TGI adds Canada territory manager
Florida, US-based wholesaler Tire Group International has appointed Brett Romberg its new territory manager for Canada. TGI says Romberg’s new role can be viewed as part of the company’s development goals for the North American market. According to the wholesaler, Romberg has worked in varying industries and brings a significant amount of Canada-based commercial experience with him to this new role. “Brett is a welcomed addition to our ‘TGI family’ and his experience and skill set will help solidify our position in this market,” commented Orlando Delgado, senior vice-president of Sales and Marketing.
Continue ReadingApollo to unveil Aspire 4G in Geneva
At next week’s Auto Salon in Geneva, Apollo Tyres is unveiling its latest UHP summer passenger car tyre. Known as the Aspire 4G, the new range will be available in W and Y speed ratings. Further details will be available following the tyre’s official launch on 7 March.
Continue ReadingEssex dealership Pirelli’s 2011 PPC of the year
Pirelli announced last month that Benfleet Jet Wheel and Tyres was its 2011 Pirelli Performance Centre of the year. The Essex-based branch was presented with the prestigious award at the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team’s Operations Centre in Brackley on 14 February. Pirelli’s 83 Performance Centres are audited high-performance tyre dealerships, allowing Pirelli to direct owners of high performance cars in confidence.
Continue ReadingOctavian Velcan new OTR MD Goodyear Dunlop EMEA
Octavian Velcan has been appointed managing director of the Goodyear Dunlop Off the Road tyre business for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Velcan will report to Michel Rzonzef, recently-appointed vice president of the Goodyear Dunlop Commercial Business Unit EMEA, which includes the truck tyre, OTR tyre and farm tyre business and customer support services.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Bandag plant expansion attracts funding
Abilene, Texas officials have approved a measure that will provide money to aid the planned expansion of a Bridgestone Americas retread plant in the city, reports Tire Review. The Development Corporation of Abilene approved $315,300 for the Bridgestone Bandag plant, which will be paid over three years to expand facilities, creating 11 new full-time jobs. The plant employs 130 full-time workers.
Continue ReadingDunlop Motorsport announces new manager
Richard Johnson has been appointed Dunlop Motorsport’s sales and product manager, Motorcycle Tyres. The role will cover product management, pricing and strategic planning for its motorcycle range. Steve Male, manager, Motorcycle Motorsport Europe stated: “We are delighted that Richard is able to progress into this role. His appointment brings the knowledge gained in some of the world’s most competitive racing environments and gives us the opportunity to benefit from his vast experience as we grow our motorsport business.”
Continue ReadingFalken reveals new Porsche livery for ALMS
Tyre manufacturer, Falken has unveiled its 2012 Porsche 997 RSR livery for the American Le Mans Series ahead of its second Sebring test on 28 and 29 February. Bryan Sellers will share the new for 2012 car with Wolf Henzler in the ALMS season opener at the Florida venue on 17 March.
Continue ReadingPirelli sponsors Le Mans 24 camping Village
Pirelli has announced that it will sponsor this year’s Village on the Curves at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Formerly known as the Porsche Owners International Village, the Village on the Curves is situated at a spectacular vantage point on the 8.5 mile Circuit de la Sarthe. The cars enter the Porsche Curves in fifth gear, which is a fast but narrow complex of sweeping bends at the very end of the lap with little run-off, making it one of the best places to watch the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Continue ReadingHiQ technicians pass ATA Diagnostic assessment
HiQ is aiming to “reassure customers that they are receiving the best technical and professional service,” according to fast fit manager, Stuart Carr, and to that end it is encouraging its technicians to complete Automotive Technician Accreditation training. Now two of its technicians at the Berwick upon Tweed and Blyth franchises have completed the Level 3 ATA Diagnostic assessment – the first in the network to achieve this level, regulated by the Institute of Motor Industry. Paul Dugid of HiQ Berwick upon Tweed and John Parker of HiQ Blyth are now registered as diagnostic technicians through the programme.
Continue ReadingSafety concerns prompt Goodyear recall
A recall of more than 40,000 Goodyear tyres has been announced in the US. The tyre maker has issued a recall for products within its Wrangler Silent Armor range, claiming the tyres may “experience a partial tread separation under certain severe usage conditions.” The tyres in question were built between weeks 9 and 22 of 2009, or 31 March to 31 May. The affected sizes are LT235/80R17 LRE, LT325/60R18 LRE, LT275/70R18 LRE, LT265/70R17 LRE, LT245/75R17 LRE and LT285/70R17 LRD.
Continue ReadingYokohama extends orange oil technology to replacement market
Yokohama’s orange oil technology is hitting the replacement market in the US with the introduction of the Avid Ascend all-season tyre. The new range goes on sale 1 March and the initial line-up includes 45 sizes for 15 to 18-inch tyres in T, H and V speed ratings; suitable applications include passenger cars, crossover vehicles and minivans. Upon announcing the new tyre’s introduction, Yokohama Tire Corporation described the Avid Ascend as the first tyre “to collectively achieve – without compromise – exceptional all-season performance, remarkable tread life and excellent fuel efficiency.”
Continue ReadingContinental opens China winter test centre
The official opening of Continental’s new winter test centre in China’s Heilongjiang Province was held on 23 February. The Heihe-based facility, operated by the company’s Chassis & Safety Division, is located in what Conti calls a “favourable environment for cold weather testing” and is made up of a 7 million square metre lake and 30,000 square metre land area. The Heihe winter test centre is the German company’s fourth ABS and ESC test facility; the others are located in Europe, the US and Japan. The focus for activities at the centre will be testing vehicle stability in all driving conditions, especially on low friction surfaces.
Continue ReadingUpdate – Cooper Findlay labour agreement ratified
Almost three months to the day after the announcement of a lockout at Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Findlay factory in the US state of Ohio, agreement on a new labour agreement has been reached by the tyre maker and the United Steelworkers union. On 27 February Cooper announced that USW Local 207L has ratified a five-year agreement that covers some 1,050 union members at the Findlay plant. Union members voted 627 to 321 in favour of the agreement.
Continue ReadingCooper's Findlay workers consider 5-year contract
Union workers at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co’s plant in Findlay, Ohio, go to the ballot box today to consider a new five-year contract offer that could end the now three-month long lock out at the plant, reports Tire Review. But according to reports in the Findlay Courier this morning, some USW Local 207 members feel it will be a close vote, even though its 1,050 members have been without a paycheck since November 2011.
Continue ReadingWhat's behind Dunlop’s latest race-inspired rubber
You’ve probably heard by now that at the end of February Dunlop announced the launch of its Sport Maxx Race and Sport Maxx RT products at Spain’s Ascari Race track. Designed to help some of the world’s fastest cars perform, Dunlop says the Race iteration will be fitted to key models such as the Mercedes SLS and C63 AMG Black Series, Audi’s TT RS and R8, the Porsche 911 GT3 and the BMW M5. But why develop a new sports car-orientated tyre?
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