Developing the FK452 – T&A talks to Falken
The successor to Falken’s flagship FK452 is now available in the United Kingdom. Deliveries of the Azenis FK453 began in May, and shortly before the range’s local launch, Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to speak with Falken tyre development engineer Sven Kruse, who is part of the Japanese tyre maker’s Frankfurt, Germany-based engineering team. Kruse talked T&A through the company’s new top high performance tyre, and explained the differences those familiar with the FK452 can expect.
Continue ReadingPirelli first to reach market with AA-rated tyre
Pirelli unveiled its new Cinturato P7 Blue passenger car tyre on the first day of Reifen 2012 – an event that is significant as it is the first product to reach European markets with A ratings for both wet grip and rolling resistance. The tyre achieved the AA rating in size 235/45 R17, and is an evolution of the company’s Cinturato P7 product.
Continue ReadingPirelli – performance for every taste
Pirelli has more than 125 years of technical excellence and innovation under its belt and for many years its focus has been on the premium and performance end of the market. The furthest evolution in its current high performance P Zero range is the P Zero Corsa System. With a directional tread pattern for front axle fitment and an asymmetric pattern for the rear axle, this tyre is designed for both road and track. Paired with a racing tread compound, P Zero Corsa System is viewed as ideal for the most powerful cars in the ultra high performance sector.
Continue ReadingPoint S partners Däckarna in Sweden
Well known retail chain and buying cooperative Point S has partnered with Däckarna in Sweden to complete its collection of Scandinavian tyre operations. Founded in the 1970s Däckarna is believed to be the first purchasing group aimed at unifying the strength of independent dealers. More than 40 years later the group has 39 branches in its partnership, collectively occupying a 5 per cent market share.
Continue ReadingNexen N'Blue Eco already achieving BB rating
Nexen's N'blue Eco tyre, which entered the market last July, has reportedly gain BB on the European tyre labelling scale that becomes mandatory in November. According to the Korean manufacturer's representatives and the firm's Essen show display, the range also achieves favourable noise levels of 71 dB. With Pirelli the only manufacturer to claim to be able to produce an AA rated tyre, Nexen's score puts it amongst the highest rating products currently available in the market.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop showcases ‘AA’ concept tyres at Reifen
On the opening day of the Reifen 2012 show in Germany, Goodyear Dunlop unveiled two concept passenger car tyres that achieve an A-grading in both rolling resistance and wet grip on the EU tyre label. The company says its long-term goal is to apply the technologies and compounds utilised in these concept tyres, the Goodyear EfficientGrip AA edition and the Dunlop Sport BluResponse AA, to the company’s top green product lines – the Goodyear EfficientGrip and the Dunlop Sport BluResponse. The concept tyres will not be available for sale, Goodyear Dunlop notes.
Continue ReadingMichelin catering to a proliferation of performance sizes
According to Michelin commercial director Malcolm Scovell, 17-inch and larger passenger car tyre fitments – the sizes considered high performance – now account for approximately 25 per cent of the UK market. And despite a nine per cent decline in the overall passenger tyre market in 2011, this particular segment grew some 17 per cent. New high performance sizes are regularly added to what is becoming a market rich in individual fitments.
Continue ReadingStarco enters the tractor radial market
Today, at the opening day of Reifen 2012 tyre show in Germany, Starco announced its entry into the tractor radial tyre market. The company describes its entry into this area, which centres on a new distribution agreement with the tyre manufacturer ATG, as “a move that breaks with the past and indicates the shape of things to come.” Under the agreement, Starco will now distribute ATG’s Galaxy tractor tyre range in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany and the Benelux countries.
Continue ReadingReifen 2012 ideas and award winners presented
At the festive opening ceremony of Reifen 2012 in the evening before the fair on 4 June, Peer Steinbrück, former Federal minister of Finance, addressed invited guests. When the fair opened, ex-Formula One driver Christian Danner demonstrated show fitting operations. Reifen and its sponsor, Bundesverband Reifenhandel und Vulkaniseur-Handwerk e.V. (BRV - "Federal Association of the Tyre Trade and the Vulcanisers' Skilled Trade"), said the special events would help to stress the significance of the tyre trade fair.
Continue ReadingReifen 2012 hits record international numbers
Europe’s largest tyre exhibition, Reifen 2012 has opened today with the show’s organiser, Messe Essen, claiming record numbers of exhibitors – 653 to be precise. Messe Essen also said that the show represents a new level of internationality, with two-thirds of exhibitors attending the show from 44 countries outside Germany. The show, situated in the West German city of Essen, runs until Friday 8 June.
Continue ReadingTop Safety Accreditation for Liftmaster Garage Equipment
Liftmaster is the latest company to join a scheme designed to help industry improve its safety record. The Hampshire based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors. Specialising in the sales of 2 post lifts, 4 post lifts, scissor lifts, tyre equipment, MOT and ATF Equipment, Liftmaster’s application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.
Continue ReadingHifly – quality at a competitive price from Treadsetters
Telford-based tyre wholesaler Treadsetters boasts a comprehensive range of ultra high performance brands, including premium and mid-range labels along with 'value for money' budget ranges. In fact, the company says it prides itself on offering dealerships a flexible and versatile tyre selection.
Continue ReadingPart worns, vehicle dismantlers and the EA take centre stage at TRA Forum day
At the end of May, eight years after it began hosting such events, the Tyre Recovery Association held its annual Forum day in Warwickshire. This year’s was entitled “a commitment to excellence” and saw speakers representing everyone from Michelin Tyre Plc to the Environment Agency and ATS Euromaster share their perspectives of how excellence can be achieved.
Continue ReadingPreaching to the choir
As this issue of Tyres & Accessories goes to press, most of the team are en route to Essen for what has become the world’s largest tyre exhibition (look out for full coverage in our July issue and online at Tyrepress.com). Now that restrictions related to tyre labelling have been lifted, it is likely that this is the subject that everyone will be talking about. The leading manufacturers have already started positioning their companies in relation to one another and we can only imagine how they will position their respective pre- and post-labelling products compared with the rest of their group brands. Again this is something we are keeping a close eye on here at T&A.
Continue ReadingNTDA calls for TAFF innovation award nominations
Nominations for the 2012 TAFF awards subject to public vote are now closed, but according to the NTDA all trade supplier are being invited to nominate a product or service for inclusion in the 2012 TAFF Innovation Awards. The current holder is Rema Tip Top for their Ram Rod tyre cage.
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