Truck Tyres
Westlake tyres is supplying global transport and logistics firm DSV with tyres for 3000 commercial vehicle trailers as the sole original equipment fitment. According to Westlake representatives, the latest news comes as part of a strategy for Westlake to expand in the OE market for the fleets in Europe during the coming year.
Continental has made its versatile Hybrid HD3 commercial vehicle tyre available as a ContiRe hot retread in sizes 295/80R22.5, 315/70R22.5, and 315/80R22.5. The retread has the same rubber compounds as the new tyre in both the tread and the sidewall, and retains the new tyre’s low weight, optimised rolling resistance and high ride comfort.
Renault Trucks has introduced Urban Lab 2 – its distribution concept vehicle – at this year’s Pollutec at Lyon’s Eurexpo exhibition centre until December 2 2016. Developed with six partners under the collaborative Efficient Distribution Truck (EDIT) project, the vehicle combines innovative technology in aerodynamics, hybridisation of the engine, tyres and vehicle-infrastructure communication to achieve potential fuel savings of up to 13 per cent. Having partnered Renault on its Optifuel Lab 1 and 2 projects, Michelin is developing energy-saving tyres.
Daimler’s homologation of Pirelli’s extra-load :01 Series commercial tyre products for city, highway and regional applications has continued, adding the latest Pirelli MC:01 (275/70R22.5). The tyre has been designed with an increased load index, suitable for new-generation transportation such as hybrid and electric vehicles, which require a greater axle load.
The introduction of Euro VI vehicles has naturally led to evolution in the tyre sector. As one of the premium brands responsible for original equipment supply to large HGV manufacturers, such as Volvo, Mercedes, Man, Scania, and Renault, Bridgestone’s newest products have been developed to take Euro VI into account, made to withstand higher front axle loads of the more fuel efficient vehicles. “Our new highway, regional, and on/off specifications have been developed with a higher load index to support these new vehicle designs,” Bridgestone UK technical / field engineering manager – north region, Gary Powell explains.
UK wholesaler and specialist in commercial vehicle products Kirkby Tyres continues to leverage its exclusive distribution deals in order to deliver the right tyres to the UK’s evolving commercial vehicle segment. The Speke, Liverpool based company has exclusive distribution agreements with Double Coin, Sailun and Longmarch, and these relationships are allowing it to fulfil customer requirements. “We believe that long-standing business relationships are essential,” Kirkby’s spokesman told Tyres & Accessories. “It is through such relationships that we are able to offer our customers assurance of quality, continuity of supply and a full manufacturers’ warranty.”
Apollo Tyres will make its CV Show debut with a stand at the event at Birmingham’s NEC in April. At the same time the company plans to introduce its range of European market-orientated truck tyres as well as its strategy for engaging with the whole of the commercial vehicle sector. Several weeks ahead of the CV Show, Tyres & Accessories met up with Benoit Rivallant who is Apollo Tyres group head, global product management – commercial vehicle and off-highway tyre, to find out more.
Michelin’s new X Force ZL for military and civilian all-terrain trucks boast the highest tyre load-carrying capacity on the market. The product, suitable for such vehicles as airport fire tenders, will therefore receive a significant payload advantage when fitting the deep tread tyres.
Giti Tire will unveil the first phase of its Giti branded truck and bus portfolio at the CV Show 2017. In total 20 patterns will make their European debut. The introduction of the Giti brand to European commercial vehicle markets was announced at Reifen 2016 last May. The manufacturer will present the products between 25 and 27 April on stand 4G20 at the Birmingham NEC.
After 10 years of collaboration, Tructyre has acknowledged Bandvulc’s position as a “strategic partner” in its business.
In 2014 Tructyre embarked on an aggressive three-year business plan following on from their acquisition of P K Commercial Tyres in 2012. According to Tructyre, when the plan was instigated it was key that their strategic partners were on board. With 10 years of partnership behind them, Tructyre reports that “the relationship has flourished even further in the last three years with proactive initiatives in distribution, product (launch of Tructyre’s Re-Trak range), tyre management and service.”
Following the US International Trade Commission (ITC)’s decision not to place import tariffs on China truck tyres, Chinese officials have welcomed the news. The ITC determination was made on 22 February 2017 on the basis that tyres from China “did not materially injure or threaten to damage the US industry”, and that no anti-dumping or countervailing duties would be imposed on those products.
Continental has introduced a new 19.5” fitment for its urban bus tyre, the Conti Urban HA3, part of its third-generation commercial vehicle tyre range. Tyres for this application are placed under higher stress in the inner-city public transport segment than in any other area of application, Conti states.
The West European Trailer Market had the third highest level of new trailer registrations ever, surpassed only by the figures for 2007 and 2008 before the GFC.
However, there, there was a distinct weakening of the market in the second half of the year and Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain were all less buoyant markets at the end of the year than they were in mid-2016.
It is no secret that Continental and Bandvulc have been working together for decades. So it was also no surprise to learn that the subject of a possible takeover arose as long as 12 years ago. However, the round of talks that resulted in the sale agreement were instigated by Bandvulc managing director Patrick O’Connell during a meeting at the CV show in 2013. In the two or so years that followed the two firms say they grew together before a final deal was completed in July 2016.
In a 3-2 vote, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) yesterday determined that the US tyre industry hasn’t been materially injured by imports of truck and bus tyres from China, nor is it threatened by these imports. The US Department of Commerce previously determined that these imported tyres are subsidised and are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
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