GT Radial’s Hall 3 stand at Reifen 2014 hosted the launch of two new products alongside the already announced GSR225 Combi Road multi-use tyre. The GTL925 low platform trailer tyre and the GSW226 steer axle winter tyre are both being shown for the first time at Europe’s largest tyre fair.
GT Radial has launched its new passenger car tyre for the mass market, the Champiro FE1. Angelo Giannangeli, marketing director – Europe for passenger car and light truck said that the tyre’s launch “is a huge statement of intent”. It will be available on European markets between September and October.
Taiwanese manufacturer Kenda has sold products into European markets for some time, but Reifen 2014 is seen as an opportunity to enhance and solidify its position. This rejuvenation of Kenda’s European business is inspired by the establishment of a new European headquarters in Oldenburg, Germany, and two key appointments.
A fire broke out at the Cooper and Chengshan’s Rongcheng factory in Shandong Province, Eastern China on Tuesday 27 May. Several local news sources including the Xinhua news agency have reported the news and photographs showing a large plume of smoke rising about the factory have also been published.
Hunter Engineering Company has brought its latest tyre changer to the Reifen show in Germany, and the US-based firm says the new Revolution is “the industry’s most advanced fully-automatic tyre changer.”
Bridgestone has launched a premium range of radial agricultural tyres at Reifen 2014. While the manufacturer boasts a wide range of products for the sector under its Firestone brand, including the Performer and Maxi Traction, the Bridgestone VT-Tractor will focus on the growing high performance tractor segment.
Messe Essen and Messe Frankfurt have announced a “far-reaching strategic partnership”, aimed at strengthening the Reifen and Automechanika trade fairs. The partners expressed a joint desire to exploit “synergetic effects in sales and marketing across borders,” the most obvious of which will be package solutions for exhibitors.
Messe Essen announced the Reifen 2014 award winners on the evening before the show opened, with Yokohama taking the coveted Innovation Award in the Technology and Products category. The Japanese manufacturer presented its process for the visual representation of the aerodynamic and acoustic rolling behaviour of tyres to the jury, using the Japanese space authority, JAXA’s supercomputer from space research to show that the noise level of a rolling car tyre also depends on flow structures in front of the tyre, which are subjected to a compression effect.
Reifen 2014 has opened at Messe Essen, Germany. 670 exhibitors from 44 countries are exhibiting this year, including two thirds from outside Germany, making it one of Germany’s most international expos. Many of the world’s leading tyre and related industries sector, including the 20 largest tyre manufacturers, are present at the show, which continues until Friday, 30 May. The exhibition organiser said that it expects 19,000 visitors from 130 countries during the show’s four days.
Later this year, Ari Lehtoranta will succeed Kim Gran at the helm of Nokian Tyres. Lehtoranta will join the tyre maker on 1 September and take over as president and CEO on 1 October. He is currently employed by Kone Corporation as executive vice-president, Central and North Europe. Kim Gran will continue in his current positions until 30 September and then use his option to retire. Gran has led the company since 1 September 2000. He will continue to be a member of the Nokian Tyres’ Boad of Directors.
Pirelli has chosen the Reifen tyre show in Essen, Germany as the launch venue for the evolution of its :01 truck tyre range. The new R:01 II line is currently available in two versions, the FR:01 II steer axle fitment and the drive axle TR:01 II. Pirelli says both tyres feature a reinforced bead for better retreadability and a new compound formula that offers longer tyre life and better roadholding in a range of conditions.
Grip and fuel efficiency are often the focal points of improved tyre technologies, yet the third EU label metric of noise is an important consideration for many motorists. Goodyear Dunlop has announced new technologies in both its premium brands designed to increase comfort through reduced noise levels inside the vehicle when driving – a feature not actually measured in labelling, but one that could prove attractive to consumers wanting to hear more of their engine tone or in-car entertainment.
Dunlop and riders from the Moto2 and Moto3 series will begin testing for the 2015 season at Italy’s Mugello track on 3 June. The brand will introduce new front and rear specifications for both series, making the available after the sixth round of the championships at the same circuit on 1 June.
Frank Tore Larsen now leads the Norwegian Rally Championship by 28 points, following outright victory in his Kumho-shod Ford Fiesta R5 on the recent Rally Sorland – the first gravel event of the 2014 series. Kumho’s European motorsport manager Steve Thompson commented: “Frank has adapted magnificently to the Fiesta R5 and it’s great to see […]
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) held its annual seminar at the Ardencote Manor hotel, Claverdon, Warwickshire on 16 May. It featured sessions on the state of the market and the forthcoming WISH code of practice review by Peter Taylor, further talks on the Responsible Recycler Scheme audit process plus PAS107QP from Gary Nelson of Abricon Ltd, plus an update from Environment Agency National Waste Enforcement Campaigns manager Paul Keay, a best practice case study from Apollo Vredestein (UK) Ltd managing director Stuart Jackson and introductory and closing remarks from association president Mike Wilson of Michelin Tyre Plc.