Wheels
Wheelwright has introduced a new pseudo-split rim Dotz wheel to its catalogue. The new “Territory” features a deep-dish profile and is fully TÜV approved. Although the wheel has many passenger car fitments, Wheelwright explains that it was designed for the SUV market, with a load index up to handling most of the biggest arches.
The Quantum is the latest alloy wheel from Italian tuning and style specialists, Momo. It carries on the Momo tradition of sharp design and good looks, featuring a 10-spoke design and a modern, all-over, anthracite finish, with a twin spoke design drawing the eye into the famous Momo logo on the centre cap.
Telford based Treadsetters, part of the TIA Group of companies, will use its presence at Reifen 2012 (Hall 2, Stand 422) primarily to promote its new Torque house brand range of passenger car tyres. The company said in a release that the Torque display would be used as an effective European launch. The range incorporates PCR, UHP and van patterns. The Torque brand has previously been used for truck tyres – launched in mid-2011 – and steel wheels.
Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its new Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio at a grand opening ceremony, Tire Review reports. The $100 million facility, located just down the street from the tyre-maker’s old tech center, houses 450 employees whose jobs are to develop innovative and advanced tyre technologies for the company.
Accuride Corporation has announced plans to expand aluminum wheel production capacity at its Camden, South Carolina plant, Tire Review reports. The company will invest at least $8.7 million to add two machine lines as part of the expansion, which will generate at least 25 new jobs.
Since its formation in Thailand in 2004, Singapore-based Stamford Sport Wheels has evolved into one of South East Asia's leading and most successful alloy wheel manufacturers, exporting products to European and North American markets. Its manufacturing complex is based in the province of Nonthaburi, approximately 60km north of Bangkok and consists of two production facilities spanning around 30,000sqm. The company currently has the capacity to manufacture over 900,000 wheels a year; the current SSW product portfolio includes fitments between 13” and 20”. This allows it to serve the growing demands of Asian markets while continuing to serve global export goals. The company now aims to enhance its image as a producer of quality alloy wheels in particular throughout European markets – including the UK.
While progress in its campaign for increased safety checks on take-off, or second hand commercial wheels entering the UK market was delayed by the UK government’s back-tracking on proposed MOT changes, Motor Wheel Service has continued to develop its forged aluminium xlite brand, on which it has a worldwide distribution deal, launching its “next generation Xbrite” single part, transparent finish. The protective coating was specially developed for MWS, offering what it calls “the highest levels of corrosion resistance and unrivalled shine for xlite forged aluminium wheels”. In other news, a change in truck racing’s technical regulations will allow forged aluminium wheels to be fitted to the outside of the rear axle from 2013 onwards, responding to the wishes of 10-time British Truck Racing Championship, Stuart Oliver, who said of xlite: "lighter wheels mean less unsprung weight on the axle, creating less wear and tear to surrounding parts and greater grip between the tyre and the circuit.”
Kent-based wheel distributor Wheelwright launched its Calibre Couture range onto the UK market and made substantial upgrades to its website, including an improved e-Commerce platform, in the first quarter of 2012. Tyrepress.com spoke to Wheelwright managing director, Kevin Greer, who presented details on why the Calibre range has been “a real success story” following its introduction. Since its launch the distributor has introduced retro, utility and the Couture prestige ranges to its private wheel range, making Calibre its “umbrella brand”. Greer also talked Tyrepress.com through the upgraded website, which aims to serve modern shopping habits, without treading on the toes of the retail businesses it supplies.
It’s now been about four decades since alloy wheels began winning ground from steel passenger car wheels, and these products really came into their own in the 80s and 90s. Alloy wheels were seen as ‘the best thing since sliced bread’ and sold accordingly. This trend, which started off in the replacement sector, progressed into original equipment; initially only prestige and sport models were equipped with alloys, yet within a few years their use spread to small cars and some entry-level models. The alloy wheel industry boomed and made good money – until a number of thresholds were crossed: Suppliers found themselves with more products than demand justified; fierce competition drove prices down until aftermarket rims were cheaper than their original equipment equivalents. Exquisite accessories became commodities, interchangeable products. Everyday products.
The UK distributor for TSW replacement alloy wheels in the UK, Yokohama HPT, has added four new wheels to its portfolio. All four new wheels – the Mugello, the Rivage, the Galvez and the Bilbao – are available now from the Milton Keynes-based company.
Singapore’s Stamford Tyres was awarded the 'Gold Award' for the most innovative stand at the recent Tyrexpo Africa Show 2012 in Johannesburg. Stamford says it prioritises visual presentation and the latest accolade further emphasises its dedication to the highest standards in its show stands. Daniel Eng, Stamford Tyres assistant vice president for international distribution says: “Receiving this prestigious award is a rewarding conclusion to a very successful show for Stamford tyres and South East Asia in the global tyre industry.
Those in Scotland and particularly Aberdeenshire may not agree, but normally April marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. In tyre markets across Europe this often means the re-introduction and re-fitting of summer tyres that have been nestled in “hotels” during the cold months. In fact those running Goodyear Dunlop’s HiQ retail franchise twitter account began prompting consumers to change back to summer tyres on 26 March. There’s not room to get into a discussion on the whys and wherefores of this particular approach here. Instead let’s highlight something else the seasonal change brings with it – trade shows.
Leading UK alloy wheel house, Wheelwright has launched a new design from the Dotz brand of fully TÜV approved wheels. The ‘Fast Seven’ wheel is suitable for a wide range of looks and applications. It is pressure cast in one piece, in what Wheelwright calls “a convincing take on a genuine split rim”. It has a gunmetal paint finish, juxtaposed with a diamond machined deep dish lip and bolt face.
According to Jürgen Gareis, plant manager at alloy wheel manufacturer Borbert’s Thuringia factory in Germany and managing director of Borbert Thüringen GmbH, the company’s cast aluminium wheel plants in Hallenberg-Hesborn and Medebach, both in Germany’s Sauerland region, combine to make up Europe’s largest wheel production complex. Company boss and (with a 76 per cent share) majority shareholder Peter Wilhelm Borbet points out the factories may not qualify for this distinction as they are not under the same roof. But whatever way you look at it, the figures are impressive: In 2012 the major OEM wheel supplier projects an output of four million units from these plants.
Yokohama has completed pre-season testing at Silverstone for the new specification Formula Two cars, which will use Yokohama products as control tyres for the first time in the 2012 season. Yokohama HPT, the UK distributor of the company’s tyres and TSW brand wheels, will supply the products ready-mounted to the control wheel rims and deliver to MSV, the UK-based company which manages the championship. It will also provide expertise and on-event support to the series, as it travels around some of Europe's most iconic racetracks.
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