Reifen Gundlach is demonstrating its status as a leading European tyre wholesaler at the Reifen 2006 international exhibition. Besides its main GT-Radial brand (exclusively distributed in Germany), Reifen Gundlach will present the new Prestivo private brand and its new “Advanti Racing” alloy wheel brand. Furthermore the established Com4wheels wheel brand will be shown as well as some new designs developed for this spring season.
There was much interest in the Pro-Align stand at this year’s ATS. Not only did the company launch two new products to their range (SmartWeight a revolutionary wheel balancing technology, PA100 – a new entry-level Hunter Aligner) But “Miss Alignment” was there too, helping to promote the hourly ‘Alignment Show Live’ and SmartWeight demonstrations.
Goodyear has set eccentric British challenger Lloyd Scott, a new challenge – drive the length of the nation on flat tyres. Lloyd, 48, from Essex, who has previously cycled across Australia on a Penny Farthing bicycle and completed this year’s London Marathon in a full suit of armour, has agreed to take the wheel throughout May for Goodyear’s RunOnFlat Rally. The RunOnFlat Rally will see Lloyd drive the more than 1600 miles in distance across the British Isles, from John O’Groats, where he started yesterday, to Land’s End in a Mini with flat tyres.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (NA) has launched the Michelin Latitude Tour HP, an all-season premium touring line targeting luxury cross-over vehicles and SUVs that the company said can cut driver fuel costs. The Latitude Tour HP features a dual tread compound, MNA said, for enhanced wet and dry traction; “load-sensitive contact patch technology” to help maintain “the widest possible footprint” at all times; “Secure Lock technology” for control and grip in wet and snowy conditions; dual sidewall plies and an aramid nylon belt for durability.
Kumho has recently introduced a number of new additions to its performance line-up. Launched last year, the ECSTA SPT range will be available in no less than 72 sizes by this summer, most with extra load capability and Y speed rating. The new tyre incorporates a number of features designed to enhance the driving experience. These include patented rotate wear indicators enabling visual monitoring of tread life and special notches to protect against water turbulence through the tyre’s longitudinal grooves.
(Akron/Tire Review) American Racing Equipment Inc. has added the Dominator, a new all-terrain wheel, to its ATX series line. The new wheel, available in eight lug applications, features a five-spoke design, a “cavernous lip” and barbs on the spokes. It was designed to complement customized, lifted trucks, according to American Racing. The Dominator is available in 17×9, 18×9.5 and 20×10 sizes and comes in a diamond-cut finish, coated with Teflon or chrome.
ATS Euromaster has introduced an innovative “Safe2Drive” scheme for all employees who drive while at work. The move is designed to ensure 4,000 employees will have their driving skills individually assessed and, where necessary, improved to ensure they become more advanced and safer drivers technically, practically and behaviourally.
Concerned at the risk of its employees being involved in road incidents while behind the wheel on business, ATS Euromaster recruited DriveTech (UK) Limited, a company that specialises in reducing occupational road risk and improving driving standards. DriveTech’s role is to define and deliver assessment and training to ensure ATS Euromaster employees can minimise the risk of collisions and other incidents happening.
Sherbrook International is introducing two specific 4×4 designs to its Outlaw Wheels portfolio, combining up-to-the-minute styling with total affordability. The new styles – Samurai and Khukiri – are available immediately. Said CEO Peter Whitehouse, “Not only are 4×4 drivers looking for distinctive, cutting-edge designs but equally they want to be certain that replacement wheels are equal to or better than the OE spec, which is precisely the case with Samurai and Khukiri. The fact that the entire Outlaw range is not only European-manufactured to uncompromisingly high standards and beautifully finished, but is also fully TUV-approved and comes with our 12-month unconditional guarantee, is a huge assurance.”
Sherbrook International Ltd has added a further two brand new designs – Maverick and Capone – to its Outlaw brand of wheels; a beand firmly aimed at the independent-minded young driver.
“Why conform?” “Make a statement.” “Go your own way.” “Dare to be different.” – these are the messages that Sherbrook believes are put across by the new alloys.
BRABUS has introduced its new, 21″ Monoblock E light-alloy wheel for the latest Mercedes S-Class. This exclusive, sporty wheel design with nine strikingly-shaped spokes and polished drop centre was custom-developed for the top-of-the-line Mercedes. The new BRABUS Monoblock E wheels can be mounted on the luxury sedan in sizes 9Jx21 on the front and in size 10.5Jx21 on the rear axle.
Italian manufacturer MAK has introduced two new alloy wheels. The first of these – the Veleno – is described by MAK as “our key wheel for 2006.” Veleno has 10 slender spokes and a sporty appearance, plus the open design means that almost the entire braking system of the car is visible behind the wheel, adding to the high performance image. The minimalist design is matched by the wheel’s lightness; an 18″ Veleno weighs only 10.7kg, compared with the more usual weight of nearly 14kg.
Beissbarth has introduced two new products for workshops. The first of these checks the alignment of the car’s propeller shaft. Drivers of high performance and quality cars demand smooth and efficient rides but part of the problem may lie in the state of the propeller shaft. Even slight buckling can lead to vibration of the drive train or roughness in acceleration.
(Akron/Tire Review) Paul Gaines has been named CEO of Solideal Tire Inc. USA, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based industrial and specialty tyremaker. Gaines had been managing director of Trelleborg Wheel Systems. Gaines succeeds Baldwin Hickey and Thom Harris, who have served as co-CEOs. They were assigned to other executive positions within the company, Solideal said.
Merityre Specialists Ltd opened its newest centre in Reading on 8 April. The new Purley Tyre Care Specialists is part of an ongoing expansion programme, which Merityre is expected to roll out during 2006. The new Purley Tyre Care Centre specialises in wheel alignment and will stock a wide range of products and services from tyres, through to batteries and wheels.
Millennium UHP tyres have been “a great success since” their launch at the beginning of the year, according to exclusive distributors Viking International. “Designed to compete with high performance premium brands in terms of performance, but priced at a level to provide excellent profit opportunities for our customers, it’s not difficult to see why Millennium has been so popular,” Viking representatives told Tyres & Accessories.
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