JK Tyre to consolidate, boost R&D activities
India’s JK Tyre reportedly intends to bring its research and development teams together into a new RS 1 billion (£11.4 million) centre at its Mysuru (Mysore) site. According to IANS, company chairman Dr Raghupathi Singhania disclosed yesterday that facilities “currently spread over different locations” will be “brought under one roof” in a “world-class” centre.
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IAA launch for Pneuscan
This year’s IAA commercial vehicle show in Germany will serve as the launch venue for the new Pneuscan Onground system from Ventech Systems. The floor-mounted system can perform automatic tyre pressure and tread inspections on a range of vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, buses and multi-axle trucks. The portability of Pneuscan Onground is expected to be a major selling point for the system.
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Michelin breaks ground on Mexico tyre plant
Ground was broken and the first stone set in place for the new Michelin plant in Mexico at a ceremony held yesterday and attended by government dignitaries, key customers and company management. Construction of the plant in León – Michelin’s 69th factory globally and 21st in North America – is expected to begin immediately, with completion currently scheduled for late 2018.
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Dmack takes win, while Pirelli claims 4 of top 5 spots in ‘wet and wild’ Ulster Rally
Dmack drivers Elfyn Evans and Craig Parry were crowned 2016 MSA British Rally champions after sealing their fourth overall victory on a difficult Ulster Rally. It was the Welsh pair’s fourth overall rally win from five finishes, moving them into an unbeatable position in the series with one round still remaining. Evans, from Dolgellau in mid-Wales, followed in the footsteps of his father Gwyndaf – who won the British Rally Championship exactly 20 years ago. Using Dmack’s range of recently launched tarmac rally tyres, he and Parry finished over a minute ahead of the competition after winning half of the 14 demanding special stages.
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A1 Motor Stores convention to take place in Italian lake hotel
A1 Motor Stores is expecting a full house at its 2016 convention, which will take place at the Grand Hotel Majestic on the shore of Lake Maggiore on 27-30 September. A mixture of members and suppliers will attend the programme of supplier workshops, the Annual General Meeting and informal get-togethers for the Independent Bike Group and A1 Motor Factor Group.
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Pirelli previews Belgian grand prix
Recommencing the Formula One season following a short summer break, Pirelli will supply its P Zero White medium, Yellow soft, and Red supersoft compounds to teams at the Belgian grand prix. Held at Spa-Francorchamps on 25-28 August 2016, Pirelli calls the track “one of the most epic drivers’ circuits of them all,” comprising as it does the longest lap of the year at 7.004 kilometres, which places high energy loads through the tyres. Pirelli calls the challenge of Spa multi-faceted for the tyres with a changeable microclimate providing a constant additional parameter for the strategists to consider.
Continue ReadingChinese imports a growing part of Korean tyre market
The Korea Tire Manufacturers Association (KTMA) reports that the total value of tyres imported into Korea reached US$511.48 million (561.6 billion won) in 2015, up 63.8 per cent from $312.27 million in 2010. Tyre imports in the first half of 2016 (January to June) also increased, growing 6.2 per cent year-on-year to $250.84 million.
Continue ReadingScholarship to honour outgoing Cooper Tire boss
The Cooper Tire & Rubber Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, has established a new scholarship in recognition of soon to retire chairman, chief executive officer and president Roy Armes. The fund is known as the Roy V. Armes scholarship and is designed to assist the children of Cooper employees in the USA who intend to read either business or engineering at an accredited four-year college or university. The first Armes scholarship will be awarded in 2017.
Continue ReadingTriangle IPO on for early September
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) approved Triangle Tires’ most recent initial public offering (IPO) bid. Qingdao, Shandong Province-based tyre manufacturer Triangle was one of 13 firms to receive a CSRC go-ahead on Friday 19 August. The IPO is set to take place in Shanghai. An official IPO announcement is expected in September.
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Used bike market ‘muted’ as YOY July registrations drop
The motorbike, scooter and moped sector is described as “muted”, with inclement weather and a contracting new bike market suggested as reasons for the relative inactivity. My Car Check’s Rob Hobson said: “It is very much a mixed report this month. New registration numbers for 2016 are still up, although July was down compared to the same month in 2015 – the first time that’s happened this year.
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August used car trends slow as expected, My Car Check suggests premium option
My Car Check’s valuation experts have spoken about the significant trends in the UK used vehicle market for August, adding its car of the month. Head of valuation services at My Car Check, Gavin Amos, said: “Used car sales have slowed over the last month, which is only to be expected at this time of year.”
Continue ReadingTougher EU standards to reduce vehicle emissions
The UK may have voted to leave Europe, but for the time being we are still subject to European regulations. The EU says that tougher CO2 standards for cars and vans will be introduced to help cut transport emissions and improve air quality in Europe. They form part of a package of measures announced by the European Commission, which for the first time will also include fuel efficiency targets for trucks.
Continue ReadingGroundbreaking held for Bridgestone’s Joliette plant expansion
In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of its car and light truck tyre factory in Joliette, Canada, last Thursday Bridgestone Americas officially broke ground on expansion work at the plant. Upwards of CAD$300 million (£178.1 million) will be invested over a period of five years and will see the installation of new equipment installed at the Joliette site that will lift production capacity by 3,000 tyres per day to a total of 20,000 tyres a day by 2023.
Continue ReadingRealignment within Firestone race tyre team announced
A number of changes have been announced within the Race Tire Development (RTD) arm of the North America-based Firestone Racing programme. Bridgestone Americas describes these as a reorganisation and opines that they will add “manufacturing expertise while reaffirming the brand’s commitment to innovation and the Verizon IndyCar Series.”
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Dunlop, Honda pit Isle of Man TT legend against double BTCC champion: video
Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden has taken on 23-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness on each other’s race-winning machinery. Hosted by Dunlop and Honda, the head-to-head took place at Scotland’s Knockhill circuit on Monday. Shedden swapped his race-winning Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda Civic Type R for McGuinness’ Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP for 30 laps of the Scottish track. (See full article for the video.)
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