BFGoodrich Targets Outdoors Market
Michelin North America’s BFGoodrich Tire division is planning to sponsor the new Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series, Tire Review has reported.
Continue ReadingTwo Shows in One?
Tyres played a significant part at this year’s Autosport Interntional/Aftermarket Show. Yes some of the biggest players (Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental) were noticeable by their absence, but the shows still managed to attract some 92,000 people of whom 25,000 were registered trade and international visitors. Importantly, a number of these visitors will have found themselves ‘crossing over’ to the other side, from consumer to trade or vice versa.
Continue ReadingWhat a Model Tyre Dealer Looks Like
One of the highlights of the Aftermarket show, from a tyre point of view, was the Model Tyre Retailer display. Set up in the form of a Yokohama Advan Dealership, the exhibit was designed to be a demonstration of best practice. Each hour, on the hour, tyre technicians gave 30 minute presentations showcasing market leading products and services. Speaking at the opening of the Model Tyre Dealer display, NTDA national chairman, Martin Rowlands commented: “The exhibit offers an insight into the type of equipment and services that modern, forward looking tyre shops are beginning to use. The pace of development for both tyres and vehicles has accelerated at a frightening speed over the last decade and there is now a need for better diagnostic equipment, better technical knowledge and above all premises that are clean, efficient and inviting! Customers have become better informed and more demanding, but also more receptive to service quality,” The exhibit featured tyres produced by Yokohama, Pro-Align wheel alignment systems, REMA Tip Top Machinery and CP Designs tools. The organisational forces behind the stand were show organisers Haymarket Exhibitions and alignment specialist Pro-Align.
Continue ReadingPirelli’s Presence in US OE Growing
The Detroit Motorshow has increased Pirelli’s profile in America’s Original Equipment segment. The P Zero product range was chosen for two OE fitments in the market. The new Jaguar Coupé will be fitted with 21 inch P Zero Nero tyres and the Ford Mercury with a concept P Zero tread design.
Continue ReadingFulda Kick-Starts 2005 With Exelero Launch
Fulda is hailing its participation at the recent Autosport Show as a success, saying it has kick-started 2005 with the launch of its Exelero high performance tyre. In addition to showcasing its latest release, the company highlighted the activities of the UK Fulda Challenge team and its support of the show’s live action arena.
Continue ReadingNew Ford Concept Car Features Tire IQ
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Siemans VDO have unveiled the results of their cooperation as part of Fords latest concept car, the Ford Shelby GR-1. When the new vehicle was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit it would not have been immediately obvious that the concept coupe carried a fully functional “Tire IQ” TPMS. Even so, the companies behind the system highlight this feature describing it as the “most advanced tyre information system to be developed.”
Continue ReadingMichelin Charming Europe
Michelin has extended its ‘charming places to stay’ guide range with the introduction of German and Italian editions, and the launch of the 2005 edition to France. This year’s range features a similar layout to previous editions where each section of the guide is colour-coded by geographical region, and each entry includes a photograph and short description, plus practical information.
Continue ReadingThe Great British AutoJumble
On 9 January the NEC in Birmingham will host the Great British AutoJumble and Automart. The show offers visitors the largest selection of car-related products available under one roof. There event will also feature a dedicated Automart section where an extensive range of used cars will be available to buy. The Great British AutoJumble section will have over 500 stands with a wide range of automotive products and services available including motoring memorabilia, reconditioned, new and old car parts for 1000s of marques, literature, tools and car care products. Live demonstrations will also be featured showcasing new automotive products and informative restoration displays.
Continue ReadingPirelli Releases New Scorpion Zero
At last year’s SEMA show, Pirelli made an impact with the introduction of a 25 inch diameter 315/40VR25 XL (120) M+S Scorpion Zero radial that the company dubbed, “Dub plus 5.” This year Pirelli believes it has gone “one better” with the announcement of the biggest Scorpion Zero ever, the 315/40R26 Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico.
Continue ReadingDunlop Treads on British Lifestyle
Dunlop is launching a new lifestyle supplement called Tread, to be featured in Saturday’s Independent.
Continue ReadingPirelli to Sponsor Golden Ticket Contest
Pirelli have partnered with DUB magazine to sponsor the ‘Nelly Golden Ticket Album Contest.’
Continue ReadingCelebrities Support Charity Fundraiser
Frankie Detorri was one of a number of famous faces who supported a recent charity event organised by both Kwik-Fit Fleet and DaimlerChrysler Services Fleet Management. A total of £175,000 was raised at the annual Royal Windsor Charity Race Evening.
Continue ReadingAutosport International – is this what the tyre industry needs?
The Annual Autosport International show is without question one of the UKs most successful motor shows. What began as an off-season showcase for the motorsports industries has developed into a glittering exhibition that few involved in motorsport can afford to ignore; though both Michelin and Bridgestone did just that this year. Here we found Dunlop, Goodyear, Pirelli, Yokohama, Avon, Hoosier, Kumho, and Silverstone represented by Sport and Service. Each taking a very focussed approach to motorsport tyres and the motorsport sector. There were some odd men out, Vredestein and Technic both had stands and from a promotional point of view one had to wonder what the relationship between their display and motorsport was. Having said that Vredestein went home happy, reporting that they had gone to the show to contact independent dealers and made plenty of contacts. The company also took home the award for Best Stand in The Aftermarket Show. The company was also first to confirm its intention to return next year for the 2005 event. “We hoped to meet independent dealers and they were there in large numbers. It’s been a great show,” said Bert Stellinga. A similar statement came from Ian Smith at Technic, Its been a very successful return to exhibitions for Technic. We have seen independent tyre dealers, previous customers who have recognised the brand name and come on to the stand to re-establish contact, plus we are going away with some very promising leads. Technic took the opportunity of the show to display some clever blue retread tyres on a Smart car. The blue tyre concept featured tyre casings with a blue pigment silica rally-type compound, rather than the traditional carbon black. It was a move that has raised a great deal of interest and we are now considering adding coloured tyres to our range said operations director Ian Smith.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Aluminium forged wheels for Jeep Wrangler
Alcoas 16-inch forged Aluminium wheels will feature on the limited edition Jeep(R) Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider model based on the custom Wrangler Rubicon featured in the upcoming movie, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.Chrysler Groups Jeep brand approached Alcoa to design, produce and ship product in less than three months. Says Joel Alent, Account Manager for Forged Speciality Wheels, Our ability to produce low volume speciality wheels and meet the quality and delivery needs of higher volume OEM products makes this an ideal partnership. Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products plant in Cleveland delivered. They conceived, sourced and shipped the short run of 5,000 wheels to the customer in less than three months.
Continue ReadingMichelin PAX System For New Audi A8
At the beginning of November 2002 the Michelin Pax System will be offered as an option on the new Audi A8. This underlines the great potential of Pax technology in the areas of security and mobility. Two concept-cars at the Paris Motor Show also featured the Pax System: the Renault Ellipse and the Citroen C Airdream.
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