Cool English Design Meets Bavarian Brilliance
The Bavarian design team at Loder1899 has successfully combined the comfort of a luxury vehicle with the dynamic power of a racecar. The result is a fresh take on the Aston Martin Vantage V8 with a top speed of 280 km/h, acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and new titanium suspension system. Loder1899 is one of the German distributors of the Kahn Design RS-V wheel line in 9x20 and 11x20 inch for Aston Martin V8, Aston Martin DB9, Bentley GT, Mercedes SL, VW Phaeton and Audi A8. This exclusive set of wheels is available starting from 7,000 euros.
Continue ReadingFrom Cats’ Paws to Elephant Legs
Continental reports that it is constantly seeking to improve tread pattern design on both passenger tyres and truck tyre products. What you may not know is that many of their new developments are based on a bionic approach. Don’t worry this doesn’t have anything to do with the $6 million dollar man – instead it is all about applying the “perfect methods and systems found in nature…to modern technology.” The design of the ContiPremiumContact, for example, is based on the principle of the cat’s paw. It has a narrow contour when rolling, and a wider contour when braking which is said to give it better grip on the road.
Continue ReadingToyo Announces Increases Sales and Profits in 1H 2006
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced first half 2006 financial results that show increases in both sales and profits, particularly with regards to net income. Compared with the same period of fiscal 2005, net sales increased to 145.7 billion yen (up 3.1% to £651 million), operating income increased to 5,931 million yen (up 8.7% to £26.4 million), ordinary income decreased to 4,404 million yen (down 22.6% to £19.67 million), and net income for the interim period increased to 8,596 million yen (up 292.4% to £38.4 million). While the net sales for the half year hit a new high for the second straight year, the net income was the highest ever for interim earnings, bolstered by extraordinary income from the sale of the shopping centre leasing business operated in Itami City.
Continue ReadingFieldens Enters the World of Rock and Roll
Specialist tyre distributor, Fieldens, based at Stowmarket, Suffolk has extended its specialist area of operation into the realm of pop concerts. Producers of the current Rolling Stones extravaganza required a method of propelling coloured tape into the air over the stage and turned to Fieldens to supply the answer. A series of large Bead Cheetah storage cylinders were mounted in a frame with the valves connected to solenoid switches. When charged the cylinders contained sufficient compressed air to launch the tapes high above the stage backdrop before they fell back in graceful arches.
Continue ReadingAvoid Being Stranded With a Flat Battery This Winter
A flat battery is the most common reason for a vehicle failing to start. Once the first real frost strikes this winter thousands of motorists are likely to left stranded. Motorists will be stuck, late for work and waiting for assistance. According to Car Parts Direct, lots of motorists will buy a new car battery they simply do not require. Flat batteries account for almost 20 per cent of all vehicle breakdowns in the UK, according to the AA and RAC. Motorists who drive short journeys, leave headlights on and heaters blowing whilst stood in traffic are most likely to be left stranded. Leaving the interior light on or parking up for prolonged periods in very cold weather is enough to drain the battery. But it’s often just a battery re-charge that’s needed – not a replacement battery.
Continue ReadingKitemark Take-up Increasing
The Kitemark Garage Services scheme – for servicing and repair of vehicles (PAS80) – has become the first to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS is the sole national accreditation body recognised by Government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations – such as BSI – that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. To achieve UKAS accreditation, BSI had to pass a rigorous audit to demonstrate its competence, impartiality and performance capability.
Continue ReadingContinental Enters China Plant ‘End-Game’
“We are making the final decision of the destination between two Chinese cities for passenger- and light-duty truck-use tyres production, Continental AG executive board chairman, Manfred Wennemer, told the China Daily Newspaper. He did not give details of exactly which cities were being considered for a new production plant, but put the total proposed investment at 200 million euros and explained that his company plans to open 100 franchised and owned retail stores in the country in 2007. Informed sources told Tyres & Accessories that the two short listed sites are likely to be selected from three possible cities. These are: Shen Yang, Dalian (Liaoning) where the likes of Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear are already producing tyres; and Tianjin, where Bridgestone has another factory.
Continue ReadingKirkby Tyres’ Extensive Offering
Kirkby Tyres has been involved in tyre and wheel wholesaling and distribution since 1958, building up a reputation for comprehensive stockholding, economic pricing and dependable delivery. For many years, Kirkby was associated mainly with the Alliance brand of agricultural and earthmover tyres, but in recent years the company has added to its portfolio, notably with brands from China, joining Alliance and all major brands from Europe, the USA and Japan. Kirkby operates from a five-acre site in Liverpool and has a daily delivery service on the UK mainland, for quantities up to and including container loads.
Continue ReadingUnderstanding Alignment Software Programme Launched
A new interactive software programme titled Understanding Alignment has been launched by Beissbarth. The innovative, easy-to-use programme can be accessed free of charge on Beissbarth UK’s website and has been designed for use by colleges, technicians and all car owners. A leader in the highly specialised field of wheel aligner technology, Beissbarth has recently launched “Touchless” – the world’s first non contact wheel aligner.
Continue ReadingDeal Orientated Distributor – Zisser Tire
Zisser Tire Wholesale (ZTW) is an international specialist in the ultra high performance tyre market, offering most major brands as well as several exclusive lines. Zisser acts as both buyer and seller, with many of the newest and hard to find uhp sizes in stock and available for immediate shipment. Current markets served include Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North and South America and over half a million high performance tyres are available for delivery.
Continue ReadingScrap Tyres Can Be Used to Filter Wastewater
Dr. Yuefeng Xie, associate professor of environmental engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, has developed a method that uses crumb rubber to filter wastewater, the US university has reported. My research has found that crumb rubber, derived from waste tyres, can be used as a filter media, Xie explains. The crumb rubber could be used for treating wastewater, ship ballast water, and storm water.
Continue ReadingHankook Signs David Higgins for China Rally and Wales Rally GB
Hankook is set to join forces with former British Rally Champion David Higgins on the final round of the China Rally Championship and of the World Rally Championship. The Welsh-based Manxman worked with Hankook earlier this year when he drove to third overall in the Lurgan Park Rally and the parties say they are delighted to be reunited on these two key events. Hankook Motorsport manager Mike Patterson said that Hankook would be supporting David’s efforts in the China Rally this month, which is the final round of the China Championship and the Asia Pacific Championship, together with his entry in Wales Rally GB.
Continue ReadingMichelin Knows How to Keep Its Cool
Yahoo! UK & Irelands has partnered with Michelin, to create a search engine marketing campaign that promotes Michelin cold weather tyres only when the requested weather forecast shows that temperatures are likely to fall below 7°C. Demonstrating what has been described as a media first, the information service, which runs from November, is for Yahoo! users who check the online weather forecast. From the details users input when creating their Yahoo! account, the site identifies whether cold weather tyre information would be appropriate and launches if the criteria fits and the forecast temperature would require cold weather tyres.
Continue ReadingStapletons Expands Van Fleet
Stapletons has added 40 brand new Renault Master Panel Vans to its delivery fleet, a move the company says signals its commitment to improving its “fast, efficient and reliable delivery service.” Through its six distribution centres in Letchworth, Wakefield, Coatbridge, Bristol, Burton and Warrington, Stapletons stocks over 500,000 tyres and delivers to over 6,000 customers making the van fleet a vital aspect of the business. Stapletons representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the company is committed to ensuring customers have a wholesaler they can rely on and is a vital link in the tyre industry supply chain.
Continue ReadingMike Wise Returns to Kwik-Fit Fleet
Kwik-Fit Fleet will have a new man at the wheel from 4 December 2006 when Mike Wise returns to the company to replace Nigel Davies, who is to become chief executive of London-based Pirtek Europe, the number one provider of hydraulic solutions. Mr Davies, who has spent almost 14 years with Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company, said he was sad to be leaving the company but the new job was an “opportunity I could not refuse.”
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