Kwik-Fit Fleet will have a new man at the wheel from 4 December 2006 when Mike Wise returns to the company to replace Nigel Davies, who is to become chief executive of London-based Pirtek Europe, the number one provider of hydraulic solutions. Mr Davies, who has spent almost 14 years with Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company, said he was sad to be leaving the company but the new job was an “opportunity I could not refuse.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Lexani has selected two exclusive US regional distributors for its Lexani high performance tyre line. Terry’s Tire Town, based in Alliance, Ohio, will offer the line in Ohio, Maryland and Virginia, while Wheel City Wholesalers, based in Eagan, Minn., will cover Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. “The Lexani name on a line of tyres fits in perfectly with our target market,” said Chad Murphy, president of Wheel City Wholesalers. “It is also the only brand of performance tires we have an exclusive on in our territory. The Lexani tyre line is one we expect our dealers to be able to sell profitably as a high quality premium brand.”
Continental Tyres has launched the ContiComfortKit that can temporarily fix a flat tyre in minutes without the need for the motorist to change the wheel. Unlike most aerosol sealants, the ContiComfortKit incorporates a small compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter or other 12 volt outlet. This pumps a mixture of liquid sealant and air into the tyre, effectively sealing the puncture from the inside and re-inflating the tyre.
Fast Fit Plus, on Bromsgrove Road, has joined Bridgestone’s First Stop network of tyre dealerships, a move that company representatives say will enable the business to retain its independent status while benefiting from the kudos and support of a direct association with the leading manufacturer.
“Joining the First Stop network offers the best of both worlds for Fast Fit Plus,“ explained Jason Thoms, who runs the dealership with fellow director Colin Anderson. “We have the freedom to run the business as we choose on a day-to-day basis, safe in the knowledge that there is a network of support available in terms of training, merchandising, customer relations and promotions should we need it. It’s a great position to be in, and the move provides the perfect foundation for us to take the business forward.”
Compomotive has launched a new 8 x 18 CXT motorsport wheel, available in 3, 4 & 5 lug fitments in a variety of offsets. The new wheel comes in white, silver, grey, gold, and black finishes and has seven double spokes for a sporty and stylish appearance
Mercedes-Benz World, the new multi-million pound brand centre being built at the historic Brooklands racing circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, has awarded Pirelli Limited “Supplier of Excellence” status. Pirelli will supply its state-of-the-art high performance tyres for the Mercedes vehicles used on the track activities and within Mercedes Benz World.
At Automechanika Frankfurt 2006, HPA-FAIP introduced of a full set of new equipment, which the company describes as “a new generation” of machines, with innovations in all product lines. Taking wheel alignment first: the C 900 is the top-of-the-range HPA aligner with “imaging technology”; this machine is the result of years of research with a patented stereo, bi-visual infrared read-out and design. The C 900 is HPA’s answer to the increasingly challenging world of advanced alignment procedures.
Kumho Tires has announced that it has developed an ultra-large tyre with a 32 inch rim diameter for the SUV (sports utility vehicle) conversion market. The 305/25R32 size tyre is claimed to be the world’s first ultra-large UHP (ultra-high performance) tyre and extends the boundaries of the SUV conversion market still further.
The new MAK Vertigo has been designed in order to satisfy style requests coming from the youth market, where young end-users aim to personalise their cars with a wheel that provides a fashionable and attractive powerful image. It has five slender spokes that make up a totally unique shape that has a strong visual impact on the end-user when he looks at the side of a car.
Yokohama HPT has added three new ranges of alloy wheels to its product portfolio, with each range specific to a vehicle marque. The wheel ranges are from US companies Bayern, Mandrus and Victor Equipment and the marques are BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, respectively.
Infineon Technologies has introduced the SP35 Tyre Pressure Sensor, said to be the first device to incorporate all the major active functions of a wheel-mounted Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) module into a single package. The highly integrated device, which is mounted on a PCB (printed circuit board) with a battery and antenna to form a complete TPMS module, enables automotive industry suppliers to cost-effectively meet the requirements of U.S. safety regulations, and to address the growing worldwide demand for TPMS in new passenger cars and light trucks.
PCL’s digital inflation kits have increased production by up to 15 per cent on Wheel Solutions’ assembly line. Safe and fast inflation is vital to Wheel Solution’s reputation as a leading importer and supplier of wheels and tyres for the turf, agricultural, trailer, caravan, mobile home, materials handling, plant and construction industries throughout the UK and Europe.
Following a meeting with Olivier Gros, Michelin’s new head of two wheel tyres in UK, Bike Tyrestore is reminding dealers that there is less than a week left to place orders prior to Michelin price increase on 1 October. The French manufacturer’s two-wheel price increase will add 3.5 per cent to product prices. Wholesale representatives report that the Pilot Road and Pilot-Power are selling quickly as a result of buyers trying to beat the increase.
Bandag has launched a new tread product for fleets that operate on a wide variety of surfaces. According to Bandag, the new BZY2 achieves high mileage and reliability on very soft ground, sharp and abrasive stones, as well as everything in between. As a result the new tread is positioned as “a major competitor to existing on/off-road tyre products.”
The BZY2 boasts an advanced groove concept. The space between the ribs is wide enough to drain liquids even on spongy ground, resulting in excellent water drainage and grip, says the company. Furthermore, the grooves have a depth of 18 mm, which leaves room for quite some mileage. The tread grooves have also been cleverly designed to expel any embedded object. This feature greatly improves the BZY2’s resistance to penetration.
A new state of the art wheel aligner that is completely ‘non contact’ has arrived in the UK, and pundits say the launch will have a dramatic impact on the way the industry has traditionally viewed wheel aligner technology. “Touchless” has been developed by Beissbarth, and was showcased at last year’s Autopromotec trade fair in Bologna, Italy. An undoubted star of the show, “Touchless” drew the biggest number of visitors to the Beissbarth stand, as crowds were introduced to this latest addition to the company’s family of wheel aligners.
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