 2024, the tyremaker is explaining why its products are “ideally suited to forward-thinking commercial truck and bus operators in the UK who are looking reduce their cost per mile”.
At the beginning of June, Sailun Europe presented not only new passenger car tyres from its EcoPoint3 ecosystem at The Tire Cologne but also provided an overview of its current truck tyre range. Highlights included the second generation of fuel-efficient truck tyres, the Fuel Pro SFL2, SDL2, and STL2. Additionally, the manufacturer showcased its mileage-optimised truck tyres, Transport Pro S and Pro D, along with the new city bus tyre, City Pro Z.
The IAA Transportation show will take place in Germany in less than two months’ time, and the exhibitor list includes many familiar names from the tyre industry. Two major manufacturers recently shared what they intend to highlight at the commercial vehicle, logistics and transportation trade fair.
Following on from the initial unveiling of its fifth generation Eco truck tyre line in April, Continental has confirmed that the new Conti Eco HS5 steer and Conti Eco HD5 drive tyres will soon replace the existing long-distance-focused Conti EcoPlus tyre and the Conti EcoRegional tyre for mixed distribution fleets in the UK market.
The Continental plant in Púchov, Slovakia recently achieved the distinction of becoming the company’s first truck tyre manufacturing facility to gain International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS credentials. Púchov is Continental’s third ISCC PLUS-certified production site, following the tyre plants in Lousado, Portugal, and Hefei, China. Anton Vatala, who is in charge of the plant, calls the certification “a sign of our commitment to both quality and sustainability.”
On 27 June 2024, Halfords Group plc reported preliminary unaudited financial results for the year ended 29 March 2024. In short, the well-known automotive retail business reports that sales were up, but pre-tax profits were down amidst ‘major restructuring of tyre supply chain’ in 2024, which is a reference to the sale of the Viking International business to Bond International during the period.
A first from Firestone – the brand has launched a winter truck tyre range and will begin rolling out products this month. Comprising the Firestone Roadhawk Winter Drive and Firestone Roadhawk Winter Steer, the line-up targets small to large European fleets seeking year-round reliability and reduced ownership costs.
Triangle Tyre Europe introduced EffeX SUV and EffeX Winter tyres at The Tire Cologne, products that build on the growing portfolio of latest-generation tyres that are designed to defy expectations in the marketplace. Tyres & Accessories spoke with European general manager, Corrado Moglia, and UK sales director, Steve Eke, and learnt more about how demand is outstripping supply, indeed the international business of the European business plays a strategic role in the overall Triangle global operation, which arguably punches above its weight in the global context.
Guizhou Tyre might not be the most familiar name in the business, but the Chinese tyre manufacturer – which is best known by its Advance and Samson brands – is working to change that with the establishment of a European organisation, TUV SUD testing its latest truck tyres, and there’s even talk of investment in a tyre factory outside China and car tyre production.
Kavanagh Crane Hire has taken delivery of three new Liebherr mobile crane units all specified on Michelin X Crane + tyres. The business – which operates the largest crane fleet in Ireland – has been buying Michelins since it was established back in 1973 and now specifies all new vehicles exclusively on the manufacturer’s premium fitments.
Hubtrac Tires Europe’s sales division has raised its sales forecast for the third quarter of 2024. According to the company, executives of which Tyres & Accessories met with during the recent Tire Cologne exhibition, the revision is primarily driven by “the strategic geographical advantage of its top-tier production plant in Serbia and the recent sharp increase in shipping prices from China and Southeast Asia to Europe”.
Continental Tyres has promoted its former regional truck tyre general sales manager to the role of truck tyre sales director for the UK and Ireland. The new appointment will see Grant Willman head up Continental Tyres’ truck sales team from its UK headquarters in Datchet.
Prepared for the mandatory installation of TPMS on trucks? From July 2024, new regulations take effect, making the use of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) mandatory for all trucks. Not only fleet operators, but also workshops and wholesalers need to prepare for this. This is because the demand for TPMS products will also increase noticeably in the spare parts market. Alligator has responded to this development by expanding its range of TPMS valves for trucks.
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