New vehicles registered for the first time with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) from 1 April 2017 will pay new first year licence rates based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions bands which are different from the ones currently in use. In some cases, these fees will almost double.
Atlas Copco has introduced a new generation of powerful yet quiet oil-injected rotary screw workplace air compressors, which are available in 7 kW, 11 kW and 15 kW variants with flows varying from 29.5-68.7 cfm. The G7-15 series of compressors replace the previous GX7EL and GX11EL models and offer a number of enhancements in terms of energy efficiency and reliability, including increasing Free Air Delivery (FAD) by up to 3 per cent.
2016 saw record used car sales of 7.7 million and this translated into a very busy year for auctions, as dealers bought cars to fill forecourts to meet consumer demands. “Following what could be described as an uncertain political and economic climate, 2016 marked a strong performance from the UK motor auction sector”, commented Louise Wallis, head of The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA).
Falken has expanded its product range, adding the Linam VAN01, a summer tyre tailored for light trucks and vans. The manufacturer says the Linam VAN01 offers significantly improved service life, enhanced safety and outstanding performance on wet and uneven road surfaces. The tyre will be available in spring 2017 in 21 sizes, spanning rim diameters of 14–16 inches, an aspect ratio of 60–82 and will come with speed ratings of R, S, T and H.
Davanti Tyres has become the official tyre sponsor of the 5Club Racing MX5 Cup for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The series is described as a favourite among a growing number of car enthusiasts. Davanti will supply its DX390, while cars will carry Davanti branding as part of the agreement.
Volkswagen is fitting the Falken Ziex ZE914A Ecorun tyres in size 215/65R17 99V as the original equipment tyre for its new Tiguan model, as of 1 January 2017. The compact SUV’s newest iteration is designed to offer comfort and convenience alongside class-leading driving dynamics, and the Sumitomo brand says its Ziex ZE914A Ecorun is “the perfect fit”. The tyre was developed to reduce fuel consumption and deliver good handling and braking even in wet road conditions.
In 2015, the production of STARCO GS wheels was transferred from Switzerland to the STARCO factory in Beli Manastir, Croatia. At the time, the facility was only equipped to manufacture wheels up to a maximum diameter of 30.5-inches, however demand from customers – both existing and new – has necessitated the installation of new facilities to handle the production of larger wheel sizes. STARCO reports that, after searching the market for suitable equipment, it set about developing its own solution.
A ‘Dream Factory’ solution for end-to-end automated materials handling will be installed in the Giti Tire passenger car tyre plant now under construction in the USA. Cimcorp reports that it and parent company Murata Machinery (Muratec) will supply a complete turnkey system that includes all required automation equipment and offers total system control, project management and seamless integration. The automated handling systems will be delivered and installed in three stages during 2017 and 2019.
Prices for products from Marangoni Industrial Tyres will increase by up to six per cent as of tomorrow. The company states that new pricing has “become necessary” due to the growing cost of raw materials, particularly natural rubber, in recent months, as well as euro weakness against the US dollar.
The Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Bali, an initiative jointly set up by the French football team and its tyre partner PT Multistrada Arah Sarana, held its first training session this week. The inaugural training on 28 January marked the start of twelve-month programme that will see six to 19 year olds develop their football skills at sessions held three times a week.
Tyre dealerships belonging to the Michelin Auto Professional programme should find it easier to access their vital statistics following a relaunch of the programme’s web-based dealer portal.
The Alliance Tire Group (ATG) claims a world first with the launch of its Alliance 389 VF, a flotation tyre featuring VF, or very high flexion, technology. The off-road tyre specialist states that the 389 VF is the first product to bring together the reduced soil pressure offered by flotation tyres and the superior load carrying/tyre pressure combination of a VF design.
A reshuffling of senior management at Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. and its Alliance Tire Group (ATG) subsidiary will occur at the end of March. Hikomitsu Noji, who has served as the company’s president since 1 October 2016, has been appointed chairman of ATG. He begins in this role on 30 March 2017, taking over from Toru Kobayashi, who has held the position of chairman of the Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. subsidiary since its acquisition on 1 July 2016. Upon handing his Alliance Tire Group responsibilities over to Noji, Kobayashi will become an advisor to Yokohama Rubber.
Tyre firms present included Pirelli, Yokohama, Toyo, Landsail, MRF and Davanti In addition, the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) welcomed Mark Garnier MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department of International Trade (DIT), to the annual global motorsport showcase at the show. Garnier, who is also MP for Wyre Forest, leads on high value export […]
This year Pirelli is celebrating 110 years in motorsport and to highlight its forthcoming activities during the season, as well as celebrating the achievements of last year’s champions, the Italian tyre company once again had a significant presence at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.