Wheels
Casalini Industriale Srl has announced plans to introduce KRK branded aluminium commercial vehicle wheels into the truck and bus market. Following Manchester-based Motor Wheel Services decision to introduce its xlite forged range as a competitor to a market segment dominated by Alcoa produced products, the decision to introduce the KRK brand is being seen as an indication of further competition.
January's Tyres & Accessories contains features on the growing – excuse the pun – agricultural market and the world of two-wheel tyres. Subscribers can read the whole magazine in e-paper format by clicking more.
An experimental 40 tonne truck running on xlite wheels has achieved a fuel consumption improvement of more than 20 per cent during a trial conducted on the continent. According to xlite distributors Motor Wheel Services, the test was conceived by Andreas Loechter, managing director of Lifetime Technologies GmbH in Germany, using a standard MAN 446hp SZM TGX 18.440 XLX tractor unit, a Krone Profi Liner Eco trailer, xlite wheels and Michelin low rolling resistance tyres.
Tyre supplier BestBuyTyres Ltd has updated its website with a brand new look. The improved site has been designed to make the selection and purchasing process more simple and efficient for consumers. Jolyon Pope, director at BestBuyTyres comments: “Whilst we had been receiving positive feedback from customers regarding the existing website, we are always looking to improve our services. The new look site is easier to navigate and includes accurate real-time price and product updates.” Tyres bought on the website can be fitted and wheels balanced at more than 450 UK centres thanks in part to links with “three leading multi-outlet independent tyre specialists”.
On 30 January 2011 HawksHead TPMS launched a new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) designed “for the serious RVer.” According to the company, the system can monitor tyre pressures and temperatures for motor homes and trucks along with their towed vehicle if needed, the system is also ideal for travel trailers, fifth wheels, enclosed and flatbed trailers. RV are Recreational Vehicle much like large versions of the camper vans commonly found at European camp sites.
Singapore’s Stamford Tyres has announced that it will use Tyrexpo Asia 2011 to promote its Firenza ST-05A range of V and W rated high performance passenger tyres. “The stand will include products from across our comprehensive range,” stated senior vice president (sales and marketing) Pat Berriman, “including truck and bus tyres plus our investment in new sports wheel technology will be a big attraction for wheel stockists as it offers something exciting and different in the sport wheels market.”
UK car leasing customers are struggling to avoid potholes on the nation's roads, a study has revealed. According to Kwik Fit, nearly four in ten British motorists (or 13.7 million) have taken dangerous action to avoid hitting a pothole over the past 12 months.
Avon Tyres is celebrating the centenary of its commencement of motorcycle tyre production in 2011. The Avon association with tyre production goes back to 1885, when a former cloth mill in Melksham, Wiltshire was turned into a rubber goods factory. By the turn of the century the company was diversifying, producing more rubber products and by 1911 Avon produced their first motorcycle tyre. It is now the only UK-based manufacturer of road-going motorcycle tyres.
etyres, the online tyre retailer, says it has been inundated with call-outs from vehicle owners who have had their tyres and wheels damaged in the latest pothole epidemic. And following weeks of severe winter weather, the state of British roads is continuing to deteriorate at a rapid rate forcing drivers to navigate their way round cracks and gaping holes.
The UK’s leading farm machinery and equipment show Lamma 2011 will be taking place at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground from Wednesday and Michelin will be exhibiting both its synonymous brand and its Kleber brand agricultural tyres at Stand B96, Avenue U. Michelin says its investment will enable the company to display the largest line-up of agricultural tyres in a four year history of attending the show.
This year's Autosport International show will kick-start the year for the UK distributor of Yokohama tyres, Yokohama HPT Ltd. Two new motorsport tyres will be launched into the UK market at the company’s show stand (stand number 2740) and Yokohama will also confirm its motorsport involvement for 2011.
Bridgestone has been selected as an OEM supplier for the new flagship in the Lexus F series line-up. In Japanese, European and US markets the Lexus LFA will be fitted with Bridgestone’s Potenza S001 in size 265/35ZR20 (95Y) on the front wheels and 305/30ZR20 (99Y) at the rear.
Kirkby Tyres, based near Liverpool Airport in Speke, has been distributing tyres and wheels for over 60 years and now lay claim to being a top UK agricultural tyre wholesaler, with what it says is “the largest and most comprehensive range available.” The company has UK distribution deals with the Alliance Tyre Group and Balkrishna Tyre, and has recently extended its agricultural range with the introduction of new tyres from both companies.
The snow that has recently delivered a prolonged period of tricky driving conditions in the UK has prompted wheel alignment machinery supplier Pro-Align to recommend checks for unknown damage to vehicles, potentially preventing higher running costs as tyres wear out prematurely and increased rolling resistance leading to higher fuel bills. “Although drivers may not notice any difference to the way their car feels after sliding into a kerb or other object, it’s important that they have their wheel alignment properly checked,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align.
Dmack, the Chinese tyre brand authorised as a supplier to the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, has completed testing and development of its snow and gravel tyres. It has also released details of the full range of competition tyres on offer for next season’s WRC series plus exclusive incentive offers and management packages for competitors using Dmack tyres.
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