Kenda Launches New Snow Tyre
Kenda Tires has completed the long-term test of its latest snow tyre. According to the company, the Polar Trax KR19 is designed to supply the grip and traction on the ice, snow, and wet road conditions. The new product will now be launched into the European market. Kenda reports that it has produced its latest offering with winter road conditions in mind. The Polar Trax features what the company called a “premium twine construction” and drainage grooves for more efficient water clearance. Handling ability is said to have been enhanced by a special silica compound, which Kenda claims is an essential element when it comes to preventing aquaplaning. The tyre’s zigzag sipes also provide traction and grip to cope with the winter roads.
Continue ReadingHankook Continues Slovakia Negotiations
(Akron/Tire Review) All is not yet lost for Slovakia in its bid to land a new tyre plant from Hankook Tire Co. The South Korean tyre manufacturer has made a counterproposal for government aid to support its planned 500 million euro tyre plant. Slovakia Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda reportedly met with Hankook representatives late last week at Hankook’s request. Hankook is reported to have lowered its request for state assistance by 9.79 million euros. The meeting came just two days after Slovakia’s cabinet ministers rejected an investment package that included infrastructure improvements in the area surrounding the proposed plant.
Continue ReadingHybrid Turbos for F1
FIA president, Max Mosley, is considering introducing turbo boosters into Formula 1, The Guardian has reported. According to the newspaper, Mr Mosely is in discussion with “several of the car makers.” The idea is to introduce energy retention systems, like those used in hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.
Continue ReadingHi-Q Appoints Chris Kisby as Director Retail Operations UK
Chris Kisby joins Hi-Q, the Goodyear Dunlop retail network, from his position as key account director within the company’s consumer business unit, where he has worked for three years. During this time, Mr Kisby focused on key accounts such as Kwik Fit Europe, ATS and Hi-Q Retail.
Continue ReadingConsumers Have ‘Wait and See’ Attitude to Hybrids
(Akron/Tire Review) A new study by the Polk Center for Automotive Studies reveals that American consumers may not yet be sold on the idea of hybrid vehicles, despite fast-rising gas prices. The primary reason for their hesitation? Their feeling that there are added costs connected to hybrid technology.
Continue ReadingNew Tyre Production Machinery Manufacturer Harburg-Freudenberger
Some weeks ago, ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG sold its Harburg-Freudenberger GmbH mechanical engineering business to Luebeck, Germany-based L Possehl & Co mbH. Under new ownership, the company will produce machinery for the rubber and tyre industries.
Continue ReadingLanxess Announces Chinese Tyre Joint Venture
Lanxess has announced that it is strengthening its position in the Chinese tyre market by entering into a joint venture with Anhui Tongfeng Electronic Co Ltd. The agreement will see the company produce rubber antioxidants for the tyre industry and is due to come on stream in the second half of next year, said Martin Wienkenhoever, a member of Lanxess’ board of management. “At present due to the [World Trade Organization] we see that the American and European market is shifting to China,” he said. “Some of (the investment) is a also going to India, Vietnam and other countries - but the mainstream companies are still going into China and the lower-end manufacturing is going to other destinations, but we are not so active in that.”
Continue Reading£2,000 Battery Management Centre Free with Hella Battery Plan
Trade stockists are being offered a £2,000 incentive to participate in Hella’s 2005 Battery Plan, with qualifying orders receiving a Midtronics GR1 Battery Management Centre and printer completely free of charge. The offer is part of an aggressive campaign which also includes a package of extended credit terms, merchandise and display materials, price stability, rebates for high-achieving distributors and an extended and rationalised product offer.
Continue ReadingPirelli Will Not Build Indian Plant
Pirelli S.p.A. says it has no plans to build a new tyre plant in India, denying the news item in earlier reports that it may be looking at that possibility. Pirelli’s published statement was to the point: “The Pirelli Group has no plans to build a new factory in India for tyre production.”
Continue ReadingSlovakia Scrambles to Mend Hankook Deal
(Akron/Tire Review) Reports say that Slovakian government officials are trying to meet with Hankook Tire Co to see if a deal to bring a 500 million euro tyre plant to that country can be salvaged. Earlier this week, government ministers rejected an incentive plan previously offered to lure the South Korean tyre maker to that country. According to the Slovak Spectator, Economy Minister Pavol Rusko was expected to meet with Hankook officials yesterday to discuss “an acceptable amount of investment incentives.” The rejected incentive plan would have provided nearly 300 million euros in infrastructure improvements and tax breaks, said the newspaper.
Continue ReadingPirelli Working to Beat Michelin.
Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has predicted that they will have a ‘real chance’ to win in Argentina next weekend - and has announced that the team will introduce a new tyre at the Rally Finland in August.
Continue ReadingMcLaren Win British Grand Prix
McLaren driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Montoya reportedly told his McLaren team he was going to win the Grand Prix and beat Fernando Alonso before the race started. According to race commentators he did both in style.
Continue ReadingMany Drivers ‘Fail to Check Tyres’
As many as two million motorists in the UK are putting their lives at risk by never checking their tyre pressure or tread, according to a survey launched by the RAC foundation today. The warning comes at the start of “National Think Before You Drive Month”, which is launched by the RAC Foundation in association with the FIA Foundation, Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingTyre Collection Services Suffers Fire
More than 50 fire-fighters from across the midlands tackled a fire at Tyre Collection Services Ltd on the Walsall/Sandwell border at the end of June. Around 500 tyres were involved at the height of the fire in Western Way, Moxley. Bosses at the firm blame arsonists for the fire, local news sources have reported.
Continue ReadingArnco Opens New Plant Near Cleveland
(Akron/Tire Review) South Gate, California-based Arnco, a supplier of polyurethane flatproofing products for off-road vehicles, opened its new processing plant in Berea, Ohio, last week. The company said the new 112,000-square-foot facility will “significantly expand its production capacity and help meet the growing demand worldwide for products that eliminate flats and reduce costly downtime for equipment operators.”
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