Winter Tyres
Continental Tyres has successfully offered over three hundred motorists the chance to experience the difference in performance between summer and winter tyres, with free tests running between October and December at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge. With UK drivers are six times more likely to have an accident during the winter months, Mercedes-Benz World and “partner in […]
Nokian Tyres will bring a new portfolio of five new tyres to Central Europe, as the manufacturer targets growth in the region. Calling Central Europe the world’s largest market area for winter tyres, the Finnish manufacturer said that approximately 70 million winter tyres were sold in 2014, meaning the segment is growing faster than the overall market. With the faster growth experienced in some of Europe’s lesser heralded economic nations than in the traditional big five markets, tyre markets are expected to expand, while Nokian also predicts the continued spread of winter tyre legislation. Therefore Central Europe has become one of Nokian’s most important areas for growth.
Sailun spent 2014 supporting the growth of its passenger car tyre range, with a number of dealer and tyre testing events, as well as prominent stands at the world’s biggest tyre fairs. Having appointed ex-Kumho technical director, Thomas Jang in November 2013 to oversee the development of its PCR products, Sailun’s European operation has also worked to support its dealers, increasing its business development staff based in Solihull, and co-hosting events such as a week of tyre testing at the historic Lohéac circuit and one for winter tyres in at the Alpine track in Val d’Isère, both with French distributor, Distri Cash.
Strategically the most significant detail about the Cinturato All-Season launch is the fact that a premium manufacturer such as Pirelli is launching an all-season tyre at this time. Other premium manufacturers have such products, but many have opted to focus on summer and winter products, leaving mid-range players and second line brands first in line. In order to find out a little more, Tyres & Accessories spoke to Pirelli senior vice president sales planning and supply chain, Matteo Battaini, during the event.
Cinturato All-Season designed for markets like the UK Pirelli has launched a new all-season tyre aimed at increasing premium seasonal tyre sales amongst daily drivers living in markets with temperate European climates and especially in urban areas. The Cinturato All-Season not only marks the first time that Pirelli has really pushed an all-season tyre under […]
The 2015 World Rally Championship begins next week with the traditional season opener Rallye Monte Carlo, and tyre supplier Dmack is anticipating the development of its rally products during the first half of 2015. Dmack’s team won the WRC2 Teams World Championship last year, showcasing the improvement in its products since entering the series, and now the company plans to undertake an asphalt testing programme with a view to introducing a new range of sealed-surface tyres. Dmack aims to boost asphalt performance significantly.
Kiran Devgun from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) shared her advice with motorists travelling in “frosty, icy weather”. While avoiding snow references, the IAM focused on “near freezing” temperatures and how drivers can ensure they drive safely on icy roads.
The winter has been fairly mild so far, but this is no reason for complacency when it comes to driving and your car’s tyres. TyreSafe reminds motorists that winter tyres can help them stay safe and mobile on the road, even if we don’t receive a white Christmas this year. The safety organisation recommends a separate set of winter tyres as the safest choice for British motorists, but says all-season tyres also provide an acceptable balance between summer and winter tyre performance.
The Norwegian motoring association NAF (Norges Automobil-Forbund) has conducted a test of Nordic market winter tyres. The products coming under the NAF microscope typically differ from cold weather tyres sold in the UK and Western Europe in terms of compound – a softer compound is used for Nordic winter tyres – and more than half also featured studs.
Goodyear Dunlop has opened a new winter tyre testing facility, the Arctic Centre, in Ivalo, Finland. Located 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, near the town of Ivalo in North Eastern Finland, the Arctic Centre is one of Europe’s leading winter tyre testing centres, and as of December 2014, will be exclusively used by Goodyear Dunlop. Jean-Pierre Jeusette, general director of Goodyear’s Innovation Centre, Laurent Colantonio, director of global tyre performance prediction and, representing the company‘s Nordic Region, Ludvig Nauckhoff, general manager Nordic were present as the ribbon was cut.
Nokian Tyres is claiming an industry first with the release of a Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 fitment designed for the electric BMW i3. The Finnish manufacturer says the winter tyre has achieved an ‘A’ European tyre label rating for rolling resistance – a boast that not even the most optimistic tyre maker has voiced since the label’s introduction in late 2012. But given Nokian’s impeccable credentials as a winter tyre specialist, we can be confident that this particular Hakkapeliitta R2 does exactly what it says on the tin. To quote the manufacturer, the tyre “allows for safe, economical, and high-performance driving on snow and ice in demanding Nordic winter weather.”
Continental has produced a limited number of Russian dandelion rubber-based tyres for product development and testing purposes. The first products featuring the new natural rubber alternative will be winter tyres. Speaking at a press conference in London on Friday 5 December, David O’Donnell, senior vice president research and development for Continental’s tyre division, shared a number details relating to both the natural rubber replacement material and the tyre production strategy related to it.
As the Met office warns we could be facing one of the wettest winters ever, you may be surprised by what motorists are most concerned about when it comes to driving in winter months. Rather than hazardous weather conditions; black ice; getting stuck in snow or being stranded, a new study from Halfords Autocentres reveals […]
Zafco exhibited a number of different ttre brands during November’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. These included the firm’s Zeetex private brand – including car, truck and bus, winter 4×4 and SUV fitments. In the UHP category, Accelera tyres were position to attract the attention of dealers and distributors. However, on the other hand, the […]
Although commercial vehicles operating in Turkey have been legally obliged to use winter tyres between 1 December and 1 April for two years now, so far this requirement has not been enforced. This will change on 1 December 2014, when a TRY519 (£149) fine will be levied for non-compliance.
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