Australian Tyre Dealer Feb / March 2014

Australian Tyre Dealer | vol. 23 | issue 1 | Feb/Mar 2014

TOUGH AS INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW

OPEN COUNTRY A/T II 速

enquire about our atlas Dollars Promotion the more you buy the more you earn!

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QUEENSLAND VIC TORIA OTR Tyres Ag Tyres Truck Tyres Industrial Tyres Passenger Tyres 4WD Tyres SUV Tyres

w w w. a t l a s t y r e s . c o m

CONTENTS 2. EDITORS WORD ATD is a publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) and is endorsed by the Australian Tyre Dealers and Retreaders Association (ATDRA)

INDUSTRY NEWS 4. Goodyear delivers ‘adventure’ with

Print Post approved PPP444752/0002

new Wrangler

5. VW turns to Continental for Golf 7,

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the ATDRA or any State or Territory constituent body, or of the Publishers and they take no responsibility for them, except where specifically indicated.

CC and Beetle

6. Apollo and Cooper deal goes flat 7. New Mazda gets Toyo tyre tech 8. Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG hits

HEAD OFFICE Building 8/2728 Logan Road Eight Mile Plains Qld 4113 PO Box 4530 Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: atd@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au

The latest in fuel-efficient tyre technology has been chosen as original equipment for the just-launched Mazda3, p. 7.

the road on Dunlop

9. Bridgestone expands Battlax brand

with new sizes

10. Bmw i3 heralds new era for

electric cars

12. Kumho opens new Perth

EDITOR Jonathan Nash

distribution centre

13. Hankook Tyre Australia announces

ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic

national distribution

BMW looks set to revolutionise the Australian car market with its all-electric offerings, the i3 and the i8, p. 10.

FEATURES

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Emily Metelmann 07 3237 8784 Facsimile: 07 3844 4488 Email: emilys@mtaq.com.auu

14. Toyo toughens up for SUV tyre battle 16. Tackling the old tyre conundrum 20. Detroit Motor Show the centre

EDITORIAL Enquiries should be made to: The Editor 07 3237 8721 or email atd@mtaq.com.au

of attention

28. Michelin steps up Formula E innovation

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MOTORSPORTS 19. Victor Bray to Burnout with

Hankook Tyre

With the launch of Tyre Stewardship Australia and the Tyre Product Stewardship Program, has Australia found an answer to the thorny problem of end-of-life tyres?, p. 16.

24. Kumho backs Australia’s rising

MTA-Queensland ABN: 740 289 338 48

rally talent

25. Schumacher’s greatest battle 26. Pirelli to supply Formula One for

next three years

PRODUCTS 30. Narva inspection lamp gets the

20140138 20140138

“Australian Tyre Dealer” welcomes submissions of information and prepared articles, but their publication will be at its sole discretion. Material appearing in “Australian Tyre Dealer” is copyright, and reproduction in whole or part without the Publisher’s written consent is prohibited. “Australian Tyre Dealer” is circulated to tyre dealers, senior executives of companies which supply the tyre industry, and representatives of relevant industry groups.

thumbs up from technicians

31. WORLD NEWS

Kumho Tyre Australia is the new naming rights sponsor for the Australian Junior Rally Challenge, further expanding the company’s backing of the ECB Australian Rally Championship, p. 24.

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EDITOR’S WORD

W Jonathan Nash Editor

Australia’s leading independent tyre distributor.

2

elcome to the February/ March edition of Australian Tyre Dealer.

The big news in the past few weeks has been the launch of Tyre Stewardship Australia and the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme.

Launched in January, the scheme is designed to increase domestic tyre recycling, support new technologies, expand the market for tyre-derived products and reduce the number of end-of-life tyres ending up in landfill or illegal dumps.

It’s a welcome initiative and we look at the scheme, and its hopedfor outcomes, starting on page 16.

With the imminent return of many of the major motorsport championships we take a look at Pirelli’s commitment to Formula One and the radical new cars which will be shod with the company’s tyres. New body shapes and new engines should make the new F1 season a very interesting one.

On the subject of Formula One, we also take a look at the ongoing, and sad, story that surrounds Michael Schumacher. The F1 great continues to languish in hospital following his terrible skiing accident.

Later this year, the new Formula E racing championship starts. The championship for electric-powered open-wheeled race cars will take place around some of the World’s great cities and Michelin have made some interesting innovations to the tyres that they will provide to the format.

The North American International Motor Show, aka The Detroit Motor Show, took

place in January and Michelin took the opportunity to release its new A/S Premier tyre - a tyre the company says will, thanks to Evergrip technology, provide drivers with exceptional levels of safety even as the tyre wears down.

We also take a peek at some of the fascinating concept cars that were on display at the Show.

Also in tyre product news, Goodyear has announced the release of a new Wrangler tyre designed to be equally at home between on and off-road driving, and Toyo has been chosen to supply the new Mazda3 with its NanoEnergy R38A tyre - a tyre the company says has low noise and rolling resistance, better comfort and tyre life, while at the same time achieving high levels of grip and stability in all conditions.

With the market for SUVs growing and taking a sizeable slice of the vehicle market, the demand for SUV tyres continues to grow.

Toyo Tires has recognised that fact and has released the Open Country A/T II all-terrain tyre that, the company says, will appeal to wide cross-section of customers.

There are likely to be more SUV tyre releases as the market for the vehicles continues to expand.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have some news you would like to share with the industry. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards Jonathan Nash jonathann@mtaq.com.au

FREECALL ORDER HOTLINE

1800 722 822

ENDURANCE THE ALL-NEW OPEN COUNTRY A/T II ÂŽ

Deeper tread depth and a longer-lasting compound means our new all-terrain leaves endurance records in the dust. With over 40% more tread life than a leading competitor* - that’s a whole lot of extra action between tyres. Learn more at toyotires.com.au.

*Mileage projection based upon commissioned third-party test results in the United States. Test conducted on LT265/70R17 tires. Individual results may vary.

For a copy of the test report, write to: marketing@toyo.com.au.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Goodyear delivers ‘adventure’ with new Wrangler

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oodyear has launched a new Wrangler tyre designed, the company says, for drivers who require the capability to switch between on and off-road driving.

The new Wrangler AllTerrain Adventure tyre features a layer of DuPont Kevlar for toughness over pavement, gravel and dirt; plus superior traction through rain and snow.

In addition, the new tyre also contains Goodyear’s exclusive Durawall Technology, which offers superior sidewall strength and toughness for off-road driving, as well as providing additional resistance against cuts and punctures.

“Australians have long been known for their sense of adventure and love of the outdoors; with the creation of the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure, Goodyear has delivered a tyre that facilitates

that lifestyle,” said Matt Griffiths, Goodyear’s 4WD and Light Truck Product Manager.

“With its great wet and off-road traction, long tread life and durability, the new tyre provides superior performance

whether you’re at work or at play, on and off-road.”

Additional features of the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure include traction ridges and open shoulder blocks to help clear mud, as well as biting edges and a rubber compound to provide superior traction on wet roads.

The new Wrangler AllTerrain Adventure is the product update of Goodyear’s highly successful and popular Wrangler SilentArmor tyre and carries a mileage warranty of up to 95,000km.

Now available through all authorised Goodyear retailers, the new Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure is available in 17 sizes, 10 of which are designated as “Pro-Grade” fitments. These 10 Light Truck sizes contain 2 layers of Kevlar and belts that contain 30 per cent more steel (compared to the standard load range) to provide exceptional strength and toughness.

VREDESTEIN TEAMS WITH PORSCHE FOR NEW 911 SPOILER

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pollo Tyres says it has teamed with Porsche to create an innovative ‘spoiler’ for the new Porsche 911 Turbo.

The spoiler, branded as ‘Air Master by Vredestein’, is an integrated part of the Porsche Active Aerodynamics system.

Apollo says the spoiler is made 4

with a specially developed rubber that “combines the flexibility to adapt to the required aerodynamics in all weather conditions and ambient temperatures with the strength and elasticity to withstand impact damage from road particles.”

At low speeds, the spoiler retracts beneath the bumper for maximum

ground clearance, allowing the 911 turbo to pass speed bumps without a hitch. At higher speeds, the spoiler extends on the outside to optimise the airflow around the wheels and reduce fuel consumption.

In the performance position, the spoiler is fully extended to create extra downforce on the front wheels.

Volkswagen has approved tyres from Continental as original equipment, including the ContiEcoContact5

VW turns to Continental for Golf 7, CC and Beetle

V

olkswagen has approved three premium tyres from Continental as original equipment on its Golf 7, CC and Beetle models.

The Golf 7 will be factory fitted with 15- and 16-inch ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5, the CC will feature 17-inch ContiSportContact 5 and ContiEcoContact 5, while the Beetle will be fitted with the 20-inch ContiSportContact 5 tyre.

Depending on the design, the tyres are developed for low fuel consumption, comfortable driving or sporty handling, with all featuring Continental’s advanced technology.

Furthermore, both of the tyres to be fitted on the Volkswagen CC feature ContiSeal technology, which seals minor damage to the tyre by itself, enabling uninterrupted driving.

“Volkswagen chose our tyres because we satisfy their high expectations and performance specification with our premium products,” said Jorg Goner, Manager Automotive Engineering for Continental’s Volkswagen group.

“In addition, we have the ContiEcoContact 5 in our range a tyre with very low rolling resistance and very good driving properties even on wet roads - for example for the Golf 7 Blue Motion. By the same token, with the ContiSportContact 5, we can offer a handling-based tyre that brings the agile properties of the Beetle safely onto the asphalt.”

This recent approval further strengthens Continental’s position as one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers with its products fitted as original equipment to one in every three European built cars.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Apollo and Cooper deal goes flat

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he once much-heralded merger between India’s Apollo Tyres and Cooper Tire of the US has come undone.

The deal would have been one of the biggest ever takeovers of a US firm by an Indian company but Cooper said it would terminate the deal after it had been informed that financing was no longer available for the takeover.

In June last year, India’s Apollo initially agreed to buy the US tyremaker for $35 per share, which brought Cooper’s value to some $2.5bn.

But reports of trouble at Cooper’s Chinese joint venture and union disputes in the US saw Apollo look to reduce the price of the deal.

In a statement, Cooper said, “Cooper rejected Apollo’s efforts to obtain a reduction in share price. Cooper does not agree that any such reduction is warranted . . . The situations with the United Steelworkers (USW) and the joint venture partner and union in China are a direct result of the merger agreement, and are risks Apollo assumed under the merger agreement.”

The ongoing dispute between the two firms is now expected to focus on whether either is liable for a break-up fee.

It has been reported that Apollo may be liable to pay a fee of $112.5m, while Cooper may have been liable for a fee of $50m.

“It is time to move our business forward,” said Cooper Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Roy Armes. “While the strategic rationale for a business combination with Apollo is compelling, it is clear that the merger agreement both companies signed on June 12 will not be consummated by Apollo and we have been notified that financing for the transaction is no longer available. The right thing for Cooper now is to focus on continuing to build our business.”

“While Cooper believes Apollo has breached the merger agreement, and we will continue to pursue the legal steps 6

necessary to protect the interests of our company and our stockholders, our focus will be squarely on our business and moving it forward,” he concluded.

The right thing for Cooper now is to focus on continuing to build our business.

Apollo said it was disappointed the US tyremaker had ended the agreement and said it would pursue legal action of its own.

As the legal knots are untangled, Apollo is reported to still be interested in acquisitions that would expand its geographic reach, give it access to new technology or propel it into the top echelon of tyre producers and that it is shifting its focus to other potential growth markets in Brazil, Africa and parts of Asia.

QUEENSLAND’S BEST JOINS KUMHO’S BEST DEALERS

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eebung-based tyre retailer Queensland’s Best Wheels and Tyres has become the latest Sunshine State store to join Kumho’s Platinum Dealer program.

Kumho launched the Platinum Dealer program midway through 2011 to retail its passenger, fourwheel drive and SUV tyres through a modern and professional dealer network and it has since grown to more than 30 stores around Australia.

According to Kumho National Trade Marketing Manager Glenn Pearse, Queensland’s Best Wheels and Tyres was chosen as a Platinum Dealer because of its ongoing commitment to professional tyre retailing.

“Queensland’s Best Wheels and Tyres was selected because of its pledge to deliver professionalism, customer service and value for money,” said Mr Pearse.

Principal at Queensland’s Best Wheels and Tyres, Paul White, said that, for his customers, Kumho has the right tyres at the right price.

“Kumho is an established brand and offers an impressive yet affordable range of tyres for all applications,” he said.

The Platinum Dealer program continues to be rolled out around the country as Kumho aims to offer the best service and value in the retail tyre market.

New Mazda gets Toyo tyre tech

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he latest in fuel-efficient tyre technology has been chosen as original equipment for the just-launched Mazda3.

Mazda specified Toyo’s new NanoEnergy R38A tyre on several grades of the wildly popular small car, the new generation of which arrived in showrooms in February.

According to Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia’s Tyre Technical Manager Steve Burke, the key to tyres that suit Mazda’s push for greater driver involvement, comfort and fuel efficiency is Toyo’s Nano Balance Technology, which applies advanced design techniques to the foundational material in the tyre compound.

“In the past, low rolling-resistance tyres were something of a specialty, but there’s now a push for increased fuel efficiency across the board,” said Mr Burke.

“By using Nano Balance technology Toyo has pursued seemingly opposing goals for the NanoEnergy range: low noise and rolling resistance, better comfort and tyre life, while at the same time achieving high levels of grip and stability in all conditions.

“By engineering the rubber compound at a molecular level, Toyo has been able to achieve improvements for rolling resistance, grip levels and wear resistance. These characteristics are very difficult to achieve simultaneously without application of advanced new technologies and production techniques.”

To model and test new tyre technology such as the NanoEnergy range, Toyo employs its proprietary T-Mode Computer-Aided Design tool, which uses advanced simulations to gauge tyre attributes such as wet and dry grip, rolling resistance, tread noise and steering response.

Toyo’s ATOM (Advanced Tyre Operation Module) production system uses an automated process to produce the NanoEnergy range to tightly controlled tolerances, ensuring consistently high-quality tyres.

According to Mr Burke, the combination of materials and design used in the construction of Toyo’s NanoEnergy range will challenge many preconceptions about low rolling-resistance tyres.

“The NanoEnergy range, from Mazda’s Original Equipment R38A to our soon-to-be-released NanoEnergy 3 tyre, combines performance and efficiency to an extent previously considered mutually exclusive,” he said.

New application of materials and design improvements applied to the NanoEnergy 3 casing construction has provided reduced tyre weight for lower rolling resistance.

This also results in improved cornering grip and steering response, without adversely affecting ride comfort.

“NanoEnergy proves that efficient tyres can deliver the high standards expected from one of the world’s most highlyregarded car makers,” said Mr Burke.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG hits the road on Dunlop W

WESTLAKE LAUNCH NEW TYRE PATTERN

D

unlop’s Sport Maxx RT tyre will be used as original equipment for the new Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG in size 235/35ZR19 91Y XL MO, which was specially designed for the sporty coupé.

With a peak output of 265 kW (360 hp) and maximum torque of 450 Nm, the AMG’s turbocharged engine is the most powerful four-cylinder unit in series production worldwide. The Sport MAXX RT is characterized by its high level of grip on dry and wet roads combined with excellent handling capabilities and great braking performance and, Dunlop says, delivers to the needs of the most passionate driving aficionados.

As with all Dunlop tyres, the Sport MAXX RT was developed with racing technology as a base, whether it be in the compound or the hundreds

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of thousands of hours of track experience brought in by its engineers.

The fitment is in line with several other fitments of Dunlop’s Sport Maxx RT and Sport Maxx Race to new high performance Mercedes-AMG cars.

This includes the C63 AMG Coupé Black Series, the A45 AMG, the SLS AMG GT and now its CLA 45 AMG model.

“The fitment on the new CLA 45 AMG is another example of our ability to deliver new levels of excellence to high performance driving”, said Guillaume Carli, Marketing Manager at Dunlop EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). “Our Sport MAXX RT tyres deliver excellent performance, enabling the massive power generated by the CLA 45 AMG to be transferred to the road in an optimal manner”.

estlake tyres has announced the release of the new RP18 tyre pattern to it’s portfolio in the Australian market.

The RP18 is a premium touring tyre boasting computer aided designed tread, which provides low noise and excellent water drainage.

It is combined with Silica tech compounding technology which ensures low rolling resistance and fuel saving expenditure.

Other features of the new Westlake Tyres RP18 tyre pattern include improved shoulder sipes, designed to provide better handling during cornering.

Westlake tyres are manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. Founded in 1958, it is the largest and fastest growing manufacturer of passenger tyres, light truck tyres, SUV tyres, truck and bus radial tyres, industrial tyres and rubber products in China. and is currently ranked No. 10 tyre manufacturer in the world by Tyre & Accessories magazine with sales revenue of $US3.4 billion.

For further information on the Westlake Tyres new RP18 pattern, visit www.westlaketyres. com.au or contact the HTR Distribution team on 1300762642.

Bridgestone expands Battlax brand with new sizes

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ridgestone Corporation is releasing three new sizes of the Battlax Hypersport S20 EVO sport radial motorcycle tyre in March. The new sizes are commonly found on 250cc and other light/ middle weight motorcycles and will be available in 110/70R17 M/C (54H) for the front and 140/70R17 M/C (66H) for the rear. The tyres will initially be available in Japan, with further launches around the globe to follow.

The additional sizes feature

an exclusive design which allows performance in a wide operational range from sport riding to winding roads to track days.

High grip tread compound and small bead filler technologies have been adopted to address the characteristics of light/middle weight motorcycles. The high grip tread compound utilises technology developed in MotoGP racing and has been adopted to offset the low contact

pressure common on light/middle weight motorcycles (under 600cc).

A smaller bead filler was adopted to allow more sidewall compliance to better conform to uneven surfaces and improve cornering stability.

The Battlax series is Bridgestone’s premium brand of on-road motorcycle tyres. Bridgestone offers a wide range of Battlax tyres, from touring to racing and from small to large motorcycles.

In addition to the Battlax series, Bridgestone offers an extensive line-up of motorcycle tyres for most applications.

Special Battlax racing tyres are used in MotoGP for which Bridgestone is the official tyre supplier.

DIAMOND VALLEY GOES YELLOW AND BLACK

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iamond Valley Auto Care has become the newest Continental Tyres store after its owners, Jeff Buchanan and Ashley Garraway, signed on with the European tyre giant, which is continuing its Australian expansion.

“We’ve been in the industry for a very long time and within the tyre market Continental has always had a terrific brand name. Everyone knows how high the Continental quality is, their durability, as well as safety and over-all appeal,” said Jeff.

“When the opportunity came up we knew it would help to grow our business. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and I am more than confident it will take our business in the right direction.”

Jeff and Ashley, both qualified mechanics, have been looking after customers in the Diamond Valley area for over 20 years, offering a full range of services including tyres, car servicing, brakes, suspension and all mechanical repairs.

Their fully-equipped workshop caters for locals and corporate

“Everything we have here is constantly being updated to ensure our equipment is the best it can be and we can offer the high level of service our customers deserve.”

businesses alike, with the topof-the-range servicing provide by licensed car testers.

“Everything we have here is constantly being updated to ensure our equipment is the best it can be and we can offer the high level of service our customers deserve,” continued Jeff.

“This is something that resonates with our team and the team at Continental and is another reason we choose their product - we have the same quality expectations and they really have a wealth of knowledge of everything in the market.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Bmw i3 heralds new era for electric cars

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MW looks set to revolutionise the Australian car market with its all-electric offerings, the i3 and the i8.

To be launched into the Australian market later in the year, the cars are the first products from the company’s new sub-brand, BMW i.

Brisbane BMW was the only BMW dealership in Queensland, and one of only four across Australia, to host the i3 on its preview tour of the country, and even though the car was on static display and not available for a test drive, it was a successful cameo appearance with orders already taken for a car which, at this stage, is being priced at somewhere up to $70,000.

“Every person who has walked into the dealership has come over to look at the car and has reacted very positively,” said Martin Roller, Managing Director of Brisbane BMW. “We have taken four orders in one week. The biggest question we are now being faced with is ‘when can we deliver?’.”

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According to Scott Croaker, Products Communications Manager for BMW Group Australia, the BMW i3 has been met with an enthusiastic response from consumers. “There are already 11,000 orders worldwide, which has far outstripped our expectations. It’s a positive message and vindicates the direction that BMW has taken,” he said.

The BMW i3 is the first-ever electric vehicle to be conceived and custombuilt by the new BMW i sub-brand, and utilises cutting edge, lightweight components including extensive use of

“There are already 11,000 orders worldwide, which has far outstripped our expectations.”

carbon fibre and aluminium, making the car both light and strong.

BMW says one of the benefits of this purpose-built construction is that the weight savings from materials make up for the extra weight of the battery - even with a battery pack that comes in at a hefty 230kg, the i3 still weighs in at 1195kgs, no heavier than similar sized petrol-driven vehicles.

The battery itself can be charged from a standard wall socket or from a specially installed unit which will bring charging time down from 11 hours to just six.

Driving the rear wheels of the i3 is an electric motor that generates 125KW and maximum torque of 250nm and which can push the car from 0-100km/h in just 7.2 seconds.

BMW says the i3 has a range of 200kms but that can be boosted by choosing the model with a range extender engine - a 650cc two-cylinder engine used to maintain battery charge. Aimed at the urban market, that means

the BMW i3 has more than enough range for most people’s daily needs.

Sustainability and the environmental impact of production were key considerations in the development of the i3 with hydroelectric and wind power used to provide power during production.

Inside, the smart and sophisticated interior designs use wool, leather, eucalyptus wood and other sustainable natural fibres.

Recognising that consumers are getting ever more hi-tech and connected, BMW has also come up with a smartphone app that allows the driver to remotely monitor the i3. Once linked up, the app shows important information about the car, including battery status, range and charging time, allows remote control of certain functions and even has a CO2 calculator to see how much the BMW i3 is reducing a driver’s CO2 footprint.

To be released towards the end of the 2014, the BMW i3, and its big brother the i8, look to herald a change in the automotive industry and keep BMW at the cutting edge of automotive innovation.

“Nearly half the world’s population live in cities. In 2030 that will be 60 per cent,” said Mr Croaker. “Stricter CO2 regulations along with changing customer expectations mean that to be successful it’s not enough just to be involved in progress, you need to shape it.”

BRIDGESTONE CHOSEN FOR ELECTRIC i3

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ridgestone has been chosen by otherwise lost through internal friction the BMW Group to develop a which helps to reduce rolling resistance. range of tyres for its i3 electric By the same token, the narrow vehicle using its ologic technology. tread concept improves aerodynamics.

Ologic technology capitalises The tyre’s long contact patch on the synergies of a large (relative to its narrow diameter coupled with a width), revolutionary narrow tread design. tread design and Bridgestone says the compound still ensure result is a tyre that outstanding grip delivers significant in both wet and improvements in dry conditions. aerodynamics and The ologic rolling resistance, technology should while still offering help realise one of outstanding grip Bridgestone’s Longin wet weather term Vision goals: conditions. to contribute to a The company globally agreed-upon says combining a target of 50 per cent large diameter with a reduction in CO2 narrow tread pattern emissions by 2050. has several advantages.

“The BMW i3 is While the tread on smaller very much a car for the diameter tyres is typically future. Developing a unique Ecopia EP500 ologic inclined to excessive movement tyre for this unique vehicle was or “deformation” during driving, the therefore an enormously challenging larger diameter and higher belt tension but also rewarding experience,” significantly reduce tyre deformation said Franco Annunziato, CEO and and therefore conserve energy that is President of Bridgestone Europe.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

The new warehouse stocks Kumho’s complete range in a specially designed rack system and can store well over 150,000 tyres

Kumho opens new Perth distribution centre

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umho has bolstered its Australian distribution network with the opening of a multi-million dollar purpose-built warehouse in Perth.

The new 8500sqm facility can store more than 150,000 tyres, making it Kumho’s largest Australian distribution facility.

Located adjacent to Perth’s Great Eastern Bypass, the new warehouse is in a prime position to service Kumho dealers in Perth and throughout the rest of Western Australia.

According to Managing Director at Kumho Tyre Australia, Mr Harry Cho, the new facility will play a significant role in Kumho’s day-to-day operations in Australia.

“Australia is an important market for Kumho and such a substantial investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our dealers receive the 12

Australia is an important market for Kumho and such a substantial investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our dealers receive the best service possible. best service possible,” said Mr Cho. “A new facility was needed in Western Australia to meet the increasing supply demands and future expansion in the region.”

The new warehouse stocks Kumho’s complete range of passenger car, SUV, 4WD, truck, trailer and bus tyres in a specially designed rack system.

Kumho’s state of the art SAP computer system allows sales data to be fed to factories in Korea, China and Vietnam ensuring production and shipping schedules meet customer demand.

The facility is also equipped with its own firefighting system using an 800,000 litre water supply capable of pumping 5500 litre per minute throughout the facility.

The 13 metre high ceilings and open rack design allows the sprinkler system to reach every part of the warehouse should a fire occur as well as allowing fire brigade access to the entire perimeter of the property.

The new WA facility will be followed by further investment in a 10,000sqm warehouse facility in Melbourne within the year.

Hankook Tyre Australia announces national distribution

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ankook Tyre Australia has announced it will expand its operations into a national format for tyre distribution, starting June 2014.

Having previously used a number of state-based distributors, Hankook Tyre Australia has recently consolidated these markets. The remaining independent distributor, Koast Tyre, in Western Australia, will work closely with Hankook Tyre Australia for a seamless transition between now and May 31, when Hankook will assume the final component to national distribution.

As a result, Hankook retailers will deal directly with the manufacturer from June 2014, to establish and reinforce a nationally standardised supply chain and uniform customer service, backed by a strong consumer marketing strategy to drive growth of dealers and the brand.

Hankook Tyre Australia Managing Director Paul Park has said of the announcement: “Our growth and recent sales success has been made possible by our dealers and distributors, such as Koast Tyre, and this has enabled us to make this exciting transition which will herald a new age for Hankook Tyre in Australia.

“Hankook Australia’s goal is to be the number one tyre manufacturer amongst independent dealers.”

“Hankook has, in revenue terms, soared from the 11th worldwide ranked tyre maker in 2001, to 7th in 2007 - a position it maintains today. This year alone, Hankook Tire will increase global production from 80 to 100 million tyres.

“Hankook Australia’s goal is to be the number one tyre manufacturer amongst independent dealers. Our dealers are loyal because they understand they have a fantastic product, backed by quality service. Our continued approach of providing this top-level customer service and listening to all feedback is one of the key drivers of our success.

“Competing for market share in a diverse market is challenging, but we have the right strategies – and people – in place to succeed.”

To service its dealers and clients in the interim, Hankook is currently putting in place a Western Australia supply chain solution. Current orders shall continue unchanged through Koast Tyre, however, Hankook is also working on being able to supply direct to selected areas via Koast Tyre. These operating procedures and logistics are being expedited to ensure both a satisfactory short-term solution, and a seamless transition to national distribution.

YOKOHAMA TO FIT PORSCHE PANAMERA

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he Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that its ADVAN Sport V105 N-0 tyres have been selected by Germany’s Porsche as original equipment for the company’s premium saloon, Panamera.

The Panamera will be equipped with 255/40ZR20 (101Y) size front tires and 295/35ZR20 (105Y) size rear.

The ADVAN Sport V105 N-0 was developed together with Porsche based on Yokohama’s ADVAN Sport V105 for highpowered premium cars, and the ‘N-0’ mark on the side of each tyre indicates Porsche’s

approval of the tyre.

The ADVAN Sport V105 is known for its excellent driving performance and superior comfort and safety characteristics.

The Panamera premiered in 2009 as Porsche’s first 4-door, 4-seat passenger car.

Designed to achieve unsurpassed sports car performance without compromising on practicality, the Panamera lives up to Porsche’s reputation for providing a smooth ride in a sporty package while also realizing the comfortable, high-quality ride sought by drivers of luxury cars.

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Toyo toughens up for SUV tyre battle

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he rise and rise of the SUV and 4x4 utility has had an enormous impact on the automotive industry over the last 15 years. It has reshaped both model line-ups and automaker’s fortunes as consumer preferences shift away from traditional passenger cars.

The trend is also impacting on the tyre industry, creating new market opportunities for all-terrain tyres while also imposing greater technical demands on the tyres themselves.

Recognising both the challenge and the opportunity, Toyo Tires is launching its new Open Country A/T II in Australia – a state-of-the-art all-terrain tyre aimed straight at the heart of a combined SUV/4x4 ute market that now represents over 40 per cent of all passenger vehicles sold in this country.

Open Country A/T II boasts significantly longer tread life than its predecessor, the Open Country A/T, a tyre already well-regarded for its durability. Independent testing in the United States has found that Open Country A/T II will also provide a remarkable 40 per cent more mileage than a leading competitor.

The secret to improved mileage is a new tread compound featuring smaller carbon particles and the addition of a new anti-wear polymer.

Open Country A/T II 14

The carbon and the polymer form a stronger bond, improving the wear resistance of the tread compound.

A tougher tyre The tread pattern, meanwhile, is notably tougher and more aggressive.

While the previous all-terrain aimed for a 50/50 on/off-road balance, the new Open Country A/T II has swung the balance 60 per cent in favour of off-road conditions.

Two layers of joint-less spiral cap ply improves product uniformity and makes the tyre more puncture-resistant under severe conditions, which is a feature also found in Toyo’s off-road mud-terrain tyre.

Meanwhile, thicker rubber on the upper sidewalls improves the tyre’s bruise resistance.

It’s a tougher looking tyre, with distinctive, staggered and scalloped shoulder “buttresses” for better off-road bite, fringed tread block edges for initial traction, and wide grooves between the blocks for better mud traction and stone ejection.

Uncompromised tarmac performance Toyo believes it has avoided compromising on-road performance with the new design.

The distribution of the variablepitch blocks has been optimised for lower on-road noise.

Objective comparison testing of the new Open Country all-terrain tyre versus the old reveals better wet handling and braking and class-leading improvements in dry braking, handling and stability.

Enhanced endurance

But it’s the greater mileage offered by the new tyre that’s most likely to get the customer’s attention. Aside from compound formulation, a lot of effort has gone into the casing profile design to improve wear resistance.

The tread profile found in the Open Country A/T II has been optimised using Toyo’s proprietary technologies.

In the case of the Open Country A/T II, these technological applications have yielded better contact pressure distribution across the tyre face to improve resistance to uneven wear.

The addition of tie bars between the outer blocks helps resist shoulder wear.

Booming market awaits

Toyo Tires believes that the new Open Country A/T II will appeal to a wide cross-section of customers, but particularly those driving more rugged SUVs and 4x4 utes.

“There is a big sales opportunity around replacement tyres for 4WD utes,” said Toyo Tyres Australia marketing manager José Angeles.

“Sales have absolutely exploded over the last half-dozen years or so with more than 540,000 4x4 utilities sold in Australia in the last five years alone. A lot of those will be needing replacement tyres.”

Mr Angeles said Toyo would be promoting the new tyre to one-tonne ute drivers by becoming the official tyre of the Team D-Max stunt driving display that tours Australia’s major agricultural shows.

“It’s an ideal promotion for the new Open Country,” he said.

“The stunt driving team use four-wheel drive Isuzu utilities and when they are taking jumps and driving up on two wheels they really depend on their tyres for toughness, durability and safety.”

Team D-Max will also be taking an Open Country A/T II promotional trailer for display at the shows and product demonstrations at local tyre dealerships in each town and city.

José Angeles knows that the Open Country all-terrain tyre will have to earn its reputation among the 4WD community.

“We will be asking opinion-leaders in the 4WD scene to give Open Country A/T II a try,” he said.

“I am confident they will find this tyre is a match for the all-terrain offerings from other well-known off-road tyre brands.”

The first Open Country A/T IIs will be delivered to dealers in some key sizes

by March as the first generation tyre is phased out. The new tyre will be available shortly after in about 31 sizes, with most available in a light-truck construction.

With the new tyre, Toyo’s José Angeles believes the brand has exactly what the market is looking for.

“Open Country A/T II is a class-leading tyre which, considering its endurance and toughness, offers consumers great value for money and dealers great sales potential.”

TOYO TYRES AUSTRALIA LEADS SOCIAL MEDIA RACE

Toyo’s Australian marketing manager, José Angeles

T

oyo Tyres Australia has become Australia’s most popular tyre brand on Facebook since overhauling its online and social media presence in 2012.

Fans of Toyo Tyres Australia swelled from 5215 in May 2013 to more than 21,000 in February – an increase of more than 350 per cent – thanks to an accelerated social media campaign over the last 10 months.

In January, Toyo’s Australian Facebook page added an average of 160 fans per day.

“Facebook insights offer Toyo a very good understanding of the habits and interests of social media users, and has allowed us to identify groups of people who share similar interests to ours,” said Toyo’s Australian marketing manager, José Angeles.

The page – which focuses on off-road racing, four-wheel-drive enthusiasts and modified car culture – attracts more 17 to 34-year-old men and women than any other tyre brand in Australia.

Mr Angeles said people in this younger demographic were often key influencers in the tyre buying process and represented the future advocates of the Toyo brand.

“The 17 to 34-year-old demographic is an important influencer of the tyre market, whether as a personal purchaser or as an advisor to a friend or family member,” said Mr Angeles.

“According to a recent Nielsen poll on retail purchasing habits, personal advice from a friend or family member was the key factor behind 92 per cent of purchase decisions.”

Toyo’s Australian Facebook page frequently has the highest engagement

rate among tyre-related Australian pages – often twice that of many of Toyo’s Australian competitors on Facebook.

In a typical week, there are more than 3500 engagements with Toyo page content.

Posts on the page reach an average of more than 12,000 people a week, while total reach for all page activity often exceeds 50,000.

“Facebook is all about connecting communities,” said Mr Angeles.

“Nowadays people are turning to new media to make better, more informed decisions about the tyre brands they choose.

“It’s great to have this avenue for interaction with Toyo customers and fans, creating a platform for open dialogue and feedback, and connecting people to our brand, products and dealers.”

“As the first tyre brand in Australia to pass 20,000 Facebook fans, Toyo has demonstrated that compelling content is the key to building a bigger profile online.

“It’s great to have this avenue for interaction with Toyo customers and fans, creating a platform for open dialogue and feedback, and connecting people to our brand, products and dealers.”

To celebrate reaching the Facebook milestone, Toyo Tyres Australia has launched a photo competition where its Facebook fans can win one of three GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition cameras.

“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our Facebook fans,” said Mr Angeles.

“We’re looking forward to creating new relationships and connections with future brand advocates in the coming year.”

For more information on the competition – and to enter – visit Toyo Tyre Australia’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ToyoTyres 15

TACKLING THE OLD With the launch of Tyre Stewardship Australia and the Tyre Product Stewardship Program, has Australia found an answer to the thorny problem of end-of-life tyres?

E

ach year, 48 million end-of-life tyres are disposed of in Australia.

Just 16 per cent of those are currently being recycled; 66 per cent end up as landfill, are stockpiled or are illegally dumped; another 18 per cent are exported.

That compares with a recycling rate of 43 per cent in Europe and 32 per cent in the US. Tyres are notoriously difficult to recycle – for performance and safety reasons the materials they are made from are not meant to come apart. But the results of not doing something can be ugly and potentially dangerous - landscapes filled with tyres that become breeding grounds and habitats for mosquitoes and vermin, waterways clogged, toxic fires polluting the air.

The establishment of Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) and the Tyre Product Stewardship Program could change that.

Launched in January by Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt, the Tyre Product Stewardship Program, overseen by the TSA, aims to increase domestic tyre recycling, reduce the number of end-of-life tyres ending up in landfill or illegal dumps, support new technologies and expand the market for tyre-derived products.

In essence, the Stewardship scheme is a voluntary, industry-led scheme in which firms will be accredited to take part, will be audited to ensure compliance, and will fund its 16

operation, including market development and research of new tyre-derived products, via a 25cent levy on every tyre sold.

In an interview with the ABC, Gerry Morvell, the Chairman of Tyre Stewardship Australia, said that accreditation and auditing of members was important.

“Recycling is sort of the end of the line for this,” he said. “What we’ve gone back to is to understand why tyres aren’t going to the recyclers?

“The end result is we have designed a system whereby Tyre Stewardship Australia will accredit all the players in the supply chain who are doing the right thing and ask all of the accredited players to only deal with other accredited players.

The intent is to remove out of the industry those who are doing the wrong thing – the illegal dumpers and the like - and only have those in the system that are legitimate players.

“The second part of what we are doing is to understand the fundamental economic or research technology type problems that are preventing recycling moving from its current low base of 16 per cent.”

And there are genuine economic, as well as environmental, opportunities to be had from recycling tyres.

Recycled material can be turned into a number of products - from the manufacture of new rubber products, to a constituent in asphalt roads, to materials such as artificial surfaces for sporting fields and playgrounds, to alternative fuel for industries and even as a substitute for diesel in explosives.

The establishment of the TSA and the Stewardship program has come after many years of discussion and consultation. The Australian Tyre Industry Council (ATIC) applied for authorisation of the scheme through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and its positive decision came through in mid-2013, granting authorisation of the scheme for five years until May 3, 2018.

At the time, the ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper

TYRE CONUNDRUM

Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt at the launch of the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme

said: “The ACCC is satisfied that the scheme is likely to result in a benefit to the public by reducing the volume of used tyres entering the domestic waste stream or being exported overseas and burned for fuel in an environmentally unsustainable way. This will reduce the environmental and health and safety hazards associated with such disposal methods.”

“For the last 10 years or so there has been a growing awareness of the fact that major brands, as well as retailers, cannot afford to continue ignoring the fact that we have an issue – and by ‘we’ I mean society at large – with this particular waste product,” said Silvio de Denaro, Secretary of the Australian Tyre Industry Council.

There is, according to Mr de Denaro, a large, but

as yet unrealised, market for tyre-derived products and running the scheme via a centralised authority, the TSA, would enable a coherent approach to the problem, including the funding of research and development.

“We do not produce 50,000 new playgrounds a week,” he said. “Nor do we produce a million tons of rubberised road, but we also have substantial unexploited potential.

For example, the mining industry could be a very large user because you can substitute diesel fuel used in explosive mixtures with rubber granules of a certain size.

“We estimate the end-of-life product at 350,000 tons per year. We also estimate up to 80,000 tons of that, a very substantial part, could be absorbed by the mining industry to be used in explosives. Rubberised asphalt could absorb nearly everything else although it would be wise to diversify across a wider range of markets. And this is where TSA comes into play - one, centralised, coordinating authority.”

Many of the leading manufacturers - Toyo, Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear-Dunlop, Yokohama and Michelin - have joined up to the scheme.

Michael Rudd, Chief Executive Officer of Toyo Tyre & Rubber, said in a statement: “At Toyo, we believe the creation of sustainable industry practices relating to the environment is a top priority.

“Although advanced fuel-efficient tyre technology already makes a substantial contribution, we also have a responsibility to ensure we find the best possible disposal solution for these tyres once they reach the end of their useful life.”

But not all of Australia’s big players have signed on.

Bridgestone Australia has not, as yet, joined the scheme.

Managing Director, Andrew Moffatt stated that though Bridgestone supported the concept of Tyre Stewardship continued page 18 17

We do not produce 50,000 new playgrounds a week. Nor do we produce a million tons of rubberised road. But we do have substantial unexploited potential.

Australia, there were administrative issues that it sought to be clarified before it would make further considerations to join the scheme, adding that the company was discussing those issues with relevant stakeholders.

Further, Mr Moffatt pointed out that it was mandatory for Bridgestone retail outlets to use a member of the Australian Tyre Recyclers Association (ATRA) to undertake responsible waste tyre removal, that it had invested heavily in products that enabled reduction in vehicle fuel consumption, was a major tyre retreader, and that it was investigating its own tyre recycling program, as well as engaging with the Boomerang Alliance, a peak non-Government environmental organisation.

However, at the very least, the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme is a foundation from which the tyre industry can work and move to solve the problem of end-of-life tyres.

“The creation of TSA and the Stewardship Program is the culmination of almost 20 years of hard work and involvement by tyre retailers nationwide as well as other parts of the industry,” said Richard Dudley, CEO of the Australian Motor Industry Federation.

“Consumers can be confident that the issue of waste tyres is being addressed and we as an industry can begin examining and implementing strategies to lift the percentage of tyres being recycled.”

18

THE TYRE STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

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ilvio de Denaro, Secretary of the Australian Tyre Industry Council explains the scheme: “In practice, Tyre Stewardship Australia will have the resources to create a register of approved Recyclers and Collectors. These will have agreed and signed off on a code of conduct and their operations will be audited in order to ensure they stick to their promise.

Having the Stewardship logo on their doors will give them positive exposure with consumers.

“The same would apply to participating retailers.

Having the Stewardship logo on their doors will give them positive exposure with consumers but they will also have some obligations such as working only with approved Recyclers and Collectors and complying with some simple reporting. No compliance would mean loss of accreditation.

“While this is the crux of what the ACCC authorisation allows Tyre Stewardship Australia to do, there will also be a small team whose job will be to develop new markets for tyre-derived products such as rubberised asphalt and ingredients for explosives to be used in mining.

“The combination of some key activities such as accreditation, auditing, market development and education of trade as well as consumers will see us well on our way towards addressing the challenge.”

MOTORSPORTS

Victor Bray to Burnout with Hankook Tyre

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xpanding its sporting personality partnerships, Hankook Tyre Australia has formed an association with Victor Bray’s Team Bray Racing, and its entertainment division’s two V8 burnout demonstration cars.

Victory Bray has won six national Top Doorslammer drag racing championships, while his son Ben has three national championships.

Hankook Tyre Australia has partnered with Team Bray Entertainment (TBE) for a unique arrangement, with Team Bray attempting to burn through as many Hankook tyres as possible, creating a spectacular show along the way.

Ben Bray made the debut of

the new DeWalt 1963 Corvette burnout car, as official on-track entertainment at the 2013 Bathurst 1000, joined by his father in his iconic 1957 Chevy burnout car.

The Corvette also opened the burnout competition at the 27th Summernats car festival in January.

Throughout 2014, both the Corvette and the Chevy will also take lucky passengers – chosen at each event - for a wild ride, experiencing first-hand the 2000hp produced by the supercharged and fuel injected 8.7-litre V8, along with the unique experience of being engulfed in Hankook tyre smoke.

As the Brays travel Australiawide for their drag racing schedule, their two B-double transport trucks will also run exclusively on Hankook truck tyres.

The TBE burnout cars will be showcased at a number of high-profile events, such as the Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast V8 Supercar events.

“It was very exciting to debut the new DeWalt burnout car at the hallowed ground of Mt Panorama,” explained Victor. “The new Corvette and its striking paint scheme were certainly celebrated by the fans.

And we can’t wait to show the rest of Australia what we do.”

2014 Team Bray Entertainment Burnout Schedule: March 8-9, Top Gear Festival; SMSP, Sydney July 4-6; V8 Supercars, Townsville September 11-14; Powercruise, Qld Raceway October 9-12; Bathurst 1000 October 24-26; V8 Supercars, Gold Goast.

YOKOHAMA TO RELEASE RACING KART TYRES

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okohama has announced it will release racing kart tyres officially certified by the Commission International de Karting-FIA (CIK–FIA).

Yokohama karting tyres have received CIK-FIA certification for 2014-2016. The tyres will be available in 10 sizes ranging from 4.5×10.0-5 to 7.1×11.0-5 and at open-market prices.

The lineup includes four drytype tyres - the ACM (CIK-FIA grade KF Prime; equivalent to the former Medium grade for

use with KF karts), the ACH (KF Option, equivalent to the former KF Hard), the ACB (KZ Prime; equivalent to the former Medium grade for use with KZ karts) and the ACC (KZ Option, equivalent

to the former KZ Hard).

The new tyres are divided into two categories, one designed for use with the mainstream KF karts and the other with the recently popular KZ karts. As such, the tyres’ designs are now more optimized for use with the two standards for racing karts.

The new tyres complement Yokohama Rubber’s lineup of JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) certified kart tyres. Yokohama Rubber will continue to develop a full lineup of kart tyres.

19

DETROIT MOTOR SHOW TH GOODYEAR AUTOCARE PUTS WOMEN IN THE DRIVING SEAT

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etroit has been the epicentre of the car industry just about since the beginning of the car age.

The home of the ‘Big Three’ American car manufacturers - Ford, General Motors and Chrysler - it’s only natural that the city hosts one of the world’s biggest auto shows.

In fact the North American International Auto Show (aka, the Detroit

Auto Show) has been running for more than a century but only since the late ‘80s, and a push to be an international exhibition, has it taken its place as one of the pre-eminent motor shows on the planet.

And the numbers are impressive.

Since 1989, 124,000 members of the media have covered the Show which has grown to have 216 exhibitors each year.

1,359 vehicles have been introduced

at the Show, which has been attended by more than 18 million people and.

It’s an opportunity for car manufacturers to show off some of their newest and freshest ideas and technologies and stun the public with some audacious designs.

Here are a few of the concept vehicles shown at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

TOYOTA FT-1 CONCEPT Toyota introduced is beautiful sports coupe concept, the Toyota FT-1 at the Show. It is, the company says, a study model that signals the direction of Toyota’s future sports car designs. A team at Calty Design Research, Inc. (Calty), Toyota’s design centre in California, created the car.

MICHELIN HAS EYES ON SAFETY WITH NEW PREMIER A/S TYRE

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ichelin introduced the Premier A/S tyre with EverGrip technology at the Show which the company says provides drivers with exceptional levels of safety even as their tyres wear down.

The Michelin Premier A/S tyre combines hidden grooves that emerge as the tire wears down, 20

expanding rain grooves that widen over time to continue to evacuate water, and a unique rubber compound for increased wet grip.

“The Michelin Premier A/S tyre represents a significant breakthrough in automotive safety,” said Scott Clark, chief operating officer of Michelin North America’s passenger and light truck tyre division. “With our truly revolutionary advancements in tyre technology, we are able to directly address the effects of tyre wear on traction and have been able to break the traditional paradigm.”

Unlike conventional tyres, the Michelin Premier A/S tyre uses a design with a unique set of features to prolong wet traction even as the tyre becomes worn. The tyre uses a proprietary rubber compound

with extreme amounts of silica and sunflower oil. The silica provides the bonding strength and adherence to keep the treads on the road for high traction in wet conditions. The sunflower oil allows the tyre to grip on wet roads at lower temperatures.

Michelin Premier A/S with EverGrip also has rain grooves positioned around the circumference of the tyre with a special geometric shape that gets wider as the tread wears. This helps maintain the amount of water that the tyre can channel away even as these rain grooves lose depth.

Another set of grooves along the tyre’s shoulder emerge as the tyre becomes worn. More than 150 hidden grooves emerge to provide additional help in channeling water away.

HE CENTRE OF ATTENTION NISSAN SPORT SEDAN CONCEPT Nissan gave the world a look at its vision for the future of sport sedan design. The sport sedan concept joins a trio of Nissan concepts including the Resonance and Friend-ME, that share signature design aspects that will be adapted to future cars.

HONDA FCEV CONCEPT The sleekly styled Honda FCEV Concept shows a potential styling direction for Honda’s next-generation fuel-cell vehicle anticipated to launch in the U.S. and Japan in 2015. The Honda FCEV Concept features sweeping character lines and an ultra-aerodynamic body.

The Honda FCEV Concept also delivers ample passenger space and seating for 5-passengers thanks to new powertrain packaging efficiencies.

NISSAN IDX Nissan continued to tour the globe with its IDX concept after debuting the car at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of 2013. Two versions have done the rounds: the IDX Freeflow and the IDX NISMO, an ultra-sporty model. It was designed, the company says, to appeal to “digital natives,” the generation born after 1990, and integrates their feedback into the creation process.

VW DUNE CONCEPT What was old is new again as Volkswagen showed off this throwback concept with robust off-road looks, raised body and 19-inch tyres. The car at the show featured ‘Arizona’, yellow/orange metallic paintwork and flared wheel arches offset in black. Chrome-plated underbody protection and side trim strips on top of the sills.

KIA GT4 STINGER CONCEPT Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the brand’s most aggressive concept car ever when wraps came off the GT4 Stinger. Beneath the low wedge of the GT4 Stinger’s hood is a tuned version of Kia’s 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine putting out an impressive 315 horsepower. While there are currently no plans to bring the concept to production, Kia has a history of delivering production vehicles that bear a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them.

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Employer Super Obligations MTAA SUPER IS MYSUPER AUTHORISED

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he introduction of a MySuper product is one of the Federal Government’s Stronger Super reforms. From 1 January 2014, all employers who make Superannuation Guarantee contributions into a default super fund on behalf of their employees must pay those contributions into a MySuper product. This is a simple, low cost account designed to make it easier for members to understand and compare super funds.

As an industry fund, MTAA Super already offers a simple, low cost product, so the external changes to our members and employers will be minimal. We have received our MySuper authorisation from the regulator and launched our MySuper product, aptly called “My AutoSuper,” on 1 December 2013.

New data and e-commerce standard

As part of the Government’s SuperStream reforms, from 1 July 2014, data standards and use of e-commerce will become mandatory for employers with 20 or more employees making contributions. This will represent a change for many employers, even those currently utilising an electronic channel.

In addition, employers will be required to submit both their default and choice contributions in the same electronic format.

To assist with these changes, MTAA Super will be offering a Clearing House solution to its employers in early 2014.

The MTAA Super Clearing House will enable employers to submit a single contribution advice and single payment for

their employees which will cover all fund memberships (MTAA Super default and choice). It will also manage the reconciliation of payment to the contribution advice and distribute the payment to all nominated funds (and fund member accounts).

With the introduction of the Clearing House, employers will see a significant benefit in terms of reducing the time and cost in managing superannuation obligations, and most importantly, will be complying with the 1 July 2014 legislative requirements.

Help your employees make the most of their super We know you value your employees and they are important to your business. Helping them understand the importance of their super is doing them a favour that will benefit them in years to come. An MTAA Super Business Development Manager (BDM) can run education sessions in your workplace covering all aspects of super. Call us on 1300 362 415 to be put in touch with your local BDM.

Free seminars for employers To help you understand your new obligations we will be running seminars throughout the year.

If you would like to attend a seminar on super obligations for employers, contact your local Business Development Manager, whose details can be found at www.mtaasuper.com.au/BDM

This document is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913).

Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd, ME Bank Pty Ltd and Superpartners Pty Ltd. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific financial needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

The indusTry super fund for The auTomoTive indusTry.

www.mtaasuper.com.au motor Trades association of australia superannuation fund pty Ltd (aBn 14 008 650 628, afsL 238 718) is the Trustee of mTaa superannuation fund (aBn 74 559 365 913). you should consider whether or not mTaa super is appropriate for you. The mTaa super product disclosure statement (pds) can be obtained by calling us on 1300 362 415. you should consider the pds in making a decision.

MOTORSPORTS

Kumho backs Australia’s rising rally talent

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umho Tyre Australia is the new naming rights sponsor for the Australian Junior Rally Challenge, further expanding the company’s backing of the ECB Australian Rally Championship.

Kumho is already the official tyre supplier to the Championship and backing of the Australian Junior Rally Challenge will help uncover the champions of the future.

The Kumho Tyre Australian Junior Rally Challenge will give rising stars of the sport the chance to battle for prizes worth in excess of $34000, while showcasing their talent in the first five rounds of the series.

The top performers in the five rounds of the Kumho Tyre Australian Junior Rally Challenge will qualify to fight it out at the final at Rally Victoria in November.

In announcing the Kumho Tyre Australian Junior Rally Challenge, Kumho’s national marketing and training manager, David Basha, said the Challenge aims to encourage up and coming young drivers, providing a greater incentive to compete at the highest level of the sport in Australia with some significant rewards.

“Kumho believes in the future of the Australian Rally Championship and backing the Junior Challenge is all about nurturing the future stars of the sport who will help build interest in the championship overall,” he said.

“The Kumho Tyre Australian Junior Rally Challenge is all about encouragement for young drivers who are often competing on a shoestring budget and we see this as a way of helping them climb to the next level,” he added.

The winners of each of the first four KAJRC rounds will qualify for the final at Rally Victoria in November, while the winner and runner up from the Coates Hire rally Australia in September will also earn a spot at the final.

Drivers will earn points depending on their placing in the Challenge on both heats of each round and the drivers with the most points at the 24

The Kumho Tyre Australian Junior Rally Challenge aims to give rising rally talent a place to showcase their talent just as the 2013 series did for Victorian Glen Raymond

“Backing the Junior Challenge is all about nurturing the future stars of the sport who will help build interest in the championship overall.” end of each round will be selected as the qualifiers for the final.

The Kumho Junior Rally Challenge is open to drivers who are either an Australian resident or eligible to compete in the Australian Rally Championship under the terms of the Trans-Tasman Agreement and are aged less than 28 years as at 31st December 2014.

Drivers will not have to register for the Kumho Tyre Junior Rally Challenge but will have to nominate on the event entry form of the round or

rounds they enter to be eligible for the Challenge. Drivers who have previously won the Rallyschool Australian Junior Rally Challenge are not eligible.

Entrants in the Kumho Tyre AJRC can use two-wheel drive PRC or Group N rally cars, which can be either front or rear drive with no restriction on engine capacity.

The overall winner will receive 20 Kumho rally tyres valued at approx. $4800, free outright registration for the 2015 ARC ($3300), free entry for Rally Australia in 2015 ($2500 approx.), Pedders Suspension products and services to the value of $2000, a compilation video professionally produced by Black Magic, an exclusive Rallyschool Day for 2015 Sponsorship making the value of the outright prize in excess of $16,000. In addition each of the six qualifiers will receive $3000 from Kumho payable following their start in the final of the Kumho Tyre AJRC in Victoria.

The 2014 Australian Rally Championship kicks off in Canberra on 1st March.

Schumacher’s greatest battle

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he plight of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher continues to be of major concern, although, as ATD goes to press, efforts were being made to rouse the 7-times World Champion from his medically-induced coma.

The 45-year-old has been hospitalised since suffering major head trauma in a skiing accident on December 29 while on holiday in the French Alps. Schumacher fell, smashing his head against a rock, knocking him unconscious. Airlifted to hospital, his condition has been critical, with media reporting some experts fear, if he does regain consciousness, the damage could be severe.

Schumacher’s condition has prompted messages of support from around the world, and Mercedes-Benz has fitted their 2014 F1 car with the message “#Keep Fighting Michael” - a link to Twitter where fans can voice their support.

The accident has caused something of a re-evaluation of Schumacher’s racing legacy. He honed his skills early at a go-kart track where his father worked. Spotted as a major talent, local businessmen bankrolled the young driver and he would become European go-kart champion by 1987 - a feat that was the springboard for a record-breaking Formula One career.

In that career he would achieve astonishing feats including: Most race wins: 91 Most championship victories: 7 Most pole positions: 68 Most fastest laps: 77

Sandra R. Barba / Shutterstock.com

He also garnered a reputation as being a fierce competitor. His collision with Jacques Villeneuve in the final race of the 1997 season was held up by some as an example of a ruthless streak. Villeneuve led by one point going into the race and needed to finish ahead of Schumacher to take the title.

Villeneuve’s car survived the collision and he would go on to win the title.

However he is viewed, there’s no doubt Schumacher was a brilliant driver. That his talent should partner the fierce and calculating streak of a born competitor should come as no surprise.

Sadly, it would seem that he will need to call upon all those reserves of passion and grit to see him through this greatest challenge.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: A LEGENDARY F1 CAREER 1991

Qualifies in 7th spot for his F1 debut, the Belgian GP. However, his Jordan suffers clutch failure during the first lap of the race.

He changes teams to Benetton for the next GP.

1992

Schumacher triumphs in wet conditions to take his first Formula One win in Belgian. He finishes in third place for the season

1994

Becomes Formula One champion for the first time in controversial circumstances. Leading by a single point from rival Damon Hill going into the final race in Australia, Schumacher collides with Hill, taking both Hill and himself out of the race and securing the Championship.

1995

World Champion for the second time.

1996

Joins Ferrari and finishes third for the season.

1997

At the last race of the season in Spain, Schumacher again has a one-point advantage over his closest rival, this time Jacques Villeneuve of Williams.

Schumacher’s Ferrari develops problems and as Villeneuve attempts to pass, the pair nearly collide. Villeneuve wins the race and the championship.

2000- Ferrari and Schumacher hit a 2004 purple patch and Schumacher wins the Championship for five straight seasons.

2006

Retires after the 2006 season.

2010

Returns to Formula One with Mercedes-Benz. Finishes 9th for the season.

2012

Retires for the second time.

MOTORSPORT CALENDAR V8 SUPERCARS

MOTO GP

Feb 27-Mar 2: Rd 1, Clipsal 500, Adelaide, South Australia Mar 13-16: NC Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Victoria

Mar 21-23: Rd 1, Qatar Losail International Circuit, Qatar Apr 11-13: Rd 2, Austin Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas

FORMULA 1

WRC

Mar 12-16: Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix Albert Park, Melbourne Mar 28-30: Rd 2, Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang

Mar 6-9: Rd 3, Rally Mexico, Leon Apr 3-6: Rd 4, Rally de Portugal, Faro 25

MOTORSPORTS

Pirelli to supply Formula One for next three years

F

ollowing a decision by the World Motor Sport Council confirming Pirelli’s status as the single supplier of tyres to the FIA Formula One World Championship, Pirelli and the FIA have renewed their Formula One supply contract. The duration of the agreement is for three years, starting from the 2014 season.

The world motorsport’s governing body and Pirelli, in collaboration with the teams, have been working together to improve levels of safety and performance in Formula One, resulting in important changes to the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations regarding the testing of tyres.

These new rules, mandatory from the 2014 season onwards, can be summarised as follows: 1: One of the 12 days of official preseason testing, as prescribed in the 2014 Sporting Regulations, will be dedicated exclusively to wet tyre testing.

2: Each team will dedicate one of their eight days of in-season testing, as prescribed in the 2014 Sporting Regulations, exclusively to tyre testing.

This means that during each of the eight days of in-season testing, at least one team – and up to a maximum of two – will be concentrating on tyre testing along with Pirelli’s engineers.

26

Pirelli will continue to determine the specification of the tyres and to manage all aspects of their development, in close consultation with the FIA and the teams, and within the parameters set out in the FIA Formula One Sporting and Technical Regulations.

In addition, Pirelli and the FIA have agreed to discuss how to go about establishing a possible partnership on the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign.

The campaign, established in 2011, aims to reduce road deaths globally by promoting road safety.

NEW ERA UNDERWAY FOR FORMULA ONE

F

ormula One’s new era got underway with four days of testing at Jerez in Spain in January with teams trying out their new cars and the 2014 tyres for the first time.

The teams were able to have their first taste of Pirelli’s 2014 tyre range, which features new compounds and

constructions. The teams could also try out the new Cinturato Green intermediate and Cinturato Blue wet on the second day, which was designated as a wet-weather test day. More rain then fell on Friday, providing another opportunity.

Pirelli additionally brought a bespoke ‘winter’ version of the hard tyre to

Jerez, designed to enable teams to maximise running even in low ambient temperatures (which dipped down to six degrees centigrade).

“The emphasis was not on tyres during this test: instead the teams were simply trying to get an understanding of this radical new set of regulations and put the first kilometres onto their cars,” said Paul Hembrey, Pirelli Motorsport Director. “With so much to understand about the new power units and aerodynamic rules, the teams aimed simply to increase their knowledge about the cars. The upcoming tests in Bahrain should allow them to focus on tyres a little more, having had two weeks to develop their cars and remedy any issues that have been identified at Jerez.

“We too are completely open, flexible and ready to adapt our tyres should the tests in Bahrain, where more meaningful running will take place, identify any need to do so. This year’s test regulations stipulate a day of wet weather running, which we were able to carry out on Wednesday morning. With more rain falling on Friday, the teams had the opportunity to try out the wet-weather compounds before using them in race conditions.”

Teams had a maximum of 25 sets of tyres each at their disposal for Jerez.

In total, 18 of those sets were selected

by Pirelli (six ‘winter’, four hard, two medium, and three each of intermediate and wet). The teams were then allowed to choose in advance seven more sets of tyres to test per car, up to their total maximum of 25. In total, 135 sets of tyres are allowed per team for testing purposes throughout 2014.

Two more rounds of testing, both in Bahrain are to take place before the first Grand Prix in Melbourne on the March 16.

Australia’s leading independent tyre distributor.

NEW CARS FOR A NEW ERA

T

he first Grand Prix of the 2014 season is just around the corner and there are many changes made to technical regulations this year.

tactics. Success could hinge on which of the power unit manufacturers achieves the best fuel efficiency.

GEARBOX 2014 sees the introduction of eight-speed, fixed ratio gearboxes. Those eight gears must be selected before the first race of the season and then those same ratios must be used at every track on the calendar. For this year only teams are allowed to change the ratios once but after that any changes will incur penalties.

FRONT WING

THE ENGINE The 2.4-litre normally-aspirated V8 engines of last season have been changed in favour of 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine.

Two ERS systems (ERS-K - for Kinetic and ERS-H - for Heat) will give drivers an additional 160bhp for approximately 33 seconds per lap.

The trick for teams will be how to use that extra power when it is available.

The motor generator units used in the ERS mean the cars produce more torque at lower revs than last year’s machines.

Formula One racing’s official tyre supplier Pirelli had to consider this when designing their 2014 F1 tyres.

FUEL Each car has a 100kg fuel limit per race.

Drivers will have to save fuel and that could lead to some interesting strategies as well as changes to driving styles and

The front wing has been reduced from 1,800mm to 1,650mm wide. The idea of the change is to reduce the number of punctures caused by an endplate catching the rear tyre of a competitor’s car.

Whereas last year’s wider wings meant airflow could be directed around the tyres and then down the car, 2014’s wings mean a portion of air will have to be directed between the front wheel and the chassis before joining up with the rest of the airflow behind the tyre.

WEIGHT The minimum weight of car and driver has been increased by 48kg from 2013, up from 642kg to 690kg to compensate for the increased weight of the new power unit and associated systems.

NOSE AND CHASSIS HEIGHT For safety reasons, the height of the chassis has been reduced from 625mm to 525mm, whilst the height of the nose has been changed from 550mm to 185mm. The aim of these changes is to prevent cars launching upwards in the event of nose to rear tyre collisions.

The aerodynamic changes have resulted in the ‘unusual’ nose designs on some of this year’s cars.

SOURCE: www.formula1.com

ORDER TYRES ONLINE

tyres4u.com.au 27

MICHELIN STEPS FORMULA E INNO

M

ichelin has revealed it is working on a ‘communicating’ tyre for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E racecar when the FIA Formula E Championship for electric single-seater cars kicks off later this year. The tyre will incorporate an electronic tag - an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device - which will enable the tyres to be identified individually.

“These RFID chips will be embedded in the tyres’ sidewalls to ensure their traceability,

from their production right through to their return to the factory after use at the racetrack,” explains Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin Motorsport’s four-wheel programs.

“These new electronic tags open up all sorts of possibilities. They will be able to collect data relating to running conditions including temperature and pressure sensors.

It will be possible to record and access information covering the tyre’s entire lifecycle.”

Embedding RFID chips in racing tyres promises to ease the introduction of new regulations

THE FORMAT The 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship will be contested over 10 rounds taking place on street circuits around the globe. All rounds will be one-day events to reduce costs and minimise disruption to the host city.

PRACTICE All events will open with a one-hour practice session giving drivers their first experience of the circuit. They will have up to two cars available to them giving them the option to change cars should they wish.

QUALIFYING The qualifying session is a straight fight for the fastest lap time and determines the order for the day’s race. Drivers will only be able to use one car and have a maximum of four laps in order to set their fastest time.

RACE Races will begin by standing start and last for approximately 28

S UP OVATION

FORMULA E Formula E is a new FIA championship, featuring cars powered exclusively by electric energy. Commencing in September 2014 with the inaugural race in Beijing, the Championship will see 10 teams, each with two drivers, competing in the heart of 10 of the world’s leading cities. The Championship will with the final race in London in June 2015.

Operating as an ‘open championship’, the series gives car manufacturers and constructors the opportunity to showcase their electrical energy innovations in a racing environment, designing cars to the technical specifications set out by the FIA.

THE CITIES

Round 1: Beijing, China, September 13, 2014 Round 2: Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 18, 2014 Round 3: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, November 15, 2014 Round 4: Punta Del Este, Uruguay, December 13, 2014 Round 5: Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 10, 2015 Round 6: Los Angeles, USA, February 14, 2015 Round 7: Miami, USA, March 14, 2015 Round 8: Monte Carlo, Monaco, May 9, 2015 Round 9: Berlin, Germany, May 30, 2015 Round 10: London, UK, June 27, 2015

by motorsport organisers seeking to cap the number of tyres competitors may use in their competitions, leading to knock-on benefits in terms of cost savings and extended tyre life.

To optimise energy efficiency and foster the transfer of technology from motorsport to road tyres, the tyres being developed feature an interior diameter of 18 inches and will also feature a tread pattern designed for safe performance in both wet and dry conditions. Special attention has also been paid to longevity, since drivers will only be permitted to use one set of tyres per race meeting including free practice, qualifying and the race.

Development of the tyre will continue until the competition’s first race in Beijing, China, on September 13, 2014. one hour with drivers making two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. Engines will be restricted to power saving mode (133kw / 180bhp) but can be temporarily increased to maximum power (200kw / 270bhp) by using the ‘Push-to-Pass’ boost system.

PIT STOPS/CAR CHANGES During races, drivers must make two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during this pit stop.

PUSH-TO-PASS During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car’s power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time.

SOURCE: www.fiaformulae.com

CHAMPIONSHIP The FIA Formula E Championship will consist of both a drivers and a teams’ championship. A driver’s end of season total is made up of his/her best results less two. A team’s total is made up of all its results from the season.

(l-r): Bert Hedaya, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gildo Pallanca Pastor and Francesco Costa

DICAPRIO ON BOARD

A

ward-winning actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with Venturi Automobiles in a joint venture to enter a team in the FIA Formula E Championship.

Based in Monaco, the Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team has been co-founded by DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa.

“The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean energy vehicles,” said DiCaprio.

“Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

Venturi Automobiles is a leader in high performance electric vehicles, developing a range of sports, urban and utilitarian cars, as well as being the current holders of the world land speed record for an electric vehicle with 495kph.

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PRODUCTS CATALOGUE SHOWCASES CAPS RANGE

T NARVA INSPECTION LAMP GETS THE THUMBS UP FROM TECHNICIANS

A

utomotive technicians can spend countless hours working in and under cars, so having a high quality inspection lamp like Narva’s ‘See Ezy’ Heavy-Duty/High Powered L.E.D Inspection lamp is vital.

Extensive research, testing and development by Narva engineers has ensured that the inspection lamp is ideally suited to mechanical applications. From large dealership operations to tyre and brake specialists and even prestige vehicle restorers, Narva’s See Ezy inspection lamps are proving a valuable addition to the workshop equipment list.

As one of Australia’s largest independently-owned tyre retailers, Jax Quickfit Tyres provides light vehicle servicing, brake repairs and wheel alignment. The company’s Prahran branch in Melbourne uses its inspection lamp for under car body inspections to illuminate any damaged components in dark and difficult-to-access areas.

Prahran Manager, Ross Harwood, said the inspection lamp’s robust design is ideal for the company’s challenging workshop environment.

“The inspection lamp has survived a number of drops without even a scratch on it,” Ross said.

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The inspection lamp has survived a number of drops without even a scratch on it. The rubber casing on the inspection lamp is quite durable and feels very sturdy.

“The rubber casing on the inspection lamp is quite durable and feels very sturdy.”

According to Ross, the inspection lamp’s inbuilt magnet is extremely useful in the workshop.

“We are quite impressed with the magnet’s strength. We just clip it onto a steel hoist arm and it stays put until we move it.”

Deeming it a “well-rounded product”, the company will keep the inspection lamp on top of its tools list.

Narva’s See Ezy’ HeavyDuty/High Powered L.E.D Inspection lamp is available from all leading automotive, four wheel drive and transport retailers for RRP $225.

o provide customers a user-friendly method to browse and select products, CAPS Australia has published a new comprehensive product catalogue showcasing approximately 2,500 products, including more than 120 models of air compressors and 600 varieties of tools, available from CAPS’ nation-wide network of 11 office and service centres.

The new catalogue is available in print however the online version is in a FlipBook format which transforms the traditional PDF into an interactive experience featuring links to video content, detailed product descriptions and technical specifications, application information and more.

“Our product catalogue is an invaluable resource designed specifically as a simplified yet complete overview of CAPS’ impressive product range,” said John Bishop, the Wholesale National Sales and Marketing Manager for CAPS. CAPS is Australia’s largest locally-owned compressed air and power generation solution provider. The company designs, manufactures and services an extensive range of industrial equipment including air compressors, power generators, air and cordless power tools, lighting towers, and portable diesel air compressors. The company holds ISO 9001:2008 certification and is a leading distributor of several major international brands.

The CAPS catalogue can be accessed online at: http://www.capsaust.com. au/docs/pdf/product-catalogue

WORLD NEWS HANKOOK SETS PROFIT RECORD IN 2013

H

ankook Tire has posted record global sales of KRW 7.060 trillion ($AU7.45 billion) and operating profit of KRW 1.031 trillion ($AU1.1 billion), both figures marking the highest in its history, with a healthy operating profit-to-sales ratio of 14.6 per cent (based on KRW).

Hankook Tire’s ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre sales have played a key growth driver for this record operating profit.

Accumulated sales in the UHP tyre segment accounted for 26.5 per cent of the entire global sales and have shown a robust growth to finish with 3.4 per cent increase YoY. China and Europe led all markets with accumulated UHP tyre sales by posting 13.6 per cent and 12.9 per cent increases YoY respectively.

The recent series of Hankook Tire’s original equipment (OE) fitment agreements also featured an important impetus for its financial growth, having completed Germany’s ‘Big Three’ by adding Mercedes-Benz to its premium OE portfolio, as well as supplying original fitments to the best-selling models of top Japanese auto brands.

The company says its bold strategic movements with foresighted capital expenditure in both production capacity and R&D have been the driving force behind creating a solid foundation for sustainable growth. The company has been steadily expanding its global production footholds in strategic locations with Indonesia and Chongqing (China) plants in 2013 and recently announced plans for a new US production facility.

Also, the investments for a new Central R&D Center and a Test Engineering Centre in Korea reinforced the company’s pursuit to further advance its technological prowess beyond competition.

USA

Tyrebusiness.com reports that American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc. (ATD) has agreed to buy Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. for about $310 million, subject to certain customary pre-closing adjustments.

The combination of ATD and Hercules would create a megawholesaler with more than 150 warehouse distribution centres in the U.S. and in Canada.

ATD will report close to $3.5 billion in sales this year, and Hercules’ annual sales are estimated to be in excess of $500 million.

“Hercules is a well-run company with an outstanding reputation in the industry,” said ATD President and CEO William Berry. “Joining forces with the Hercules team is a very positive step for American Tire Distributors.”

Hercules operates four divisions: Hercules Tire USA; Hercules Tire Canada; Tire Dealer’s Warehouse (TDW); and Hercules Tire International (which it calls the largest independent tire exporter in North America, with the Hercules and Ironman brands).

Besides the DCs in North America, Hercules operates a 250,000-sq.ft. warehouse in northern China.

EUROPE

Michelin has launched a new website in Europe for fans of classic cars. The company says the website, www.michelinclassic.com, provides an ‘all-inclusive’ service for vintage and classic car connoisseurs, owners and industry professionals and is a site where users can find information on more than 2400 historic vehicles as well as accurate figures for the specific era regarding all the relevant sizes, fitting procedures and advice in terms of recommended

pressures for the tyres and inner tubes. Users of www.michelinclassic.com will be able to directly call a Michelin expert or start a virtual conversation by asking questions online.

Users will also be able to find out the availability of the tyre they are looking for and consult the list of Michelin Classic stockists. They can even order tyres and inner tubes online, via the retailer’s website.

Aficionados or owners of vintage automobiles will be able to rely upon www.michelinclassic.com as a resource as they endeavour to restore or fit their car with the correct tyres whilst fully respecting the vehicle’s authenticity.

CHINA

CHINAPLAS 2014, Asia’s no.1 an world’s no.2 plastics and rubber trade fair, will gather more than 2900 exhibitors at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, PR China, in April. In an exhibition area of 220,000sqm with 14 international pavilions, Chinaplas will be promoting sustainability under the themes ‘Greenovation Solution Sustainability’, with ‘The City of Tomorrow’ and ‘Green Conference’ as two featured events. Aspects covered by the event will include Green and Alternative Materials, Energy-efficient Machinery, Plastics and Rubber Applications, and Recycling as well as other issues. The expo runs from April 23-26.

JAPAN

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced its US subsidiary, the Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), has entered into a multiyear contract to sponsor an annual US Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament held in Alabama. The tournament will become known as the continued page 32 31

WORLD NEWS Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.

This year’s tournament will be held 18-21 September in Prattville, Alabama, on the Senator Course at Capitol Hill along the Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail. Through its sponsorship of the LPGA tournament, YTC aims to further strengthen marketing of its tyres in the US. YTC has been expanding its sports marketing program, which already includes partnerships with the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Clippers; the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens; and Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and New York Yankees.

GERMANY

Orion Engineered Carbons has announced the product launch of Specialty Carbon Black COLOUR BLACK FW 255. The product replaces XPB 255 and is a result of Orion Engineered Carbons’ investment in emerging technologies and its efforts to offer innovative solutions to the market. Several million euros were invested to build a new production line with enhanced technology at its plant in Kalscheuren, Germany. This unit increases Orion’s production capacity and enables it to meet demand in the global market. The new line began operations in November, 2013.

USA

According to research firm The Freedonia Group, global demand for tyres is to increase 4.3 percent annually per year to 2.9 billion units in 2017.

In value terms, the study, ‘World Tires’, expects an increase of 7.9 per cent per year, reaching $US276 billion in 2017 with global growth continuing to be led by developing countries in the Asia/ Pacific region which will account for twothirds of total growth. China, the largest market for tyres, India and Japan will continue to be large market, though sales in Japan are forecast to decline.

The markets for tyres in North America and Western Europe will show improvement relative to the 2007-2012 period, but gains will remain below two percent per annum in both regions through 2017. The US will continue to be the world’s second largest market for tyres, accounting for 13 percent of global demand in 2017. Details on these and other key findings are contained in the Freedonia industry study, World Tires, available from www.freedoniagroup.com

Cooper Tire Europe will be highly visible in pitch-side advertising during Premier league broadcasts from the club’s Emirates Stadium. “The sponsorship made perfect sense to us at Cooper,” said Sarah McRoberts, Marketing Communications Manager for Cooper Tire Europe. “We share a real affinity with the club and its fans. Together, we are all driven by success and we’re very much looking forward to what will be a very successfull partnership.”

UK

Cooper Tire Europe has announced that it is sponsoring Arsenal Footbal Club in a multi-year deal. Starting in the 2014/15 season, the deal will see the tyre manufacturer become an official partner to the London club. Under the deal,

Reports in the UK say that Britain’s Prime minister, David Cameron, will work for ‘a good outcome’ as Goodyear Dunlop looks to end motorsport tyre production at its UK operation in the country’s midlands when the lease for its facility runs out in September.

Production is expected to transfer to plants in France and Germany.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Member of Parliament for the area, Jack Dromney, asked if Cameron would look to see if there was a way the manufacturing facility could be saved.

Reports say that the announcement of the closure of the Dunlop plant followed confirmation from the company that there were no viable plans for its manufacturing operation to stay in the UK. 241 jobs, mainly in the manufacturing part of the operation are likely to be affected.

has been a proving ground for tire development, helping Goodyear provide superior performance and innovation both on and off the track.”

Goodyear’s dedication to tyre performance led to purpose-built treaded bias race tyres in 1957, to slick bias race tyres in 1974, to the

first radial racing tyres in 1988, and last year to the introduction of race tyres using Goodyear’s exclusive Multi-Zone Tread Technology.

“The evolution of our NASCAR racing tires has been a very exciting and rewarding project,” said Grant. “We are looking forward to the next 60 years.”

UK

GOODYEAR CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF NASCAR PARTNERSHIP

T

his year, Goodyear celebrates its 60th anniversary as a key supplier to America’s most popular motorsport – NASCAR, making it not only one of the longestrunning supplier relationships in racing, but in all of sports history.

“All of us at Goodyear are extremely proud to celebrate 60 consecutive years of supplying race tires to NASCAR and its drivers,” said Stu Grant, general manager of global race tyres. “Since 1954 our involvement in NASCAR 32

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