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TarformNissan investing £1 billion in V36Zero EV hub
NissanNissan is set to invest £1 billion Nissan in building what it calls EV36Zero, “a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem”, according to the company. Located alongside the company’s Sunderland factory, the project sees Nissan partner with Envision AESC, a battery maker, and Sunderland City Council. Comprised of three interconnected initiatives, Nissan EV36Zero brings together electric vehicles, renewable energy and a 9GW of battery production. With plans for a new UK-made Nissan-branded crossover car model incorporated, the factory investment is also welcome news for the original equipment tyre business, which has been hampered by reduced production and factory closures across the country in recent years.
Apollo Tyres OE on Hyundai Alcazar
HyundaiThe Hyundai Alcazar was launched recently on Apollo Apterra Cross tyres. Within few months of its launch, Apollo Apterra Cross has been chosen as the standard fitment tyre for the Hyundai Alcazar in 18-inch tyre size. This is also the first OE fitment approval received for Apterra Cross tyres, which was launched in March this year.
Commercial vehicle registration continue upwards trend
ACEANew commercial vehicle registrations continue to develop positively throughout Europe. According to ACEA, registrations were up 209 per cent in the European Union and up 256 per cent across Europe as a whole. While not those dizzying heights, year-to-date figures remain strong (up 45.9 per cent in the EU and up 51.1 per cent across Europe), reflecting the recovery of demand.
Davanti: the DX440 is the future of van fleet tyres
DavantiAs fleet managers explore the transition from internal combustion to electric vans, Davanti is pitching its DX440 offers as an all-purpose tyre solution.
According to the company, Davanti’s DX440 light commercial van tyre is not only a popular choice for delivery drivers and tradesmen driving traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vans, it is also the 100 per cent OE tyre for the electric VN5 van from LEVC (the London Electric Vehicle Company).
Tomohiko Masuta appointed managing director of Falken, Sumitomo Rubber Europe
FalkenTomohiko Masuta has been named as managing director of both Falken Tyre Europe GmbH and Sumitomo Rubber Europe GmbH. Masuta joined Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 1985, first gaining experience in the Product Development department. In the 1990s, he moved to the Original Equipment (OE) area of the business before being dispatched to support the development of the Dunlop brand in European countries. In 2015, he was appointed general manager of OE Tyre Business for SRI, with his most recent role being general manager of the Automotive System Division. In his new appointment, Masuta will oversee the SRI group companies in the EMEA region and Falken businesses in Europe and will drive the growth of OE customers within the region.
Hankook tyres OE on Porsche 718 models
HankookHankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 will be fitted as original equipment on Porsche’s current 718 Boxster and Cayman from spring 2021. The products fitted will be tailor-made Ventus S1 evo 3 tyres in sizes 235/40 ZR19 (92Y) N-0 for the front axle and 265/40 ZR19 (98Y) N-0 for the rear axle. This is in addition to the Porsche Cayenne and Taycan models which Hankook already equips with Ventus S1 evo 3 tyres in SUV and EV specifications, respectively.
General Tire Grabber AT3 OE on Ford Ranger Raptor
General TireThe Ford Ranger Raptor is now exclusively fitted with General Grabber AT3 tyres as standard. The high-performance off-road pickup from Ford features a specially developed motorsport-friendly chassis. And its particular performance qualities come to the fore at high speeds away from paved roads.
Like all vehicle manufacturers, Ford defines a wide range of requirements, which Continental (the manufacturer of the General Tire brand) reports the Grabber AT3 “more than met during intensive testing”.
Goodyear OE on classic Land Rover Defender
GoodyearWith Land Rover Defender production ceasing after 67 years of manufacturing, an exclusive limited build programme by Land Rover’s Classic division is going to give 25 enthusiasts the chance to own a special version of the original Defender wearing the Works V8 Trophy badge.
Test World becomes first centre in Europe to offer ASTM 1805 winter tyre testing
Test WorldThis year the well-known Finland-based tyre testing centre Test World turns 30. What better way to celebrate than to redouble its efforts to become a comprehensive test centre for summer, winter and all-season tyres? Following the acquisition of Test World’s parent company Millbrook by UTAC CERAM, which was completed at the start of February 2021, key developments towards this goal include: the purchase of the world’s first all-electric winter tyre traction testing light truck and the addition of a new soon-to-be opened proving ground in Morocco. Tyres & Accessories me up Jukka Antila, Technical Director at Test World as well as Millbrook business development manager Andrew Kern in order to find out more.
BFGoodrich OE on re-engineered Hilux AT35
Artic TrucksArctic Trucks is an authorised converter of off-road vehicles, and its latest offering is the Toyota Hilux AT35, which has been specially developed to handle the most challenging landscapes with ease. The re-engineered vehicle is fitted with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres – the company’s toughest on/off road fitment – as original equipment, in size LT315/70 R17.
Akebono Brake Industry admits up to 20 years of ‘inappropriate conduct’ relating to OE reporting
S. Hermann & F. Richter; PixabayAkebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd., the well-known Japanese brake manufacturer, has admitted “inappropriate conduct” relating to periodic inspection reports destined for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) dating back to January 2001.
MegaRide introduces RIDEsuite tyre simulation platform
MegaRideBilled as “the first complete simulation platform that cuts time and costs in the development and testing phases of both tyres and vehicles”, MegaRide has launched the RIDEsuite tyre simulation platform road and motorsport applications. Boasting performance enhancements of up to 30 per cent, RIDEsuite is described as a modular and multi-physical platform consisting of four applications.
Jaguar to be 100% electric vehicle marque by 2025
Jaguar Land RoverJaguar Land Rover CEO, Thierry Bolloré has announced that the Jaguar brand will be a 100 per cent electric vehicle marque by 2025. The announcement, which came as part of the company’s “reimagine” global announcement, also saw JLR initiate a journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039. Specifically, Jaguar and Land Rover will offer pure electric power, nameplate by nameplate, by 2030. By this point, in addition to 100 per cent of Jaguar sales, it is anticipated that around 60 per cent of Land Rovers sold will be equipped with zero tailpipe powertrains. At the same, executives emphasised the company’s British identity and sought to differentiate between its Jaguar and Land Rover flag brands.
Porsche Taycan sets 102mph indoor land speed record on OE tyres
PorscheUntil recently, the Guinness World Record for the fastest speed by a vehicle indoors stood at 86 mph. That was until Leh Keen’s Porsche Taycan Turbo S was clocked by independent adjudicators at 102.6 mph inside the New Orleans Convention Center. Keen’s all-electric Taycan Turbo S has a maximum of 750 hp, with four-wheel drive to maximize grip, powerful carbon ceramic brakes and the ability to accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.6 seconds. And what’s more the record was set on the Taycan’s standard fitment original equipment (OE) tyres. But what tyres were they?
