SmarTire Files Sensor Patent
SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that it has filed a comprehensive patent application in the United States for an external valve sensor used in its tyre pressure monitoring systems. The company’s external valve sensors were specifically designed to address the needs of the commercial vehicle industry and offer practical installation and maintenance improvements over current solutions. SmarTire external sensors are expected to be released for sale in the second quarter of 2007.
Continue ReadingEfficiency Award For Alcoa’s Hungary Operation
Alcoa has announced that its Alcoa-Köfém operation located in Szekesfehervar, Hungary was ranked as the “Most Efficient Company” by major business weekly Figyelö of the 200 largest corporations in the country based on ratios of Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to invested capital, a financial indicator. The award is based on 2005 figures.
Continue ReadingA Century Of Retreading
According to Kraiburg Austria, 2006 marks the centenary of retreading and, the company argues, giving new life to worn tyres is as important today as ever it was. The experts are not in total agreement, but many are of the opinion that the retreading of tyres started in 1906 in Germany, while 1908 is the year cited for England and China, and 1917 for the USA.
Continue ReadingNokian Shares Dip After Morgan Stanley Downgrade
On the Helsinki Stock Exchange, Nokian Tyres shares fell slightly to 15.35 euros after the company was downgraded by analysts Morgan Stanley from overweight to equal weight. Nokians valuation has outperformed others in the market since July, says Morgan Stanley, but is now starting to appear stretched. Another factor is the possibility of increased competition in Russia, following reports that Bridgestone has acquired land in St. Petersburg.
Continue ReadingTribatyre To Expand
Tribatyre is a Dutch-based organisation specialising in the import and export and wholesaling of tyres and wheels for the agricultural, industrial, forestry and other “slow traffic” markets worldwide. The combination of a large stock, 10000 m² warehousing and an efficient organisation enables delivery within Benelux and most of Germany within 24 hours. Delivery time elsewhere in Europe is usually within 48 hours.
Continue ReadingBridgestone OE On New Audi TT Coupé
The all-new, second generation Audi TT Coupé harnesses Formula One-derived tyre technology from Bridgestone as original equipment. The new Coupé boasts a hybrid steel-aluminium ‘Audi Space Frame’ shell that reduces weight and improves dynamics, and an electronically retractable rear spoiler that maximises downforce at higher speeds. It is initially available with two engine sizes, a front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre Turbo FSI delivering 197BHP and a quattro four-wheel-drive 3.2-litre V6 delivering 247BHP. This power is transmitted to the road through Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high performance tyres.
Continue ReadingGajah Tunggal Makes Middle East Contingency Plans
Gajah Tunggal is said to be making contingency plans to switch its Middle East export activity away from Egypt to other Middle East countries. This will be carried out if the accusation by the Egyptian government that this Indonesian tyre producer is guilty of dumping is proved.
Continue ReadingForthcoming Rules On Motorsport Tyres Published
The World Motor Sport Council met in Barcelona recently and, in the subsequent press release issued by the Federation Internationale de LAutomobile (FIA), there were a couple of references to tyres in future Formula 1 and World Rally Championship events.
Continue ReadingNew HQ For ITDN
Independent Tyre Distributors Network Limited (ITDN) has unveiled its new 4,000 sq ft purpose built offices at the Exeter Road Business Park in Okehampton. ITDN is a company limited by guarantee which now has over 400 independent garage operations in membership providing a nationwide truck breakdown service which will now be co-ordinated from the new Okehampton offices.
Continue ReadingRe-Designed Pirelli Website Goes Live
Pirelli Tyres UK Ltd went live this week with its new website www.pirelli.co.uk This newly-designed site, whilst introducing bold and breathtaking graphics, provides easier access to user-friendly tyre information.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Wheels Make PACE Final
Alcoa Wheel Products is a finalist in the 2007 Automotive News PACE Award competition. The 13th annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Microsoft, SAP, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) and Automotive News.
Continue ReadingMAK Launches New Vertigo Wheel
The new MAK Vertigo has been designed in order to satisfy style requests coming from the youth market, where young end-users aim to personalise their cars with a wheel that provides a fashionable and attractive powerful image. It has five slender spokes that make up a totally unique shape that has a strong visual impact on the end-user when he looks at the side of a car.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Firestone Begins Dayton Plant Closure Programme
Back in April, Bridgestone Firestone North America gave notice that the Dayton plant in Oklahoma City would be closed down by the end of the year. The first tranche of layoffs has begun, with around 400 of the 1,400-strong workforce being told that they will lose their jobs by the end of this month.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Wheels Keep Action Cancer Big Bus Rolling
Alcoa Wheel Products has a policy of contributing to the communities in which it operates and a good example is the companys support of Action Cancer, Northern Ireland’s leading cancer charity, with the donation of a set of Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels. The charity recently made a substantial investment in a new high tech “state of the art” purpose built vehicle called Big Bus. This mobile unit was constructed by Browns Coach Works in Northern Ireland and is pulled by a new Volvo FH 400, the first Euro 5 in Europe. This unit was supported by Volvo GB and supplied by Volvo’s Northern Ireland dealer Dennison Commercials. Alcoa’s donation of Dura-Bright wheels will help keep the Big Bus looking good and easy to clean.
Continue ReadingYokohama Adds Model-Specific Wheels To Range
Yokohama HPT has added three new ranges of alloy wheels to its product portfolio, with each range specific to a vehicle marque. The wheel ranges are from US companies Bayern, Mandrus and Victor Equipment and the marques are BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, respectively.
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