Dueler H/L 400 Tyres are OE on Mazda SUV
(Akron/Tire Review) Mazda’s all-new CX-9 SUV will ride on Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 radials, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire announced. Available in three models, the CX-9 will be fitted with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400s in sizes P245/60R18 104H and P245/50R20 102V.
Continue ReadingNHTSA Now Wants to Keep Data Secret
(Akron/Tire Review) NHTSA reportedly has proposed maintaining confidentiality of certain vehicle safety data uncovered by consumer complaints, warranty claims, and information on vehicles involved in deaths and injuries. The agency said the release of such information “will cause substantial competitive harm and will impair the governments ability to obtain this information in the future if released. The release of such information had been included as part of the TREAD Act’s early reporting provisions. Automakers, auto suppliers and tyremakers argued that release of such information without verification of any claims could lead to incorrect conclusions.
Continue ReadingAmerityre to Cooperate With Phelps Dodge
Polyurethane tyre production company, Amerityre has published news that it plans to work with Phelps Dodge. The announcement follows the company’s OTR retread license agreement with Qingdao Qizhou Rubber Company of China, made in August. “In August 2006, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with a specialty tyre manufacturer. The manufacturer will be evaluating our polyurethane elastomer material for retreading medium radial truck tyres and certain sizes of OTR tyres. We also recently entered into an agreement with Phelps Dodge to evaluate polyurethane elastomer retreads for large OTR tyres. The Phelps Dodge programme is part of a broader plan to explore constructing an OTR retread production facility. In this area, well continue to work with other companies to establish similar agreements.”
Continue ReadingConti to Close Buffalo Automotive Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) The Associated Press has reported that Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Group will close its Buffalo plant and move production to Asia – likely to the Philippines. The move, expected by 2009, will eliminate about 380 jobs. Continental spokesman Jim Gill told the AP that the move was due to the hyper competitive automotive industry. The plant, located in Elma, New York, produces engine and transmission control sensors.
Continue ReadingMichelin Bids Adieu to Formula 1…
The 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix marked the end of an era as Michelin bowed out of Formula One for the second time in the company’s history. However, the possibility of a future return to motor racing’s premier series has not been ruled out. In fact, reading between the lines, it seems that this is the manufacturer’s intention if the sport’s rules are changed. The Clermont-Ferrand-based company has competed in 216 world championship grand prix, initially from 1977-1984 and more recently from 2001-2006. During that time it scored 102 victories with seven teams and 20 drivers en route to amassing five drivers championship titles and constructors titles. And, according to Michelin, this is the reason for leaving Formula 1. “Michelin…believes that competition improves the breed,” the company said in a press statement.
Continue ReadingToyo Backs British Motorsport
Toyo has re-affirmed it’s continued support of Motorsport at every level today with the release of it’s list of sponsored events and championships for 2007. According to company representatives, Toyo believe in putting their money where their mouth is, covering everything from grass roots club racers up to International heavyweights. In racing, nothing matters more than control. When your race series consists mainly of irreplaceable six-figure classics, it becomes a pre-requisite. With this in mind, Toyo points out that the control tyre for the 07 Aston Martin Owners Club Championship is the critically acclaimed Proxes R888.
Continue ReadingDunlop Launches BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup
During October Dunlop Tyres launched its latest motorsport series, the BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. At the same time the company announced plans to upgrade its motorsport (particularly MotoGP) tyre production facilities in Birmingham. Tyres & Accessories met up with the Dunlop Motorsport team at Donington for the launch of the new series. The new BARC/Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup, designed to be something of a stepping stone to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, will take the form of a production saloon and sports coupe cup. The plan is for the new series to “star” at Dunlop’s 2007 Great & British motorsport festivals, alongside the existing Radial Enduro, BiDuro, Ginetta and Mini Championship events.
Continue ReadingInaugural Lassa UK Race Day
UK tyre dealers gave a clear ‘thumbs up’ when Lassa held its inaugural UK Race Day recently. The day, which was held at Prestwood Hall in Leicestershire, was split into 3 sections – race track, rally and off-road. All the vehicles used had been pre-fitted with Lassa tyres, giving dealers a first-hand opportunity to test the Lassa range. In addition, the afternoon rain not only tested the tyres but also tested the skills of the drivers and instructors alike. In fact the senior instructor from the driving school went as far as saying: “Lassa tyres have done really well – they represent an excellent value-for-money tyre.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Wins Hitachi Capital Fleet Deal
ATS Euromaster has won a three-year deal with Hitachi Capital’s Vehicle Solutions division. The signing of the formal contract follows a successful four-year relationship between the two companies, and sees ATS Euromaster manage all tyre expenditure across the company’s effective maintained fleet of over 26,000 cars and commercial vehicles. It also provides a full range of other fast-fit services including batteries, bulbs, brakes, exhausts, shock absorbers and wipers.
Continue ReadingSEMA Show 2006: Cooper Now Part of Need For Speed Game Series
(Las Vegas/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced a partnership with Electronic Arts on the latest version of EA’s popular Need for Speed video game series. Cooper will have an in-game presence in the form of decals, branded billboards and storefronts in the new Need For Speed Carbon game. Additionally, the Cooper Zeon 2XS will be prominently featured in the game’s only drift track. Need for Speed Carbon, which features both city street and canyon racing, is available worldwide as of 1 November.
Continue ReadingTyres Are Britain’s Best Invention
The pneumatic tyre has been named as the best British motoring invention of all time. While the exact lineage of tyres is disputed (Robert William Thomson, from Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, may have come up with the idea in 1845, but John Boyd Dunlop was the first to patent it in 1888), an Auto Express list puts the tyre above disc brakes and cats eyes in terms of motoring innovation. Other British inventions in the top 20 include the laminated windscreen, the pedestrian crossing, bumpers and self-cancelling indicators. Caravans came 19th.
Continue ReadingSEMA Show 2006: Pirelli Teams With Foose Design
(Las Vegas/Tire Review) Pirelli Tire North America announced that it will become the exclusive tyre supplier to Foose Design. Foose Design founder Chip Foose, according to Pirelli, “has almost single-handedly brought the pleasures of creative automotive design to the American public through his regular TV appearances.” The first fruits of the partnership are all over the SEMA Show floor – some 30 Pirelli shod Foose vehicles are on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Continue ReadingSEMA Show 2006: Goodyear Eagle Gets Magazine Honours
(Las Vegas/Tire Review) US Magazine, Popular Mechanics, has awarded Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. with its Editors Choice Award in recognition of the tyremaker’s development of the Eagle ResponsEdge with Carbon Fiber radial introduced earlier this year. The magazine award recognized Goodyear’s achievement in new product design and innovation. Of the 17 automotive products honoured with the Editor’s Choice Award, the Goodyear Eagle ResponseEdge was the only tyre honoured.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres’ Net Sales Up by 19.8 per cent
Publishing its third quarter results Nokian Tyres announced it achieved pre-tax profits 35.8 million more than doubling the previous year’s total of 16.9 million euros. Nokian’s results were well-received by analysts who applauded the company’s consensus beating results. According to Deutsche Bank, Nokian’s EBIT was 6 per cent higher than analysts’ collective projections and 19 per cent above Deutsche’s estimate.
Continue ReadingSEMA Show 2006: Kumho Launches Road Venture APT
(Las Vegas/Tire Review) The new Road Venture APT KL51, an all-purpose touring tyre designed for light trucks and SUVs, was introduced by Kumho Tire USA during the SEMA Show. Kumho officials said the new tyre features an all-season tread compound formulated to “deliver excellent wet and dry traction and enhanced mileage performance,” as well as “a comfortable ride, decreased road noise and driving stability.” The APT KL51 will be available in the first quarter of 2007 in 25 sizes with black sidewalls, ranging from 225/70R15 to 255/60R18, and in 11 sizes with outlined white letters, ranging from 225/75R15 to 255/65R17.
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