Thousands of British drivers have joined a legal claim against Mercedes over a diesel emissions scandal, which will be led by law firm PGMBM. The firm has filed a group litigation claim in the Liverpool High Court against Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz UK, over a diesel emissions scandal that it says could be worth up to £10 billion.
CES in 2020 saw much more measured attitudes towards autonomous vehicles (AVs) than in previous years. As AV developers move beyond the technical hype and begin to tackle the immense challenge of putting safe self-driving vehicles on the road, many have realised that this goal will take more investment and more time to reach than previously thought, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
The German government has ordered car maker Daimler to recall 238,000 vehicles in Germany after they were found to be fitted with illegal software that masks diesel emissions.
Daimler’s homologation of Pirelli’s extra-load :01 Series commercial tyre products for city, highway and regional applications has continued, adding the latest Pirelli MC:01 (275/70R22.5). The tyre has been designed with an increased load index, suitable for new-generation transportation such as hybrid and electric vehicles, which require a greater axle load.
Several news sources have shared news of Daimler’s filing of a patent to optimise tyre temperature, and thus grip, through the use of a high pressure water system. The patent was reportedly filed with the Intellectual Property Office in the UK and pertains to a system that is triggered by temperature sensors in a tyre.
Daimler AG has confirmed that it is conducting an “internal investigation regarding its certification process related to exhaust emissions in the United States”. This action follows a request from the US Department of Justice (DOJ). As a result the company says it will “investigate possible indications of irregularities and of course take all necessary actions.”
Daimler AG has chosen the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 as an original equipment tyre on the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Models fitted with 18 and 19-inch wheels will be able to roll out of the factory on the Yokohama tyre, as two sizes – 235/60R18 103V and 235/55R19 101V – have been homologated. As is the case with all Yokohama tyres mounted as OE on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the presence of the letters ‘MO’ on the Advan Sport V105’s sidewall indicate Daimler’s official approval of the tyre.
This month I went back to school. Tyre 2015 – the fourth International Tyre Colloquium, hosted by University of Surrey to be precise. While much of the science was beyond those of us that don’t work in R&D, the concepts behind the really technical stuff are fascinating. And what’s more, they offer a unique insight into what is on the horizon in terms of tyre development, vehicle dynamics and indeed original equipment (OE) trends.
Hankook Tire Europe has announced an upgrade to its AH11 truck tyre and the introduction of its DH05+ pattern into Europe. These tyres are – as first announced at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September – fitted to the Mercedes-Benz Atego Euro VI as original equipment in sizes 215/75R17.5, 235/75R17.5, 265/70R19.5 and 285/70R19.5, depending on vehicle specification. Fitment on the world’s best-selling distribution truck is Hankook’s first European Daimler commercial vehicle tyre deal.
In addition to supplying original equipment tyres to various MAN truck models, Hankook Tire has also secured original equipment approval for the vehicle said to be the best-selling distribution truck in the world, the Mercedes-Benz Atego.
At this month’s Reifen 2014 show in Essen, Germany, Hankook Tire will occupy more than 300 square metres of exhibition space at in Hall 3.0 (stand 3A32). At this, the 11th occasion the tyre maker has exhibited at the trade fair, Hankook will display an extended UHP line-up and will highlight its recent original equipment segment activities.
Speedline Truck has reported a further advance in its OE sales drive alongside developments in its aftermarket marketing strategy.
In mid-March Speedline truck announced that it has been chosen by its ongoing industrial partner Daimler as exclusive partner for equipping the weight-optimised Arocs Loader cement mixer with its lightweight forged wheels.
At today’s presentation of its 2013-2017 Industrial Plan in London, Pirelli & C. SpA chairman and chief executive officer Marco Tronchetti Provera spoke of the need for a “change of pace” in its activities in Russia, noting that “we’re running late with our start-up plan.” The Russian market situation, and what Pirelli intends to do there, was then explained in greater detail by Gregorio Borgo, Pirelli’s general manager operations.
Kumho’s original equipment portfolio with major auto manufacturers has been expanded to include the recently revised Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Korean tyre manufacturer will supply the new edition of the 4×4 with its Solus KL21 in size 265/60 R18 110H manufactured in the company’s Vietnam plant.
The latest version of the most serious Mercedes-Benz 4×4 offering, the G-Class, is now fitted with Kumho’s Solus KL21 as original equipment. The Korean firm has begun supplying the Solus KL21 in size 265/60 R18 110H, adding another string to its Mercedes-Benz original equipment agreement bow.
