Wheels
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A world first has been claimed by Denmark’s Starco. The company reports it has begun coating the steel wheels it produces, both pressed and spun, with the ‘e-coat’ nanotechnology treatment. The application of e-coat during the steel wheel production process began at Starco’s Beli Manastir, Croatia wheel plant at the start of this year, following the installation and commissioning of equipment there in the final quarter of 2011. Starco says it is currently the only press wheel manufacturer using e-coat.
Marangoni is turning heads in the automotive industry with the unveiling of its tuned-up Range Rover Evoque, which sports striking red tyres. Marangoni’s project car made its debut at Bologna Motor Show in December 2011, but it is already courting attention in 2012, with Auto Express remarking on its “wild styling” in the 18 January issue of the popular magazine. Now the car is touring the UK throughout January.
With the first Chinese brand models set for sale in the UK and various European markets by the end of 2012, Chinese tyre manufacturers with OE-supply deals in their homeland could begin to see a very small amount of pull-through.
While some Chinese cars such as the Shanghai Automotive-owned MG brand are already driving on British roads under local monikers, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd’s Emgrand EC7 family hatchback and saloon will be something of a first when it goes on sale in the UK. Geely, which is currently mid-way through a UK dealer recruitment programme targeting 40 dealers, appears to be trying to do what Hyundai and Kia have done in recent years and build a position quickly from scratch by offering “good quality, really good value for money and a long warranty.”
Tyre companies are no strangers to sport sponsorship. Motorsport deals have become almost de rigueur in some circles of late, and football has provided other manufacturers with a respectable alternative to on-track involvement. Yet the sporting world offers a plethora of opportunities; tapping one of the more unexpected of these is Carlisle Tire & Wheel, whose Radial Trail RH trailer tyre has been named official tyre of the 2012 American Bass Anglers Tour.
Recently Michelin and truck manufacturer Volvo teamed up to study the influence of tyre and wheel-related factors on fuel consumption – and found having the right tyres, tyre pressure and wheel alignment reduce consumption by up to 15 per cent. Volvo notes this equates to a saving of as much as £6,650 per vehicle per year.
Those who ‘soldier on’ throughout winter on two wheels need all the help they can in maintaining grip. Metzeler says its Feelfree Wintec is the first tyre conceived to allow scooter riders to use their two wheelers in every season, especially in the coldest months. The range was first introduced in 2007 for maxi scooters of up to 650cc and the tyre maker has now added a number of new sizes.
Getting things done quietly has never been Titan International's strong suit, so the fact the firm apparently bought out two companies back in September may come as something of a surprise. Tire Review reports that Titan acquired tyre and retread mould maker Ohio Machine & Manufacturing Co. and wheel production equipment maker Automation International Inc. Both deals closed in September, according to chairman and CEO Morry Taylor, who disclosed the deals during a 13 December telephone presentation to financial analysts.
Starco reports having laid the foundation stone for its new central warehouse complex in Winsen, about 30 kilometres south of the German city of Hamburg. The new complex is expected to enter operation by 1 May 2012 and will serve as the central warehouse for the supply of wheels, tyres and associated products to both Starco’s OEM and aftermarket customers in Western Europe.
Starting with its partnership with tyre maker Giti and later through its own production of wheels, over the past decade Starco has developed a strong presence as a supplier of wheels to OEM customers in the European trailer and caravan sector. To service this sector Starco has opted, despite having its own established distribution and logistics network, to renew its long-standing cooperation with Germany’s Otto Just. The German wheel systems supplier and distributor serves the German-speaking and Nordic caravan and trailer markets
Richbrook designers have attempted to give one of the dullest of all motoring accessories a stylish look, while simultaneously solving what it terms “one of the great perennial motoring problems”. With the firm’s new ‘Never Lose’ valve caps, it aims to prevent the persistent annoyance of the conscientious motorist each time they check their tyre pressures.
Kirkby Tyres has announced that it will have a “major presence” at LAMMA 2012 and will be featuring “many new tyre products and sizes for the tractor, row crop and trailer markets” Kirkby Tyres is the sole UK and Ireland agents for the extensive Alliance range of agricultural and earthmover tyres. The company is also the UK agent for BKT tyres and as such the string of launches and the products on display will be largely drawn from these two manufacturers.
Alliance is set to introduce the Farm PRO 85 and 70 series R-1w tractor radial tyres. With 20 per cent more tread than conventional R-1 tyres and a large foot-print the Farm PRO Traction tyre has an advanced multi–angle lug design with a steep central angle for a smooth ride, long wear and mud clearing properties and a shallow angle at the shoulder for exceptional traction and hillside stability.
A wheel and tyre-related issue has prompted the Ford Motor Company to recall up to almost 130,000 vehicles in the US. The manufacturer has informed government safety body the NHTSA that it is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models, specifically vehicles equipped with 17-inch steel wheels that were built between 1 and 30 April 2009 and from 1 December 2009 through to 13 November 2010.
It will be hard to miss the Maxxis Babes in 2012 because the girls will be touring the UK in their very own BabeMobile – a VW camper van featuring a distinct livery purpose-designed for them by one of their legion of fans. The Babes will be using the orange and black BabeMobile to travel to rounds of the Maxxis British Drift Championship and the ACU Maxxis British Motocross Championship and to attend the various performance car shows and exhibitions that tyre manufacturer Maxxis will be supporting next summer.
HMK, purportedly Europe´s oldest transportation company, relies on Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels. H.M. Kristiansens Automobilbyra AS, more commonly known as HMK, is said to be Europe´s oldest transportation company and is also the largest privately owned coach company in Norway. The firm has been operating from Oslo since 1873.
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