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Cenex names new head of transport
Cenex has appointed Steve Carroll as Head of Transport. As Head of Transport, Carroll will be responsible for carrying out Cenex’s large-scale vehicle trials; developing new relationships with technology innovators, local governments and end users; and helping fleet owners and local authorities realise the value of investing in low carbon vehicle technology.
Bridgestone researchers claim to have reduced tyre wear by 60%
Bridgestone recently gave a presentation to the Japanese Cabinet Office on the subject of its “ImPACT” resource saving, strength increasing tyre polymer research project conduction in association with Tokyo University. The project, which seeks to bring government, industry and academia together are to: developing high-strength materials, making each component thinner and lighter; and to improve fuel economy and save resources through weight saving and increased durability as well as reduced fuel consumption. Initial results suggest the scientists “succeeded in the development of materials that [offer]…a 60 per cent reduction in wear rate.”
Fuel consumption tests – Mitsubishi managers resign
As atonement for the “tremendous trouble and concern” caused to customers and stakeholders a result its improper fuel consumption test reporting, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced the resignation of company president and chief operating officer Tetsuro Aikawa and that of executive vice-president Ryugo Nakao. Their resignations will take effect on 24 June, the day of Mitsubishi’s ordinary shareholders meeting.
How excessive tyre pressure can deflate share price
A simple “trick” – or perhaps we should say “cheating” or “fraud” – has been common practice in the European automotive industry, to the displeasure of environmental organisations: Place a car with excessive tyre pressure on a dynamometer and – voilà – lower fuel consumption levels and emissions are recorded thanks to the ‘optimised’ rolling resistance. Mitsubishi has conceded carrying out this practice in Japan with test data submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This time round it doesn’t affect, as in the case of Volkswagen and its ‘cheat’ software, millions of vehicles, rather ‘only’ 625,000 small cars, the majority of these off-take production for Nissan.
On-road test: Fuel efficient tyres make ‘economic and environmental sense’
The average difference in fuel consumption gained by fitting tyres with a ‘B’ EU tyre label fuel efficiency rating instead of ‘F’ rated tyres is around 4.1 per cent, suggests a test carried out in Germany. The six-vehicle test was jointly conducted by Chemical manufacturer Lanxess and energy provider RheinEnergie as part of a project run together by RheinEnergy and the City of Cologne over the last few years.
Incorrect tyre pressure is costly and may be dangerous, reminds Goodyear
Goodyear has reminded motorists that a tyre’s good label performance only apply when it operates at the correct air pressure. While more than 80 per cent of the company’s EfficientGrip Performance received an ‘A’ rating for wet braking and ‘B’ for rolling resistance, this result would look very different when inflation levels are too low. And then there’s the matter of safety….
Michelin OE for latest Bailey caravan range
Bristol-based caravan manufacturer Bailey has decided upon a 100 per cent Michelin fitment policy for its new Unicorn caravan range, which will be available in retailers from September 2012 onwards. The two tyres fitted as standard equipment to the caravans are the 185/65 R 14 Energy Saver+ and the 185 R 14 Agilis. In a press release announcing the supply arrangement, Michelin notes that “despite being more expensive than the previous brand, the company believes that a premium caravan should be fitted with a premium brand of tyres.”
Vauxhall Ampera wins alternative Monte Carlo Rally
After winning the "Car of the Year 2012" award, the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera has now also won the 13th International Monte Carlo Rally for electric and alternative propulsion cars.
Four Amperas ranked among the top 10 vehicles. The French duo Bernard Darniche and Joseph Lambert managed to beat the entire competitive field. On Sunday, the final day of the contest, the revolutionary electric vehicle reached the finish line in the capital of the Côte d'Azur principality.
Michelin presenting Ultraflex tyres at SIMA 2011
Serge Lafon, Michelin’s executive director of Agricultural Tyres World says that the company’s SIMA 2011 line-up provides “tangible proof of Michelin’s strategic commitment to enhancing the productivity of farmers and farming companies and boosting their bottom line.” The stand is presenting the CerexBib for harvesters, the SprayBib for row-crop sprayers and the AxioBib in a new size – IF900/60R42 – the market’s only 2.15-metre flotation tyre with “Improved Flexion”. Michelin says its tyres deliver “enhanced soil protection, considerably lower fuel consumption and greater longevity”, helping farms to be more profitable.
Varta Launches Aftermarket Start-Stop Battery Range
From 2012, the EU requires maximum vehicle CO2 emissions levels to be reduced to 130 g/km across Europe. Start-stop technology, also known as micro hybrid technology, is a key part of vehicle manufacturers’ efforts to meet this target. Interest in start-stop has already skyrocketed, and forecasts indicate that 70 per cent of all vehicles produced in Europe by 2015 will feature this technology. Under its Varta brand, Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA has developed AGM and EFB batteries it says can meet the demands of this technology, and its Varta Start-Stop Plus and Start-Stop batteries are now ready to be launched to the aftermarket.
Kraiburg Launches 70 and 80 Series All-Season Treads
Kraiburg Austria has launched two new treads – the K222 and KST2. Following the company’s K74 development, reportedly the first design with sufficient traction properties for the 60 series, Kraiburg has now designed an all-season tread for 70 and 80 series casings. Suitable for trucks and buses, the new all-season design is said to be able to offer extra grip in winter without comprimsing on wear or increasing rolling noise or fuel consumption. According to the company, this makes the K222 or KST2 “ideal for all applications in which the annual mileage is approximately the same as the running performance of the drive axle.”