Wheels
Indian manufacturer JK Tyre was reportedly one of three large companies that forked out nearly £16 million in sponsorship in order to see the Jordan F1 team hire Narain Karthikeyan. In fact, “money was really not a consideration” when it comes to F1 sponsorship, the company told the AFP news agency.
Global investment group, Investcorp, has decided to acquire American Tire Distributors Inc (ATD) from its majority shareholder, Charlesbank Capital Partners. According to the Tire Review report, no further details were released.
ATD is the largest independent tyre distributor in the US, with 70 distributions centres in 35 states. These service some 40,000 tyre dealer locations across the country.
Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company has reported a 19 per cent increase in 2004 net sales, compared with the previous year. According to the company, most of the increase came from sales in commercial and consumer power equipment, lawn care products and ATV wheels and tyres.
Work has presented two new three piece Rezax II alloy wheels. Offering a design with ten Y-spokes, the wheel features a forged rim spider and is optionally available with a forged RoundRim (18 to 20 inch) or flat-base rim. The wheels are available for almost all standard makes of vehicle. Special runs, without minimum production numbers, are also possible. The 21 inch and 22 inch sizes are designed for high wheel loads and, as such, are also suitable for SUVs.
In the US, Goodyear has released two new premium tyres aimed at SUV and light truck drivers. The Wrangler and Fortera both feature one of the company’s latest innovations, SilentArmor technology.
When Goodyear says its tyres use this technology, it basically means that the products include three distinct features. Firstly they use an “armour zone” that is comprised of a layer of DuPont Kevlar, a material five times stronger than steel. In addition, they feature an extra durable sidewall in order to resist punctures and cuts. On top of this the products include a rugged rim guard that helps protect wheels from rim damage. On the comfort side, the Fortera tyre features a layer that is designed to “soak up” road noise and vibration.
“The new tyre range represents a major advance in sports tyre design and is the result of years of testing combined with original and innovative engineering concepts. We are proud to deliver this three-tier offering of 19 sizes to the motorcycle market and have great confidence that it will be enthusiastically received” – Avon’s motorcycle product manager, Pete McNally, can only be that enthusiastic about one thing – the Viper has finally been unleashed.
Tyres played a significant part at this year’s Autosport Interntional/Aftermarket Show. Yes some of the biggest players (Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental) were noticeable by their absence, but the shows still managed to attract some 92,000 people of whom 25,000 were registered trade and international visitors. Importantly, a number of these visitors will have found themselves ‘crossing over’ to the other side, from consumer to trade or vice versa.
This is a short extract. Tyrepress and Tyres & Accessories subscribers can log in below to read the full article.
If you are not yet a Tyrepress or Tyres & Accessories subscriber, you can change that here.
Becoming a member has benefits such as:
Lee Hoggett, aka DJ String, was the winner of a £20,000 Hyundai Coupe in a nationwide competition organised by Kumho. Kumho UK managing director, Steve Tidmarsh, presented the prize at the Huntingdon Performance Tyres of Godmanchester – the ECSTA centre where Lee Hoggett originally entered the draw. The car, a top-of-the-range 2.7 litre V6 model was fitted with 18 inch Mille Miglia EV-R alloy wheels.
The motor industry has been presented with What Car? magazine’s 2005 readers award, for the voluntary fitting of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) as standard. Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, collected the award yesterday on behalf of the industry.
Readers voted for initiatives delivered in the past year that made their lives safer, easier or cheaper. The magazine’s editor David Motton said: “Previously, buyers were more likely to spend money on optional extras such as alloy wheels or air-con rather than ABS. Now they no longer have to make that choice and lives will be saved as a result.”
Bridgestone is to supply Potenza RE050 radial tyres for the Ferrari Superamerica. Delivery of the tyres, for factory installation on the newest Ferrari convertible, will begin this month.
The Superamerica is derived from the 575M Maranello and will be produced in limited edition. Powered with a 12-cylinder engine and featuring a rotating roof in combination with electrochromic technology, which allows the driver to adjust the amount of sunlight that shines into the cockpit.
Tenneco Automotive, has issued a winter warning about the risks of driving with worn shock absorbers, following research carried out by an independent institute.
Tests carried out by GTS and TÜV Rheinland, two independent research institutes located in France and Germany, provided a graphic demonstration of how worn shock absorbers can render ABS, ASR and ESP systems significantly less effective.
Pierre Dupasquier Looks Forward to New Formula 1 Season
Motorsport isn’t just about speedy overtaking manoeuvres and exciting finishes. Instead a major part of its attraction is owed to the people that live for motorsports and who – if missing – would make the event that bit less interesting. Without doubt one of these people is Pierre Dupasquier. For 30 years the Michelin motorsport director has been generally regarded as the driving force behind the French tyre manufacturer’s involvement. In addition, he is one of the few who, although not a driver himself, is allowed to comment on races on TV. Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to meet the passionate 67 year old Frenchman and talk about the coming season.
For a long time Pierre Dupasquier has been part of the Formula 1 circus, having worked for his employer Michelin in a number different fields. Be it Formula 1, the World Rally Championship (WRC) or MotoGP, he lives for everything that’s fast and runs on two or more wheels. Although interested in and involved in all sorts of motorsports, Mr Dupasquier’s committed to the premier league of motorsports, namely Formula 1. This season wasn’t as glorious as it might have been for Michelin. Out of the 18 races Bridgestone, its only competitor in the Formula 1, won 15. Michelin’s problem? The domination of Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari with its Bridgestone tyres.
Accuride Corporation (Evansville/Indiana), North America’s largest manufacturer and supplier of wheels for heavy/medium trucks and trailers, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Transportation Technologies Industries, Inc. (TTI), one of the largest North American manufacturers of truck components for the heavy and medium-duty trucking industry. The common stock of both companies is privately held. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will offer the trucking industry a onestop component sourcing solution and expects to become one of the predominant suppliers to the heavy/medium commercial vehicle industry.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. announced that its steel wheel manufacturing operation in Guarulhos, Brazil has received the 2003/2004 supplier award from Agrale, the Brazil-based truck, chassis, tractor, motorcycle and engine manufacturer. The award recognized Hayes Lemmerz as “The Best Supplier” of its commercial truck steel wheels. The recent quality awards received by this plant demonstrate that investment in upgrading the capabilities of the plant are paying off. “I am honored that Agrale has recognized our efforts to be an industry leader,” said Fred Bentley, President of the Company’s International Wheel Group. “The key to successful implementation of quality is having a team that truly practices Operational Excellence. Our team strives to provide our customers with the best products and service possible.”
Ford Motor Company will now offer a new line of 20-inch Alcoa wheels as Genuine Ford Accessories for Super Duty trucks. Referred to as Super Duty Dubs, customers may now choose from five styles of the strong, hot-forged aluminum wheels – from a flared 6-spoke to a wide 5-spoke design. Each is engineered to meet Ford specifications for durability and vehicle dynamics standards. These wheels are now included as a Genuine Ford Accessory by the U.S. automaker.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
