92 pages of Industry News, Views and Essential Information

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The CV Show is an event widely recognised as a premier meeting place for British and European transport, distribution and logistics businesses and it provided an ideal opportunity for Infinity Tyres to meet with its clients and partners.

Mr. Jorge Crespo, European General Manager for Infinity Tyres, said: “This year’s event was a wonderful opportunity to stand side-by-side with our UK distributor, R.H. Claydon, and give them our full support. Furthermore, we were glad to be a part of the event to show the British market just how serious Infinity is about its presence here, and how important the UK is for Infinity.”

With the home of Pirelli based in a city that is famed as the stomping ground of two of the world’s best known football clubs - Inter Milan and AC Milan - the pressure was on the Pirelli squad to deliver a top performance.

Seventeen teams were entered into the tournament that included a number of local businesses and organisations from across the region. The Pirelli squad was managed by employee Tom Bennett, and the team impressed on their first outing as they claimed a dominant 4-1 victory. This was shortly followed by another win as Pirelli landed a 3-0 victory in their second game, rewarding the team with a spot in the quarter-finals.

Stiff competition from a team that included former Burton Albion player Danny Holmes challenged the squad on the next match and despite leading by 2-1 at one stage, the Pirelli team were eventually defeated and knocked out of the competition.

The company has launched a dedicated tyre labelling information module at http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/trucktyrelabelling/ which explains everything fleet operators need to know about the legislation, including why it is being introduced, what tyres it covers, an overview of the different rating criteria and what benefits it offers fleets.

Sharn Samra, Michelin’s Head of Truck & Bus Marketing in the UK and Ireland, explains: “The introduction of tyre labelling is a big step for the industry and will act as an important decision-making tool for fleets.  Naturally, Michelin is keen to support any initiative which will improve the overall quality of tyres on the market.”

The event is one of the highlights on the motorsport calendar and features a huge entry, ranging from full endurance-specification racers to production hatchbacks with safety modifications only. It uses the infamous Nordschleife circuit, referred to as the 'Green Hell', the 20-kilometre circuit nestling in the Eifel Mountains in Germany.

Hankook were first introduced to the UIK in the early 1980’s with just two employees. The company now employs a total of 65 staff in the UK head office. “It is very satisfying to see so many of our valued UK team celebrate 10 years service with the company. Hankook have built a very successful, committed and experienced team of people here in the UK whose hard work and knowledge of the tyre industry have been invaluable. I want to thank each one of them for their contribution over the last years and hope sincerely that they continue to grow with the company in years to come,” said Tony Lee Manager Director.

 At the moment only minimal information about the new tyre can be provided and engineers are currently in the process of finalising the product for production. The development of the tyre is an advancement in the performance of one specific critical area, often recognised as being a 'key challenge'.

 Goodyear recently launched its latest tyre innovation, the all new EfficientGrip SUV which has been specifically manufactured to meet the ever demanding needs of the SUV and 4x4 vehicle markets. This new range was recently unveiled in Albufeira, Portugal as part of an extensive European product presentation and follows the successful introduction of Goodyear's award winning EfficientGrip passenger tyre.

 Tyre Trade News joined Goodyear at the launch as part of a UK delegation which incorporated a number of test driving events and product workshops commencing with a two hour Scenic Drive in a fleet of the world acclaimed Range Rover Evoque SUV fitted with EfficientGrip SUV tyres from Quinta dos Agostos, Santa Barbara de Nexe near Faro to Albufeira.

The event on 3rd May was open to anyone with an interest in tyre and road safety and attracted organisations including tyre retailers and manufacturers, car makers, insurers, fleet providers, emergency services and trading standards.

Key to the event’s success was that it did not shy away from tackling topical and relevant subject matters, particularly those of part worn tyres. The event also included the launch of TyreSafe’s tyre labelling educational material ahead of the 1^st July introduction.

“TyreSafe is planning another briefing for late summer just ahead of our annual Tyre Safety Month. The details will be available on our website – www.tyresafe.org

The Champiro UHP1 has been created for the most demanding drivers to offer excellent wet and dry handling, precise cornering and strong braking characteristics across a wide variety of road conditions.

The Champiro UHP1 is introduced in 43 sizes ranging from 195/45R15 to 255/35ZR20 with speed codes from V-W.

Also launched is the Champiro VP1, a mainstream all-round comfort design that offers versatility with an impressive balance of comfort, control, safety and mileage.

The Champiro VP1 is introduced in 28 sizes ranging from 165/80R13 to 195/50R15, with speed codes ranging from T-V.

GT Radial is also displaying a wide selection of other tyres in the high performance, comfort, winter, Nordic, 4x4, light truck and specialist categories.

The company also revealed that attendance at the event has resulted in several orders for the inaugural retread tyre, GT Ree Tread, many of which were taken on the stand.

Tony McHugh, sales and marketing director for GT Radial, said: “The stand was a constant flow of activity.  Everyone we spoke to commended the diversity of the product range, which covers several applications across European markets, and this is mirrored in the quality of the leads.

Peter Foulkes, GT Radial Marketing Manager Europe – Truck and Bus, added: “We are now the world’s fourth biggest player in the bus and truck tyre market and everyone who visited our stand knows we have achieved this through a strategy of offering advanced products in a wide range of sizes at attractive price points with excellent service and technical back up.

“At the event we launched three new products including the GT Ree Tread, our first commercial vehicle retread tyre.  It offers definite cost and environmental advantages along with excellent overall performance and a clear casing value.  Initial customer feedback indicates it will make a real impact in the market.”

The retailers booked their tickets to Thailand after purchasing Maxxis car, van and 4x4 tyres from excusive distributor Stapleton’s Tyre Services between 1 October 2011 and 31 March 2012.

Following the success of last year’s Infinity Tyres Stakes Handicap, the prize money of £20,000 has attracted a strong line-up of riders and continuing to sponsor the first race of this prestigious festival is sure to bring excellent exposure for the Infinity brand.

York racecourse is one of Europe’s premier tracks and was recently awarded ‘Flat Racecourse of the Year’ and Infinity Tyres looks forward to a great day out with its many dealers and partners. 

Those who cannot be there in person will be able watch the Infinity Tyres Stakes live on British terrestrial TV – at 1.30pm on Channel 4.

The Japanese company has been the official tyre supplier to the WTCC since 2006 and joined the ITCC as tyre partner this year. It was a natural fit to offer VIP visits to one of the WTCC rounds as prizes to the ITCC drivers who notched up the most points at the series' third round.

Infinity Tyres has been testing its new tyre ranges at Spain’s IDIADA proving ground with great results. IDIADA, located in the province of Tarragona, offers the most comprehensive independent proving ground facilities in Europe, as well as state-of-the-art test tracks and fully equipped laboratories.

The Total Performance Testing team was requested to perform a series of tests on Infinity’s new prototype tyres versus two major European OEM tyre brands as well as a less recognised Asian replacement tyre brand.

Both Infinity prototypes were of the same construction but differed in tread compound and were analysed following a full range of subjective tests which were carried out alongside more standard objective tests in order to give a comprehensive assessment of the new models.

Paul Ketteridge, aged 51, of Lyndon Avenue, Bramham, Leeds, admitted two waste offences in relation to Tockwith Airfield and was found guilty after a trial on a charge relating to fly tipping at Goodmanham near Market Weighton.

He also admitted three further waste offences in relation to thousands of tyres dumped at Avenue Road, York and 31 Lyndon Avenue, Bramham.

Jorge Crespo, European General Manager for Infinity Tyres, said: “Infinity greatly believes in the growth potential of the French market and this deal will ensure that both Massa and Infinity will find this new partnership to be mutually beneficial in all respects.”

Auto Express has been conducting tyre tests in the UK for over a decade, and the magazine’s most recent product awards assessed 10 different tyres on aquaplaning, cabin noise and economy. They carried out the assessment on one of the UK’s most popular sizes: 225/45R17, in order to reveal the tyre’s all-round ability.

A former winner in this size, the Pirelli P Zero tyre proved itself as one of the best once more by finishing in the top three. Auto Express stated: “It [the Pirelli P Zero] makes its way into our top three thanks to an excellent performance in the wet tests, comfortably winning the braking and handling disciplines and finishing in the top four in the other categories.”

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ZC Rubber’s sales, which were up 29.2% over 2010, were significantly higher than GITI Tire Co. Ltd. ($2.89 billion) and Triangle Group Co. Ltd. ($2.52 billion) for the top honours, according to the CRIA data.

Furthermore, sales of $3.52 billion should put ZC Rubber in the 10th, 11th or 12th position globally, depending on what Taiwan’s  final fiscal 2011 numbers show.

Jorge Crespo, European General Manager for Eskay Tyres, distributor of the brand in the UK and several key European markets, said: “These results are a strong signal to the tyre market of Westlake’s strength and growth potential and a good reflection of Westlake’s dedication to quality and product development."

The tyre, which is designed to answer the most pressing needs of consumers of Ultra High Performance tyres with its ActiveBraking Technology, beat nine competitors to the title following a series of intensive tyre tests.
       
The Auto Express accolade for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 complements the impressive list of original equipment fitment wins since its launch which include exclusive high performance vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Audi A4 and Porsche 911 Carrera 2.

Michelle Fisher, Goodyear Brand Manager said: “Our Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyre continues to prove its worth as an increasing number of independent experts discover its strengths, on both wet and dry road surfaces.

“It is a clear recognition that the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is being seen as one of the best tyres on the market today, and being named as the ‘Best Tyre’ by such an influential automotive magazine really adds credibility to our message.”

Notably, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 2 was named a “Commended” product in the Winter Tyre category.

Swift action during a breakdown situation is critical to business for truck fleet operators who work to strict deadlines with the threat of penalties for delivery delays. 

The network has more than 300 independent outlets and 1,000 service staff that are trained specifically on servicing truck tyres, reassuring customers that it can properly provide service cover across Europe.

Covering multiple product categories such as car protection and maintenance the Auto express Product Awards offer motoring enthusiast’s expert advice when looking for their next product purchase.

The ‘Best Winter Tyre’ accolade comes as a direct result of Continental’s win in the 2011 Auto Express winter tyre test. In its second year, Auto Express tested the best of the best in the winter tyre market, revealing the best performers for the winter season from a series of stringent tests made in Northern Sweden.

Auto Express commented on the TS830P, “Consistently good performances earn Continental our winter tyre crown. Great all round performance with no weaknesses, sees off winter rivals and takes the win.”

John Tarbox the Tyre Industry Golf Society Honorary Captain is delighted with the support received thus far and said: “This will now be the largest golf event ever organised by the NTDA and we are delighted that so many members have taken this unique opportunity to play the famed Brabazon Course at the Belfry.”

Mr. Jorge Crespo, European General Manager for Eskay Tyres, distributor of the brand in the UK and several key European markets, commented: “Dan is a great artist and I’m sure all our guests at the gala dinner will enjoy his performance.”

The company (Hall 3, Stand 241) will bring new products from both its Cooper and Avon brands to the annual international tyre fair in order to showcase the strides being made in tyre development and technology, including design work conducted at its European Technical Centre in Melksham, UK.

Among the stars of the Cooper display will be the newest additions to its highly acclaimed 4x4 range – the Discoverer S/T_MAXX and the Discoverer A/T³.

The Avon brand will be represented by its ZZ5 UHP passenger car tyre, launched last year to complement the hugely-popular ZZ3 product, as well as its brand-new 3D Ultra range of motorcycle tyres.

Cooper Tire Europe managing director, Julian Baldwin, said, “The last 12 months have been hugely exciting for Cooper Tire. The continuing shift to clean oil production processes has enabled us to introduce more of the highly-commended Cooper 4x4 range to Europe, while the launches of Avon’s ZZ5 and 3D Ultra tyres for car and bike have been met with enormous enthusiasm.”

Marking the 19-year-old’s first ever wet-weather running at the wheel of his Total Control Racing run car, the event couldn’t have been much tougher and was a true baptism of fire for the Telford driver although he at least managed to salvage some championship points from the opening encounter.

Finishing on the cusp of the top 15 in a rain-affected fifth round on Saturday, 28th April, Rob’s chances of an improvement in the much wetter sixth round on Sunday, 29th April, were slim due to championship regulations limiting the number of wet tyres each driver has available.

Although disappointed to post a pair of row 10 starts in tricky conditions, the Goodride Performance Tyres, Grouptyre and Exhaust Tyres & Batteries Ltd-backed racer had high hopes of pushing towards the top 10 in both races.  Rob lapped with top 10 pace in Saturday afternoon’s encounter and had a realistic chance of a finish in the thick of the points positions, however, the unfortunate moment on cold tyres early on limited the possibilities and he had to be satisfied with an eventual 16th place – sixth in the Rookie Cup.