Wheels
Not many people are given the opportunity to co-star on screen alongside Uma Thurman, and even fewer tyres are afforded this privilege. So it is safe to say that the Pirelli’s new P Zero – christened ‘P Zero the Hero’ and subject of Mission Zero, Pirelli’s new short film starring the glamorous actress – is not your everyday run of the mill tyre.
Yokohama HPT Ltd, UK distributor for numerous makes of alloy wheel, including TSW, Mangels and MAK, has added two more marque-specific brands to its portfolio – the Redbourne range, designed exclusively for Land Rover and Range Rover models, and August wheels, intended for the Audi range. Both ranges are manufactured in association with TSW.
An inventor in India has come up with a novel alternative to run flat tyre technology. Designed for motor scooters and cycles, the new invention, known as the modular portable castor wheel stand or, more simply, as the ‘X Wheel’, makes it easier for riders to keep their vehicle moving in the event of a sudden puncture.
The new R46 from RONAL is being introduced in sizes from 14 to18 inch to fit most passenger cars. Made from the highest quality materials and adhering to the top quality manufacturing standards, the R46 is one of the highlights of the Ronal lineup.
The RONAL Group is one of the Leading Manufacturer of Aluminum wheels to the European Auto Industry. Since 1969, Ronal has been providing wheels to OE manufacturers, European Tuning Companies, and the general aftermarket industry, world-wide.
(SA Treads, Douglasdale, South Africa) After months of discussion, planning and hard work, Tyrexpo Africa 2006 – the first dedicated tyre show in the country after more than a quarter of a century – has come and gone. And by all accounts it was a resounding success. The three-day exhibition was based at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg in September, where over 110 national and international exhibitors and wholesalers took part, including Bandag, Ceat, Continental, Leaderquip, Malas, Maxxis, Michelin, Silverstone, Stamford and Vipal.
China Wheel Holdings, manufacturer of wheel rims for carmakers such as Nissan and Toyota, has stated that it expects revenue to more than double within three years as new production capacity comes on stream and the Chinese passenger car market continues to grow.
(Akron/Tire Review) Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels has expanded its off-road light truck wheel line with the addition of the Pro Series and Adventure Series lines. Forged from one-piece 6061-T6 aluminum, both Pro Series and Adventure Series wheels are now available for most ½-ton trucks, full size SUVs and Jeeps. A variety of 17- to 20-inch sizes, with polished clearcoat and chrome finish options, are available.
Some motorcycling purists may scoff at the motor scooter with its tiny engine capacity and decidedly un-macho appearance as little more than an appliance on wheels. Perhaps at best an admission of its merit as a cheap means of getting from A to B may grudgingly be granted. But scooters have developed in leaps and bounds since the days of the earliest Vespas and their kin, and today’s maxi-scooters provide a much more comfortable ride and than previous generation offerings, making them suitable, perhaps even enjoyable, to ride both around town and out on the open road.
Automechanika, a leading international brand of automotive parts and service trade shows, will join forces with CarFixWORLD to make its debut in the Canadian marketplace. This event will be presented jointly by Messe Frankfurt, producer of what will now be a dozen Automechanika shows across the globe, and Business Information Group, publisher of over 90 media products in Canada.
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The inclement mid-January weather was just a coincidence, but Avon clearly wanted to attract attention at last month’s Trade Expo when it exhibited the Storm-ST, the successor to the acclaimed Azaro-ST. In fact it was pretty much the only thing on the spacious stand as the company wanted to focus attention squarely on its new flagship Sport Touring offering. Avon’s decision to promote the Storm-ST at Expo runs in parallel to the launch of the Viper Xtreme trackday tyre and follows a 12 per cent increase in Avon motorcycle tyre sales in 2006.
(Tire Review – Akron, Ohio)
by Mary Aichlmayr
Robert H. Oudshoorn has been CEO of Vredestein Banden BV since 1994. Prior to that, he was director of commercial operations at a Michelin-Okamoto joint venture in Tokyo and also worked as representative director for Groupe Michelin in South Africa.
Titan Internatinal Inc has announced that the company successfully secured a $200 million senior unsecured five-year bond on 28 December 2006 that allowed it to pay off its revolving credit facility. However the manufacturer also warned that its farm business was down at least $75 million in 2006 and that it may report a negative gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2006.
The new Tyre Lift from Penny Hydraulics is a versatile platform lift for handling tyres, wheels and loads up to 250kg between ground level and a first floor or mezzanine store. Penny Hydraulics says it offers a cost-effective solution for complying with manual handling regulations and reduces the risk of injury. The entire handling process can be carried out by a single person, with no manual lifting involved.
While most people visit motor shows to admire the latest and greatest from the world’s carmakers, those whose taste extends to tyres can also catch a glimpse of where the tyre world is heading. For example, observant onlookers admiring Jaguar’s C-XF concept vehicle at the Detroit show may notice that the spectacular mid-sized saloon does not just sit on any old rubber – the Jaguar’s large diameter wheels are complemented by 21-inch monsters from Pirelli.
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UK based manufacturer of automotive and aerospace components, GKN, is taking its expansion within the Chinese market one step further following the acquisition of one of the country’s leading manufacturers of off-highway wheels. GKN has also announced details of a new investment and joint venture.
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