Australian Tyre Dealer Oct / Nov 2014

Australian Tyre Dealer | vol. 23 | issue 5 | Oct/Nov 2014

48 million waste tyres per year

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O TO TYRE W YN A SA

E ST

Be part of the solution and turn costly waste into a valuable resource.

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Australia can’t afford it. Say NO to Tyre Waste

Get the TSA stamp of approval.

Your clients and your bottom line will thank you for it.

Learn how at tyrestewardship.org.au

*Volume based on Equivalent Passenger Units (EPUs). An EPU is a standard passenger car tyre.

Full EPU Ratio Tables available at www.tyrestewardship.org.au

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY ENJOY YOUR LIFE QLD Neta Tire Service & Sales 07 3266 7377

NSW Freedom Tyres 02 9604 0266

VIC Freedom Tyres 03 8360 8866

WA Townsend International Tyres 08 9249 5722

Distributors wanted in NT/SA/TA, please contact Consolidated Tyre Co at info@ctctire.com.au

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. BMW recognises Bridgestone and

Print Post approved PPP444752/0002

Pirelli for product innovations

6. Michelin chosen for Renault’s

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.

awesome R.S.01

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

9. End of life tyres:

7. Bridgestone brings Battlax to

Adventure segment

8. New Victorian Kumho distribution

centre open for business

Michelin will provide Renault Sport with its latest high-performance tire – the Pilot Sport S9L – for the new Renault Sport R.S.01, p. 6

A new opportunity for profit

10. Toyo’s NanoEnergy 3 aces Motor tyre test

13. Hankook breaks ground on new

US tyre Plant

EDITOR Jonathan Nash

FEATURE

ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic

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

AUTO NEWS

16. The ATD Interview: Thierry Villard,

Managing Director of Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres Australia

ATD caught up with Goodyear’s Thierry Villard to talk business, products, technology and where the company is headed in Australia, p. 16.

20. Vive La France!: Paris Motor Show 22. 13,000 Aussie fans seek out all-new

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

Ford Mustang

23. The F60 America marks Ferrari’s

SUBSCRIPTION: Subscription is free. Email us at publications@mtaq.com.au

60th year in North America

PRODUCTS 24. Head-up displays find their way into drivers’ field of vision

If you don’t wish to receive further editions of Australian Tyre Dealer please email us at publications@mtaq.com.au

25. Bendix Brake Pad Identifier Takes

13,000 Australians have already expressed interest in the all-new Ford Mustang ahead of its arrival in Australia in mid-2015, p. 22.

Major 2014 App Productivity Award

MTA-Queensland ABN: 740 289 338 48

MOTORSPORTS 26. Hankook fosters young talent into Formula 1 27. Rossi takes victory at Australian MotoGP 28. Formula E makes history with first ePrix 30. American racing legend to bring Super

20140138 20140183

“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.

Trucks Series to Clipsal 500 Adelaide

31. WORLD NEWS

The Formula E Championship – the world’s first for fully-electric single-seater race cars – got off to a successful start in Beijing in September, p. 28.

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EDITOR’S WORD

W Jonathan Nash Editor

elcome to the October/ November edition of Australian Tyre Dealer.

In our main feature this edition ATD talks to Thierry Villard, the Managing Director of Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres in Australia.

The company has a long history in Australia, and in a wide-ranging interview we talk to Mr Villard about the industry, the importance of collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, the changing nature of the vehicles themselves, being environmentally aware, and we delve a little into the company’s history and, perhaps, its future.

Take a look from page 16.

In the search for an environmental-friendly answer to the problem of end-of-life tyres, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) continues to develop and expand. With more than 48 million waste tyres discarded per year in Australia the TSA scheme’s primary objective is to encourage the creation of tyre outcomes that are sustainable, transparent, accountable and potentially profitable, and the scheme has met with considerable support, including from major manufacturers and retail groups. Go to page 9 for more information.

Also in this edition we take a look at the Paris Motor Show.

One of the biggest such events in the world, the Paris show always plays host to some of the more interesting car concepts and this year was no different.

Lamborghini joined the hybrid revolution with its Asterion, VW stuffed a Ducati engine into its XL Sport and the French DS marque has done all manner of things to its ‘Divine’ concept. Along with

the quite incredible-looking Infiniti Q80, Paris once again, lived up to the hype. Take a look on page 20.

In international news, Hankook has broken ground on a major investment in the US. The manufacturing plant in Tennessee is the company’s first in that country and will create 1800 full-time jobs and contribute to increasing the company’s annual global production to more than 100 million tyres.

Also in international news, a report out of the UK states that dangerous, illegal, under-inflated or defective tyres were found to be responsible for more than 40% of vehicle defect-related deaths. The report, based on figures released by the country’s Department for Transport, highlights the need for drivers to check their tyres regularly.

Finally, in Motorsport news, the Formula E championship had its first outing in Beijing.

The all-electric open-wheel cars may sound different to their full-blooded F1 counterparts but the races themselves would appear to be just as exciting and the future looks bright for the series. Read about the first race of what could be the future of Motorsport on pages 28 and 29.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Australian Tyre Dealer.

Feel free to contact me if you have any news you’d like to share with the industry.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards Jonathan Nash jonathann@mtaq.com.au

The Infiniti Q80 at the Paris Motor Show - Page 20 2

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BMW recognises Bridgestone and Pirelli for product innovations

Dr.-Ing. Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Purchasing and Supplier Network (middle), with the winners of the BMW Supplier Innovation Award

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he BMW Group has presented its third BMW Supplier Innovation Award.

A total of eight suppliers were honoured for their outstanding achievements in innovation and development including tyre majors Bridgestone and Pirelli.

The BMW Group recognises its most innovative suppliers as key partners in the implementation of new developments who make a decisive contribution to the success of the company. The Supplier Innovation Award pays tribute to their achievements.

“Innovation is a decisive factor in a vehicle’s market success,” said Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network.

“Many customers ultimately opt for the car with the most impressive innovations. In fact, innovations are a key driver in our role as a pioneer in shaping the mobility of tomorrow.”

The BMW Group considers innovation the foundation of a company’s economic success and future competitiveness. The only

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way to master the challenges ahead for the automobile industry is through a high level of creativity and inventiveness.

“We intend to continue expanding and strengthening our innovation leadership. Close cooperation with suppliers is extremely important to us.

This award is designed not only to recognise outstanding achievements, but also as an incentive for our suppliers to strive for a key competitive edge through their innovations for the BMW Group in the future,” added Mr Draeger.

The BMW Group presented awards in a total of seven categories, as well as a special “Innovation Partnership” award. The categories span fields of technology where the company will define the future of individual mobility as a premium manufacturer.

Bridgestone picked up the award in the ‘Efficient Dynamics’ category in recognition of its Ologic technology for CO2-optimised tyres, developed for the BMW i3.

The tyres are especially large and narrow, reducing rolling resistance and thereby improving CO2 figures and extending the range of pure electric engines.

“Bridgestone is very proud to have been chosen by BMW as exclusive tyre development partner for its range of electric vehicles.

BMW and Bridgestone share the same vision of sustainable mobility and we are delighted to receive the BMW innovation award for our new Ologic tyre technology” said Mr. Franco Annunziato, CEO and President Bridgestone Europe.

Pirelli took the ‘Quality’ award for its Real Dynamic Curing technology, used in the tyre vulcanisation process. This technology, adopted by Pirelli throughout its factories, allows the optimal degree of vulcanisation to be calculated for each tyre via the use of a thermal sensor.

Vulcanisation, the process in which a tyre’s characteristics are ‘set’ by heat, is the final phase in the tyre production process and a determining factor in the quality of the finished product.

Goodyear converts waste from rice harvest to fuelefficient tyre treads

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ice husk waste once headed for landfills is now helping Goodyear produce fuel-efficient tyres. The company has announced it will utilise ash left over from the burning of rice husks to produce electricity as an environmentally friendly source of silica for use in its tyres.

The company has tested silica derived from rice husk ash over the past two years at its Innovation Center in Ohio, US, and found its impact on tyre performance to be equal to traditional sources. Goodyear is negotiating with potential suppliers to purchase rice husk ash silica for use in its tyres.

“The use of rice husk ash will provide Goodyear an alternative source of silica

while helping reduce the amount of rice husk waste being landfilled,” said Joseph Zekoski, Interim Chief Technical Officer. “This illustrates Goodyear’s commitment to innovation and to the environment.”

Each year, more than 700 million tons of rice is harvested worldwide, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, and disposing of the rice husks is an environmental challenge. As a result, husks often are burned to generate electricity and reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills.

Silica is mixed with rubber in tyre treads to increase the rubber’s strength and help reduce rolling resistance, which

improves fuel economy. It also can have a positive impact on a tyre’s traction on wet surfaces.

“Goodyear’s innovation efforts are focused on making tyres more environmentally friendly – in their materials, in their performance and in the manufacturing process,” said Mr Zekoski. “For example, we continue to explore ways to increase the fuel efficiency of tyres.

We strive to help consumers keep their tyres operating optimally, through innovations such as Air Maintenance Technology (AMT). And we look to renewable resources, including soy bean oil, to replace petroleum-based materials in tyres.”

Franchises available: are you ready for the ride?

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We have opportunities Australia wide for retail automotive enthusiasts seeking an exciting and rewarding business, with the support of a successful and innovative network.

The Goodyear Autocare Franchise Program is backed by Goodyear, Australia’s largest tyre wholesaler and retailer, and a well respected, internationally recognised brand.

This gives Goodyear Autocare Franchisees strong local support within a successful global network.

Goodyear Autocare is a unique one-stop shop for all automotive needs. We’ve put a lot of research into creating an automotive retail experience that is superior in the marketplace and highly sought after by consumers. Goodyear Autocare was launched in 2006 and has grown to over 130 stores nationwide.

We believe you will find Goodyear Autocare to be one of the most exciting and rewarding franchise programs available.

For further information, contact franchising@goodyear.com Doug Trenwith on 0412 229 800 or email doug_trenwith@goodyear.com David Stafford on 0434 563 337 or email david_stafford@goodyear.com

Whether you wish to establish a new retail outlet or re-brand your existing business and like us, you have a passion for high quality automotive services, then we just might be on the road to a beautiful partnership.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

The Reanult R.S.01

Michelin chosen for Renault’s awesome R.S.01 A

s part of its association with the World Series by Renault (WSR), Michelin will provide Renault Sport with its latest high-performance tyre – the Pilot Sport S9L – for the new Renault Sport R.S. 01.

Based on Michelin’s so-called ‘customer competition’ range, the tyre will also be available for all GT3 competitors from 2015.

With a carbon monocoque chassis for a weight of less than 1,100kg and an engine developing over 500hp, the R.S. 01 can reach a top speed of more than 300kph.

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From 2015, Renault Sport R.S. 01 will be one of the stars of the World Series

by Renault in a new championship, the Renault Sport Trophy, a springboard for the professional GT and Endurance championships.

The Renault Sport R.S. 01 needed a tyre that would allow its full potential to be exploited, which is why, says Michelin, they proposed the new Pilot Sport S9L. “We found ourselves faced with the sort of challenge we love at Michelin because Renault Sport set the bar extremely high with its new car which boasts an exceptional performance

pedigree,” said Philippe Mussati, Michelin’s customer competition program manager. “We are proud to have succeeded in meeting the exacting demands with regard to its high power output and torque. In addition to delivering outright performance, we were also asked to dial in consistency and to make sure that the Michelin Pilot Sport S9L tyre was easy for the drivers to manage, since the R.S. 01’s program is based on a combination of sprint and endurance races. Indeed, competitors will only be permitted to use two sets per sprint race, so that called for a blend of durability and consistent delivery of performance lap after lap.”

Michelin will provide Renault Sport with two sizes of the Michelin Pilot Sport S9L tyres – 30-68x18 for the front wheels and 31-71x18 for the rear.

The decision to fit an 18-inch tyre is in line with Michelin’s desire to see as many parallels as possible between racing and road tyres. In this way, the company says, new technologies developed for motorsport can be carried over more swiftly to its road tyres.

Bridgestone brings Battlax to Adventure segment B ridgestone has extended its Battlax range of Race, Sports and Touring motorcycle tyres to the Adventure segment. First seen at the Intermot fair in Cologne at the beginning of October, the new Battlax Adventure A40 expands the allweather potential of trail radials for bikers who ride their adventure machines primarily for on-road touring.

The company says by fusing the MotoGP heritage of the Battlax brand with the proven performance of Battle Wing tyres, it has created an Adventure tyre that delivers enhanced traction and stability, particularly on wet surfaces, and greater durability.

The goal of Bridgestone engineers was to significantly improve Battle Wing’s dry and wet handling – without sacrificing its high-level stability and durability – giving adventure bikers greater pleasure and safety on all roads and in all conditions.

The company says this has been

Battlax Adventure A40

achieved with the Battlax Adventure A40, firstly by improving dry handling without loss of stability: a new front tyre profile produces a larger contact area at high lean angles for better cornering grip; larger tread blocks add stiffness for more cornering stability; and Bridgestone’s mono-spiral belt construction on the front tyre improves shock absorption, for greater rider comfort and less fatigue.

Wet performance has been improved by the revised compound incorporating Bridgestone’s proprietary NanoPro-Tech technology which helps reduce heat generation caused by tyre deformation.

At the same time, Bridgestone has reengineered the A40 tread patterns to upgrade wet performance and stability. By redesigning the groove angles and layout on the front tread pattern, cornering stability has been enhanced. Wider grooves on front and rear improve water clearance and upgrade wet performance. The layout of the grooves on the rear tyre facilitate larger blocks, for added stiffness, which provides more stability during cornering. ‘’With the new Battlax Adventure A40, Bridgestone builds on Battle Wing’s stability and delivers higher levels of dry and wet performance ‘’ says Jake Rønsholt, Managing Director Consumer Business Unit, Bridgestone Europe.

Hankook to supply tyres for 2015 Lincoln Navigator

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ankook will supply the new 2015 Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV with its premium highway all-season Dynapro HT in size 275/55R20T AS. The 20” size will be factory equipped on the 2015 Lincoln Navigator as standard equipment built mainly for the North American market.

The Dynapro HT offers distinctive features ideal for SUVs that enable an impressive driving experience. The company says the Dynapro HT’s optimised tread compound helps provide longer mileage with better snow traction and

improved all-season performance, while a high stiffness centre block offers enhanced steering response. Additionally, the tyre’s enlarged, computer generated tread footprint provides less noise and excellent grip performance.

“We are truly excited about this new agreement with Lincoln for one of the most anticipated vehicles in the full-sized luxury SUV segment not to mention its’ continued momentum as a brand choice in the premium market,” said Mr. Byung Il Woo, Vice President of Global OE Division at Hankook Tire.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Kumho’s new $10 million distribution facility in Melbourne’s South East is the largest Kumho facility in Australia with a floor space of 10,000 sq. metres and a capacity of more than 130,000 tyres

New Victorian Kumho distribution centre open for business K umho has strengthened its network in Victoria with the opening of its all-new state of the art distribution centre in Melbourne.

The new centre in Dandenong South will, the company says, provide efficient distribution of tyres throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area and around the state of Victoria.

The new $10 million facility in Melbourne’s South East is the largest Kumho facility in Australia with a floor space of 10,000 sq. metres and a capacity of more than 130,000 tyres.

According to Kumho Tyre Australia’s Victorian State Manager, Leigh

McDonald, the investment Kumho has made is a clear commitment to remain as a market leader and to service the growing demand in the Victorian tyre market.

“Ensuring our range of passenger, SUV, 4x4 and commercial tyres is available around the country is a priority for Kumho Australia and our new facility here in Dandenong South will enable us to better service our customers across Melbourne and the state,” said Mr McDonald.

“The multi-million dollar investment Kumho has made will help maintain strong supply to the growing Victorian market for

many years to come,” he added.

“Kumho is continually looking at ways to strengthen its supply chain around the world and our new distribution centre is ideally positioned near major transport links to speed deliveries and increase efficiency.”

The new Kumho Victorian distribution hub is located just off the Monash Freeway at Carter Way, Dandenong South.

The centre is one of two new warehouses opened by Kumho in Australia in the past 12 months following Perth’s 8,500 sq. metre distribution facility earlier this year.

European tech centre spearheads Kumho R&D in Germany

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umho has expanded its European Technical Centre (KETC) with the creation of a new tyre testing facility at Papenburg in Germany.

The company says the Centre will help meet the demands of an expanding portfolio of Original Equipment (OE) contracts with European vehicle manufacturers and numerous new products for the European aftermarket.

The self-contained 1,000 square metre facility houses the technical and engineering team along with all the test tyres and wheel rims and is 8

The self-contained 1,000 square metre facility houses the technical and engineering team along with all the test tyres and wheel rims and is adjacent to Kumho’s Europ ean proving ground

adjacent to Kumho’s European proving ground which has been designed to encompass subjective handling, wet handling characteristics, aquaplaning,

driving comfort, interior/exterior noise and braking on all surfaces.

The test activities are supported by a novel high technology GPS-based measurement system along with digital evaluation of the tyre footprints.

The centre will manage all of Kumho ETC’s outdoor test requirements, while any additional needs will be catered for using a mix of race circuit facilities at Idiada (Spain), Nardo (Italy), Nürburgring (Germany) and Ivalo (Finland).

End of Life Tyres: A New Opportunity for Profit O ver 48 million tyres are discarded each year in Australia. This represents a challenge for the environment and a burden for retailers.

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has been formed as a government supported initiative, including leading tyre brands and other important players, to eradicate illegal, unsafe and unethical disposal practices. TSA will promote education on end-of-life tyre management, run the necessary accreditation, auditing and reporting process and support research into new uses for tyre-derived raw materials.

In fact recycled tyre raw material is already in use in a variety of products including high tech road surfaces, soft fall playground mats and various automotive parts.

The TSA Scheme does not impose any direct cost on retailers and is designed to make participation as easy as possible.

Its primary objective is to encourage the creation of end-of-life tyre outcomes that are sustainable, transparent, accountable and potentially profitable.

With this initiative, the tyre industry addresses an environmental challenge by proposing solutions rather than seeing new regulation imposed on all players.

The Scheme is fully supported by State and Federal Governments. It is funded by a levy of 25 cents per tyre*

that retailers can pass on to consumers.

The levy is sanctioned by the ACCC as per the determination A91336 and A91337: money raised through the levy funds the administration of the Scheme and the accreditation and audit program that underpins it. The levy is separate from tyre collection charges retailers normally incur.

The scheme will also help to identify the best suppliers of sustainable collection and recycling services: details of accredited providers will be available for participants through the TSA website.

Tyre Stewardship Australia has successfully brought together market competitors, gathered support from tyre-using industries and gained the recognition of Federal and State Governments. To date the major tyre manufacturers and retail groups participating include Continental, Goodyear-Dunlop, Michelin, Tyrepower, Pirelli, Beaurepaires, Tyres & More, Toyo, Tyre Plus and Yokohama. Additional brands are expected to join as the scheme grows.

Earlier this year Federal Environment Minister The Hon. Greg Hunt officially launched the scheme and congratulated all involved: “The participating members have overcome competitive pressures to improve the industry and create better outcomes locally, nationally

and globally,” he said. “It’s about new products and new industries emerging from what was considered a waste problem. I don’t think there are many better examples of co-operation that does the right thing by industry and the right thing by the environment.”

Accreditation to the TSA Scheme is now open to retailers. It offers the opportunity to be instrumental in a transformation program and to gain valuable consumer recognition.

Becoming a TSA accredited retailer is easy and free of charge. Applicants are guided through a simple process requiring minimal time for accreditation and long-term compliance.

More information on how to apply for accreditation can all be found on the TSA website at www.tyrestewardship. org.au. The first step is to register your interest in becoming part of the solution.

The TSA Scheme offers a unique opportunity to turn a costly problem into future activities that will see end-of-life tyres become a valuable resource.

The outcome will be reduced costs for retailers.

* Based on Equivalent Passenger Units (EPUs).

An EPU is a standard passenger car tyre. Full EPU Ratio Tables available at tyrestewardship.org.au

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NanoEnergy 3 aces Motor tyre test MOTOR magazine put Toyo Tires’ new NanoEnergy 3 to the test, bettering existing tyres on economy, performance and comfort.

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ounter to the perception that a tyre’s fuel efficiency must come at the expense of wet grip and general performance, Toyo Tires NanoEnergy 3 has been engineered for balance, using less fuel while adding performance.

The NanoEnergy 3 demonstrated class-leading efficiency while consistently outperforming its predecessor, Toyo TEO Plus, and a leading energy-efficient tyre on a number of key metrics during testing by Australia’s favourite performance car magazine, MOTOR. Wet and dry performance data was captured at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The test car, a 2014 model standard automatic Toyota Aurion, was driven

by V8 Supercar driver and Tekno Autosports owner Jonathan Webb.

Tyre pressures were set to Toyo’s recommended levels and data was recorded by a VBOX Motorsport Driftbox, a sophisticated motion sensor recording vehicle performance characteristics.

Webb and the MOTOR team put NanoEnergy 3 through its paces, testing real world performance indicators including wet and dry braking, wet and dry g-loading and wet and dry slalom.

“These tests give you three very practical uses of the tyre, and show where it’s strong and where it’s not,” explained Jonathan Webb.

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Recording the best average in 60km/h-0km/h dry braking and equalling a leading competitor tyre in wet braking, the NanoEnergy 3 outshone the TEO Plus, with a stopping distance that was shorter by over a metre.

“In the braking in particular the NanoEnergy 3 did a great job, while in the slalom it displayed higher levels of front end feel and grip,” said Webb.

Dry g-force testing demonstrated strong lateral grip across the board, with less than 0.03g separating the tyres as Webb violently circled the car. In the wet component of the test the variance impressively remained the same.

With the dry slalom test seeing NanoEnergy 3 bested by half a second, the wet slalom saw NanoEnergy 3 again on top, equalling TEO Plus and beating the competitor tyre.

The wet motorkhana section of testing also saw NanoEnergy 3 record a 37.5 second pass, the best time of the session.

The results indicate NanoEnergy 3’s uncompromised road holding, even in inclement conditions, while still offering fuel savings.

“The newer tyre [NanoEnergy 3] felt more supple, was quieter and performed more consistently,” said Webb. “The perception that low rolling resistance tyres don’t work in the wet is incorrect.”

Fuel economy testing comprised one of the Toyota Aurions fitted

with Toyo TEO Plus and the other with NanoEnergy 3.

One of the cars was driven by MOTOR and one by Australian Rally Championship driver Jack Monkhouse over repeated 228km passes on highway terrain. Ballast was used to account for differences in driver weight, the tyres were swapped after the first pass to eliminate driver/ vehicle variables and speed was kept to 95km/h, with no drafting permitted.

The test saw the NanoEnergy 3 demonstrate an averaged five per cent improvement in fuel economy over the TEO Plus.

“On a sunny and still day, the NanoEnergy 3’s showed they are a comfortable, incredibly quiet tyre with excellent feel at the wheel over both smooth and rough surfaces. Noise intrusion into the cabin was minimal too,” writes MOTOR magazine.

“The NanoEnergy 3’s do exactly what they say on the tin, and do it with a highly polished, comfortable and quiet ride.”

The conclusion of the testing saw MOTOR agree that NanoEnergy 3 offers fuel efficiency, without any compromises.

“While saving dollars at the bowser is a desirable outcome, it can’t come at the expense of safety and it shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort.”

“Not too long ago, economy tyres were harsh, hard and noisy things that used less petrol, but didn’t really do much else. Toyo’s new NanoEnergy 3 turns that equation on its head, even when compared with the excellent TEO Plus. They are demonstrably quieter, have class-leading braking performance particularly in dry conditions, and can match it with much more expensive units in all other tests.

“The icing on the cake is the fact that over the lifetime of the tyres you’ll probably save enough money in fuel to replace the tyres again, and with no real compromise in the areas of safety, daily driving performance and comfort.

Now that’s what we call a result.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Leading performance from Continental in mag tests C ontinental’s ContiSportContact 5 tyre has taken top spot in this year’s summer tyre test from the UK’s monthly publication evo.

The evo summer tyre test celebrates the best in the summer tyre market highlighting tyres with exceptional performance, quality, safety, desirability and value.

It is seen within the UK motoring industry as a stamp of approval offering motoring enthusiasts confidence when looking for their next tyre purchase.

The evo summer tyre test pitted the Continental ContiSportContact 5 against eight competitor summer tyres in size 225/45R17.

The awards recognised the ContiSportContact 5 across a broad spectrum, taking top spot for wet handling, wet braking and dry braking.

“There can be absolutely no doubt

about our victor this year,” wrote evo magazine. “With four wins it was a simply brilliant performance across the board. Whenever I got in the car with the Continentals on, it proved a joy to

drive, combining feedback with fantastic grip to give supreme confidence.”

“We are delighted to have been commended by the UK’s evo magazine yet again,” said Mitchell Golledge, Marketing Manager, Continental Tyres of Australia. “The ContiSportContact 5 has taken the Australian market by storm, with several international tyre test wins since its launch, reiterating our leading position for safety.

“With the ContiSportContact 5, Continental’s engineers have developed a tyre which is equally suitable for performance cars and SUVs and represents a significant progression on the successful ContiSportContact 3.”

The ContiSportContact 5 is available in a range of sizes from 17 inch upwards for cars and 18 inch upwards for SUVs.

Continental rubber propels marathon world record

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he rubber that keeps your car on the road may have played a part in a recent marathon world record.

The 41st Berlin Marathon was won by top African athlete Dennis Kimetto, whose adidas shoes featured a special rubber compound from Continental.

Kimetto won the race in a world-record time of 2:02:57 ahead of his compatriot Emmanuel Mutai, running in the same shoes, and both men were under the previous world record held by their fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang (2:03:23) set last year in Berlin.

For several years, Continental has been supplying the sports goods specialist with special rubber compounds that improve the adidas shoes’ grip on all surfaces.

More and more top athletes around the world are coming to

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appreciate the shoes that ease the load on the joints and draw on the expertise of Continental’s tyre developers to deliver top stability on wet asphalt, offering a way to save decisive seconds in the pursuit of new personal bests and records.

Ever since adidas and Continental began their technology-based cooperation, they have been progressively expanding the range.

Today more than 80 different running and trekking shoes are available for men and women with extremely high grip soles made from special Continental rubber compounds.

Continental will now focus on compounds for extreme conditions including snow and ice, aiming to offer professional and amateur runners even greater safety.

Dennis Kimetto wins the Berlin Marathon in his adidas shoes containing Continental rubber

Bridgestone Group expands efforts to fight Ebola

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ridgestone has announced it will donate $US1million to critical efforts underway in Liberia and the region to combat the Ebola outbreak. Specifically, $US500,000 will be paid to Samaritan’s Purse

by Bridgestone Americas, Inc. for work in Liberia, while Bridgestone Corporation will donate $US500,000 to support UNICEF’s efforts in Liberia and Nigeria. The donation follows months of work

by Firestone Liberia to manage an effective Ebola emergency response program on its subsidiary rubber farm and nearby communities.

The funds are aimed at strengthening efforts to stop the spread of Ebola through public awareness; helping facilitate delivery of in-home care supplies for the sick; enhancing medical treatment; and providing support for children left orphaned due to the epidemic.

Firestone Liberia, a Bridgestone Americas subsidiary, has been directly affected by the Ebola outbreak. Since the outbreak hit Liberia, there have been approximately 71 Firestone Liberia employees, family members, retirees and people from surrounding communities who have contracted the virus. The Firestone Medical Center located on Firestone Liberia’s rubber farm has been treating patients in its Ebola Treatment Unit, which has helped 17 people survive the deadly disease.

“Our Firestone Liberia teammates and community have selflessly met the demands of this deadly outbreak and we support them and the great work Samaritan’s Purse and UNICEF are doing in the region to help protect the citizens of Liberia and West Africa,” said Gary Garfield, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. “We implore others to step up in taking on this fight against Ebola.”

Hankook breaks ground on new US tyre Plant

H

ankook Tire has broken ground on its new US plant, based in Tennessee. The Plant is Hankook Tire’s eighth global production base and the first US-based facility.

Expected to begin operation in 2016, the plant will secure production capacity of 12 million tyres, mostly for regional supplies in the North American market. The company says this will enable for a more efficient tyre distribution in the market and will open more opportunities to strengthen the business engagement with the US-based automakers for original equipment tyre supplies. Also, the additional production capacity from this plant will contribute to increased annual global production to over 100 million tyres.

“Today marks an important milestone in our 73-year history as a tyre maker,” said Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire. “The new Tennessee plant will be a pivotal instrument to accommodate our growing business in the United States and also to propel a wellbalanced global production portfolio.

“Combined with our advanced technological capability, the newest plant will create premium value and solidify our presence as a top-tier

player in the global tyre industry.”

Building on an aggregated land area of 469 acres (1,897,975m2), Hankook Tire will invest $US800million for the construction of the new plant which will be equipped with the stateof-the-art tyre production facilities.

It will also create approximately 1800 full-time jobs in the region.

“We want to congratulate Hankook Tire on breaking ground on its first US manufacturing facility in Montgomery County,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. “Hankook’s announcement has not only made a major impact on Tennessee’s automotive sector, but will also boost the Clarksville-area workforce as we continue our work to make Tennessee the number one location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

Over the past decades, Hankook Tire has been cumulatively investing in the United States by establishing its American Regional Headquarters in 1981, and Akron Technical Centre in 1992. The announcement for the Tennessee Plant was made in October 2013, in conjunction with the State of Tennessee. Tennessee has been chosen as the ideal location for the company’s newest plant, providing an extensive transportation infrastructure.

13

MTAA SUPER CELEBRATES 25 YEARS THIS YEAR MTAA SUPER REACHES A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE - THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY. started to yield results, results that are winning industry recognition.

MTAA Super has been recognised by its peers with three prestigious awards in the past year: • Fund Executive of the Year awarded to CEO Leeanne Turner • AIST Trustee of the Year awarded to Chair John Brumby, and • AIST Super Investment Award for Excellence awarded to Executive Manager Investments – Philip Brown There is no doubt the Fund has had its ups and downs, particularly in the last five years, but MTAA Super celebrates 25 years in a very good position with over 265,000 members and more than $7.5 billion in funds under management According to Ms Turner, “one of the great things about super is that people’s savings are invested long term by super funds in job-creating infrastructure and property. These are assets that generate economic growth for Australia and jobs for Australians. Investment in infrastructure is critical and MTAA Super has been an industry leader in this with its holdings in assets such as the RG Casey Building and 121 Marcus Clarke Street, and Sydney and Brisbane Airports”.

The Fund is particularly proud of its close relationship with and support for the automotive industry. It grew out of this industry and retains a very close partnership with it to this day.

In the 2013/14 financial year MTAA Super launched its Pathways program, a unique program designed to celebrate and educate the broader public about the many and varied career paths available in the automotive industry.

Initiatives like sponsorship of the V8 Supercar series and the Apprentice of the Year Awards are aimed at encouraging young people to understand the vast array of opportunities that exist in the automotive industry. While the flagship 'readthesigns' program with Lifeline Australia is aimed at reducing the impact of mental illness and suicide within the industry.

“It is critical that we strongly support and promote our industry as it undergoes major changes, both the difficult changes that have come with the winding down of car manufacturing in Australia, as well as the positive opportunities that exist in an industry that is being transformed by technology and innovation” said Ms Turner.

This document is issued by the 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, SPIN MTA0100AU). 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 relevant PDS in making a decision.

14

20140164

MTAA Super was established in 1989, four years following the National Wage Case when the ACTU secured a 3% employer superannuation contribution to be paid into an industry fund. Before the National Wage Case and the establishment of Industry Super Funds in the late 80s the only people to have super in Australia were predominantly white collar workers.

Fast forward 25 years and most people retiring today have accumulated savings for the majority of their working lives. This is an extraordinary and transformational achievement, and being one of the first Industry Super Funds to be established, MTAA Super is part of that story.

In fact, MTAA Super is proud to boast a number of firsts. It was among the first funds to give members investment choice, and one of the first industry funds to adopt a board structure of three employer, three member, and three independent directors, and in doing so rising to industry best practice and greatly strengthening governance and accountability.

The numerous reforms put in place by the Fund in the last few years have

121 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra

“MTAA SUPER CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN A VERY GOOD POSITION

Photos 1 & 2: Honor Luckhurst

WITH OVER 265,000 MEMBERS AND MORE THAN $7.5 BILLION IN FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT”

15

THE ATD INTERVIEW Thierry Villard is the Managing Director of Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres Australia, a position he has held since 2013 after running the company’s operations in Central and South East Europe. ATD caught up with Mr Villard to talk business, products, technology and where the company is headed in Australia performance and improve safety. But it is not innovation for innovation’s sake. It starts with the customer—and ends with the customer. It’s something we call market-back innovation.

Our innovation milestones over the decades have always been determined by what our customers’ value and need most—and that core imperative remains the same today whenever we introduce new Goodyear and Dunlop products to the market. Our customer-focused innovations have resulted in Goodyear being awarded the honor of being a Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovator for the past three years.

ATD: The vehicles people drive are changing. Hybrids and all-electric cars are already here and, perhaps, fully autonomous vehicles are on their way. How important is it to collaborate with vehicle manufacturers to ensure tyres complement and enhance the abilities of these new vehicles?

TV: Vehicle manufacturers understand there is little Thierry Villard

ATD: Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres, in one form or another, has a history in Australia that stretches back more than 100 years and is still going strong. What can you attribute that success too?

TV: Our success over the years has been built on leading

the industry in tyre technology, innovation and safety.

The products we have been delivering for more than 100 years in Australia are the key drivers of our brand and the backbone of our strong history. We take great pride in continuing to be one of the country’s—and the world’s—top tyre companies, leading the way with our technology.

ATD: What is it that sets Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres apart from its competitors?

TV: Our competitive advantage is how we integrate our

tyre innovations with our customer focus. Goodyear is a global leader in tyre technology and innovation, with a focus on creating unique products and services that enhance

reason to spend millions of dollars developing the ride and handling qualities of a new vehicle if they are going to omit the influence of its OE (Original Equipment) tyres. OE tyres play an integral role in achieving the vehicle’s desired comfort and performance capabilities.

As an OE tyre supplier, Goodyear works with the individual vehicle manufacturers around the world to prioritise the areas that are of greatest benefit to help satisfy their drivers. This results in either completely new tyre designs, or fine-tuned versions of existing designs being engineered from the beginning of the vehicle’s development process.

Only the vehicle manufacturer and tyre supplier, working together to develop an OE tyre, can determine exactly which design and construction will produce the best results for each individual model of car. A tyre manufacturer who builds only replacement tyres will never receive the benefit of the vehicle manufacturer’s insight and intent.

ATD: With these new vehicles coming on stream, and with SUV vehicles still proving extremely popular in Australia, where do you see the tyre manufacturing industry focusing in the next decade?

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: A SHORT HISTORY OF GOODYEAR & DUNLOP TYRES GOODYEAR & DUNLOP TYRES is one of Australia’s leading tyre companies and owns some of the nation’s most recognisable brands. The company’s title is, of course, a combination of two of the tyre industry’s most famous names, and though they are often referenced individually, in Australia they are inextricably linked.

16

In addition to marketing and wholesaling tyres, the company also operates and manages the Beaurepaires, Goodyear Autocare and Dunlop Super Dealers retail networks of over 500 stores total. These consist of a mix of company-owned as well as independent stores part franchising and licencing programs.

Both Goodyear and Dunlop had independent

GOODYEAR – DRIVING INNOVATION AND SAFETY THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY was founded in 1898 by 38-year-old Frank Seiberling, when he purchased the first plant with a $3,500 down payment using money he borrowed from a brother-in-law. The timing couldn’t have been better; the bicycle craze of the 1890s was booming, and the “horseless carriage” was a wideopen challenge. On August 29, 1898, Goodyear was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. Naming the company after Charles Goodyear, the pioneer who discovered the process of vulcanisation, Seiberling also fashioned the distinctive winged-foot trademark based on a statue of Mercury he kept in his home.

Goodyear is now one of the world’s largest tyre companies.

It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 50 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. In 2013, Goodyear posted net sales of US$19.5 billion. It is also the No. 1 tyre maker in North America and Latin America, Europe’s second largest tyre maker, and has been ranked as a Top 100 Global Innovator by Thomson Reuters for the past three consecutive years.

“Our customer-focused innovations have resulted in Goodyear being awarded the honor of being a Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovator for the past three years” TV: Even though emerging markets are driving industry growth, it is the developed markets—such as Australia—that will drive innovation. This is where we see a change toward higher technology tyres, offering significant growth in specific market segments, such as SUV’s and new energy vehicles.

The advanced tyre constructions we see today such as increased rim diameters, reduced sidewall heights, increased speed ratings, advanced tread compounds and extra load constructions will become standard on virtually all cars and SUV’s in the next few years.

Changes in transportation and the tyre industry are evolutionary…not revolutionary. Though there are significant forces driving change in our industry, the change in technology occurs over an extended period of time.

Knowing how these changes work their way through to the market though is important to help guide investments.

ATD: Are there tyres within the Goodyear and Dunlop product range that are specific to Australia or that have proved more popular here than elsewhere?

TV: The Goodyear Integrity and Goodyear Fortera

tyres have been made specifically for the Ford Territory in Australia, and have proved to be very popular with Australian drivers over a number of years.

Australia in general has a wide variety of uses demanded by customers in the 4X4 segment, from high performance on-road SUV sports cars to real off-roading in some of the world’s toughest 4X4 conditions. Across the Goodyear 4X4 range of tyres, popular models include our quietest ever SUV tyre—the EfficientGrip SUV—in the Highway Terrain category, the new Wrangler All Terrain Adventure in the All Terrain category, and the Wrangler MTR with Kevlar in the Mud Terrain category.

Similar to Europe, in Australia the Goodyear Eagle range of tyres also proves to be very popular—including the F1 Asymmetric 2 and the F1 Directional 5 models amongst the driving enthusiasts, and the EfficientGrip in the luxury segment.

One of our best-selling tyres though is the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax, which was introduced last year to provide exceptional fuel saving, improved wet braking performance and increased durability. This award winning tyre is popular in many countries across Asia Pacific, including Australia.

ATD: Being ‘eco-friendly’ is important not only for the environment but can also be a consideration the consumer makes when buying products. What initiatives does Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres take to be ‘eco-friendly’ in its manufacturing processes and when considering the impact of ‘end-of-life’ tyres?

TV: Globally, protecting the environment is something very

important to the company. Goodyear is a “Zero Waste To Landfill” manufacturer, segregating, re-using and recycling to minimize its effect on the environment. Goodyear’s newest plant in Pulandian, China is one of the tyre industry’s greenest facilities in the world and marks an important step in reducing the environmental impact of the tyre manufacturing process.

Locally, the company also supports more sustainable solutions being adopted and advanced for end-of-life tyre disposal, and we work actively with our industry bodies, the Australian Tyre Industry Council and the Tyre Stewardship Association, as well as the Federal Government to achieve this. We are a founding member of the Tyre Stewardship Association, which has been granted ACCC approval to develop an industry Tyre Stewardship Scheme in Australia to help reverse current unsustainable practices associated with the collection and the disposal of end-of-life tyres. continued page 18

1970 presences in Australia early on when the tyre industry was first developing. Dunlop opened a branch office and factory in Melbourne in 1892, with Goodyear opening its first Australian sales office in 1915 in Sydney.

In 1899, Dunlop in Australia was sold to a Canadian consortium, although Dunlop UK would buy back into the company in 1927,

purchasing a 25 per cent stake.

1929 was a big year for both companies, with Dunlop buying the Perdriau Rubber Company.

Goodyear, meanwhile, spent the year establishing a 22-acre site in Granville, NSW, for its first manufacturing plant – a plant that would, by 1932, have churned out its one-millionth tyre (and just 19 years later, the ten millionth tyre rolled out Goodyear on the first vehicle to acheive the

600mph land speed record

In tyre composition, Goodyear is currently undertaking multiple initiatives to increase its use of renewable raw materials. Goodyear researchers have found that using soybean oil in tyres can potentially increase tread life by 10 percent and reduce the use of petroleum-based oil by up to seven million gallons each year. Just recently, Goodyear also announced it will utilise ash, left over from the burning of rice husks to produce electricity, as an environmentally friendly source of silica for use in our tyres.

Goodyear and DuPont Industrial Biosciences continue to work together to develop BioIsoprene, a revolutionary bio-based alternative for petroleum-derived isoprene.

Tyre design can also affect the environment, and Goodyear’s Fuel Saving Technology in tyres such as the Assurance TripleMax, Eagle EfficientGrip, EfficientGrip SUV and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by lowering tyre rolling resistance, saving fuel and reducing emissions.

ATD: Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres has a long history in the area of motorsport. Will that relationship continue and how important is that relationship, not only in proving the company’s skill in developing racing tyres, but in the development of road tyres?

TV: Involvement in motorsport has become part of

who we are as a company and we currently plan to continue our relationships. It is a great way for us to engage with fans and consumers in an environment that links back to our expertise and product leadership.

Racing is about more than just marketing opportunities and brand exposure though; it’s about learning, driving innovation, and enhancing performance and quality.

Our engineers learn a lot from our involvement in racing because it’s such a demanding environment. Those learnings and innovations are then shared across the company, where many are adapted to make excellent consumer tyres delivering on our “race-to-road” mantra.

ATD: With the Dunlop Super Dealer and Beaurepaires tyre retailers, as well as the Goodyear Autocare stores, the company has a very strong presence in the community. Can we expect further expansion of these groups or other developments?

TV: We are committed to continuing to build on our strong

retail presence throughout the country and investing in our partnerships with dealers. We continuously monitor and review the market and our customer’s requirements so that we can best meet their needs. This is important for our growth plans.

We will continue to expand the Goodyear Autocare franchise proposition nationally as a ‘One Stop Shop’ tyre and automotive service provider, offering exceptional value, professionalism and customer experiences. We will also continue to maintain the strong Dunlop Super Dealer network, which is a country-wide collective of leading independent tyre dealers with a powerful commitment to excellence in sales and service.

Beaurepaires has also recently announced the opening of two new consumer-focused concept stores as part of our ongoing investments and efforts to make tyre buying easier.

These have introduced consumers to a completely refreshed and relaxed tyre servicing experience to assist them in making the right choice for their vehicles and driving needs. The new format Beaurepaires stores have been designed with a focus on improving the customer experience. Complete with refreshment stations, work areas, TVs and an interaction pod featuring free Wi-Fi—the aim is to provide customers with the tools and resources they may require to make their visit more enjoyable.

ATD: The company has recently opened a vast new distribution and Customer Service Centre in Truganina, Victoria. That’s a vote of confidence in the Australian market. How important is the centre for the company and what were the reasons for that investment?

TV: Our new Customer Service Centre and distribution

ina, Victoria and customer service centre, located in Trugan Goodyear and Dunlop Tyres new distribution

facility in Truganina combines both our customer service and distribution functions, bringing together the key customer-focused team members across supply chain, sales and call centre. It is the largest single use tyre distribution center in Australia and demonstrates our commitment to improving service to our customers. By integrating the

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: A SHORT HISTORY OF GOODYEAR & DUNLOP TYRES cont. 2013 of the company’s Australian factories).

By 1980, following amalgamations and acquisitions (including the purchase of Beaurepaires and Olympic Tyres) Dunlop had become Pacific Dunlop Ltd – a company with diverse interests ranging from sporting goods, clothing, footwear and healthcare, as well as tyres.

1987 was a critical year for both Goodyear and Dunlop with the companies pairing up to 18

create a joint venture for their tyre operations – South Pacific Tyres. Goodyear would take 100 per cent control of South Pacific Tyres in 2006. In 2009, it then changed the name to its current incarnation – Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres – to better reflect Goodyear’s ownership of the business whilst acknowledging the heritage and legacy that is synonymous with the Dunlop brand in Australia.

and saves Goodyear Assurance TripleMax launches tyres customers up to $500 over the life of their

DUNLOP – ENHANCING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR OVER 125 YEARS IN 1888, DUNLOP’S FOUNDER, JOHN BOYD DUNLOP, was watching his young son riding his tricycle on solid rubber tyres over cobbled ground. He noticed that his little boy was not going very fast and did not seem very comfortable. In trying to provide his son with a smoother ride and better handling, Dunlop took the tricycle, wrapped its wheels in thin rubber sheets, glued them together and inflated them with a football pump. That way he developed the first air cushioning system in history, and laid the foundation for the first practical pneumatic tyre. Less than a year later, Dunlop’s invention made its racing debut on two wheels, enabling a little known rider to easily beat his stronger rivals in a series of bicycle races, immediately establishing the role of racing as a feature of the Dunlop heritage.

Dunlop is currently one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high and ultra-high performance tyres with an impressive track record of motorsport success. Dunlop’s extensive experience has led to innovative tyres designed for motorsport, everyday motoring, commercial and motorcycle applications. Always looking to maximise driving pleasure, Dunlop offers all types of motorists the performance and durability of the latest tyre technologies.

“Our engineers learn a lot from our involvement in racing because it’s such a demanding environment” customer-focused functions into a purpose built facility, we can now offer a start to finish solution from sales order through to dispatch, all in the one building.

Overall, our aim is to rejuvenate and transform our organisation into a more nimble marketing and sales organisation, in order to successfully meet the ever changing requirements and behaviours of our customers and end users and grow the business.

ATD: Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres has been at the forefront of tyre innovation for many years – recently we have seen an announcement on ‘chip-in-tyre’ technology, and a twin-chambered SUV concept tyre was shown this year at the Geneva Motor Show. Are there more concepts and innovations on the horizon that we might see make it onto our roads?

TV: At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, Goodyear revealed

an SUV tyre concept that involves twin-chambers, a design element that could deliver a number of performance enhancements, including reduced rolling resistance, increased water and mud evacuation, lower weight and “extended mobility” possibilities, while retaining the load-carrying capability necessary for SUVs. We also presented a new “chip-in-tyre” concept at the event, designed to deliver new levels of performance to vehicles through automated data transmission between the tyre and the car’s on-board computer.

Another innovation that Goodyear previously released as a concept and continues to test and refine is Air Maintenance Technology (AMT), which won a Time Magazine award as one of the best inventions of 2012.

AMT helps enable tyres to remain inflated at the optimum pressure—without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system are fully

contained within the tyre. The potential benefits of such a system include improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, longer tyre life, and enhanced safety and performance.

Goodyear’s latest innovation news that was just released isn’t necessarily about a new tyre, but does illustrates our commitment to innovation and to the environment by converting waste from rice harvests to fuel-efficient tyre treads.

Goodyear tested silica derived from rice husk ash over the past two years and found its impact on tyre performance to be equal to traditional sources of silica. We are now negotiating with potential suppliers to use this silica in our tyre manufacturing.

ATD: You took the position of Managing Director here in Australia less than a year ago after a period as MD for Central and South East Europe. How has the transition been for you personally and is the market here vastly different?

TV: On the personal side, Australia is a great country with lots of diversity and places to visit—I am yet to do a lot of personal travel, although I have a plan to do a little more over the next year with my wife. Among the different countries I have lived in, I would say that Australian hospitality beats them all.

As a European citizen, I also feel Melbourne is a very European city. The size of the country though is still something I need to get used to; I used to live in Slovenia whose size is a third of Tasmania and whose total population is just half of Melbourne.

Overall, the transition for me has been quite smooth, I have a great team of professionals around me and they do not complain too much about my pronounced French accent.

On the business side, Australia has all the attributes of established markets like in Europe—a large and developed car park including SUV and 4x4, a stable and relatively flat industry, and very competitive. A difference to what I have experienced before is just how complex and competitive the market here is, which is driven by the diverse car park and high number of brands sold relative to the market size, as well as very retail driven distribution. Another point of difference is that compared to some developed European countries, Australian tyre users in general do not have a high enough awareness of the benefits and importance of having high quality tyres fitted on their vehicles when it comes to safety and efficiency.

ATD: What is your goal for Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres?

What does the future hold for the company here in Australia?

TV: Goodyear’s long term global goal, as it is here in

Australia, is to create sustainable economic value—which can be achieved by being first with customers, the leader in our targeted segments, continuing to set the pace for innovation in our industry, and being competitively advantaged in everything we do. These things will then allow top line and bottom line growth, as well as the ability to be profitable throughout the cycles. But more than that, we’ll be the company that everyone wants to do business with–customers, consumers, associates and the community.

It is the expectation from all Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres customers that they receive the highest quality products and services, which continues to drive our commitment to Australia. And it is these customer wants and needs that will continue to determine how we run and shape our business into the future.

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VIVE LA FRANCE! H

eld every two years, the Paris Motor Show is one of the biggest such events in the world. The numbers are quite mind-boggling: more than 1.2million visitors and

13,000 journalists from over 100 countries cram into the two-week event to get a glimpse of the staggering array of new model vehicles.

Just about every manufacturer

makes an appearance at the show and this year was as full of innovation and awesome design as ever.

Here’s a peek at just a few of the new vehicles that caught our eye.

LAMBORGHINI ASTERION LPI 910-4

total power of 910hp – enough for acceleration of 0-100km/h in three seconds and a top speed of 320km/h. The company also says that the hybrid system delivers CO2 emissions of 98g/km and has 50km pure electric range. Beyond the bare stats though, the Asterion is just a beautiful piece of concept work.

RENAULT EOLAB

with a long diameter simultaneously improves performance in areas including efficiency thanks to lower rolling resistance and better aerodynamics; comfort thanks to the bigger diameter absorbing irregularities in the road surface; and noise reduction thanks to the narrower, longer contact patch. The tyre’s unusual size contributes to the overall styling of the prototype, whose sporty profile and performance features are accentuated by the new tyre markings, using Michelin Premium Touch technology to give the markings and tyre design a striking, velvet appearance while at the same time reducing the tyre’s aerodynamic drag.

The supercars are joining the hybrid revolution and Paris saw the debut of Lamborghini’s entry into the sector with the stunning Asterion. The Asterion’s power system is a V10 5.2 litre naturally aspirated engine combined with three electric motors that delivers

The next step in Renault’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its vehicles, the EOLAB is an environmental prototype with nearly 100 technological innovations designed to deliver ultra-low fuel consumption of one litre per 100kms from drag reduction through weight reduction, its hybrid powertrain and ‘active aerodynamics’ the EOLAB also has cleverly designed wheels where the rims are covered when the brakes do not need to be cooled, enhancing aerodynamics.

Michelin contributed innovative ‘tall and narrow’ tyre to the project, designing a tyre in the new 145/70 R 17 size. A narrow tyre 20

INFINITI Q80 INSPIRATION

Infiniti have gone all out on their entry into the premium saloon category with the Q80 Inspiration. The four-door fastback not only looks futuristic but there’s some pretty advanced business going on underneath the brilliantly designed exterior with autonomous driving technology available to the driver at the touch of a button. Yet another entry into the hybrid market, the Q80 boasts phenomenal performance with 550hp at its disposal, delivered by a twin turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 and hybrid electric powertrain capable of returning fuel efficiency in the region of 5.5L/100km.

AUDI TT SPORTBACK

The two-door TT has been a winner for Audi since it began production in 1998. A couple of concept ideas have been derived from it in recent years, including an off-road version, but now, drawing inspiration from its five-door A5 and A7 Sportback models, Audi has created this, the five-door TT Sportback concept. Adding 29 centimetres to the length of the ‘standard’ TT to incorporate its extra rear doors, the full four-seat car is powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that churns out 400hp. And with lightweight construction techniques, the company says the car is capable of sub-four second 0-100kmh time.

VOLKSWAGEN XL SPORT

The VW XL Sport is a bit of a leap from the frugal XL1 diesel hybrid the company introduced in 2011. That car could make 0-100kph in 11.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 160kph. Not bad for a hybrid with an 800cc TDI two-cyclinder common rail diesel engine.

The XL Sport, based on the XL1, is a bit of a different beast. Sporting the world’s most powerful two-cylinder engine, taken from the Ducati Superleggara motorbike, the XL Sport generates 200hp for a top speed of 270kmh, and can reach 100kph in 5.7 seconds.

THE DS DIVINE

An offshoot of Citroen, the upmarket DS marque debuted the Divine in Paris. The company says that the concept represents a ‘manifesto of style that embodies the essence of the brand and its future’. The roof has a unique design resembling ‘the scales of a reptile’, the pattern of which extends over the rear window - drivers can still see beyond them thanks to a camera and roof-mounted touchscreen for on-board rear vision. All manner of interior styling is available, but as well as style the Divine will be quick thanks to a turbocharged direct injection 1.6 THP engine developing 270bhp.

PEUGEOT QUARTZ

Peugeot’s stunning SUV concept, the Quartz, lives up to its name with its chiseled lines and aggressive style - a mean look that is emphasised by the striking paint work, scissor doors and bucket seats for all on the inside. Utilising a plug-in hybrid drive train comprising a 1.6-litre THP 270 power plant developed by Peugeot Sport and supplemented by two electric motors on the front and rear axles, the system boasts output of 500hp and can travel 31 miles on electric power only.

21

AUTO NEWS

13,000 Aussie fans seek out all-new Ford Mustang T he all-new Ford Mustang is generating unprecedented excitement amongst customers, with 13,000 Australians having already expressed interest in the vehicle ahead of its arrival in Australia in mid-2015.

“The Mustang is an iconic vehicle in Australia and around the world, and is drawing people to Ford well before it arrives here”, said Bob Graziano, President and CEO, Ford Australia, “This is the power of Mustang, and something we underestimated as we have many more customers asking to follow the car than we expected this early in the launch.”

The all-new Mustang is the most advanced version yet of the iconic

World’s first 3D-printed car takes inaugural drive

A

n American company, Arizona-based Local Motors has unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed, drivable vehicle.

Called the Strati, the car was built during the six-day International Manufacturing Technology Show held in Chicago in September.

Using a gigantic printer, the electric powered two-seat car was constructed using a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic 22

pony car. The sleek new design of the Mustang fastback and convertible is backed up by world-class performance from a range of available engines, including a new turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3-liter and an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than 420 horsepower.

The arrival of the new Mustang will continue Ford’s product onslaught over the course of 2015 which will also see the arrival of all-new Mondeo, eagerly anticipated Ford Everest SUV, as well as the refreshed Focus and Focus ST. Additionally, the Mustang is expected to boost interest across Ford of Australia’s growing lineup because they share many of Ford’s modern innovations.

“We see around the world that many people are drawn to Ford because of the Mustang, even though they may end up buying another model from us,” said Graeme Whickman, sales and service vice president.

“The Mustang’s arrival is perfect timing for us because we have been rapidly expanding our lineup and will refresh all of our models over the next few years.

“This evolution and the visceral experience established for over 50 years in the Mustang is evident in each of these new models as we continue to demonstrate our leadership in first class in-car technology and ahead of the curve response to customer demands.”

the way people move,” said John B. Rogers, Jr., CEO and co-founder of Local Motors. “Using 3D printing, we have reimagined how cars are created using modern manufacturing techniques.

Local Motors 3D-printed vehicle, the Strati The results are astounding.

We have reduced the amount of car parts from 25,000 to less and, according to the company, is than 50, proving that we can take a car composed of less than 50 parts with from design to driven in less than six the mechanical components leveraged months. That is the game changer in the from the Renault Twizy. automotive world.”

“At Local Motors, we are changing

Toyota: world’s most valuable automotive brand

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oyota’s investment in future mobility, including zero-emission vehicles and its focus on sustainability and innovation, have contributed to a 20 per cent increase in its brand value over the past year.

The Best Global Brands Report 2014, compiled by international consultancy Interbrand, lists Toyota as the most valuable automotive brand worldwide for the 11th straight year.

Valuation of the Toyota brand increased to $42.4 billion from $35.3 billion, which was in addition to a rise of 17 per cent in the previous year.

Among the leading brands from all sectors, Toyota was ranked No. 8, two places up from a year earlier. Toyota has been the most valuable automotive brand on the list since 2004.

Interbrand cited Toyota’s success in managing the costs of technology by sharing development with other companies while remaining an environmental steward within the automotive sector.

The Interbrand report measures brands based on financial performance, advertising exposure, consistency, customer understanding, clarity and relevance.

In a separate development, Toyota has been named Australia’s most trusted automotive brand.

The survey by Roy Morgan Research found 34.3 per cent of prospective new-car buyers chose Toyota over other carmakers.

The F60 America marks Ferrari’s 60th year in US T o celebrate Ferrari’s 60th year in North America, Maranello has returned to its 1950s and 60s tradition of producing strictly limited edition, built-to-order cars.

The result is the F60America, of which just 10 will be produced.

Ferrari says the car combines two of its American clients’ great passions - the V12 engine and open-top driving - and the decision to produce such a strictly limited edition pays homage to another great tradition. Just 10 F60Americas will be built as was the case, for example, with the 1967 275 GTS4 NART Spider, the open version of the 275 GTB4 that the importer, Luigi Chinetti, specifically requested from Enzo Ferrari for his US clients.

The F60America is powered

by Ferrari’s award-winning midfront-mounted V12 which enables the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds.

Aggressive-looking and muscular, the F60 is another example of the Italian manufacturer’s flair for design.

The front of the car is dominated by the classic Ferrari single front grille with chrome finish and integrated

air intakes for the brakes. There are deep side strakes, extra bonnet holes and two leather-trimmed roll-hoops are backed by carbon-fibre-trimmed flying buttresses which stretch from behind the cockpit to the rear.

The F60America can be closed with a light fabric top usable at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

The cabin’s asymmetrical design highlights the driver’s area with sporty red trim, while the passenger side is black, inspired by the historic Ferrari competition cars. The cabin trim is exclusive with the dash, tunnel and door panels on the driver’s side all swathed in composite materials.

The racing seats also feature a stylised American flag motif on the centre of each seat and backrest.

The F60America’s bodywork adopts the classic North American Racing Team livery, and the special Ferrari 60th anniversary Prancing Horse badge on the wheelarches also appears on the tunnel in the cabin.

The F60America is likely to become yet another Ferrari collectable, and all 10 examples are already spoken for.

23

PRODUCTS

Head-up displays find their way into drivers’ field of vision S ince being launched on the market, the head-up display (HUD) has gone from being an innovation for luxury-class vehicles to a technology for the mass market.

As the supplier of the first colour HUD in 2003, Continental has become one of the leading providers, and the international automotive supplier is now unveiling the latest generation of HUDs. Equipped with augmentedreality technology, the HUDs can mark objects directly in the driver’s field of vision for the first time.

The augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD) can show the driver what vehicle sensors such as radars and cameras can see and what driving strategy the electronics have chosen as a result.

Continental expects it to be ready for production in 2017.

“With the latest generation of headup displays, we are positioning ourselves as a technology leader in a market that studies show has the potential to crack the billion mark as early Continental’s head-up display can mark objects directly in the driver’s field of vision as 2018,” said Helmut Matschi, a member of Continental’s Executive Board addition to windshield head-up and head of the Interior division. displays, which produce an Worldwide, ten automotive image on the windshield that manufacturers currently offer a appears to float above the hood, head-up display as an option in Continental will be starting the a total of 19 vehicle models. volume production of combiner Continental estimates the head-up displays in 2015. global volume of installed These are intended for head-up displays to be around mid-range vehicles in particular.

1.5 million units for the current Instead of the specially year and expects this volume adapted windshield, they use to more than triple by 2018. a small separate screen as a Continental offers a complete reflective surface. range of head-up displays. In

Projecta Clamps Down On Voltage

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rojecta’s popular DT900 digital clamp meter has now been superseded by the new DT910 - an all-in-one test meter that, the company says, retains the application of its predecessor, but packs even more functionality to reduce the tool count in the workshop or on the utility belt.

Projecta says the DT910 is an all-in-one test meter that will quickly measure and accurately display a myriad of electrical test units.

24

The DT910 is able to measure AC/DC current (up to 400 amps) without interfering with the test circuit, by way of a clamping mechanism that can test wiring up to 38mm in diameter.

New for DT910 is a noncontact voltage detector, allowing the user to safely measure AC live voltage without contact or breaking the wire insulation.

Projecta have also added a temperature tester that can display up to 250°C (300°C

for short periods) and a capacitance tester that negates the need for a separate meter.

The DT910 will also measure DC voltage and frequency, resistance and continuity, and test diodes.

A larger screen now offers better accuracy at lower currents and a ‘data hold’ function for capturing on-screen readings, whilst auto scaling provides voltage/resistance measurements in relevant scales for quick and easy readings.

The DT910 digital clamp meter is available from leading automotive outlets throughout Australia, starting from a RRP of $139. For more information, visit www.projecta.com.au

New Ina Fead Kit the total repair solution for front end accessory drives

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chaeffler Automotive Aftermarket has introduced the new INA FEAD KIT as a complete repair solution for front end accessory drives (FEAD).

The company says the INA KIT provides a premium quality repair solution that addresses the increasing complexity of a system that supplies vital vehicle functions and whose components are subjected to ever higher loads and subsequent wear.

Tailor made INA FEAD KITs are available to suit many popular makes and models currently being driven on Australia’s roads. Each INA FEAD KIT contains all components that require regular replacement.

With modern vehicles, simply checking or replacing the V-belt is not enough for the professional repair of a front-end accessory drive system. Several other components like air conditioning, power steering, higher output generators and start-stop systems mean an increase in complexity.

The INA FEAD KIT provides all of the components that need regular replacement in the front-end accessory drive system. Several vehicle manufactures have already started to specify front end accessory drive replacement intervals and more of them will be doing this in the future. Schaeffler says its INA FEAD KIT will equip independent repairers to professionally meet these new servicing requirements. www.schaeffler-aftermarket.com.au

Brake Pad App takes major 2014 Productivity Award

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he Bendix Brake Pad Identifier App has been recognised in the 2014 Australian Mobile and App Design Awards recently announced in Sydney at the Design Festival.

Developed by RU Advertising of Ballarat under the direction of the Bendix marketing team over a period of almost 12 months, the Bendix Brake Pad Identifier App provides mechanics and brake pad fitters with increased accuracy when identifying brake pads on the job, saving time and increasing efficiency in the workshop.

Using a mobile phone to take a photograph then either selecting the make and model of the vehicle or entering the dimensions of the brake pad along with any other information available, the App then calculates the most likely part number of the item from the program. Detailed specifications are available for each part number including the vehicle manufacturer’s part numbers to achieve the perfect match.

“The Australian Mobile & App Design Awards are part of a Grand Slam series where Apps from UK, Asia and

Australia compete. The awards cover 30 categories highlighting recognition across the App design spectrum and provide a unique opportunity to see the best start-ups,” said Ian Bott, Bendix Marketing Services Manager.

“The awards are run by Design 100, the leading forum for applied design, accelerating the transformation to a design-led marketplace,” he said.

Bendix says the launch of the App has been outstandingly successful as a result of consistent Bendix marketing across a range of media channels targeting the broadest field of mechanics and specialist brake fitters and helped the Bendix Brake Pad Identifier iOS climb as high as 10th in productivity in the Australian App Store, only 2 months after its initial launch.

An important part of the success has been the high quality images included in the software program enabling the return of accurate results. The new Apps program continues to be refined with feedback from users, field research and an ever expanding database.

25

MOTORSPORTS

Esteban Ocon has claimed the 2014 European Formula 3 championship, on Hankook tyres

Hankook fosters young talent into Formula 1 T wo drivers from the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship season will graduate into a Formula1 car following the final round of the season in Hockenheim, as a support race for the DTM championship, and also using Hankook racing tyres.

After a season that consisted of 33 races over 12 rounds and eight countries, French driver Esteban Ocon claimed nine race wins and 21 podiums, earning him the Euro F3 title in his rookie year, more than two race wins clear of his nearest rival, Tom Blomqvist. Eighteen year-old Esteban will now test a Lotus Formula 1 car later this month.

“I don’t quite know what to say. Before the season took off I would never have thought I’d experience such a year. For us drivers, it’s imperative that we can rely on the tyres, and Hankook made sure this happened this season,” said the Frenchman, after his impressive performance which earned him the title.

Fellow rookie Max Verstappen

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was displaced from second place in the final race, slipping to third, though the 17-year-old won an incredible six races in a row mid-season to help propel him towards his Toro Rosso Formula 1 seat in 2015. Having successfully taken part in the practice session of the 2014 Japanese F1 weekend, Verstappen was just half a second off current Toro Rosso-boundfor-Red Bull driver Danill Kvyat.

“I’ve already completed 200 laps of testing in Formula One and found that the difference to Formula 3 isn’t that large,” said Verstappen. “The handling of the vehicle in the corners is similar, but of course we have a lot more power at our disposal in F1. With Hankook’s race tyres we could push hard and really attack right to the flag in F3 and the tyres didn’t deteriorate. That enables us to make the decisive move at the end of the race.”

“We’ve experienced a great year and once again it underlines that the Formula 3 is a good career launching pad,” said Christoph Hewer, the series

manager of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

And Hewer was more than happy with the tyres from Hankook, which proved highly consistent even under heavy stresses: “Each race weekend our drivers are out on the track for about four hours. This is an unbelievable amount of driving time and puts an enormous stress on the material. But the Hankook tyres withstand these stresses without any problems.

Our pilots are enthusiastic with the performance because they can really race without having to conserve the tyres.”

Compared to many other race series, the talented young race drivers in Formula 3 can make many changes to their vehicle setup. In this way they learn the basics of racing and gain vital experience. Hankook supports this comprehensive learning opportunity with high-quality race tyres that offer the young hotshots the necessary safety and consistency and provides a chance to learn a great deal.

Rossi takes the victory at Australian MotoGP M ovistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi won his first race at Phillip Island in ten years as the Italian rider led a Yamaha clean sweep of the top three podium positions at the Australian Grand Prix.

Rossi started from eighth on the grid but was able to make up positions in the opening laps of the race and by the third lap was in third position. Rossi then got involved in an entertaining battle with teammate Jorge Lorenzo and after trading places a few times with his teammate, eventually seized second place with ten laps remaining.

Rossi then found himself in the lead of the race after Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez came unstuck at turn 10.

To that point, Marquez looked set to equal Mick Doohan’s long-standing record of 12 wins in a season but he slid out on lap eighteen. Rossi went on to cross the finish line 10.836 seconds ahead of Lorenzo.

Finishing in third place for his first premier-class podium was Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Bradley Smith a further 1.5 seconds behind Lorenzo.

“It’s fantastic to win today because it was a great race,”said Rossi.

“Unfortunately I had to start from far

“It was difficult to pass him at first, but in the end it was a great battle and I was a little bit faster and could pass him.”

back on the grid but I knew I had quite a good pace. After the second corner I saw that Marc and Jorge were already in front and I thought it would be hard to catch them, but I was able to overtake many riders and catch Jorge.

“It was difficult to pass him at first, but in the end it was a great battle and I was a little bit faster and could pass him. Marc wasn’t too far ahead of me so I tried to stay focused on staying in second place, but after Marc crashed it meant I could win the race so it was great to be back on top of the podium at Phillip Island after my last victory here ten years ago.”

A cool change in the afternoon dramatically lowered ambient

temperatures for the race, creating challenging conditions for the riders.

The track temperature peaked at 34°C at the start of the twenty-seven lap race and then, with a strong wind blowing off the sea, continued to cool further as the race progressed. The cool change resulted in some riders that originally opted for the soft compound front slick options electing to change to the extra-soft front slick, although rear race tyre choice wasn’t that different to what the riders used in race simulations earlier in the week.

Of the twenty-three riders, twelve selected the extra-soft compound front slick for the race, nine chose the soft compound asymmetric front slick, while just two riders selected the soft compound symmetric front slick. For the rear tyre, fifteen riders selected the medium compound rear slick and the other eight riders selected the soft compound rear.

Though it was the first DNF for Marquez of the season, the 2014 Champion would redeem himself in Malaysia at the end of October, claiming victory and equalling Doohan’s record of 12 wins in a season.

Valentino Rossi celebrates victory 27

MOTORSPORTS

Formula E makes history with first ePrix T he Formula E Championship – the world’s first for fully-electric single-seater race cars – got off to a successful start in Beijing in September.

The race - Beijing Evergrande Spring ePrix - was held on a spectacular temporary race track built around the city’s iconic Olympic ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium and was won by Audi Sport ABT’s Lucas di Grassi.

Some 40 million are believed to have watched the race worldwide on television with 75,000 attending on site and one billion social interactions recorded around the race.

Brazilian di Grassi took the victory after race-leader Nicolas Prost (e.damsRenault) and Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld touched on the final corner of the final

28

lap in the battle for the lead, sending Heidfeld into a spectacular crash which he walked away from unharmed.

Andretti driver Franck Montagny

“Two years ago the FIA had a vision of creating a championship which has close racing, entertainment and sustainability at its heart.”

finished runner-up nearly three seconds adrift of di Grassi with team-mate Daniel Abt crossing the line third, only to later have it taken away from him after failing short of the required 28kWh power consumption usage. Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird was eventually promoted to claim the final place on the podium.

“Firstly, I’m happy Nick [Heidfeld] is ok and it shows how safe these cars are. I didn’t see what happened myself,” said Lucas di Grassi after his victory.

“The win is like a dream come true.

I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. The team did a great job all through practice and qualifying, yes we made a few mistakes but overall I’m extremely happy to be the first ever winner of a Formula E race.”

“Two years ago the FIA had a vision of creating a championship which has close racing, entertainment and sustainability at its heart,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E. “This weekend, that vision became a reality. To see 20 fully-electric cars racing towards the first corner was a very special moment for me and for everyone involved. We truly believe this weekend marks a new era of motorsport that embraces sustainable mobility and we are incredibly grateful to all our investors, teams, drivers, partners, event operators, personnel and, of course, the FIA for helping us make this such a success. Of course, I’d also like to congratulate Lucas di Grassi on being the first Formula E winner.”

“What is more important to us is that Formula E is the biggest digital race in the world with real racing,” he added.

“We’re proud to announce that during this ePrix we’ve had a live worldwide television audience of 40 million, 75,000 people on site and more than one billion social interactions.”

Formula E is the FIA’s new fullyelectric single-seater championship designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. Competing entirely on city-centre circuits all over the world, it uses cars capable of speeds in excess of 150mph (225kph). Its 10 teams feature some of the leading international names in motorsport including Alain Prost and Michael Andretti, along with high-profile environmental supporters including Sir Richard Branson. Meanwhile, it’s driver-line up boasts an array of former Formula One stars such as Jarno Trulli, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi and Bruno Senna – nephew of the great Aryton. Organisers hope the new series will also help increase the interest in electric vehicles and promote sustainability, as well as accelerate the technology available which, over time, will filter into the road-going electric vehicle market.

Round two of the new Formula E series takes place in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on November 22, 2014

Ogier win in Australia as VW take WRC title

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ebastien Ogier won the Coates Hire Rally Australia in September, winning 11 of the 20 special stages during the event and claiming victory by 6.8 seconds.

The win put Ogier on the cusp of securing a second world title - an honour he would claim after taking victory in the Rally of Spain in late October.

For Ogier’s Volkswagen team Rally Australia was a triumphant event as they took all three podium positions with Ogier’s closest rival, Jari-Matti Latvala, taking second spot while Andreas Mikkelsen took third. All three were competing in VW Polo R WRC cars.

The clean sweep for Volkswagen also ensured they took out their second consecutive FIA World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title.

All WRC1 teams ran the Michelin Motorsport-developed Michelin LTX Force gravel tyre that made its competitive debut on the 2014 Rally Finland. There they used just the ‘softer’ version of the tyre, the S4.

In Australia they also ran the H4.

During the development of the tyre, Michelin says its aim was to maintain the high level of strength of the Michelin Latitude Cross, which made its final appearance on late-June’s Rally Poland, while delivering enhanced consistency and more even wear across the tread.

The performance improvements made to the tyre were achieved thanks to two chief technological evolutions. In the construction of the tyre modifications were made to the new tyre’s shoulders favouring a more even spread of the load across a bigger contact patch and retards both abrasion and damage to the tread’s outer blocks. A new compound used for the tread of the ‘soft’ S4 version of the Michelin LTX Force is more resistant to the phenomenon of heat build-up.

29

MOTORSPORTS

American racing legend to bring Super Trucks Series to Clipsal 500 in Adelaide

A

merican motor racing icon Robby Gordon will bring his Stadium Super Truck Series to the Clipsal 500 next February - the first time the 600 horsepower V8 trucks will compete for points outside North America.

Debuting in 2013, the 13 race series has raced in some of North America’s biggest markets, including Detroit, Toronto, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and the X Games in Austin, Texas.

“The growth of the Stadium Super Trucks Series has been incredible, and

for us to take our Series outside North America for the first time is a really big deal so we were very selective with which event we chose. The Clipsal 500 is one of the biggest and best entertainment events in Australia so for us it was a perfect fit,” said Gordon.

“Our series has a big following in the states, and with up to 15 high powered off-road trucks racing side by side while hitting speeds of 240km/h, launching five metres into the air and 40 metres down the track, it’s definitely going to blow the minds of Australian fans.”

Clipsal 500 CEO Mark Warren said his team were always looking to introduce new categories to Australian motorsport fans.

“We introduced utes to the motor racing scene back in 2001, which regularly rates as the second most popular category for Clipsal 500 fans in post-event polling. Stadium Super Trucks was a huge hit at the X-Games, and we expect they’ll be one of the most exciting categories to race around Adelaide’s iconic street circuit in 2015,” said Warren.

Toyo Tires Open Country A/T II (OP A/T II) is the control tyre for the Stadium Super Truck Series.

An off-the-shelf tread pattern, the OP A/TII’s endurance, toughness and relentless grip make it the ideal choice for the mixed terrain and brutal demands of SST racing.

“Toyo Tires has been a partner of Formula Off-Road since its inception,” said Gordon. “The tyres they provide for our competitors are extremely reliable and fit the series perfectly.

“The same tyres we race on in the SST are on my personal vehicle. Even with the abuse we put on the Toyo Open Country tyres, they always perform for us.”

Gordon is the first American to win a stage at the Dakar Rally and a NASCAR veteran of 396 sprint series races. He is the headline driver in the SST series, which has also seen Indycar driver Arie Luyendyk Jnr, motocross rider Jeff Ward, Olympic snowboarder Nick Baumgartner and NASCAR driver Justin Lofton compete.

Challenging Gordon on track will also be some of the local Team Toyo’s fastest, including trophy truck legend Brad Gallard.

The 2015 Clipsal 500 will run from the 26 of February to the 1st of March.

MOTORSPORT CALENDAR V8 SUPERCARS

WRC

Nov 14-16: Rd 13, Phillip Island 360, Phillip Island, Vic Dec 5-7: Rd 14, Sydney 500, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

Nov 14-16: Rd 13, Rally Great Britain, Wales

FORMULA 1

Oct 31-Nov 2: Rd 6, Shanghai, China Nov 13-15: Rd 7, Bahrain Nov 28-30: Rd 8, Rd 8, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Oct 31-Nov 2: Rd 17, Texas Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas, Austin Nov 7-9: Rd 18, Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos, Sao Paulo Nov 21-23: Rd 19, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina

MOTO GP Nov 7-9: Rd 18, Valencia, Spain 30

WEC

FORMULA E Nov 22: Rd 2, Putrajaya, Malaysia Dec 13: Rd 3, Punta Del Este, Uruguay

WORLD NEWS Dangerous tyres responsible for more than 40% of UK vehicle defect-related deaths

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igures released by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) have highlighted the need for drivers to check their tyres regularly after more than 40 per cent of vehicle defectrelated deaths in the UK in 2013 were found to have been caused by illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres.

Indeed, a total of 2,855 casualties were caused by defective vehicles, with dangerous tyres cited as a contributory factor in 968 cases.

“The latest figures are very worrying and sadly reflect a general attitude of indifference by many drivers towards checking their tyres regularly,”said Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and worn tyres.

“As the only part of your car in contact with the road, it’s vital that your tyres are looked after correctly and inspected regularly to ensure they will work properly in emergency situations when they are needed most.”

Current UK law requires car drivers to have at least 1.6mm of tread depth on their tyres. Anyone found to be in breach of these regulations risks not only their safety on the road but also a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

UK

Leicester City Football Club has Toyo Tire as a Club Partner.

The partnership will see the company enjoy considerable commercial presence at the EPL club’s King Power Stadium, while their branding will also be visible on City’s first team training wear. “Our partnership with Leicester City starts at a great time, because it provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our brand with a genuinely aspirational club on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages – the Premier League,” said Keishi Inoue, Managing Director of Toyo Tires UK. “We’re really excited about working with the Club and to developing a relationship that offers further commercial benefit to both parties as we look to break new ground in our respective fields and grow together.”

CHINA

As an Official Sponsor Continental Tires will begin the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Australia Trophy Tour in Beijing. The ‘Asian Cup Trophy’ China tour will also land in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. At the launch event on September 26th, Continental Tires also announced a 4-year collaboration with the Chinese Football Association (CFA). From 2014 to 2018, Continental will be the exclusive tyre partner and Official Sponsor of Team China, covering all seven of the state-owned national football teams. “This is the first time that Continental has invested in national teams in the Asia Pacific region,” said Jay Dhillon, General Manager of Continental Tires Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. “Such large scale and deep cooperation leave an indelible mark on Continental Tires’ football sponsorship history.”

CHINA

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company confirmed that it has received notice and related

documentation from Chengshan Group Company Ltd. that it intends to exercise its option to acquire Cooper’s 65 percent ownership stake in Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd (CCT). Cooper is currently reviewing the notice and documentation. “Cooper is committed to meeting the needs of our customers and continuing to grow in China,” Cooper CEO Roy Armes said in a statement.

“Should the process of resolving the ownership of CCT result in Chengshan acquiring our interest in the joint venture, a commercial offtake agreement is in place under which CCT is required to produce Cooper brand products—including Roadmaster truck tires—through mid-2018. The purpose of the offtake agreement is to assure a secure supply of Cooper brand products while also giving us the flexibility to enter into acquisitions, new offtake relationships, or possible greenfield development of additional production capacity anywhere around the world to support the continued expansion of our business.

“China is a core growth market for Cooper and we have a strong track record of success in the region.

To support our strategic plans there, we expect to continue to invest in our sales and marketing organisation, our rapidly growing distribution network, and the strong technology capability we have in place,” Armes continued.

“In addition, we expect to continue to invest in our whollyowned Cooper Kunshan Tire operation, which is a world-class tyre production facility with room to expand. We look forward to final resolution of the ownership of CCT as we continue to pursue our global growth objectives.”

EUROPE

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) has published figures continued page 32 31

WORLD NEWS concerning its members’ sales in the third quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, after the strong performance of the first half of the year, sales stabilised on the levels of 2013, with the exception of Agricultural tyres, where the market decreased 9 per cent to 386,000 tyres, down from the 424,000 recorded in the third quarter of 2013. Sales of truck and bus tyres remained steady while passenger tyres and motorcycle tyres increased 1 per cent each to 58.4 million and 1.8 million units respectively. The ETRMA says that the first nine months show a general increase in sales, which are supported by the increase of new car registrations.

SPAIN While Toyo makes an investment in the English Premier League, Kumho will

be making its mark in Spain’s La Liga football matches throughout the 2014/2015 season, following an agreement between the company and the Spanish football league. The exposure will comprise a mix of freestanding logos positioned behind the goals and digital billboards around the the pitch. The initiative will support the work of not only Kumho’s Spanish dealer network but those throughout Europe, by exposing the brand to the attendant crowds and the enormous TV audience of football fans.

“We are delighted with this agreement which allows us to reach an enormous number of potential Kumho customers, and thereby significantly increase awareness for our brand,” said Sang Kyu Lee, the President of Kumho Tyre Europe. “La Liga provides us with a unique opportunity, as it is quite simply the most watched sport in Spain.”

US

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) for commercial vehicles will begin testing on U.S. trucking fleets in the next few months, as part of a research project supported by United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Vehicle Technology.

AMT enables tyres to remain inflated at a specified cold inflation pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. The system utilises peristaltic pump technology to automatically maintain tyre pressure at fleets’ desired levels. All components of the AMT system, including the pump, are fully contained within the tyre. The DOE’s Office of Vehicle Technology has provided a $1.5 million grant to assist the research, development and demonstration of the AMT system for commercial vehicle tyres.

Motorcycle Becomes Smartphone Charger

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egardless of whether you are on short journey to work or taking a long scenic tour, a smartphone is your constant companion – even if you are on a motorbike. To make sure these phones have a full battery after the journey, so you can use all their features, Continental is developing a smart charging station that can pump fresh energy into the phone’s battery – with not a tangled cable in sight.

“More and more smartphones support wireless charging,” said Annette Welzer, a product manager at Continental. “With wireless charging, we ensure there are no hazardous tangled cables on the bike. Motorcyclists can simply place their smartphones in a stowage box integrated into the motorcycle. This protects the cell phone from vibrations and the weather and charges it continuously.”

For the future, Continental plans to integrate near field communication (NFC) along with wireless charging, allowing a Bluetooth connection to the motorcycle’s electronics. But it is essential that the new features do not distract riders from the main job at hand – that of riding the motorbike.

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Background on wireless charging Anyone who often uses a smartphone knows how fast the battery can drain.

This is why wireless cell-phone charging is getting more and more common.

Compatible smartphones can be charged in the space-saving Continental charging station without any tangled cables.

The wireless charging system meets the “Qi” standard specified by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

Continental believes this standard isideal for use in various vehicles. For example, it offers similar charging currents to standard USB charging connections and therefore has similar charging times to those of cable charging systems.

Many smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S5, S4 and S3, the LG G2, and the Nokia Lumia 1020, 925, 820 and 720, can easily be equipped for wireless charging by simply replacing their back covers with a Qi-compatible one. Qi-compatible cases are also available for the Apple iPhone 5S, 5, 4S, and 4. Some models support the Qi standard right out of the box, without a special back cover. These include the Nokia Lumia 1520, 930 and 920, the Google Nexus 5 and 4, and the LG Optimus G Pro. Behind the supposedly simple inductive charging lies an ingenious technology: Continental’s reliable heat management system, which is essential for wireless charging. It ensures that neither the smartphone nor the motorcycle’s components exceed their specified maximum temperatures during charging.

Furthermore, foreign object detection ensures that inductive charging stops immediately when keys, coins or chewing gum in metal wrappers, for example, are accidentally placed into the charging station.

Breaking the mold

.

WGC52

.. .

The new era has arrived . ..

WDR37 .. .. . .

WDR37

WGC52

New deep tread cut/chip resistant 295/80R22.5 steer tyre Reinforced casing and durable tough wearing compound Designed for Australia’s harsh conditions Front runner in the choice for a logging, construction or demolition truck steer tyre Yellow dot dynamically factory balanced Computer generated flex carcass allows optimum grip, performance and superior heat dispersion.

New wider foot print premium 11R/22.5 drive tyre Latest technology in compound and case design Wider than standard hard wearing directional tread pattern Computer generated stabilising & water dispersing sipes Number one choice for fleets wanting maximum performance and durability Australian testing has shown never seen before results against main brand drive tyres

Townsville - Brisbane - Newcastle - Melbourne www.atlastyres.com

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WILDPEAK RANGE TYRES

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WildPeak A/TT

Rugged, Dynamic, All-Purpose, All-Terrainn Performance

• Variable Block Shoulder Design gn • Long Sweeping Sipes • Four Wide Aggressive Multi-angled Grooves • Square Shoulder Profile • Open Shoulder Grooves • Hard Bead Apex • Stiff, Extra Wide Steel Belts • Joint-less Nylon Band

WildPeak H/T All Season Highway Performance • Multi-wav Lateral Sipes

• Provides flat, even wear and reduces tyre noise • New Stylish Sidewall Design • Four Large Circumferential Straight Grooves • Symmetric Non-directional 5 Rib Tread Design • Steel Belts • Joint-less Nylon Cap Ply

For a complete range of 4WD Tyre Sizes and details of your nearest Falken Tyre Dealer

www.falken.com.au www.f falken.com.aau Ph 1300 858 112

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