Vipal Rubber opens Italian sales office
Brazilian retreading and rubber product manufacturer Vipal Rubber has set up a sales office in Italy. The new office in Bologna opened in January 2015 and caters to a market that last year grew 13 per cent year-on-year. The decision to establish an office in Italy is not only in line with the company’s policy of remaining close to its customer base, rather it also reflects the strategy in place for developing the Vipal brand in the Italian market.
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1-2 seconds faster lap times for Pirelli’s 2015 F1 tyres
Formula One has completed its pre-season testing schedule, with Pirelli’s P Zero and Cinturato tyres improving lap times by one-to-two seconds. The full range of P Zero slick compounds was tested at Barcelona, and while the Cinturato Blue full wet was unused, the Cinturato Green got some limited track time in brief rain showers. Pirelli Motorsport director Paul Hembery believes that most of the teams “are already well-prepared for the season ahead,” compared to 2014, with “significantly quicker” cars likely to become even faster in hotter track conditions when the season starts.
Continue ReadingAlliance Automotive Group acquires United Aftermarket Network
The Alliance Automotive Group has acquired the United Aftermarket Network (UAN) from shareholders Andrew and Rachael Dickinson. As a result of the acquisition, Jim Mazza, the current managing director of Groupauto, will move to a new role of managing director of Alliance Automotive Group UK trading groups. A new Groupauto MD will be recruited, Alliance adds. Andrew and Rachael Dickinson will remain with the business to transfer ownership efficiently, while Phil Dodd will immediately fill the Managing Director’s position at UAN. Both UAN and Groupauto will continue to operate as separate networks; Alliance says both brands will play to their strengths.
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Bridgestone’s X30 tested by UK motocross stars
A number of big motocross names have visited Worcester’s Apex Motocross to try Bridgestone’s new X30 tyre. Multiple British champion Paul Malin appeared as a star guest, with guest appearances by Motors TV commentator Amy Dargan and Bike Channel presenter Suzy Taylor. Two Kawasaki KX250Fs and a pair of Kawasaki KX450s were available to ride on the day, and the tyre was given a tricky workout in torrential rain. The manufacturer will add the new X20 soft terrain tyre to its 2015 motocross range in April.
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Scottish Government invests £2.5 million to cut emissions
Harmful emissions from Scotlands public sector fleets will be further reduced thanks to a £2.5 million Scottish Government investment announced by the Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay. The Switched On Fleets initiative provides a major funding boost and is aimed at driving forward public sector fleets green credentials by increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road.
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Falken gets Volkswagen Passat OE nod
The new Volkswagen Passat will roll on two versions of Falken’s 16” Ziex ZE914A tyres. Debuting at Autosalon in Paris at the start of October, the new Passat had the Ziex ZE914 redeveloped by Falken’s engineers in Japan and tailored to the Passat’s specifications. The new tyre is also available as standard in an Ecorun variation – the manufacturer’s designated fuel efficiency boosting brand.
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BBS presents CI-R rim in platinum silver
Wheel manufacturer BBS is showcasing its products together with Swiss importer Carex at the Geneva International Motor Show (Stand 7450/Gate 729). The event will see the premiere of the CI-R high-performance wheel in a new platinum silver finish. The weight-optimised wheel, has a concave shape and Y-spoke design. The proven flow-forming technology and backmilled spokes facilitate a lightweight construction – the rim is even lighter than the BBS classic CH-R. The three moulds used in the production of the 20-inch wheel ensure three different concavities.
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ATS Euromaster to launch 50th anniversary ‘gold book’
ATS Euromaster will celebrate its 50th anniversary at this year’s CV Show 2015 with the launch of a guidebook for fleet managers that summarises its five decades of industry expertise. And if you’re not the reading type, the company is also bringing cupcakes…
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A new home for Tire Technology Expo
While Cologne is gaining a new tyre show with the 2018 launch of a new rival for Reifen, it is also losing one with the departure of Tire Technology Expo. As of next year, the annual tyre manufacturing technology exhibition and conference will take place at the Deutsche Messe site in Hanover, Germany. Tire Technology Expo, which is scheduled for 16 to 18 February 2016, will take place in two halls.
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Pirelli first ‘diamond’ manufacturer sponsor for Tyrexpo2015
In response to claimed strong demand on the part of manufacturers and distributors, the organiser of the Costa Rica-based Tyrexpo2015 exhibition established a series of sponsorship levels geared exclusively toward manufacturers participating in the event. The organiser, Enventions International LLC, says Pirelli Tire has signed on as Tyrexpo2015’s first diamond-level manufacturer/sponsor. The other two manufacturer/sponsorship levels are Emerald and Sapphire.
Continue ReadingMichelin holds first test day with MotoGP factory riders
MotoGP factory riders were given a foretaste of the Michelin tyres they will race next season during a test at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia on 26 February. The French company proposed a choice of four front tyres with different profiles and construction, and three rears. The day’s overriding objective was to harvest the riders’ first impressions in order to obtain a more precise idea of the best front/rear combination to develop over the coming months.
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French revolution: Michelin presents an all-year tyre for ‘temperate’ European climates
A major announcement from Michelin on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show represents something of a ‘revolution’ and paradigm shift for the French manufacturer: The traditionally staunch supporter of seasonal summer/winter tyre swaps has released the CrossClimate, a European-market tyre intended for year-round fitment.
Continue ReadingMaxxis supporting $400M plant investment at Indonesia tyre expo
The introduction of Maxxis’ (Cheng Shin Rubber) manufacturing plant in Indonesia has been warmly welcomed by the country’s president-elect, and the local industry will have the chance to see the company’s plans up close. Maxxis will exhibit at Tyre & Rubber Indonesia 2015 between 18 and 22 March 2015 at JIExpo Kemayaran, Jakarta, with a 144sqm booth.
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Trelleborg launches European Road Show at SIMA 2015
Trelleborg has launched its European Road Show 2015 at SIMA 2015, with one-day events planned in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Poland, France, Spain and the UK. The manufacturer says the roadshow will provide multiple field demonstrations of how farming professionals can enhance their operations and protect the future of their businesses. Trelleborg’s ‘Blue Box’ interactive mobile stand will also provide visitors with information about its range of digital tools.
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Bridgestone to support young Worcester golfer’s rise on European Tour
Bridgestone has announced its sponsorship of one of golf’s most exciting young talents in his breakthrough professional season. Oliver Farr is embarking on his debut year on the European Tour, competing with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els. He will sport Bridgestone’s tyre logo on his golf shirts and jumpers and feature on Bridgestone’s social networking channels, reporting from the Tour.
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