Following a trial lasting 11 years, from 31 May 2023 longer semi-trailers (LST) will be permitted on British roads. These trailers measure up to 2.05 metres longer than a standard semi-trailer, and the Department for Transport anticipates their use will lead to substantial economic and environmental benefits. The list of savings includes reduced tyre costs.
Prometeon has expanded its Pirelli Serie 02 line of commercial vehicle tyres with the addition of a new trailer tyre designed for use on articulated trailers and suited to vehicles carrying particularly large loads and volumes over long haul routes. The Pirelli H02 Pro Trailer is available now in Europe and Turkey in sizes 435/50R19.5 and 445/45R19.5. The specialist commercial tyre manufacturer says the tyre offers a blend of excellent fuel economy and optimised operating costs, helping it to excel on long routes and motorway journeys. The tyre supersedes the previous ST:01 Neverending Super Single, offering all-round improvements, especially in rugged performance, safety, and load capacity.
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(NRZ), representatives from Hankook’s European headquarters in Neu-Isenburg were clear that the company had not withdrawn from original equipment, but that there has been an interruption, which will be followed by a “restart” in the next two years.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.
Apollo Tyres will enter the European long-haul trailer market with its new commercial vehicle tyre, the EnduMile LHT. The first Apollo truck tyre to achieve an A-grade rating for fuel efficiency on the European tyre label, Apollo says the tyre will be the most durable and lowest rolling resistance truck-sector tyre it has ever produced. The tyre was launched at the manufacturer’s advanced production facility in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary, where it is to be manufactured. The EnduMile LHT will be available to customers across Europe from early 2023.
Trailer manufacturer Schwarzmüller has selected Apollo Tyres’ EnduRace RT, EnduRace RT2 and EnduTrax MAHD tyres as original equipment for its truck trailers. This is Apollo’s first original equipment deal in the European truck sector.
ZC Rubber launched two new truck tyre products at the recent IAA Transportation 2022 event in Hannover. The WTR2 and the WTX2 tyres are being added to the existing Westlake Gen II truck tyre line.
According to the company, the development of Westlake Gen II is a crucial step toward reaching the company’s vision for sustainable logistics and will also “considerably increase benefits for customers”.
In 1997 Vredestein introduced the Traxion+, which featured a – quite literally – ground-breaking tread pattern that combined a reinforced central area with a graduated and non-parallel lug design for both traction and improved self-cleaning properties. 25 years down the line, the Vredestein Traxion concept has played a key role in Vredestein’s current tractor tyre range – something that can be seen in the VF Traxion Optimall, the Traxion XXL, Traxion 65, Traxion 70 and Traxion 85. As part of the celebrations, the company launched two new Vredestein trailer tyres – the new Vredestein Endurion Trailer and the Vredestein Flotation Optimall.
Apollo Tyres Europe has launched an all-new truck trailer tyre, the new EnduRace RT2. This second-generation range builds on the success of the EnduRace RT predecessor, and Apollo says it “provides excellent all-weather performance, reduced rolling resistance, and enhanced mileage and durability,” representing a “premium yet affordable solution for truck operators.” The tyre maker has also introduced a new generation regional drive axle fitment.
GRI is supplying tyres to Joskin, the agricultural Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) based in Belgium. Announcing the news at the end of October, Joskin said it has been in operation since 1968 and is one of the world’s leading producers of agricultural trailers, tankers, and related equipment to meet the changing needs of global farmers.
In May, analysts reported that Q2 European trailer registrations were 44 per cent down and that full-year 2020 trailer registrations were set to be down north of 28 per cent. Now however, the same analysts – Clear International – are echoing the findings of other indicators and suggesting that things will turn out slightly better than expected this year.
Hankook has introduced a new line of Laufenn brand commercial vehicle tyres in the UK. With Laufenn the Korean tyre manufacturer targets the second tier of the market. Hankook initially launches Laufenn in the UK with nine patterns covering more than 85 per cent of tyres in the market for goods and people transportation, as well as construction truck tyres. Hankook adds that most sizes offer the three peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) marking for use in winter conditions. The Laufenn CV tyre range was due to be presented in the UK at the Commercial Vehicle Show, before the Birmingham NEC event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Dunlop has launched the SP247 trailer tyre, which the company says offers “extended all-weather performance, high mileage and low cost per kilometre”. The SP247 replaces the Dunlop SP246 range.
Goodyear’s latest trailer tyre, the Kmax T Gen-2 has arrived, completing its second generation commercial vehicle tyre line-up. Designed for regional fleets, the range offers higher mileage, longer life, full winter tyre EU legislation compliance and RFID connectivity, Goodyear states. The new trailer tyre, which replaces the Kmax T, is the latest tyre product to enter Goodyear Total Mobility – a customisable group of fleet services. Total Mobility also includes smart fleet solutions and the support of an expert service network throughout Europe.
Various road and climatic conditions are encountered within the Continental Tire division’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business, and for this reason, it is introducing commercial trailer tyres that reflect regional requirements. The first of these is the Conti Hybrid HT3 WR.
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