Off-road performance and rally specialist Bowler Motors has introduced a new wheel for the latest generation Land Rover Defender. Introducing the 20” Challenge Performance Wheel, Bowler points out that it was developed by the same engineering team that introduced the 2022 Bowler Rally Car and builds on the inherent toughness and capability of Defender.
As of this month, BFGoodrich is offering a new all-season tyre for vans and light commercial vehicles, the BFGoodrich Activans 4S. It describes this as a tyre that “responds perfectly to the expectations of professionals seeking safety and simplicity” by ensuring safety on the road all year round.
Kevin Burke Tyres (KBT) has signed an initial three-year distribution partnership with Groupe Michelin brand BFGoodrich. The wholesaler will supply BFGoodrich tyres across the whole of Ireland until at least mid-2024 with the option to extend for a further two years. The deal covers BFGoodrich car, van, SUV and 4×4 tyres, all of which will be stocked for next-day delivery at KBT’s warehouse facility in Athenry, County Galway. The company has stocked “large quantities” of BFGoodrich tyres since 2015, it said, with the new deal representing the latest step in its developing relationship with the brand. The deal follows news from Great Britain that newly appointed UK BFGoodrich 4×4 wholesaler Micheldever Tyre Services has almost doubled its sales of the brand in the last year.
Micheldever Tyre Services has almost doubled its sales of BFGoodrich tyres since becoming the brand’s official 4×4 wholesaler in the UK at the start of 2020. The agreement sees the Winchester-based business – which has established a wholesale distribution network of 15 sites around the country, supplying more than 6,000 retailers nationwide – stock a large selection of BFGoodrich’s All Terrain T/A KO2 and Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 ranges, helping to ensure excellent product availability throughout the year.
BFGoodrich has launched the Cross Control 2, adding to its heavy truck tyre range for construction applications. It is the brand’s first second-generation product to be introduced into the UK and Irish markets. Available as a steer and drive tyre, the new fitment is targeted at tippers and mixers working in the construction industry and is designed to withstand even the most aggressive of surfaces. The next generation range is available as a 315/80 R22.5 Cross Control S2 (steer), 315/80 R22.5 Cross Control D2 (drive) and 13 R22.5 steer and drive.
Winchester-based Micheldever Tyre Services – which has established a wholesale distribution network of 15 sites around the country, supplying over 6,000 retailers nationwide – will stock a large selection of BFGoodrich’s All Terrain T/A KO2 and Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 ranges, helping to ensure excellent product availability throughout the year.
The launch of the BFGoodrich Advantage and BFGoodrich Advantage SUV ranges in 2020 sees the American brand – which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – renew its entire summer tyre line-up for the UK and Europe. These two ranges offer a wide range of fitments for saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs.
BFGoodrich has appointed Kevin Burke Tyres (KBT) as its distribution partner in Ireland. KBT will therefore stock “a large selection” of the brand’s tyres throughout the year in its large warehouse facility in Athenry, County Galway.
Michelin has introduced a further brand to its agricultural segment portfolio in North America. In addition to selling Michelin and Kleber tyres as well as Camso tracks and systems, the company has now introduced farm tyres under the BFGoodrich brand name.
Michelin’s North American operation has filed a suit against a company importing “counterfeit” tyres from China. The tyres in question are said to violate patents for the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
As of 1 January 2020, Tony Ménard will take over as Michelin North America’s director of motorsports. He succeeds Chris Baker, who has held the role for the past eight years. Baker is scheduled to retire in March 2020, concluding a career with Michelin than began in 1982.
As of this year, 42 sizes of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 are available in the UK. The first sizes in the line-up for extreme off-road conditions arrived in 2018, and the portfolio now available includes 21 new sizes not offered in the predecessor KM2 range.
BFGoodrich is expanding its pan-European Off-Road Centre network into Ireland, initially working with 13 dealer partners in this market. Representatives from the dealerships – which BFGoodrich chose on the basis of their off-road tyre expertise – recently attended a launch event for the network in County Kildare.
Cornwall-based Geoffrey Harris Tyres has become the latest independent tyre dealer to join BFGoodrich’s UK Off-Road Centre network. The Liskeard retailer is already reaping the benefits of the partnership, bolstering the centre’s all-terrain expertise and its widespread reputation for being the go-to place for 4×4 tyres across Cornwall and Devon.
LRO magazine has conducted a test to demonstrate the performance of mud-terrain tyres, and the difference the make to driving in deep mud, rough areas and unpredictable slippery surfaces. The magazine fit the General Tire Grabber X3 and BFGoodrich’s MT KM2, two of the most prominent mud-terrain 4×4 tyres available in the UK, to a Land Rover Discovery 2 (245/75R16) at the Snugg’s Pit off-road proving ground in Suffolk, which features some of the UK’s toughest and muddiest conditions. The tyres were tested over 10 gruelling stages in the independent test, with the results verified by LRO’s experienced team.
Micheldever Tyre Services
BFGoodrich