Wheels
Fashion wheel brand Calibre has released a new 18” version of its Dub wheel. The new Dub enlarges the style of the 15” version to create a design that gives a realistic pseudo-split rim appearance. The wheel measures 8” in width and is available in a variety of PCDs for five-stud fitments. Wheels can also be ordered blank to allow for custom drilling.
A total of 32 new MAN TGX Efficient-Line demonstration vehicles recent left MAN’s truck forum bound for the company’s German sales offices. Aluminium giant and wheelmaker Alcoa reports that MAN’s green truck and the Dura-Bright wheels are a strong partners thanks to the truck’s “advanced drive technology and excellent fuel efficiency, that today’s long-distance transport has the potential to save up to 3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.”
Toyota has approved the Toyo Proxes A20 as original equipment for its 2012 North American market Prius v, which is scheduled to go on sale this autumn. The all-season tyre is being supplied to the Prius in P215/50R17 for inclusion in an optional package that also includes 7 X 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels.
Since Andrew Gordon was told that cancer had returned to his liver and was now inoperable following years of treatment, his love of biking and desire to help the hospital at which he has been treated have led to his plan to ride 5,000 miles around the coast of the UK. His Ride for Life aims to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital, London and tyre manufacturer Avon is clearly pleased that its tyres will be fitted to the Honda XLV1000 Varadero, on which he will complete epic journey. His website, www.andrewsrideout.co.uk is currently taking donations.
Yorkshire-based Ayce Systems, a leading manufacturer and supplier of SMART Repair Systems, has taken to the road with a new demonstration vehicle which is now available to showcase the company’s products anywhere in the country.
The VW Crafter long wheel base, high top van is fully kitted out with the very latest Ayce Alloy Wheel Refurbishment equipment including their quick cure UV Oven, the WheelRite all-in-one alloy wheel refurbishment machine which incorporates everything needed to repair and polish kerbed, scratched and corroded alloy wheels in one single unit and the WheelRite Paint Booth with four stage filtration. The van also carries their high quality smart repair systems for paint, bumpers, interiors and glass repair.
Goodyear has a supply deal with the xlite forged aluminium wheel brand across Europe; the tyre supplier has just reached the milestone of 100 orders completed with its tyres fitted on xlite products. German commercial vehicle body specialist Meiller is the recipient of the landmark order. It offers xlite and Goodyear wheel combinations on its tipping semitrailers, supplied in two and three axle, classic and halfpipe formats to carry loads of up to 39,000kg. Meiller uses forged aluminium wheels where specified by its customers in order to improve overload performance, especially when lifting the first trailer axle for better starting traction.
On 2 August the Steel Market Development Institute’s (SMDI) Wheels Task Force announced plans to begin a lightweight high-strength steel wheel development project, with a “cost-effective design and manufacturing” process. As well as developing the next generation of steel wheel products, it appears that the group also wants to rejuvenate the OE steel wheel market that has faced strong competition from cast and forged aluminium alternatives in recent years. Project results are expected in the Autumn.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced three new leadership appointments in its international Dunlop Motorsport business. The appointments of Patrice Omont as director, tyre technology, motorsport and motorcycle; Sebastien Montet, manager, motorsport technology; and James Bailey as director, motorsport marketing and communications are aimed to help promote the motorsport aspects of the brand in world motorsport. In addition to the motorsport leadership changes, the company has announced alongside a new farm tyre specialist, responsible for the East Midlands and Lincolnshire region.
Following significant investment in 2010 and with plans for strategic diversification and development said to be on target plus “ongoing success in the OEM and aftermarket sectors”, wheel firm Wolfrace reports that “the going is good” and that there is expansion taking place throughout its operation in the UK and Europe.
It seems the “major investment” Wolfrace has put into bolstering staff and the acquisition of some further high quality distribution agreements its paying off. According to marketing manager, Chris Cook, Wolfrace Wheels (UK) Limited is going from strength to strength and can report significant growth in several key industry areas. To give an example, sales in the first half year (to June) were the highest since 2008 with significant improvement on margins
Bosch has claimed it has achieved a World first with its new brake control system developed specifically for motorcycles, contradicting the idea that the systems are too big and too heavy to be fitted to two-wheelers. The manufacturer says it has been able to reduce the size and weight of its system to make it suitable for use on motor scooters and small motorcycles, while the flexible design allows Bosch to offer three different levels of system, from the basics to electronically controlled models. The company points out that only 16 per cent of all newly manufactured motorcycles in the EU in 2010 were fitted with ABS; the company says it expects European legislation to impact the market in the next decade, as a proposal has been tabled to make ABS compulsory on new bikes entering the market from 2017.
Motor Wheel Service has come a step closer to achieving its goal of moving European Truck Race teams onto forged aluminium wheels alone after leading outfit Team Allgäuer changed its set-up at the recent Nürburgring meeting. Having received permission by the FIA Truck Commission, two units ran with forged aluminium on the outside of the rear axle, with steel rims inside, to see if the wheels can withstand the rigours and collisions involved with the sport.
Ramrod-manufacturing, the UK based manufacturer of CV Tyre tools and safety equipment has launched the new Tire-safe safety inflation cage and the re-launch and re-brand of its range of associated workshop tools and safety devices.
The Tire-safe cage represents the newest product in the evolving Ramrod portfolio of truck and CV tyre equipment, which also includes the All-rim bead breaker and adaptor bar, the Hub-lift safe jacking point and the Wheel-riter rim and tyre lifting aid.
Off-road tyre specialist Titan International has formed a new company, Titan Mining Services. The initial location where this company will operate is Fort Mackay, in the Canadian province of Alberta; Titan Mining Services will offer complete tyre, wheel and track services for end users.
A trial conducted by an independent soil scientist has shown the benefits of Michelin’s Ultraflex technology in its CerexBib combine harvester tyre in terms of reducing soil compaction – a significant factor in plant root growth and yield potential. Philip J Wright of Wright Resolutions used a Claas Lexion APS Hybrid Combine at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Saxham to test the CerexBib against conventional agricultural tyres commonly fitted to combine harvesters, such as Michelin’s MegaXbib and MachXbib with standard fitments from two other tyre manufacturers.
GKN, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural and off highway wheels, has chosen Kirkby Tyres as its UK partner for the OE and replacement markets in the UK and Ireland. Kirkby thus takes responsibility for distributing the company’s line-up, which ranges from 12 to 26-inch fitments. GKN is well known as a supplier to major OEM’s including JCB and many other leading trailer and implement manufacturers worldwide.
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