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Viking Offers Rally Driving Prizes

Fast and furious rally driving prizes are up for grabs in the final quarter’s promotion from Viking International for its private tyre brands Viking, Gislaved and Barum Tyres. Each rally driving experience is for two people and is available at a number of locations across the UK. On the day, winners will begin with an introductory briefing session from an experienced instructor then take their place behind the wheel and put into practice some of the skills used by professional rally drivers to power slide around the track as quickly and safely as possible. There will be three pairs of tickets and dealers will be automatically entered into the promotion, running from 1st September until 30th November 2007.

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maywood Releases a Fox

Maywood has introduced an addition to its range of wheel alignment scissor lifts. The Fox is a four-tonne electro-hydraulic full length platform scissor lift. It has been brought into the range as a result of requests from Maywood’s key distributors who wanted a less expensive but just as accurate lift for wheel alignment.

The Fox’s features include automatic locking valve, wheel stops and double bolted base. Platform length is 4800 mm but 4200 mm is also available. In a modified version this lift can be used for MOT class 4 and is also approved for one man testing (ATL). This version includes hydraulic play detectors and bearing type captive radius plates.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Volkswagen Approves John Bean 3D Arago Wheel Aligner

Volkswagen Group has approved the John Bean Visualiner 3D Arago wheel aligner for all vehicle marques under the Group’s umbrella. John Bean, a brand within Snap-on Equipment, has reportedly developed a special version of the alignment system to meet VW’s exacting standards. As a result all authorised service centres can now carry alignment work to OEM specification.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bringing OEM Standards into the Workshop

Bus and Commercial vehicle maintenance facilities around the country are facing increased demand to follow the manufacturers’ recommended specifications on a wide range of bus and chassis components and sub systems. In response to a number of potentially catastrophic events, proper wheel tightening has become a critical procedure. Thanks to Chicago Pneumatic and its BlueTork range of tools – the name comes from ‘Blueprint’ and ‘Torque’ – workshops can now service vehicles back to their original, blueprint torque specification.

According to the company, the BlueTork range is the most advanced family of fastening tools in the industry and takes over where standard impacts and ratchets stop. The range offers torque-limiting (shut-off) impact tools, vibration-free, low-noise pneumatic and electric nut runners as well as wheel assembly machines. It also includes torque and angle measuring equipment, computer controlled tightening wrenches and precision measuring tools.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Mak Launches Invidia

Mak has launched the new Mak Invidia, which the company calls: “an innovative design addressed to medium and medium-top range cars.” The Invidia has been available on the European market since the beginning of September and is one of the new designs that makes up the Mal 2007/2008 range. MAK Invidia is available in the following sizes: 7KJ16”, 8J17”, 8j18”, 9J18.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa to Supply Techart With Forged Dura-Bright Wheel

Alcoa Wheel Products has signed a contract to supply TechArt Automobildesign with forged wheels treated with Alcoa’s Dura-Bright Technology; an industry-leading surface treatment. These forged wheels will be supplied for the TechArt Cayman, Boxster, 911 Carrera and 911 GT Street. All wheels also fit the Porsche series cars too. In addition to keeping wheel shiny, Alcoa reports that Dura-Bright eliminates corrosion resulting from scratches – both common complaints from the consumer.

TechArt, a major tuner of Porsche cars, asked Alcoa Wheels to provide them with the highest technology wheels available today. Additionally, they wanted highly stylized and light weight wheels that would help further improve the very high performance of their cars. Alcoa met all expectations with a series of Dura-Bright forged wheels which will be launched at the 2007 IAA Frankfurt Auto Show.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Net Sales, Net Loss Up for Hayes Lemmerz in Q2

Hayes Lemmerz reported on September 6 that its sales for the fiscal second quarter ended July 31, 2007 were US$570.3 million, up 19 per cent from $480.8 million in the corresponding quarter of 2006. The sales increase came from strong international steel and aluminium wheel sales, metals cost recovery and favourable currency fluctuations, the company said.

For the fiscal second quarter, the company reported adjusted EBITDA of $48.5 million, up $6.6 million from $41.9 million a year earlier, and a loss from operations of $4.8 million, compared with year earlier earnings from operations of $7.4 million. “We continue our strategy of restructuring our business, executing our operating plan, and extending the lead in our global wheel business,” said Curtis J. Clawson, president, CEO and chairman of the board.

As part of the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts, Hayes Lemmerz reached “important milestones” in the second quarter that it believes significantly improve its long-term outlook, while imposing one-time transaction costs. “We greatly strengthened our balance sheet by raising $193.1 million through an equity rights offering and a direct equity investment, and paying down $130.8 million of long term debt,” said Clawson. The balance sheet restructuring, which included the rights offering, new senior credit facilities totalling approximately $495 million, and 130 million euros of 8.25 per cent senior unsecured notes issued by a European subsidiary, “improved our liquidity by $80 million, will generate interest cost savings of approximately $24 million annually, and extends all significant debt maturities until 2013 or later.”

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Extra Light Wheel From Carlsson

Career Tracks, Product News

Carlsson wheels have always had a good reputation in the Mercedes tuning sector and the company’s latest product – the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition (BE) looks set to enhance this even further. Based on the successful 1/11 BE wheel, the new 22″ wheel has been developed for use on Mercedes ML, R and G class vehicles.

As well as visual impact, the 1/11 Evo BE offers greater ride comfort and considerable weight saving, says Carlsson. The distribution of the 11 spokes means that the forces acting on the wheel are transferred to the centre of the wheel, thus making thick walls unnecessary and saving weight. Grooves in the spokes save even more weight, with the result that the 1/11 Evo BE weighs 20.3 kg – over 3 kg lighter than comparable, one-piece cast aluminium wheels, with no reduction in strength.

30th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

US Environmental Group Attacks Car, Weight Makers

(Akron/Tire Review) The Center for Environmental Health filed suit to end the sale of lead-based wheel weights in California. Citing the state’s safe drinking water law, the group claims wheel weights that come off of vehicles threaten to pollute waterways. Specifically notified, according to the group, were Chrysler and several makers of lead-based wheel weights.

“Lead from wheel weights poses a threat to safe, clean drinking water in California,” said Caroline Cox, research director for the Center for Environmental Health. “Since affordable, effective alternatives exist, there is no excuse for the continued use of lead that can end up as a water hazard to people and the environment.”

“Many automakers have eliminated or are phasing-out the use of lead wheel weights, but most tyres in the US are still balanced with toxic lead,” said Jeff Gearhart, campaign director of the Ecology Center Clean Car Campaign. “In Europe and Asia, lead wheel weights have been replaced to protect people and the environment from unnecessary lead exposures. There’s no reason we should have lesser standards for protecting Americans from lead pollution.”

28th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Names Yost Executive Vice President

Hayes Lemmerz International has promoted vice president, finance and chief financial officer to the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer. Along with gaining the world “executive” to his title Mr. Yost is responsible for the company’s global finance and information technology functions, and will continue to report to Curtis J. Clawson, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board.

The global wheel and automotive component manufacturer states that Mr. Yost has strengthened the company’s finance team and enhanced internal accounting controls across the Company. Furthermore, Hayes Lemmerz gives Mr. Yost much credit for the success of the recent equity rights offering and debt refinancing, which raised new equity, retired high cost debt, and strengthened the company’s balance sheet.

24th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Cool Performance

The cold months present a particular challenge to manufacturers with a reputation for delivering performance products – how does one combine the superior handling qualities buyers of the brand have come to expect with those needed for safe winter driving? How can a single tyre fulfill these two seemingly contradictory roles? This is a task that researchers and designers at Pirelli have grabbed by the horns, and the tyremaker’s strong work towards developing a better product in the early stages of the modern winter tyre’s development continues to this day. The result is a range of winter tyres with an enviable reputation.

The reigning sovereign of Pirelli’s winter performance range is indisputably the Winter Sottozero, a tyre whose test results have earned it lavish yet deserved praise from several leading European motoring magazines. The Sottozero – Italian for ‘below zero’ – is, as Pirelli’s cold weather addition to the Planet Zero portfolio, the most performance oriented winter tyre yet offered by the Italian manufacturer. Promoted by Pirelli as the “first real dual season tyre,” the Sottozero is a product that deserves the attention of performance car drivers in the UK. Pirelli states that the Sottozero is suitable for fitment from mid-autumn to early spring, regardless of what condition the weather may throw in our direction; the Sottozero, while obviously designed for cooler conditions, will also safely take unseasonable weather in its stride.

23rd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Webb Wheel Hires New President

(Akron/Tire Review) Wolfgang Winzer has joined Webb Wheel Products as the new president of its aftermarket business unit. Most recently, Winzer was vice president and general manager of Siemens VDO Automotive’s public transport telematics unit.

Webb Wheel Products manufactures hubs, brake drums, and rotors for medium and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and buses.

22nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear OE for New Toyota and Mercedes

Goodyear has added another two feathers to its OE cap following the selection of its Excellence tyre range as standard equipment on two new UK vehicle launches. Toyota and Mercedes have both approved the tyre on their respective highest-volume models, the Auris and the C-Class.

The Toyota Auris replaces the Corolla, for many years the world’s best selling car, and Goodyear Excellence will be fitted as standard on models delivered with 15-inch wheels. The latest Mercedes C-Class, new for Summer 2007, will wear Goodyear Excellence in 225/45R17 and 245/40R17 sizes on those cars fitted with its popular 17-inch alloy wheel option.

The Goodyear Excellence was launched two years ago, and its asymmetric tread design combines sure footed wet weather grip with high levels of comfort. Goodyear says that the Excellence is particularly popular with OEMs seeking to reduce vehicle road noise, a reported strong point for the tyre.

22nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Rancho Launches New SUV Suspension

(Akron/Tire Review) Rancho has introduced a new suspension system for 2004-07 Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs, which the company said will “deliver exceptional on- and off-road performance and ride quality.”

“We’ve engineered a system that offers the SUV owners a no-compromises approach to performance suspension for their Armada or Infiniti,” said Joe Pase, Rancho’s general manager. “Plus, we’re utilizing an engineering design that is ideal for one of our shock packages like the new RS9000XL series rather than spacers.”

The new system for the Armada and Infiniti that includes a two-piece, high-clearance front cross-member and extended-length steering knuckles. Compatible with either the auto-leveling and non-auto-leveling editions of the Armada and Infiniti, Rancho utilizes a bolt-on rugged sub-assembly in the rear suspension.

Rancho said the new system is compatible with any of Rancho’s shock absorbers, and is delivered complete with detailed and illustrated installation instructions. No drivetrain or exhaust modifications are required. The system is fully compatible with stock tyre/wheel packages, Rancho said.

21st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New ATL Package from Codi International

Due to increased demand, Codi International is in August launching a complete automatic test lane (ATL) package from the Danish specialists HH Intertech. The VOSA approved ATL package is comprised of a brake tester, brake test control unit, vehicle lift with play detector and headlamp alignment unit. There is a full range of equipment to meet both Class IV and Class VII standards. The brake testers are PC controlled, store individual tests for a minimum of a year and provide print-outs.

The test, operated by an infra red remote, automatically calculates brake efficiency of service and parking brakes, incorporates axle weighing and has a manual facility for testing four wheel drive vehicles. The roller unit of the brake tester is of robust quality construction with hot dip galvanised chassis.

15th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors