Product News
Michelin Selfseal tyres OE on new Ford Explorer
In the USA, Ford Motor is supplying Michelin Selfseal tyres for the new Ford Explorer. The 2020 Explorer is the first SUV to offer Michelin Selfseal tyres, according to Ford.
No highly recommended tyres in AMS summer test
For its 2019 summer tyre test, Auto Motor und Sport (AMS) looked at 215/55 R17, a size favoured by compact SUVs. It tested 11 tyres on a VW T-Roc. What it found was a group of tyres that largely performed well, but failed to dazzle. None of the candidates received the German motoring publication’s top ‘highly recommended’ rating. The good news is, however, that no less than seven were ‘recommended’.
Nokian releasing new flagship winter range for 2019/20
Spring is in the air, and perversely this is perfect time to announce a new winter tyre. Nokian Tyres has shared details of the Nokian WR Snowproof, a range it will release in European markets in time for winter 2019/20.
Kumho tyres OE on US-built BMW X3
Kumho Tire reports that models of the BMW X3 manufactured at the BMW America plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina are being fitted with the Kumho Crugen HP91 as original equipment. The sport activity vehicle rides on the Crugen in size 245/50R19 105W; the tyres are manufactured at Kumho’s Gwangju plant in South Korea.
Hankook tyre partner for Rinspeed microSNAP
When Rinspeed presented its microSNAP, a vehicle system with interchangeable chassis and bodies, at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, eagle-eyed visitors may have spotted the display vehicle’s Hankook rubber. It wouldn’t wear anything else: Hankook Tire has been named official tyre partner to the microSNAP project, and the vehicle is kitted out in size 195/40R17 Hankook Ventus S1 evo tyres.
Bridgestone to show ‘world’s largest’ 4m tyre at Bauma 2019
Bridgestone will return to construction and mining trade fair Bauma in 2019, presenting a selection of tyres, industrial products and targeted solutions developed for the industry. Bridgestone produces tyres for the world’s largest mining trucks, and will display one of these four-metre-tall tyres, the largest in the world, on its stand, alongside several new products.
Maxxis’ high performance offering elevated with latest test results
Several positive results for Maxxis in the recent round of magazine tyre tests have been cited as “defining proof that motorists can obtain premium tyres which balance high performance and reliability at a surprisingly affordable price.” The tyre manufacturer said recommendations gained from a range of international motoring titles shows it is “bridging the technological gap on longer established European brand alternatives.”
John Oates Horseboxes fits Wheely-Safe to address major industry safety issue
Midlands-based John Oates Horseboxes is introducing a new retrofit technology on both its new and used vehicles to address the issue of tyre under-inflation, which the company’s Head of Sales James Haddock describes as a “major problem in the market”. The bespoke horsebox manufacturer has teamed up with official Michelin licensee Wheely-Safe to offer the Michelin Tyre Pressure Management System (TPMS) Light Fleet across all its horseboxes.
First Michelin RoadBib tyres fitted in Scotland
Cockburnspath-based R&C Crichton has become the first farmer in Scotland to specify Michelin’s new RoadBib tyres – designed to provide high performance, longevity and traction on machines used intensively on the road. Jamie Crichton specified the new tyres for his high-spec JCB Fastrac 4220 after hearing positive reports from Henzell Enterprises in Northumberland, one of the contractors involved in pre-launch testing for Michelin.
Giti Tire SUV products outpacing market growth
Year-on-year growth in the SUV tyre segment has become something of a given in recent years. The popularity of this market segment has been a beacon for car-makers in Europe, as the number of new models in the last decade shows. In terms of tyres, this has meant increases in larger, higher value products, both in the original equipment and replacement markets, the results of which are analysed elsewhere in this section. Volume and value growth in the UK replacement market, at 10 and 15 per cent respectively, has been healthy again in the last year.
Michelin to display connected tyre solutions from RHA stand at CV Show
Michelin will exhibit its latest generation connected tyre technologies in a dedicated zone on the Road Haulage Association’s (RHA) stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show for the second successive year. The company will showcase two new wheel and tyre safety systems, designed and manufactured by Wheely-Safe, an official Michelin licensee, for fitment to vehicles regardless of tyre brand policy.
Nokian Tyres announces 8 new Tractor King sizes
The regency of the Nokian Tractor King has reached a new dimension with the addition of eight new dimensions – these join the seven-size launch portfolio introduced last year. From July 2019, the following sizes, now available for order, will be ready for delivery: 500/65R28; 600/60R28; 540/65R30; 600/70R30; 620/75R30; 600/65R38; 650/85R38; 710/70R42.
National to unveil product group expansion at Automechanika Birmingham
National Auto Parts will be exhibiting at this year’s Automechanika Birmingham, bringing its full aftermarket offering to the show, taking place at NEC Birmingham on 4-6 June, including three new product groups of brake shoes, brake hoses and wheel cylinders.
Countdown begins to Lucas engine management switchover
An additional 1500 parts will be added to the Lucas engine management range when Standard Motor Products Europe (SMPE) becomes the official UK & Ireland licensee on 1 May 2019.
ZC Rubber to introduce new Westlake TBR, Z series PCR tyres
ZC Rubber has announced that it will introduce a series of new commercial and consumer tyres in 2019. Covering European TBR and PCR tyre markets, the new products have been designed to meet local customer demands, the manufacturer states.