News
Vipal: Optimism returning to Europe’s retreading sector
It’s almost eight months since the European Commission made its final decision regarding anti-dumping duties on new and retreaded truck and bus tyres manufactured in China, and Vipal Rubber is celebrating what it considers an “upturn in the tyre retreading market in Europe.”
Semcon in new project for safer autonomous vehicles
Semcon is part of a new functional safety partnership with a global vehicle manufacturer. This project aims to use quality-assured system solutions to ensure that the autonomous vehicles of the future are reliable.
BBS: Handbrake to be released in aftermarket business
Donghyun Jin has always been a big city lad, but of late he’s downsized. From Seoul and its population of ten million to a village of 3,850 in Germany’s Black Forest. Donghyun Jin, senior director of the Manufacturing division at NICE Holdings (majority shareholder of the BBS Group since 2015) arrived in the village of Schiltach as interim chief executive officer of BBS in order to navigate the alloy wheel manufacturer through the turbulent waters of Dieselgate and the introduction of WLTP.
One Box battery replacement launch exceeds all expectations
The central focus of Ecobat Battery Technologies’ (EBT) presence at this year’s Automechanika Birmingham, was the launch of its One Box start/stop battery replacement solution, an initiative which proved to be one of the hits of the show.
The Parts Alliance helps recognise the UK’s best independents at Garage of the Year awards
The Parts Alliance has helped to pay tribute to the achievements of independent garages by sponsoring ‘Best Small Garage’ at Automechanika Birmingham’s Garage of the Year awards.
Nokian Tyres: Investment in capacity, R&D on schedule
Plans announced over the past year and a half to extend the Nokian Tyres commercial factory in Nokia, Finland and construct a new R&D centre on the site are “taking shape on time”, reports the tyre maker. Nokian expects the R&D facility to be ready this year and for the factory to achieve full capacity in 2021.
Camso expands NMAS line-up with resilient forklift tyre
It’s been a year since Camso launched the industry’s first non-marking anti-static (NMAS) forklift tyre, the Solideal PON 775 NMAS. The dominance of resilient tyres on UK and European forklift fleets means many in our part of the world are unable to use this press-on solution, but Camso has good news for these operators: It has now introduced a resilient NMAS forklift tyre, the Solideal RES Xtreme NMAS.
Up, up and away – Goodyear brings ‘flying car’ tyre to Paris Air Show
Cars in the sky remain pie in the sky, but should the flying car one day become reality, Goodyear will be ready. After showing earthbound motorists its concept for “autonomous, flying cars of the future” at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the tyre maker is presenting it to an entirely different crowd at this week’s Paris Air Show. The Goodyear AERO takes pride of place alongside conventional products such as the Goodyear Flight Radial.
UK consortium to develop lightest, most efficient EV powertrain
GKN Automotive is collaborating with Drive System Design and the University of Nottingham on an £8 million project to design and develop a world-leading electric vehicle powertrain for the global market.
The Parts Alliance open evening attracts 200-plus customers
The Parts Alliance’s new Midpoint Distribution Centre opened its doors for garage customers last week, attracting a total of 250 attendees including 25 key suppliers. The open evening, held on Thursday 13 June had originally been intended to take place at GSF Birmingham but was moved to Midpoint to involve eager customers of local branches of CES and Bromsgrove Motor Factors too.
Dayco awarded Paccar quality achievement certification
Engine products and drive systems supplier Dayco, has again been independently recognised for the quality and distribution of its original equipment (OE) components, this time by Paccar, with its 2018 Quality Achievement certification.
ChargePoint supports Mayor of London in EV rapid charging promise
ChargePoint, the world’s leading EV charging network, announced the opening of a series of new EV rapid charging locations in Central London in support of the Mayor and Transport for London’s EV Infrastructure Taskforce, which launches its delivery plan today (17 June). ChargePoint has been part of the EV Infrastructure Taskforce stakeholder group for the last year, working with the Mayor’s Office, TfL and other organisations on setting out the vision for the future of EV charging in London as demand and adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow.
Pirelli celebrates biggest family day with Burton Albion FC
Pirelli celebrated 90 years of manufacturing at its UK headquarters in Burton upon Trent with its biggest Family Day celebration yet, held jointly with Burton Albion Football Club. The Family Day took place at the Pirelli Stadium, which is located a few hundred metres down the road from Pirelli’s UK headquarters in Burton. Pirelli UK Chairman and CEO, Dominic Sandivasci, along with Burton Albion FC Chairman, Ben Robinson, and club captain, Jake Buxton, opened the event.
Michelin launches new Xtra FlexLife tyre for earthmovers with evolving tread pattern
Michelin is introducing a new generation of tyre for the earthmover market optimised for loaders, graders and articulated dump trucks. The new Michelin Xtra FlexLife range will be launched in July 2019 in 29.5 R25 and 875/65 R29 sizes for the original equipment and replacement markets, with an additional five sizes joining the line-up in 2020. The manufacturer states the tyre has been designed to extend tyre life, improve traction and deliver better comfort and stability versus the generation of products they replace.
Double Coin Thailand up to speed
Double Coin has announced that the tyre manufacturer’s Thailand manufacturing facility is now working at full capacity to producing truck and OTR tyres.