Tyre News

Hankook's Hungary Plant Supplies OE to VW
Avon Tyres Raise Cash for Guide Dog Charity
Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden in Tyre Shipment
Maxxis Takes Top Drift Honours at Season Opener
Yokohama Original Equipment on Audi Q7
ATS Euromaster Opens New Flagship Centre in Galashiels
Apollo Tyres Completes Vredestein Acquisition
Tyre Safety Campaign Achieves Record Interest
Kwik-Fit's Green Focus Wins Industry Award
Melksham Tyre Supplies Celebrates 45 years with Avon
Hankook on World Rally Stage with IRC Campaign

Hankook's Hungary Plant Supplies OE to VW

Hankook has announced that it is now an OE fitment on Volkswagen's Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California van models. Europe's largest automobile manufacturer is equipping the fifth generation of its successful and utility-oriented van family, called "T5" by experts, with the new Hankook Radial RA 28, size 215/65 R 16 C.

The Radial RA 28, a specially balanced tyre perfectly suited to the variety of uses of such vehicles, it is not only exclusively supplied to Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge in Hannover but it is in fact the first tyre ever delivered to a European automobile manufacturer directly from Hankook's new, ultramodern plant in Hungary.

Moreover, the Radial RA 28 not only stands for Hankook's high-quality production in Europe but also for European engineering, as the tyre has mainly been developed at the tyre manufacturer's Europe Technical Center (ETC) located in Langenhagen near Hanover and tailored to the needs of Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge.

At the ETC, more than forty Hankook engineers and technicians are designing tyres that are especially adjusted to the needs of the European market. The extension of the cooperation with Volkswagen as Hankook's key European original equipment customer marks another milestone on the course for growth of the world's seventh largest tyre manufacturer.

"We are happy that Volkswagen has decided to equip its utility vehicles with our tyres and are especially proud that we are already able to supply the tyres from our recently opened European factory", said Jin-Wook Choi, Hankook Tire Executive Vice-President and COO in Europe. "We have been a reliable partner and supplier of high-quality tyres to Volkswagen for many years. We wish to build on this relationship of trust and look forward to equipping many other Volkswagen models in the future."

Avon Tyres Raise Cash for Guide Dog Charity

Avon Tyres has helped to raise more than £200 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity recently by raffling off a set of ZZ3 high-performance tyres. The raffle was held via the National Tyres and Autocare (NTA) stand at a Yorkshire Water Health & Safety event. The set of ZZ3s, one of Avon's premier high-performance products, was won by Mr Tim Wragg.

Meanwhile, NTA account manager Terry Waite, presented Guide Dogs for the Blind branch organiser, Thelma Wilson, with a cheque for the £212 raised in the raffle.

Avon Tyres National Account Manager, James Steventon, said: "We were very pleased to be able to help out such a worthwhile cause with the prize of the ZZ3 tyres. The charity helps some 21,000 blind and partially-sighted people experience true independence every year, and NTA has always done a sterling job selling Avon Tyres across the UK".

Illegal Immigrants Found Hidden in Tyre Shipment

UK Border Agency officers working in Calais have stopped an attempt by 11 illegal immigrants to smuggle themselves into the UK - hidden in a lorry load of racing tyres. The French registered lorry was stopped on 30 April at 0804hrs. On inspection the officer noted the padlock appeared to be broken. When the trailer was opened several clandestines were visible. Using highly sensitive heart beat detection equipment officers were able to remove the well hidden men - making sure the lorry was only carrying tyres when it continued its journey to the UK.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "We have hundreds of UK Border Agency officers based at ports in France and Belgium, working to stop illegal immigrants before they get to the UK. In addition to searches with heartbeat monitors we also use body detection dogs and carbon dioxide monitors to find well hidden stowaways".

The 11 would-be illegal immigrants were fingerprinted, photographed, refused entry to the UK and then handed over to the French police before the lorry was allowed to continue its journey to the UK.

Maxxis Takes Top Drift Honours at Season Opener

Maxxis got the 2009 drifting season off to a storming start with success in the opening rounds of the British Drift Championship (BDC) and the Prodrift Super Series, both of which took place during the International Styling & Tuning Show at Donington Park over the Easter weekend, and in the new-look Need for Speed European Drift Championship at Oulton Park on April 25.

After six weeks of solid work Maxxis-sponsored Team Japspeed unveiled its new RB25-powered Nissan Silvia S15s. Despite their lack of track time, drivers Danny Eyles and Shane Lynch put in a sterling effort with Danny finishing seventh and Shane qualifying sixteenth out of 40 competitors in the first round of the BDC (April 11).

Meanwhile, the Japspeed B Team of Steve Biagioni, Anthony Cahill and Nathan Chivers, who was the day's second highest qualifier, set about making their mark. Steve took second overall in the Pro class and Nathan finished third in the Semi-Pro class to give Team Japspeed the win in the team constructors' championship. Driving the Maxxis Tyres Nissan Onevia, Ireland's Dean Kearney took top honours in the Prodrift Super Series - the second event of the Donington double-header - on Easter Sunday (April 12).

This championship has adopted a new competition format for 2009, which will see the best Pro class drifting talent from the UK and Ireland battle it out over five rounds, and the opening event set the stage for some top drifting action this summer. Twenty year old Dean progressed through qualifying to find himself in a Top 8 shoot out with fellow Maxxis runner Danny Eyles of Team Japspeed. Danny eventually finished in sixth spot as Dean went on to make light work of the Hankook Silvia of Alan Lenihan in the semi-final before clinching the victory - and his second career win - over Alan's brother Gavin in the final.

Meanwhile, in the first round of the Need for Speed European Drift Championship, Maxxis-sponsored drivers Declan Hicks in the 500bhp Toyota Soarer GZ20 and Mark Luney in the SVA Imports Nissan 350Z quickly got to grips with a new format and testing weather conditions to finish fifth and third respectively.

Europe's premier drift championship chose Oulton Park, a new venue for the series, to launch its 2009 season and saw a downpour during the practice session add to the day's drama, as the drying track caught out some competitors in the knock-out stage. Kieron Cameron spun in his 180SX to hand Declan a place in the Top 8, while Mark progressed courtesy of a spin by Paul Cheshire in his S14A. The Maxxis drivers came up against each other and, having finished all square after the first run, Mark got the edge in corner one to go through to the semi-finals by a narrow 6/4 margin. He was then paired with Phil Morrison, who made the angles to get the nod in a closely fought crowd-pleaser before taking overall victory and maximum championship points.

"We are sponsoring some of the strongest teams and drivers in UK drifting this year and while we are confident about the new Maxxis MA-Z1 Drift tyres they are using, the fact that we have achieved such excellent results right at the start of the season is tremendously encouraging and bodes well for the coming rounds of the British Drift Championship, European Drift Championship and Prodrift Super Series," says Maxxis UK's managing director Derek McMartin.

Yokohama Original Equipment on Audi Q7

Yokohama has announced that its ADVAN Sport tyre, for super sports cars, in its global flagship brand "ADVAN" line, will be fitted as original equipment on the Audi Q7, a large, high-performance SUV. The tyre was selected for its high level of overall performance, proven stability and comfort at high speeds (300 kph and above), as well as excellent braking. Two sizes of tyre will be available for both front and rear, 275/45R20 110Y or 265/50R19 110Y.

The Audi Q7 is the third Audi model to have Yokohama tyres fitted as original equipment, joining the S6 and S8 in Audi's top-class S series.

ATS Euromaster Opens New Flagship Centre in Galashiels

ATS Euromaster has opened its new flagship fast-fit centre in Huddersfield Street, Galashiels, following investment of more than £800,000. The new centre is located just 200 yards from the previous site, which is being demolished to make way for the A7 trunk road extension.

Situated directly opposite the Gala Water Retail Park, the new facility boasts five vehicle work bays, including one dedicated to commercial vehicles, and is equipped to provide a complete range of fast-fit services for motorists including tyres, brakes, batteries, shock absorbers, exhausts and oil. Open six days a week, it is manned by a team of six highly skilled technicians.

Tony Culbertson, Manager of ATS Euromaster in Galashiels - one of 460 ATS Euromaster centres around the UK - says: "We haven't moved very far, but in terms of facilities for our technicians and customers, the new centre is a world apart. It's fully kitted out with the latest garage equipment and makes Galashiels the most modern ATS Euromaster centre in the network.

Apollo Tyres Completes Vredestein Acquisition

Apollo Tyres Ltd has concluded the process of acquiring a 100% stake in the European tyre manufacturer Vredestein Banden BV (VBBV), based out of the Netherlands. The acquisition is being made from the parent company, Russia's largest tyre manufacturer Amtel-Vredestein NV (AVNV), which was declared bankrupt on 29 April 2009. An independent tyre company since 1946, Vredestein became a part of Russia's largest tyre manufacturer AVNV in April 2005.

AVNV's bankruptcy has not affected the Netherlands-based VBBV, which continues to remain a viable entity with a ring-fenced financing arrangement and a turnover of approximately Euro 307 million for CY08. Vredestein's manufacturing unit is located in Enschede, 1.5 hours from Amsterdam.

The acquisition strengthens Apollo Tyres' ongoing plans for the European market and provides Vredestein with opportunities to leverage its proximity to a larger industry player in terms of costs, people, products and access to markets beyond the European Union.

"This is a strategic alliance for us and will bolster Apollo's plans for its European customers," commented Onkar S Kanwar, Chairman & Managing Director, Apollo Tyres Ltd. "The fit between the two companies spans the entire spectrum of R&D, products and people to manufacturing and markets. It is a synergistic match and our aim is to increase Vredestein's global value in the coming years."

"This alliance is a win-win combination for both companies," adds Vredestein Banden BV's Chief Executive Officer, Rob Oudshoorn. "We will bring to Apollo our edge in passenger car tyre technology alongside an understanding of the European market. At the same time, Apollo can offer us access to the non-European markets, valuable manufacturing expertise and assistance with bringing down costs by leveraging the purchasing power of a larger entity".

Tyre Safety Campaign Achieves Record Interest

The latest tyre safety campaign to be held by safety organisation TyreSafe has achieved record interest, as the organisation's website experienced its busiest month to date in April with 26,700 visits, a 185 percent increase from April 2008.

TyreSafe's Bike Tyre Safety Month reached out to all motorcyclists, new and experienced, to raise awareness of the importance of tyres in road safety. Top tips for bike tyre safety maintenance together with key tyre safety advice were shared with bikers via a dedicated page on the TyreSafe website, where visitors were also offered the opportunity to register for the organisation's newsletter and receive a free tyre valve extension.

The campaign received support from a wide range of organisations, such as the Motorcycle Industry Association, the Institute of Advanced Motorists and the British Motorcyclists Federation.

Kwik-Fit's Green Focus Wins Industry Award

Kwik-Fit Fleet's 'green' focus has won the company the Environment Award in the 2009 Van Fleet World Honours, which were announced Wednesday, May 20. The award, presented at a ceremony at London's Royal Automobile Club, is given to those van manufacturers and service companies who have, in the opinion of the judging panel composed of industry experts, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

Melksham Tyre Supplies Celebrates 45 years with Avon

Wiltshire tyre dealer, Melksham Tyre Supplies (MTS), is celebrating its 45th year in partnership with local tyre manufacturer, Avon Tyres. The family-run firm, based on Station Approach in the town, is run by Melksham man, James Love (30), whose father Colin started the company in 1964, after initially working in the service department at Avon's Melksham plant, now owned by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. MTS employs eight people, but it's not just the relationship with the Avon brand that is long-standing - some of the staff have been with the firm for over 30 years.

To celebrate its 45 successful years with Avon Tyres, MTS is planning promotional giveaways including Avon goody bags and jackets. But, when it comes to the secret of running a lucrative independent business, especially in the current economic climate, Mr Love keeps it nice and simple:

"We keep our prices competitive and we provide an honest, reliable service, it's that simple," he says. "My dad started the company after working at the then Avon Tyres plant. He realised that, although there were plenty of local people making the tyres, there wasn't anyone locally selling them."

Mr Love Sr opened MTS's doors in '64, and handed over the day to day running of the company to his son around five years ago. James, in turn, has been involved in the company since 1998, when he was 19. Having been a partner since its inception, MTS now sells some 500 Avon tyres a week - or 26,000 a year.

Hankook on World Rally Stage with IRC Campaign

Tyre manufacturer Hankook is stepping up its rally activities with plans to contest five rounds of the IRC this year ahead of a full championship assault in 2010. Hankook has joined forces with MSD to run the Opel Corsa OPC Super 2000 on five rounds of the IRC starting with Belgium Ypres Rally in June before tackling rounds in the Czech Republic, Spain, San Remo and Scotland.

Driving the Opel Corsa will be French sensation 33 year old Alex Bengue who has already tested the car with Hankook tyres. Bengue will also be supported this year by French oil company Yacco which has been a long term supporter of Bengue in France and at WRC level.

Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson said the opportunity to compete in such a high profile and forward thinking championship with such a great car/driver package would give the tyre brand huge exposure.

"We have been looking at the IRC for some time and sampled the championship with Stuart Jones in Switzerland last year,'' said Mike. "Now is the perfect time to gain valuable experience on five rounds and plan a comprehensive campaign in 2010.''