Wheels
As a luxury class saloon, the Tesla S stands out from the electric vehicle crowd, making it an interesting vehicle for aftermarket wheel supplier Alutec. The manufacturer has announced that its Pearl alloy wheel will be available for the car in stylish carbon grey in the dimensions 8.5×19 inch and 9.0×20 inch.
Allutec is to supply the new Smart Fortwo and Forfour with the 16-inch Poison alloy wheel. The wheel manufacturer describes the Poison as a “timeless” five-double spoke design, with racing black and front polished diamond black finishes available.
EVO Corse has launched a new 17” wheel for extreme off-road use, the DakarCorse 17. The wheel is a 17” version of the famous DakarCorse wheel, which was used by 38 off-road cars in the last Dakar Rally. The wheel is made from aluminium A356-T6, cast under low pressure in order to avoid flaws and improve weight to strength ratio.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has launched the Xlite ET45, a forged aluminium wheel designed specifically for three-axle, multi-functional, inloader semi-trailers. Available in size 11.75″ x 22.5″, weighing 24.4kg and with a load capacity of 5,000kg, MWSD says the 10-stud wheel has been designed for glass transportation companies throughout Europe across both OE and replacement markets. The Xlite ET45 is available in a machined finish.
As sole UK distributor of the alloy wheel brands produced by the Alcar Group – AEZ, Dezent, Dotz and Enzo – Wheelwright Ltd is supplied from the Austrian firm’s European facilities, including the Neuenrade-Küntrop plant in Germany, which in April was renamed from AEZ Produktion GmbH to Alcar Leichtmetallräder Produktion GmbH. This is Alcar’s main alloy wheel production facility; the plant exclusively caters to the aftermarket and has a production capacity between one and 1.2 million aluminium rims. The production portfolio covers all four abovementioned brands – these are manufactured in 14 to 22-inch sizes for passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles.
One of the best-known firms in the UK’s 4×4 and SUV aftermarket is Silverline Wheels and Tyres. In addition to stocking major tyre brands and the Atturo SUV and 4×4 range, the Warwick-based company supplies rims designed for the finest British and European off-road vehicles and worn by ‘big iron’ imports from the USA. Silverline has created such a name for itself in this niche market that it’s hard to believe it began there by chance.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) achieved vindication for its wheel safety message at European level when the component was named as a “safety critical item” in European law within the Roadworthiness Package. The issue – in this case the potentially unchecked fatigue caused to commercial vehicle wheels by being fitted to unsuitable hubs – is not considered over now that provision has been made in European law. “It’s made changes – real changes – out there, there’s no doubt about it,” Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) managing director John Ellis tells Tyres & Accessories. “There’s a commercial side to everything, but there is a real debate going on now, and that hasn’t even started in Europe yet.”
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe has named Kai Sommerlatte as sales director for the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region, effective 1 May 2015.
In 2015 the Red Dot Award celebrates its 60th anniversary, and during this ‘diamond jubilee’ year a 38-person jury awarded MAK Wheels’ Milano alloy wheel a Product Design 2015 award. The Italian wheel manufacturer says the award is proof of how much MAK “cares about the design and the quality of its products.”
The UK distributor for TSW Wheels, YHPT Ltd, has announced the introduction of seven new styles into our market. All of these latest arrivals boast the quality expected from TSW and are available in a range of fitments, sizes and finish options.
German alloy rim manufacturer AEZ Produktion GmbH, producer of the Dotz, Dezent, Enzo and AEZ brands, has been renamed Alcar Leichtmetallräder Produktion GmbH. The new name is valid immediately, however the company states that aside from this one change, all is business as usual – “all terms and conditions, such as sales and shipment policies, remain unchanged.”
In order to remedy a capacity shortfall, alloy wheel manufacturer Borbet GmbH has decided to erect a new factory. After evaluating the suitability of several sites in Germany as well as locations in Poland, Hungary and Brazil, the company has decided upon Kodersdorf in the German state of Saxony as the host region for its new greenfield facility.
Speedline has released a new wheel design called the SL1 Imperatore, which will fit a wide variety of five-stud patterned vehicles. As a pioneer of the art of ‘flowforming’, it won’t be a surprise to learn that Speedline has used this manufacturing technique on the SL1 Imperatore. The flowforming process spins the casting while simultaneously […]
Car care company Autoglym has launched its new Wheel Protector product which the company claims lasts up to 30 per cent longer than competitors.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s report into wheel safety and the government’s classification of CV wheels as ‘safety critical’. However the company remains sceptical of the report’s findings and industry awareness of the issue. MWSD has long campaigned for legislation requiring operators to carry out more stringent checks on commercial vehicle wheels to be introduced.
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