Wheels
Alcoa Wheel Products has announced that it will install a new Dura-Bright line at its manufacturing facility in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. The new line will be the third such facility and will provide a significant addition in wheel capacity. Both passenger car and commercial vehicle wheels will be processed through this new line in Hungary. The new facility will begin producing Dura-Bright XBR wheels in 2008.
Marangoni are pitching their Mythos UHP tyres directly into the hot performance market with a unique media project partnered by top tuning magazine Redline. Progetto Marangoni is the name of the project for a radical, no-holds barred makeover of a Toyota Yaris, shod with Marangoni rubber. The Yaris will sport a mid-engined 300bhp Toyota MR2 Turbo – and that’s just the start.
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Kirkby Tyres has been involved in the wholesaling and export of truck tyres for close on half a century, and has built a reputation for the quality of goods supplied, dependable delivery and economic pricing. Kirkby has also become known as a reliable supplier of hard to get items, such as compactor tyres, mining tyres and military tyres. More recently, however, the company has made a name as a major supplier of popular sizes and types to the OE and replacement markets, holding massive stocks of major brands and imported makes, mainly from China.
The fact that Singaporean wholesaler, Stamford Tyres, operates both a service centre chain (“Mega Mart“) as well as a tyre retail chain (“Tyre Mart“) in South East Asia and China shows that the people’s republic is more than just a production base for company. Instead the Chinese market is increasingly become a focus for Stamford’s retail operations.
A North American search is on for unsung heroes of the highway – truck drivers who keep the nation’s economy moving and who come to the rescue of fellow motorists. Nominations for Goodyear’s 24th annual North America Highway Hero programme will be accepted up till 30 November 2006.
Whether it’s the wrong kind of leaves on the line, frozen pipes or frosted locks, traditionally the British have never prepared well for winter…and it shows. As the sage advice goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. And whilst no sane person would brave the winter months in their summer shoes, we somehow expect our cars to.
Toyo representatives point to Scandinavian’s example of preparedness. With many countries enforcing fitment of winter tyres in appropriate months, the Scandinavian accident figures, or rather lack of them, speak for themselves. We’ve all seen cars beached by the roadside or sliding helplessly along a poorly cleared road – often with inevitable and expensive results.
With unit sales of 7.06 million expected for 2006, a domestic replacement market share of 26 per cent and thriving export sales, no wonder Lassa producer Brisa is expanding its manufacturing and warehousing headquarters. As Brisa (Bridgestone Sabanci Tyre Manufacturing and Trading Inc) continues the $176 million production expansion programme it started at its Izmit plant in Turkey in 2004, Tyres & Accessories went to see how the plans are developing and visit some of the company’s retail outlets in Istanbul.
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.
A study by JATO Dynamics of selected factory options taken by new car buyers in Germany and the UK shows the total value of options ordered fell by 13 per cent in 2005 compared with 2003. JATO estimates that the total value of all options bought by drivers in both countries last year was more than 7 billion euros. JATO’s study looked at 10 specific options, including audio and navigation systems, additional airbags, lights and wheels, which were ordered with new cars in Germany and the UK.
Fast-fit network Hi-Q saddled up with Goodyear recently to ensure visitors to this year’s Blenheim International Horse Trials were as safe on four wheels as they were on four legs. Goodyear is the official British Eventing Safety and Innovation Partner and fast-fit expert, Hi-Q supported the partnership by offering vouchers to visitors and participants at the leading equestrian event which took place at the beginning of September 2006.
For the first time since the early eighties, South Africa hosted its own dedicated tyre trade event. The three-day exhibition was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg where over 110 national and international exhibitors took part. According to the organisers, a total of 2738 tyre trade professionals, from 44 countries, attended the show. In addition to those from within South Africa, others came from Botswana, Burundi, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Samoa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More international visitors came from Australia, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, U.A.E and the US.
The UK distributor of TSW wheels, Yokohama HPT, has announced the launch of five new designs which have now been introduced into the UK market. The wheels all offer TSW’s trademark quality and style and – according to the company – any car owner looking to individualise their vehicle will find something to their taste and style in the TSW range.
First up is the Holsten, an almost-full face wheel with seriously European undertones. It features a centre-cap to conceal the mounting nuts, giving uninterrupted lines. The Holsten is available in sizes from 9×18 to 10×22 and in silver or chrome finishes.
Yokohama was involved in yet another world record recently, when it supplied tyres for ‘Flat Out’, the lowest car in the world. The Fiat 500 was built by custom specialist Andy Saunders over the weekend of the recent Beaulieu Autojumble, starting as a standard car and ending up with an overall height of just 213/8in (543mm) from the ground.
Nobody would deny the safety and convenience benefits afforded by Michelin’s revolutionary PAX run-flat tyres, which allow motorists to travel safely for 125 miles (below 50 mph) on punctured tyres. More problematical, however, is finding someone who can fix the puncture, or replace the tyre. Good news then for PAX customers in the Midlands – Chemix in Halesowen has now received full Michelin accreditation for the supply and fit, including puncture repairs of PAX tyres.
(Akron/Tire Review) Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels has expanded its product warranty to a lifetime-limited warranty covering all of its automotive aftermarket wheels. The new warranty program went into effect 1 September. Under the extended warranty, Alcoa said the warranty covers the life of the wheel against defects in materials or workmanship, and will repair or replace a defective product that fails in normal use and service.
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