Truck Tyres
Vaculug is introducing a new dealer network strategy from 1 August 2021 onwards. According to the company, the new strategy focuses on “developing new and innovative products and dealer initiatives that provide an advantage to the network in the sales process of Vaculug range of products.”
Reporting market trends for the month of June, Michelin notes that the current shortage of semiconductors strongly dampened recovery within the global automotive industry, which impacted upon sales of original equipment passenger vehicle and light truck tyres.
With an increasing number of countries and regional groupings implementing anti-dumping and countervailing policies against Chinese-produced, Chinese tyremakers are describing the situation as “not optimistic”. However, facing the harsh international trade environment head-on, Jinyu Tire reports that it has a number of solutions for the current market problems.
Following Halfords’ recent acquisitions of Universal Tyres and McConnechy’s before that, many have speculated regarding what the future holds for Lodge Tyres. Rumours aside, the short story is that Lodge Tyres had a good 2020 despite the obvious Covid-19-related adversity and is set for further growth in 2021. Tyres & Accessories met with Lodge Tyres managing director Andy Christmas and commercial director Martin O’Brien in order to get the latest details straight from Lodge Tyres’ management.
Prometeon Tyre Group UK has appointed Ricky Mitchell as Business Development Manager for the South East. He is responsible for new business and account management in the South East for Prometeon’s customer base of truck, bus and coach operators and tyre dealers.
Electric propulsion is becoming increasingly attractive for heavy vehicle operators, and Continental is thus working together with truck and bus manufacturers on tyre solutions that meet these vehicles’ specific requirements. It is currently conducting testing at its Contidrom facility in northern Germany with an electric truck made by electric commercial vehicle specialist Futuricum.
BKT has debuted a new on-/off-road tyre for trucks and mixed-use vehicles employed in agricultural applications, the Multimax MP 569. The tyre maker created the BKT Multimax MP 569 as a front axle fitment in size 445/65 R 22.5, to be employed in combination with the FL 633 Performa on the rear axle in size 600/50 R 22.5.
Goodyear has launched a new truck tyre range in Europe under its Sava sub-brand. It offers the new Sava Series 5 as the Avant 5 steer axle tyre, Orjak 5 for the drive axle and Cargo 5 for trailers and semi-trailers. With the range, the tyre maker is targeting transport companies who require robust, reliable tyres for year-round use in all weather conditions.
PJ Thory Ltd has installed a TyreWatch system to monitor and control tyre maintenance and safety across its extensive 8-wheeler HGV fleet. The firm’s diverse operation spans mixed haulage, aggregate supplies, waste management and demolition. Working with TyreWatch technicians and Prometeon Tyre Group, the agro and off-road tyre specialist, PJ Thory, undertook an analysis and short trial to assess their requirements and bed-in the new tyre pressure management system (TPMS), which is now fitted to 11 Scania vehicles with a number of new DAF 8 wheelers to follow.
Giti Tire will travel to Thruxton this weekend as the 2021 British Truck Racing Championship, of which the manufacturer is the sponsor, prepares for its second round. Last time out at Brands Hatch (5-6 June), Giti’s drivers secured the team’s first victory and four further podium finishes over five races. Martin Gibson, Giti Tire’s manager – EU Testing Centre and Motorsport UK, and Stuart Oliver of Team Oliver Racing, are competing in Giti Tire Motorsport designed trucks. Gibson won the fourth race at Brands, while Oliver finished in second place, repeating his achievement in race one.
Michelin has begun the rollout of a new winter truck tyre range in Europe. It says the 3PMSF-marked Michelin X Multi Grip delivers an improvement in performance over predecessor tyres the Michelin XFN2 and XDW IceGrip. The tyre maker designed X Multi Grip to “ensure maximum safety and mobility in extreme winter conditions” thanks to outstanding grip on wet, snow- and slush-covered roads.
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.
Continental is rolling out the latest-generation Conti EcoPlus range, the Conti EcoPlus 3+. It states that thanks to these tyres’ reduced rolling resistance and higher fuel efficiency, it can offer fleet operators “an optimised commercial vehicle tyre.”
Wardle-based Boughey Distribution has specified the fitment of Michelin X Multi Energy tyres to all new vehicles joining its fleet, thus maintaining its policy of 100 per cent Michelin fitment across all axles. Boughey will be taking delivery of 127 new Volvo FH 460 6×2 tractor units with Globetrotter XL cabs over the next two years, all shod with 315/70 R22.5 Michelin X Multi Energy drive tyres.
The latest tyre in the Bandvulc Wastemaster range is ready for launch following extensive testing and field trials. Bandvulc developed, tested and produced this fifth-generation product at its Ivybridge factory. The Wastemaster 5 will replace the Wastemaster III, a proven product in the waste sector that has been around for more than 20 years.
Jinyu Tire
Tyre Industry Publications Ltd
Prometeon Tyre Group