Completely Different – Michelin MotoGP Tyre
Gauloises Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards has given Michelin’s new 16- inch front tyre a definite thumbs up during pre-championship simulation races in Sepang. The smaller diameter front tyre is designed to provide greater stability during braking and cornering for the new generation of 800cc machines being introduced into the MotoGP competition.
Continue ReadingNew Firestone Tyre for Corvette
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire has added two new sizes to its North American Firestone Firehawk™ Wide Oval™ tyre range– P245/40R18 88Y RFT and P285/35R19 90Y RFT. These tyres are designed to fit Chevrolet’s sixth generation of Corvette.
Continue ReadingAutomakers Show Interest in Goodyear-USW Contract
Detroit’s “Big Three” carmakers are casting an eye on the contract signed between Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and the United Steelworkers union at the end of last year as a potential model to emulate. Of particular interest is the trust fund the company set up to separate themselves from the responsibility of future retiree health costs.
Continue ReadingNegative Praise For Tyremaker
As the World Economic Forum got underway in the Swiss resort town of Davos, Swiss globalisation opponents held their own ‘Public Eye’ awards, in which companies they have identified as being environmentally or socially irresponsible were given an “award” in recognition. This year tyremaker Bridgestone was the recipient of one such award.
Continue ReadingRoad Legal Race Technology
An old adage says that idle hands do the devil’s work, but Pirelli have been far from idle with their Diablo – Spanish for devil – range. During the last twelve months the legendary tyremaker and official tyre supplier to the World Superbike Championship (SBK) has released two new street-legal offerings under the Diablo label.
Continue ReadingFirestone Industrial Products Earns Award at SEMA Show
(Akron/Tire Review) At the 2006 SEMA Show, a panel of international journalists presented Firestone Industrial Products Co. (FSIP) with an International New Products Award for its new Air-Rite digital air command and Red Label air springs.
Continue ReadingConti Signs Deal with India’s Metro Tyres
Indian tyremaker Metro Tyres is planning the production of tubeless motorcycle tyres as part of a technical collaborative deal with Continental AG. The tyres will initially be manufactured principally for overseas markets, although domestic sales will follow at a later date.
Continue ReadingFormer Pirelli Chairman Dies
Pirelli has reported the death of Former chairman Leopoldo Pirelli. Pirelli, who passed away at his home in the northern Italian seaside resort of Portofino, was 81.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Fleet and Leaseplan Sign New Five-Year Deal
Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a five-year multi-million pound tyre repair, replacement and management contract with LeasePlan UK. The deal with LeasePlan UK, one of the country’s largest contract hire and fleet management companies with almost 120,000 funded vehicles on its books, will run until the end of 2011. The new contract builds on a business relationship between the two companies, which dates back to 2004.
Continue ReadingMichelin Launches Pilot Road 2
Michelin has launched the Pilot Road 2, unveiling its latest dual compound offering at the Motorcycle Trade Expo at Stoneleigh Park. The French manufacturer claims that its latest product means riders no longer have to compromise between wet grip and tread life. Michelin hopes results of tests conducted by CERM will help convince retailers and the motorcycle riding public of this.
Continue ReadingMotorcycle Tyre Market Revs Up
In contrast to car tyre sales, the UK motorcycle tyre market continued the pattern of growth it has demonstrated in recent years in 2006. Europool figures put the total market size at about 775,000 units (not including non-EU produced tyres and grey and parallel imports), up around 2.2 per cent on 2005. But industry sources are expecting more next year and are projecting that European produced tyre sales will reach 800,000 units (up 3.22 per cent).
Continue ReadingAlcoa Introduces New Tyre Management System
Alcoa Wheel Products have introduced a new product providing fleet operators real time data on their vehicle’s tyre pressure and tread depth. Called the InTire™ Management System, Alcoa’s new offering is a web-based system the company reports can maximise tyre life, enhance fuel economy and increase productivity in maintenance procedures. The InTire software interfaces with the vehicle-based sensing equipment wirelessly. Optional add on equipment allows users to monitor items requiring periodic maintenance, such as fluid levels and the condition of filters.
Continue ReadingCCTV Installed to Catch Phantom Dumper
A council in Worcestershire is employing concealed video cameras to help put an end to the prolific practice of tyre dumping in rural lanes. The Malvern Hills District Council has selected a number of remote locations for the installation of CCTV equipment in response to a recent spate of reported tyre dumpings.
Continue ReadingFull Steam Ahead
(Tire Review – Akron, Ohio) by Mary Aichlmayr Robert H. Oudshoorn has been CEO of Vredestein Banden BV since 1994. Prior to that, he was director of commercial operations at a Michelin-Okamoto joint venture in Tokyo and also worked as representative director for Groupe Michelin in South Africa.
Continue ReadingMagnaflow Brand Recruiting Exhaust Installers
Nemesis UK, the official UK distributor of Magnaflow Performance Exhaust products, is offering garages and performance centres the chance to become approved Magnaflow installers. In order to meet increased demand for the brand, Nemesis UK has devised a business package that will enable garages and performance centres to equip themselves as approved Magnaflow installers and be able to build bespoke exhaust systems.
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