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.
Nokian Tyres reports that its latest generation summer and all-season tyres for European markets have passed comparison testing conducted by TÜV SÜD. The tyre maker commissioned TÜV SÜD to carry out independent tests on three key models: Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 1 for all-season use, and the summer variants Nokian Tyres Powerproof 1 and Nokian Tyres Wetproof 1. Each tyre underwent comprehensive assessments against four competitor tyre brands at TÜV SÜD Automotive’s independent wheel and tyre technology centre in Europe.
Maxam Tire recently turned to TÜV SÜD for independent evaluation of how its EcoPoint³ compound influences heat resistance in forklift tyres. The standards and certification specialist examined the properties of seven tyres – Maxam products with and without EcoPoint³, as well as five tyres from competitors – at one of its facilities in Germany. It found that compared to standard compounds and competitor tyres, Maxam’s material handling tyre with EcoPoint³ exhibited significant improvements.
During a ceremony held in China on 6 March, TÜV SÜD Group acknowledged Prinx Chengshan with certification that will “serve as a milestone” to “accelerate” the tyre maker’s entry into the European market. The certification agency awarded Prinx Chengshan the VECTO-based (EU) 2017/2400 carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption certification for three commercial vehicle tyre models sold in Europe under the Fortune and Austone brand names – AR 603, TH 135 and TH 155.
Independent tyre retailer and car maintenance network Point S is launching a new, omnichannel communications campaign this year to emphasise “the quality and versatility” of its private label Point S tyre brand. Manufactured in Europe, the exclusive Point S tyre range covers passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks, and comes in three product lines – Point S Summer, Point S Winter, and Point S 4 Seasons. Leading the campaign will be video content promoting the range’s benefits.
TÜV SÜD and Goodyear have integrated the Goodyear CheckPoint solution into the TÜV SÜD Digital Vehicle Scan (DVS) inspection system. The system uses advanced sensor technology to elevate vehicle safety and performance, making the vehicle acceptance and return process more efficient. The testing organisation says the DVS enables accurate diagnosis and timely maintenance recommendations, which can improve overall safety and efficiency. The Goodyear CheckPoint drive-over tyre inspection system reads tyre condition and vehicle parameters, sending actionable insights to fleet managers. It streamlines tyre pressure and tread depth inspection by providing automated inspections completed within seconds.
Prinx Chengshan is rolling out a new range of European market truck tyres under the Austone and Fortune brand names, and its efforts recently gained a boost when TÜV SÜD awarded the DR606 drive axle pattern its test mark. The tyre maker officially received this distinction during The Tire Cologne, when the head of the TÜV SÜD tyre testing team presented Prinx Chengshan its certification.
ZC Rubber has launched new flagship tyres in its Westlake and Goodride European ultra-high performance car tyre ranges at The Tire Cologne 2022. The Westlake ZuperAce Z-007 and Goodride Solmax 1 are designed to deliver quieter running, increased grip, and handling performance, ZC Rubber says. The manufacturer adds that it has upgraded the tyre structure with core technologies from ZC Rubber, BPOT technology and Hybrid formula. The Westlake ZuperAce Z-007 and Goodride Solmax 1 will be available in ranges of 17-22 inch sizes for the European market starting in June 2022. Both tyres will be fully introduced throughout Europe and Southeast Asia in the second half of 2022, following the initial roll-out.
Bridgestone has launched the semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race, its first ever tyre day tyre for the replacement market. In testing conducted by TÜV SÜD at the 6.115km Nardo circuit in Italy, the tyre was able to improve upon average times set by three leading competitor tyres over three laps by an average of more than two seconds. It was also ranked second for longevity, and delivered class-leading dry braking at Bridgestone’s European proving ground. The Potenza Race is homologated for public roads, but with performance focussed on track days. Developed and manufactured in Europe, the Potenza Race will be available in 13 popular sizes between 17 and 20 inches from June 2022, supporting the most commonly sighted hot hatchbacks and sportscars at track days.
After extensive testing, the DR606 has become the first tyre from Prinx Chengshan to receive the TÜV SÜD test mark. The organisation evaluated the truck tyre for wet braking, pass-by noise, rolling resistance and robustness.
Point S, the international independent tyre dealer and car maintenance network, has announced positive results of third-party testing of its Summer tyre. The tests, which examined the safety, quality and performance of the product, were conducted by independent technical testing organisation, TÜV SÜD, which is internationally renowned for its impartial insight into the quality of products and brands.
Giti Tire has published details of independent tests undertaken by TÜV SÜD for both the GT Radial SportActive 2 and GT Radial FE2 tyre lines. It reports that this testing showed “excellent results against leading brands and direct competitors’ products.”
Under a new strategic cooperation agreement, TÜV SÜD will cooperate with Mesnac Co. Ltd. in regards to product testing. The agreement signed on 19 May at an event attended by Kunhon Xiang,vice-president of Mesnac, and Taiwei Li, IDP senior manager at TÜV SÜD China, will see the two entities strengthen technical exchanges in a range of areas, and carry out research and testing.
Sailun’s SDR1 truck tyre has attained TÜV SÜD MARK certification, the first Chinese manufacturer in the tyre industry to do so, according to the company.
The SDR1 series of tyres from Sailun are sold in more than 30 countries and regions in Europe, such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, and Spain and has been well received by all Sailun dealers in Europe. For Sailun, gaining TÜV SÜD certification “not only demonstrates Sailun’s strengths in development and production in high-end tyre products, but it also signifies the approval of the European market towards its products, laying the foundation for growth in this high-end market”.
Goodyear has launched the EfficientGrip Performance 2. According to the company, the new tyre can achieve 50 per cent higher mileage than its predecessor and 20 per cent better mileage than Michelin. The claims are based on tests conducted by TÜV SÜD, which also found that the EfficientGrip Performance 2 had the shortest braking distances on wet and dry roads compared to leading competitors.
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