Tyre News

Michelin at Eurotunnel for Motorists Safety
Hankook Increases R&D Budget for Environmental Technologies
Silverline International Appointed UK Distributor for Mastercraft Tires
First Stop Dealers Offered Green Incentive by Bridgestone
Crowe Victory Marks 15 Consecutive Isle of Man Wins for Yokohama
Ron Haslam Race School on Bridgestone
Cheaper, Safer and Greener Business Miles from Michelin
Kumho Joint Winner of 4x4 Magazine's Ultimate MT Tyre Test
HiQ Drives Forward with Franchise Programme
First Stop Dealership Celebrates 40 Years in Business
The £1 Billion Bill British Motorists Could Avoid

Michelin at Eurotunnel for Motorists Safety

Following on from its 2007 campaign, Michelin's latest "Fill up with Air" roadshow kicked off at the Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal on 1-2 July. Motorists traveling to France passing through the terminal had the chance to get a free tyre pressure check and advice on their tyres from Michelin's expert technicians before setting out on their journey.

This was the start of a UK-wide roadshow designed to educate motorists on the importance of correct tyre pressures. Over two days in 2007, a similar survey at Eurotunnel concluded that 83% of vehicles checked by the technicians had under-inflated tyre and a staggering 63% were underinflated.

Hankook Increases R&D Budget for Environmental Technologies

Hankook Tire has announced that it is investing an unprecedented sum in sustainable future technology in tyre manufacturing: The Korean company will invest at least €12.5 million annually in research and development (R&D) of eco-friendly tyres featuring low rolling resistance and fuel saving efficiency, thereby taking a leading position within the industry. The increase of research funds boosts the annual research budget for environmental-friendly tyres by 350 percent to approximately 0.5 percent of the company's global annual revenue.

With this investment, Hankook Tire is responding to the increasing ecological sensitization and a growing demand for environmental-friendly products on the part of car makers, regulators and consumers. The increased investment in environmental technology is part of Hankook Tire's consistent commitment to invest 5 percent of its annual revenue in R&D.

Today, Hankook Tire is already recognized for its strong environmental technology. Due to its low rolling resistance and reduced noise level Hankook Tire's new all-season tyre Optimo 4S is the only tyre worldwide to be awarded the eco-label Blue Angel by the German Federal Environment Agency. The renowned quality seal gives consumers references to the most environmental friendly high-end product within a product category as security-relevant criteria including handling and wet braking performance have to be officially approved by the Federal Environmental Agency as well.

As a testimony to Hankook Tire's environmental research effort, the Optimo K715 was already recognized as the most environmentally-friendly tyre of its class by Stiftung Warentest in 2007, containing the lowest ammount of PAH2) in its compound. Hankook Tire's Winter I*pike (W409) and Winter I*cept (W605) tyres also received the Swan-Ecolabel, the official Scandinavian eco-label, in 2004.

Silverline International Appointed UK Distributor for Mastercraft Tires

Mastercraft Tires have announced the appointment of Warwick-based Silverline International as its official UK distributor. The Mastercraft brand, which is marketed as an ideal alternative to OE fitments by offering a wide range of compatible fitment options at an affordable price, is a subsidiary brand of the US manufacturer Cooper Tire. Silverline International has been in business for over 20 years, specialising in the supply of UHP and SUV wheels and tyres.

Mastercraft sales manager, Andy Harris, said: "Silverline International is one of the leading independent tyre businesses in the country and we're delighted that they are representing the Mastercraft brand."

First Stop Dealers Offered Green Incentive by Bridgestone

First Stop dealers around the country are being rewarded for excellent performance with a free courtesy car scheme. Bridgestone UK launched the scheme in December 2007 and has incentivised dealers by offering the Toyota Aygo Hatchback 1.0 VVT to garages which have surpassed performance expectations. To date nearly 20 dealers have received a Toyota Aygo, on a two year lease, which can be used by garages for employees to go to and from work, as a courtesy car or as a general garage run around for collecting parts.

Commenting on the scheme Mark Fereday, Retail Development Manager, at Bridgestone said: "Bridgestone supports outstanding performance and the courtesy car scheme is the latest in a range of measures to support the First Stop network and believe businesses will feel significant benefits from being involved. The success to date suggests that it will be up and running across the network very soon."

Crowe Victory Marks 15 Consecutive Isle of Man Wins for Yokohama

Two wins for Yokohama-shod Nick Crowe in the sidecar class of this year's Isle of Man TT races brings the Japanese tyre manufacturer's string of success to 15 consecutive years with a win on the island. Not only did the winner of both races feature Yokohama tyres, so did the full podium for each race, as well as 2/3 of the runners in the class.

Ron Haslam Race School on Bridgestone

Following a successful launch in the UK, Bridgestone's new Battlax BT-016 motorbike tyre has received a further endorsement from racing legend Ron Haslam. The Ron Haslam Race School has announced it will be using the Battlax BT-016 after successful trials proved the tyres to be a significant development on the BT-014 tyres, which it will replace.

The race school, which has worked with Bridgestone for 13 years, started using the BT-016 this month. The tyre will be used on all Honda CBR 1000 RR and Honda CBR 600 RR bikes - a total of 62 out of the 96 bikes ridden at the school, which offers expert tuition to riders of all levels and is based at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit. The other 34 bikes ridden at the school are also shod with Bridgestone tyres.

Cheaper, Safer and Greener Business Miles from Michelin

'Rolling Resistance' may sound like a technical term best left in an operator's manual, but it is one that is becoming increasingly important to any business running a company car scheme. The energy a vehicle's engine needs to expend just to overcome the friction caused by its tyres has a direct effect on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, so spiralling prices at the pumps and an increasing need to be 'greener' are making factors such as rolling resistance ever more crucial to vehicle-owning organisations.

New research from independent test centre TÜV SÜD Automotive has found that the new Michelin Energy Saver tyre has a rolling resistance 20% lower than its direct competitors. With a set of four tyre fitted, this will lead to an average saving of £100 over the life of the tyres (enough to contribute a substantial amount towards the cost of the tyres) and significantly reduce CO2 output per mile. The tests also proved that the Michelin Energy Saver tyres achieve these savings without compromising safety as, despite a lower rolling resistance, braking distances are not increased.

TÜV SÜD Automotive is an independent research organisation employing more than 13,000 staff at over 600 sites worldwide. These latest braking tests compared Michelin's Energy Saver with comparable products from Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, and Pirelli.

Kumho Joint Winner of 4x4 Magazine's Ultimate MT Tyre Test

The Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 was the joint winner of 4x4 Magazine's 'ultimate tyre test' to establish the best mud-terrain tyre on the UK market. It shared top honours with BFGoodrich, beating offerings from Goodyear, Wildcat, Maxxis, Cooper, INSA and Pirelli by a significant margin.

All eight makes of 235/85 R16 tyres were subjected to six challenging, real-world tests, ie - mud climb, bog run, side slope, rock crawl, gravel and tarmac braking. One vehicle was involved - a 2007 Land Rover Defender 110. The magazine found the Kumho KL71 radically different in appearance from all its competitors and, in fact, to be the best looking as well as the joint best performer. The Kumho was awarded top marks on the rock crawl and gravel braking tests and performed with credit on the mud climb and bog run.

In summary, the magazine said, "The Kumho MT KL71 is a great tyre and a deserving all-round winner. Give it a try." Said Kumho's Managing Director Steve Tidmarsh, "We are naturally delighted with the result. 4x4 Magazine's test is very much in line with our own research and reinforces the confidence we have had in the KL71 from the outset. I can also reveal that the new 18in rally raid tyre we have developed for the Bowler Nemesis is based on the KL71 and that is surely the ultimate test for an MT tyre."

HiQ Drives Forward with Franchise Programme

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK has announced the next stage in the growth of the HiQ franchise programme. The programme aims to accelerate the growth of the nationwide tyre and vehicle servicing network by signing long-term franchise agreements for all the parent-company owned HiQ stores in England and Wales, extending the successful model that currently operates in Northern Ireland, Scotland and in some areas of England.

Mark Brickhill, Group Managing Director stated: "Since announcing the plans on March 12th, there was a high level of interest from ambitious businesses wanting to join us in investing in the future growth of HiQ. On the May 16th closing date we had more bidders than the total number of franchise regions. This puts us in a strong position to make choices that ensure we have committed franchisees on board who share our vision in strengthening the network"

Over the coming weeks, Goodyear Dunlop will work through a due diligence process with the successful chosen bidders for each HiQ region: "We will carefully evaluate each bid to ensure each franchisee has a strong business plan to grow the network by winning and servicing new consumer and fleet business. These plans have to complement existing relationships that Goodyear Dunlop has with Approved Dealers and existing HiQ Franchisees in each region, again to maximise growth" added Mark.

The decision to progress with the franchising route means that the potential Management Buyout option, proposed by Retail Director Neil Burrows and three members of his team will not be progressed any further.

First Stop Dealership Celebrates 40 Years in Business

One of the original dealerships to become part of Bridgestone's First Stop network, A & A Tyres, is celebrating 40 successful years in business. Starting out as a service centre, Ron Austin and Russ Andrew became business partners in 1968 and quickly began to concentrate on the expanding tyre trade. Within five years they had become well respected within the tyre industry and in 1973 they bought their first major A & A Tyres depot, in Cardiff. The business went from strength to strength, opening a second depot in Aberdare in 1980 and a successful retread factory in 1982. By the 1990s A & A Tyres had eight depots across South Wales, employing nearly 90 employees.

Today the focus is on retail tyre sales and continuing to build on relationships with local car dealerships. Commenting on this key milestone Craig Williams, sales manager at A & A Tyres said: "Ron and Russ first formed a friendship in the mid 1960s and have never looked back. Prior to the recent consolidation of the business to two sites A & A were importing and exporting tyres across the world and were one of the country's biggest wholesalers.

"Over the years there have been a lot of changes and Bridgestone has always supported A & A Tyres as it continued to move with the times. Being part of the First Stop network is a key part of this as we have the backing of a big company, combined with a good product."

Carl Williams, car dealer executive for Bridgestone UK added: "A & A Tyres is testament to the success that can be achieved in the tyre industry. Here at Bridgestone we have a strong relationship with A & A Tyres and we warmly congratulate them on 40 years in business and look forward to working with the team for many more years to come as the business continues to thrive."

The £1 Billion Bill British Motorists Could Avoid

British motorists are collectively wasting more than £1 billion a year despite petrol prices breaking through the £5 a gallon mark and diesel hitting £1.29 a litre, by failing to keep an eye on their tyre pressure.

Research by Cooper Tire Europe found that, at any one time, a staggering 95 percent of vehicles on the road have at least one tyre underinflated by 10 percent. This not only increases fuel consumption and reduces the life of the tyre, but also increases the risk of accidents. Underinflated tyres are harder to get moving, and can result in an increase of 2.5 percent in fuel consumption - an unwanted extra expense considering UK motorists spent £34 billion on fuel last year. With around 30 million passenger vehicles on the roads, and an average cost of 14.74 pence per mile for petrol cars and 12.81 pence per mile for diesel cars, drivers of affected vehicles are unwittingly shelling out an extra £44.22 per year each (£38.43 for diesel drivers) - a collective total of £1.26 billion.

Alarmingly, underinflated tyres also increase stopping distances and are therefore a contributory factor to road accidents. Department for Transport data reveals that defective and underinflated tyres cause 1,000 serious injuries or fatalities every year. "Checking your tyre pressures is a mundane, but very simple, task," says Cooper Tire product manager, Malcolm Jones. "As the 'credit crunch' grips the country, it's amazing that drivers aren't bothering to do it, as it could save them money and, more importantly, keep them safe on the road."