Mercedes-Benz has awarded Goodyear its ‘Preferred Partner of Tires’ status in Austria for a second consecutive time. The vehicle manufacturer performs a comprehensive evaluation of its partners every two years, and after granting Goodyear this distinction in 2021/22, it has confirmed its preferred status for 2023/24.
Hankook Tire Europe’s intensive expansion of its original equipment truck tyres business over the last half-decade hit significant headwinds at the end of 2021. As a result, the manufacturer made the decision to largely discontinue corresponding deliveries at the start of 2022. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories’ sister magazine in Germany, Neue Reifenzeitung (NRZ), representatives from Hankook’s European headquarters in Neu-Isenburg were clear that the company had not withdrawn from original equipment, but that there has been an interruption, which will be followed by a “restart” in the next two years. This raises the question of how this strategic decision will be received in a shrinking market, while many in the aftermarket are wondering why such a drastic move was necessary in the first place.
Mercedes-Benz is starting to equip its EQE and S-Class models with door handles containing materials gleaned from end-of-life tyres, and those involved in the project have been acknowledged for their contribution. Pyrolysis-based recycling specialist Pyrum Innovations, together with BASF, Mercedes-Benz and Witte Automotive, received a Materialica Design + Technology Award 2022 at this month’s eMove360 ° trade fair.
Discarded tyres will soon find a new home within the latest Mercedes-Benz models. Pyrum Innovations AG, which produces pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tyres (ELT), is supplying oil to its cooperation partner BASF SE, which in turn is combining the oil with biomethane as a raw material in the production of virgin plastics for vehicle components. Door handles will be the first products to have their fossil raw materials replaced by biomethane and pyrolysis oil from ELT. These will appear on Mercedes-Benz EQE and S-Class models later in 2022.
New for 2022, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a fully electric compact SUV that weighs in at 2.1 tonnes and delivers up to 292hp through its 66.5 kWh motor, power that will get it from 0 to 62mph in as little as 6 seconds. Versions of the EQB delivered with 19-inch rims as standard will roll from the factory on Continental tyres. Continental is supplying its EcoContact 6 to Mercedes-Benz in size 235/50 R19 103T XL.
Mercedes-Benz AG has selected Bridgestone as the tyre development partner for its Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX. The outcome? Bridgestone engineers collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create custom-designed tyres to contribute to a real-world range of 1,000km on a single charge. According to Bridgestone, collaboration on this project “sets the stage for the future of EV tyres and is underpinned by a shared EV-ready vision between the companies.”
It is the ‘MO’ label on the sidewall that Hankook Tire is particularly proud of. The two letters stand for ‘Mercedes Original’, and only tyres that match strict quality criteria are approved as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These letters appear on the sides of three Hankook tyre models that Mercedes-Benz fits on the S-Class, continuing a supply arrangement that began almost a decade ago.
Mercedes-Benz has selected Continental tyres as original equipment for its Mercedes EQA. The new full electric SUV will roll from the line on Continental EcoContact 6 tyres in 18- to 20-inch rim diameters, depending on the feature package. For customers wanting a winter tyre, Mercedes is also offering the WinterContact TS 850 P.
With more than 620 miles on a single battery charge, Mercedes-Benz says it is “setting new standards for electric range and efficiency” with the Vision EQXX. It attributes this generous range to numerous factors, including ultra-low rolling resistance tyres from Bridgestone.
Pirelli has tailored two of its tyres for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It reports that comfort-oriented drivers may wish to opt for the Cinturato P7, while sportier models can be equipped with the P Zero in size 225/40 R19 at the front and 255/35 R19 on the rear axle.
Mahle and Daimler AG have settled an encoded OBD access deal for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. As a result, users of the MAHLE TechPRO or Brain Bee Connex diagnostic tools can now retrieve vehicle data via the Cyber Security feature. Security certificates are obtained by accessing the Daimler portal with an annual subscription from Mahle Or Brain Bee. As a special promotion, Mahle is offering holders of an active license free access until the end of the year.
Mercedes-Benz AG has selected the Cooper Discoverer SRXLE all-season tyre as original equipment (OE) on the new Mercedes GLS. Discoverer SRXLE fitments include the 275/50 R20 and 275/55 R19.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have announced that they are putting their autonomous drive technology collaboration on hold. David Leggett, automotive analyst at data and analytics company GlobalData, comments on the news: “The two companies cited the cost of developing a new next generation shared autonomous drive technology platform, as well as current business and economic conditions, as reasons for putting the cooperation on hold.”
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.
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