LSUK is warning that there is likely to be a national shortage of stored energy products during the coming winter months, thanks largely to a sharp rise in the price of lead. The worldwide demand for lead – a vital component in batteries – has substantially exceeded the current stock levels that are available. And that has led to a shortage of batteries as manufacturers have only been able to order minimal, short-term supplies of lead.
Yahoo! UK & Irelands has partnered with Michelin, to create a search engine marketing campaign that promotes Michelin cold weather tyres only when the requested weather forecast shows that temperatures are likely to fall below 7°C. Demonstrating what has been described as a media first, the information service, which runs from November, is for Yahoo! users who check the online weather forecast. From the details users input when creating their Yahoo! account, the site identifies whether cold weather tyre information would be appropriate and launches if the criteria fits and the forecast temperature would require cold weather tyres.
Continental Tyres has been awarded top accolades by four leading German consumer motoring magazines for its range of cold weather tyres. The tests, carried out by AutoBild, AutoBild Sportscars, Auto Motor & Sport and Powercar, underline the performance of Continental’s cold weather tyre range.
Tyres were put through their paces in dry, wet and snowy conditions. The Conti TS 810, winner of the test carried out in AutoBild, was described as being the “best all-rounder” in the test, offering “a dynamic and sporty drive, excellent steering precision and short braking distances on wet surfaces”. AutoBild Sportscars also rated the ContiWinterContact TS 810 as the clear winner and the TS 810 scored well in Powercar’s tests, coming second for its “very balanced performance across all criteria, especially on dry ground.”
Parts supplier Motaquip has introduced new packaging for its range of winter products, including screen wash, de-icer, anti-freeze, pumps, funnels and granule products. The new packages for screen wash and de-icer products incorporate a retail bar code to target retail outlets and garage forecourts. Bar codes are available in sticker format for other retail products. The products feature in Motaquip’s new Winter Consumables brochure, which has been designed to simplify the selection process for Motaquip’s factor customers.
The Interstate passenger car tyre range consists of 29 sizes, in two different patterns; the Interstate Touring IST-1 and the Interstate Sport IXT-1. This covers a large part of the European replacement market for passenger car tyres.
As a major UK Tyre Wholesaler, R H Claydon prides itself on its comprehensive range of quality products to meet the requirements of a demanding industry, both user and service provider alike. The company’s truck market offering is no exception, with the prime offering being Matador, manufactured in the Slovak Republic, and which has been recognised for over 100 years as a major producer of quality products.
Sibur-Russian Tyres Company, the leading manufacturer of truck and agricultural tyres in Russia, has obtained a credit line worth $300 million from Evrofinance Mosnarbank. The loan’s fixed interest rate is 8.5 per cent per annum.
Workwear manufacturer, Dickies, has launched a new range of high visibility clothing designed specifically for the vehicle rescue and recovery industry. In distinctive high visibility orange and navy all the garments feature regulation 5cm reflective strips and are fitted with a number features intended to assist those working in this tough occupation. For example the Recovery Poly/Cotton Trousers are fitted with multi-entry cargo pockets complete with a pocket for a mobile phone and radio. Kneepad pouches that will take flexible cushioned kneepads are also fitted to relieve the discomfort of working in a kneeling position on hard road surfaces. Combining regulation safety and detailed construction, this range of high visibility garments offers comfort, durability and protection when working at roadside.
A new product from Tech-Tronics could prove to be a boon to mechanics and those providing breakdown cover as the winter nights draw in. The Smartlight is a fully-adjustable, remote controlled 100w halogen lamp and, according to Tech-Tronics, it is more versatile than standard spotlights. For example, a mechanic working on a breakdown can adjust the beam towards where he is working, simply by using the remote control from where he is standing. The range of the remote control is 60-100m and the Smartlight features a flashing and scanning facility and it has a magnetic base and a bolt-on bracket, so you can choose how to secure it.
One of the first houses constructed out of tyres is being built in Nedd, north of Ullapool, Scotland. The project is the brainchild of two green activists, who after seeing tyres compressed into bales used as retaining walls on embankments, decided to ask Inverness-based Northern Tyre Recycling, about the possibility of using the bales for their own homes.
With the range of cold weather tyres becoming increasingly diverse, having knowledge of the most popular sizes is critical in making a sale. This is where Pirelli says it can help. Pirelli have prepared cold weather tyre stock packs designed to assist dealers in selecting the most popular sizes to put on their shelves. Cold Weather tyre stocks have started to arrive in Pirelli’s UK warehouses and will continue through September and October. Any company wishing to get more details can contact their Pirelli Sales Manager or email contactcentertyres.uk@pirelli.com.
Matador has added a new, high performance product to its winter tyre range – the MP59 Nordicca – a tyre designed for middle- and luxury-class European vehicles. The MP59 Nordicca has been designed with the emphasis on safety in the most demanding of conditions, without sacrificing driving performance or comfort. It has an asymmetric tread pattern and what Matador describes as “a new generation of dimensional sipes” to give increased traction on snow and ice. The tread blocks are designed for optimum transmission of braking forces in all conditions.
After comprehensive tests, Audi opted to fit is first ever SUV (the Q7) with three tyre lines made by Germany’s leading tyre manufacturer. Continental will be supplying summer and cold weather tyres for the vehicles in five sizes and dimensions ranging from 18 to 20 inches.
Viking International has introduced a special battery promotion to cater for the autumn/winter demand for replacing car batteries. For all the early bird customers who buy 20 Varta or 15 Power Pak batteries before the end of September, Viking is offering a selection of goodies free, such as POS materials, a quality branded fleece and a battery stand worth £50. Customers can also enjoy extended credit terms as part of the offer.
Maxxis International reports that it attracted major interest from UK distributors and dealers alike when it launched a series of new products at Reifen 2006. “Reifen 2006 proved to be an exceptionally good platform for us, as we showcased some exciting new products for the UK market, gave customers the opportunity to see the winter and all season tyres we are looking to develop and dealt with a lot of OE enquiries,” said Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.
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