Australian Tyre Dealer, August/Sept 2016

Australian Tyre Dealer | vol. 25 | issue 4 | Aug/Sep 2016

TRIANGLE OTR TYRES THE CHOICE OF THE OEM

TRIANGLE OTR TYRES THE CHOICE OF THE OEM

WHY CHOOSE TRIANGLE OTR TYRES • World’s 4th largest OTR tyre maker • OE tyre supplier for many world famous names, CAT, TEREX, Volvo, Liebherr, and Doosan • Tread compounding for different working conditions & applications • Full time production and readily available supply Triangle has become one of the four biggest OTR tyre suppliers globally, and has established cooperation with Caterpillar, TEREX, Doosan and Liebherr to supply OEM tyres to their equipment. It makes sense if the people who build the machines, and know the machines best, choose Triangle.

Why wouldn’t you?

QLD & NT

Freedom Tyres 07 3277 1126

NSW & ACT

Freedom Tyres 02 9604 0266

So that begs the question… If you’re not already a stockist and reseller of the Triangle tyre range, you need to ask yourself why?

Triangle Tyres are readily available throughout Australia through a range of knowledgeable suppliers that offer reliable and efficient product support and distribution.

VIC & TAS

Freedom Tyres 03 8360 8866

WA

Get A Grip Tyres 1300 976 299

SA

Statewide Tyres 08 8347 2999

CONTENTS 2. EDITOR'S 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. Research suggests tyre industry set to flourish

Print Post approved PPP444752/0002

6.

Kumho launches ECSTA V720 for track and road

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.

8.

Hankook's DynaSYNC concept tyre wins Red Dot Design Award 2016 13. Hankook Tyre launches Laufenn brand in Australia and New Zealand

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

14. Pirelli launches P Zero World in Los Angeles 16. BFGoodrich launch G-Force Sport Comp 2 17. Toyo Tires earns high mark 18. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT wins MOTOR’s tyre test 19. Goodyear launches new premium tyre

EDITOR Jonathan Nash

FEATURE

ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic

10. Embracing the digital future

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Barry Browne 03 9807 9154 Email: barry@barrybrownemedia.com.au

Pirelli has launched P Zero World in Los Angeles, its first tyre shop in the world focused on prestige products and services . . . Page 14.

PRODUCTS 20. BP transforms buying fuel with mobile

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

payment technology 21. Bendix make it easy to choose the right brake pads

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

AUTO NEWS

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

24. Honda Australia confirms pricing and

22. Nissan’s Bladeglider on the cutting edge Nissan has unveiled the working prototype of its futuristic, zeroemissions, high-performance BladeGlider vehicle . . . Page 22.

specs for NSX Supercar 25. CarsGuide to merge with Cox Automotive Australia

MTA-Queensland ABN: 740 289 338 48

MOTORSPORTS 26. Mercedes continue Formula One domination 28. Holden signs up with Triple Eight for V8 Supercars agreement 20140138 20160408

“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.

Hankook’s DynaSYNC tyre, the futuristic concept for off-road, has been named at the Red Dot Design Award 2016: Design Concept . . . Page 8.

30. WORLD NEWS

With 12 races now complete and 9 to go, Mercedes has stamped its authority over the 2016 in the Formula One season . . . Page 26.

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EDITOR’S WORD

H Jonathan Nash Editor

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ello and welcome to Australian Tyre Dealer.

There has been plenty happening in the tyre industry over the past couple of months, including the releases of several new products from the big manufacturers.

Kumho have designed a new tyre that it says can save weekend track fans from having to buy a separate set of rubber. The ECSTA V720 is street-legal and, Kumho says, guarantees the ultimate handling and durability needed in the high-speed conditions of a performance circuit, while promising the safest drive off the circuit at regular speeds.

BFGoodrich meanwhile, has released the G-Force Sport Comp 2 tyre range into the local market. Manufactured in the U.S., where the tyre has found favour with the high-performance tyre buyer, the G-Force Sport Comp 2 is available in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes and has, the company says, been engineered to meet the rigorous demands of ultra-high-performance vehicles.

Also launching a new product into the Australian market is Goodyear Australia, which has released its latest premium tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3.

The company says the premium, luxury sport tyre delivers a 31 per cent better wear performance and shorter braking distance on dry and wet roads, compared to leading competitors, and has an original equipment record, including fitment on the new Jaguar XF, that makes it Goodyear’s premium offering for ‘excellent braking performance, responsive handling and control in both dry and wet conditions’.

Hankook, meanwhile, rather than launch a new tyre or two into the market, has launched an entire brand - Laufenn.

The launch is part of the company's growth strategy and is a move, Hankook says, that will provide those Australia and New

Zealand with a product dedicated to value, quality and style.

Laufenn will be introduced with seven patterns covering Ultra-high performance to all-terrain SUV. “Laufenn complements the existing Hankook range and offers a large number of sizes for customers looking for value and a world class product,” said Marc Sibbald, National Sales Director of Hankook Tyre Australia. “The launch of Laufenn demonstrates our commitment to the local market and our desire to work in partnership with our customers to provide value to Australian and New Zealand motorists.”

In our main feature this month, we move away from tyre news and take a look at the rise and power of social media and its use in the world of small business.

An extremely powerful communication tool, social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as well-maintained websites, offer marketing and advertising avenues that are cheap, easy to use and offer access to a potential audience of millions.

Find out more on pages 10-12.

Also in this edition, we have news from around the globe, new product and automotive industry news - including a look at the fantastical Nissan BladeGlider concept - and we check out some of the latest news from the world of motorsports.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Australian Tyre Dealer. Feel free to drop me a line if you have some news you would like to share with the industry. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jonathan Nash jonathann@mtaq.com.au

THIS IS WHAT 50 MILLION TYRES LOOK LIKE. ThaT’s how many aRE DIsCaRDED In aUsTRaLIa EaCh yEaR.*

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

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

*

TRP TSA0035

If you want your old tyres recycled in the most environmentally sustainable way, only deal with Tyre stewardship accredited tyre dealers. Look for this logo or go to our website to find out who they are. www.tyrestewardship.org.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

Research suggests tyre industry set to flourish A new report is forecasting robust growth in the Australian tyre market.

The report, Australia Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities 2021, comes from global research firm TechSci Research and indicates the tyre market in Australia is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2021.

Along with the country’s expanding vehicle fleet size and rising urbanisation, the report highlights long term infrastructure plans as a major influence on growth.

The report suggests growth throughout the sector, with infrastructure plans fuelling

requirement from the commercial and OTR sectors with the expanding car fleet, and the nation’s continuing love affair with SUVs, boosting the demand for passenger car tyres.

“Of late, people in Australia are demonstrating increasing inclination towards SUVs, on account of rising disposable income levels of consumers and continuing improvements in road infrastructure,” said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research. “This is projected to augment demand for SUV tyres in the country during the forecast period.

"Growing consumer demand for enhanced tyre performance and safety is also projected to increase adoption of technologies such as Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in the coming years.”

Cooper launch Discoverer A/T3 Sport into Europe

T

he new Cooper Discoverer A/T3 Sport, an all-terrain 4x4 tyre, is the latest premium product launched by Cooper Tire Europe. Designed specifically for the European market, the A/T3 Sport is available in a range of sizes for light trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Manufactured in Europe, the Discoverer A/T3 Sport is a 60 per cent on-road and 40 per cent off-road tyre developed to perform across varied terrain and in all conditions.

Cooper says the Discoverer A/T3 Sport boasts a modified tread pattern to reduce road noise and improve handling and the initial lineup will include 21 sizes with 30 additional sizes being introduced later this year.

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Cooper says the new A/T3 Sport has reliable tread wear and superior all-season traction due to the zig-zag siping technology.

In addition, lateral groove protectors reduce the chance of stone retention and dual draft angles on the tread element walls assist in cut and chip resistance.

“We are proud to be manufacturing the latest generation of our all-terrain tyres here in Europe,” said Jeff Schumaker, Vice President of European Operations / Managing Director, Cooper Tire Europe.

“It means we have the added benefit of improved supply for this product and we anticipate the A/T3 Sport being highly popular among our customers.”

Cooper Discoverer A/T3 Sport

THE LEGEND IS GROWING

, APPROVED FOR PORSCHE CAYENNE

Inquiries 1300-120-120

www.nexentire.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Kumho launches ECSTA V720 for track and road K umho Tyre have released a tyre that can save weekend track fans from having to buy a separate set of rubber. The ECSTA V720 is street-legal and, the company says, guarantees the ultimate handling and durability needed in the high-speed conditions of a performance circuit, while promising the safest drive off the circuit at regular speeds.

The ECSTA V720 is designed for the rigours of the track - demonstrating its best grip performance during

cornering and increasing grip as the temperature of the tyre rises.

The dynamic sidewall design and performance-oriented pattern, and Super Hard Apex technology allows for excellent running stability while a high-

Kumho presented with IDEA awards for its innovative ‘Smasher’ and ‘Sealant’ tyres

K

umho’s ‘Smasher’ and ‘Sealant’ tyres have been honoured with 2016 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).

The ‘Smasher’ – a futuristic concept tyre equipped with ultra-innovative technologies - was evolved in collaboration with the SsangYong Motor Company. The tyre is optimised for driving in extreme conditions, and features such innovations as suction plates and grinder-shaped tread blocks.

The company says the former enable a vehicle to ascend steep slopes by

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creating a vacuum between the tyre and the ground, while the latter permit safe driving over even the roughest terrain by crushing uneven areas that

strength carcass ‘increases the tyre’s durability and handling performance, on and off the track’ that is further aided by a wide-shoulder block design.

Kumho says every millisecond counts in racing competitions, and that a tyre’s ultra high-performance capability makes for a safer, more reliable drive while on the roads.

The ECSTA V720 tyre is available from all Kumho Tyre stockists nationwide. For more information, or to find your nearest stockist, visit www.kumho.com.au

could otherwise damage a tyre.

Kumho says the ‘Sealant’ tyre automatically seals itself when penetrated by debris.

The IDEA award is the latest award for the tyre which has already won the Red Dot, Good Design (Japan) and Good Design (Korea) awards.

“We are very proud to now have the top three international design awards under our belt,” said Chung Taek-Gyun, Executive Vice President at Kumho Tire and Head of R&D Division, “and will continue to build our capabilities in all areas of tyre technology, including design, in order to open a new chapter for the global tyre industry.”

Toll Free

1800 027 906 Exclusive Australian Distributor Web Site : www.stamfordtyres.com.au

Email : australia@stamfordtyres.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hankook's DynaSYNC concept tyre wins Red Dot Design Award 2016 H ankook’s DynaSYNC tyre, A futuristic concept for off-road, has been named winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2016: Design Concept.

The DynaSYNC was evaluated for illustrating Hankook Tyre’s design

“Receiving the award solidifies Hankook’s commitment and determination to lead future driving through progressive innovation and creative design.” capabilities and innovative technology.

In collaboration with Vibram, a premium outsole company, Hankook developed the futuristic concept tyre that combined ‘Hankook Tyre’s advanced technologies and Vibram’s hyper-functional outsole designs’.

The company says the DynaSYNC is the next generation off-road tyre and

Falken Tyres chosen for Mazda CX-9

M

azda has chosen Falken tyres as original equipment on the new flagship CX-9. The seven-seat SUV boasts a new 2.5-litre direct-injection, turbocharged engine capable of 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque.

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enables safe and powerful driving in diverse off-road conditions, and features Vibram’s Carrarmato lugs design on its tread pattern to improve traction in mountainous terrain. The honeycomb structure grooves are designed to prevent damage due to gravel or stones.

The sidewall comes in a variety of colour With a 6-speed transmission, drivers have the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive drivetrains.

To match the vehicle, the new Ziex CT50 tyre was developed by Falken.

The company says the CT50 offers outstanding handling stability, refined

compounds, allowing owners to match the tyres to their car’s body colour.

“It is great honour that Hankook Tyre once again has been recognised for its innovative technology by the prestigious Red Dot Design Award," said Mr Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tyre.

“Receiving the award solidifies Hankook Tyre’s commitment and determination to lead future driving through progressive innovation and creative design.

Hankook Tyre will continue to contribute to advancement in driving with aspiration Hankook’s DynaSYNC for innovative technology.”

It is the fourth time in 2016 that Hankook Tyre has received international design award recognition, following the iF Design Award in February, Mercury Excellence Awards and awards in the Product Design category at the Red Dot Design Award in March.

Falken Ziex CT50

comfort and quietness, which Mazda required for the CX-9.

“We’re excited to be on the flagship Mazda vehicle,” said William Ng, Marketing Manager, Falken Tyres Australia. “Mazda were very specific about what they were looking for in a tyre and our engineers delivered.”

Triangle Tyres - performance & dependability T

he Triangle Group was founded in 1976 and is one of the largest tyre producers in China.

Triangle Tyre celebrated its 40th anniversary on 8th April this year and continues to enjoy a rapid growth in tyre production through its ongoing commitment to quality. Modern China now supplies more than 60 per cent of the global demand for TBR and OTR tyres, but Triangle is more than “just another Chinese tyre”.

Having performed in Australian conditions for more than 17 years, Triangle tyres have grown in reputation and continue to differentiate themselves through: • Leading manufacturing technology and techniques • Commitment to ongoing R&D with labs for tyre development in Akron (US) and Weihai (China) • Intensive climate-specific product testing and continuous improvement practices • International certification of their quality (e.g. DOT, ECE and CCC).

Triangle’s new cutting edge Huayang factory in the industrial Nanhai New District in Weihai China is an 'Industry 4.0' facility. Having invested over 6.7 billion yuan (AUS$1314 million), Triangle’s new production line employs integrated informationbased manufacturing technology such as an MES system and uses RFID, barcode and other technologies for real-time monitoring of raw materials, in-processes and products.

Triangle Tyres is one of the few

“Having performed in Australian conditions for more than 17 years, Triangle Tyres have grown in reputation and continue to differentiate themselves . . . ” manufacturers to produce a 63-inch OTR radial, with each 53/80R63 giant OTR tyre weighing 5.6 tons.

Triangle sells approximately 25 million tyres annually to customers

in over 170 countries, with the export share of its production reaching roughly 60 per cent.

Since producing its first OTR tyre in November 2002, Triangle has strived to produce world class OTR products through developing its technology in many fields of expertise such as tyre structure, patterns and material. Triangle has the capability of producing high quality radial jumbo OTR tyres ranging from 49-inch to 63-inch. The success and quality of Triangle’s Jumbo OTR tyres can be confirmed by a number of key fitments to world-renowned international heavy industrial vehicle manufacturers. The company has ongoing OE relationships with leading players – especially in the OTR sector – such as Caterpillar, Volvo, Terex, Liebherr, GM, Daewoo, and Doosan.

Here in Australia, Triangle continues to develop its product lines and compounds to perform in our extreme conditions, with Triangle’s 17.5R25, 20.5R25, 23.5R25, 26.5R25, 29.5R25, OTR tyres now OE on Caterpillar machines.

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EMBRACING THE

B

y the time you have finished reading this sentence, Google will have processed 40,000 search queries (which adds up to more than 3.5 billion searches per day) being made by internet users just like you. That is a vast amount of information being circulated, read, shared and talked about, all online.

While a lot of this traffic may seem to be people searching for the latest celebrity gossip or the most up-to-date sporting news, an equally vast number are consumers searching for a great deal, great service and a business which can deliver both.

The use of the internet as a way of finding, researching,

booking, ordering, conversing with companies and even paying for products or services has fundamentally changed the way business is done. And this change happened quickly – in fact, within the lifetimes of most of you reading these words.

Consider, for example, the hardware people use to access the internet. The personal computer arrived on the scene in the 1980s, while the smartphone dates back only to the early 2000s.

And as for the World Wide Web? The correct term for

FACEBOOK ESTABLISHED BY MARK Zuckerberg (and others) in 2004 while he was at Harvard University. Originally a social networking site for fellow Harvard students, the site proved so popular it was quickly expanded to other universities in the US. In 2005 it expanded again, becoming

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available to universities across the world and also in high schools.

As of September 2006, the network was extended beyond educational institutions to anyone with a registered email address.

By 2008, Facebook had 100 million

users and grew at an astonishing rate.

Today, the company claims nearly 1.4 billion users across the globe.

Several people who worked on developing Facebook have become extremely wealthy. Dustin Muskovitz, Eduardo Saverin and Chris Hughes were

all at Harvard with Zuckerberg and are all billionaires thanks to their early involvement with the company.

As for 32-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, he is Facebook’s CEO and worth a gargantuan US$44.6 billion (that’s AUS$60.2 billion).

E DIGITAL FUTURE what most of us call ‘the internet’ (hence the www at the front of website addresses – and, indeed, the word ‘website’), the Web was invented in 1989, although most people wouldn’t have known of its existence until well into the 1990s.

All this technology, and the accompanying breakthroughs in software development that enabled the online publishing of information, has changed forever how people interact with each other. The way people utilise the internet to obtain the information that influences their key purchasing and decision making, and the opportunity this represents for businesses looking to take advantage of the new habits of the Australian consumer, has become known as ‘digital disruption’.

It may sound like just another bit of nerdy terminology, but ‘digital disruption’ describes pretty well the incredible changes new technology has had on the way business is done.

And it is BIG business. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the estimated value of internet income for businesses is nearly $270 billion.

For an owner-operator, the challenge is to embrace the changes and the opportunities that digital disruption offers - ignoring the changes that are taking place within the Australian community is to hamstring an enterprise from the start. As the proprietor of an automotive-related business, the way in which you deal and capitalise on digital disruption is more important than ever.

But what do you need to do to ensure your business remains relevant?

INVEST IN A WEBSITE THAT WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS A website that is responsively designed across all desktop and mobile devices is critical to any business looking to compete in the digital economy. It is the most crucial piece of the digital marketing puzzle and does

something your bricksand-mortar business cannot – it seamlessly operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, spruiking your products and services to potential customers whilst capturing new sales and marketing opportunities.

Today, the amount of mobile traffic (people who use a smartphone or tablet to browse content online) accounts for more than half of total internet traffic, highlighting the importance of ensuring your website provides an optimal viewing and interactive experience across a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to mobile phones.

TWITTER THE FIRST ‘TWEET’ on Twitter was sent in March 2006 by company founder Jack Dorsey. The site, which allows users to post messages of up to 140 characters, quickly gained in popularity and now has more than 310 million

users sending more than 500 million tweets per day.

The company also owns digital brands such as Vine (a service where users can share six-second long video clips), and video-streaming app Periscope, amongst others.

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EMPLOYING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is an extremely powerful communication tool when leveraged to suit the marketing and advertising needs of your business. Facebook, the leading social media platform, has 1.65 billion monthly active users and shows no signs of slowing down.

While it was initially used as a way for friends and family to stay in touch and share photos and other personal content, Facebook has evolved and is now a fully integrated marketing and advertising platform that is equally popular with business owners as it is with personal users.

Being involved in the vast Facebook market is not that difficult or expensive (joining is free). The trick is providing something that will attract customers to your Facebook site. The old adage that ‘content is king’ works here, for it is content that fuels Facebook’s engine and is what keeps customers engaged.

But what content is the right content?

Social media users on Facebook are very particular about what they choose to engage with and building relationships is key. Customers are interested in seeing and hearing what a business has to say and this is where content is important.

For example: the team at your shop recently participated in a community event. During the event, some really great photos and videos were taken by members of your team.

What do you do with these photos and videos? Well, these become your content.

Take the material and upload it to your Facebook business page with a touch of positive sentiment. For example, you might say: A massive thank you to our entire team who rolled up their sleeves and participated in the annual community fundraising event last weekend. Together we raised over $10,000 – what a great effort.

This form of content marketing is digital public relations 101 - engaging the social media audience in a manner that reflects not just the daily happenings of your business, but also your community and the great people within it.

‘Hard sell’ advertising rarely works in this environment that is what a website is for - and the more engaging the Facebook content, the more likely users will ‘like’ your presence and click through to your website to determine if it is providing the products and services they need.

Though engagement with consumers through the use of thoughtful content is vital, Facebook does offer the option of paid advertising too. A highly targeted, and incredibly good value, lead generation tool, it can help businesses capture sales opportunities by focusing on, and feeding ads to, other Facebook users on the basis of their geographical location and interests.

LINKEDIN FOUNDED IN 2002 by Reid Hoffman, a former executive of PayPal, the business-oriented networking service was launched online in 2003. The site is mainly used for business networking, allowing its users to connect with other

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individuals and businesses and maintain professional contacts.

LinkedIn has more than 400 million users and, in June of this year, software giant Microsoft announced it was to buy the company for US$26 billion (AUS$35 billion).

YOUTUBE THE GLOBAL VIDEO-SHARING site was founded in 2005 by former PayPal employees Steve Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim. The idea of sharing videos with the world proved immensely popular and within a year more than 60,000 videos were being

uploaded to the site each day.

YouTube was bought by Google in late 2006 for US$1.65 billion (AUS$2.2 billion) and today the company has more than 1 billion users with more than 300 hours of new content being uploaded to the site every minute.

Of course, Facebook is not the only social media platform out there and others - such as Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are all extremely popular and can help a business thrive online.

Twitter, for example, is great for sharing information (in 140 characters or less) and has a community of more than 300 million users. Also offering a paid advertising option, it is unique in that a lot of traffic can be generated directly by a business’s followers for free. All it takes is for one ‘influencer’ with a significant follower base to re-tweet content and it could potentially reach thousands.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented networking service that allows its 400 million users to connect with other professional individuals and businesses. While similar to Facebook, its focus on professional networking gives an organisation more room to grow business-to-business relationships.

As for YouTube, the social media platform that started as a place for people to share funny videos has become another useful business tool. Video content is incredibly popular and with the proliferation of smart technology and devices that come armed with a camera, documenting what a business does and making that available online is priceless. With four billion people using YouTube daily, this content will certainly find a few viewers!

WHERE NEXT? We are in a period of great change when it comes to how we communicate with each other.

According to the ABS, 86 per cent of households in Australia have access to the internet and, on average, people spend 10 hours a week of their personal time online.

That’s a lot of people spending a lot of time ‘surfing the web’.

As for businesses, the ABS reports that 98.4 per cent of businesses had internet access but only 48.6 per cent had a web presence and a mere 34 per cent had a social media presence. That translates to more than half of Australian businesses missing out on the opportunities afforded through having an online presence.

Websites and social media are vital channels in helping businesses to get their message out to a public that is spending more and more of its time online. By creating more avenues to communicate you are actually strengthening your business capacities.

Social media, and the internet’s ability to connect your business with a vast audience, is here to stay.

Embrace it.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hankook launches Laufenn brand in Australia and New Zealand H ankook Tyre has launched its Laufenn brand into Australia and New Zealand. The launch is part of its growth strategy and is a move, the company says, that will provide those markets with a product dedicated to value, quality and style.

Hankook says the brand has already been successfully launched in North & Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and adds that the introduction of Laufenn in the Australian and New Zealand markets adds further creditability to the successful globalisation of the Laufenn brand.

"Introducing Laufenn is our commitment to fulfil the versatile needs of consumers seeking value and top-of-the-line performance," said Peter Jung, Managing Director of Hankook Tyre Australia. "Globally, the acceptance of the Laufenn brand has been absolutely phenomenal.

To create a range of products tailored for various lifestyle needs.

That's what Laufenn is about."

Laufenn will be introduced with the following tyre patterns: • S FIT EQ –Ultra-high performance summer tyre • G FIT EQ – High performance summer tyre • X FIT HT – Highway-terrain SUV and light truck tyre

Laufenn G FIT EQ

Laufenn X FIT HT

Laufenn S FIT EQ

“Introducing Laufenn is our commitment to fulfil the versatile needs of consumers seeking value and top-of-the-line performance.”

Laufenn X FIT AT

Laufenn X FIT VAN

• X FIT AT – All-terrain SUV and light truck tyre • X FIT VAN – Light truck and van tyre • S FIT AS – Ultra-high performance passenger tyre • G FIT AS – Touring high performance passenger tyre.

"Whether its commuting to work via the motorway, driving a sports car on the weekend, or venturing in a 4X4 during the holidays, Australian and New Zealand drivers want specific tyres to satisfy their lifestyle," said Mr Jung. "The Laufenn brand is a direct response to giving customers what they need, and at the same time delivering value, quality and performance."

Positioned as an associate and entry-level brand, the company says that Laufenn will serve the consumer with a well-rounded range of reliable products.

“Laufenn complements the existing Hankook range and offers a large number of sizes for customers looking for value and a world class product”, said Marc Sibbald, National Sales Director of Hankook Tyre Australia.

“The launch of Laufenn demonstrates our commitment to the local market and our desire to work in partnership with our customers to provide value to Australian and New Zealand motorists.”

For more information about Laufenn please visit www.laufenn.com/au

Laufenn S FIT AS

Laufenn G FIT AS

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INDUSTRY NEWS

P Zero World, Los Angeles

Pirelli launches P Zero World in Los Angeles P irelli has launched P Zero World in Los Angeles, its first tyre shop in the world focused on prestige products and services.

The shop is designed to offer exclusive service, technologically advanced consultancy and customer assistance, the widest range of high performance and ultra high performance tyres by Pirelli, and ‘an elegant and comfortable environment inspired by the world of motorsport where the iconic images of The Cal frame today’s most beautiful supercars’.

Located close to Beverly Hills, Pirelli says that P Zero World marks a new stage in the company's Prestige strategy, centred on the world’s fastest growing 14

“Los Angeles is a hotbed of innovation, where game-changing ideas and concepts from around the world come to take shape.” segment of sports cars, luxury cars and premium makes, which is expanding at a greater rate than the rest of the market globally – particularly in the US which has a forecasted growth of 11 percent in the prestige segment in 2016.

Pirelli says its strategy of developing made-to-measure tyres for each specific model of high-end and very high-end cars, in cooperation with car makers’ own researchers, has given it leadership in this market sector with approximately a 50 per cent share.

In line with this prestige market approach, the company says that P Zero World redefines the concept of a tyre shop in Los Angeles, where there is the highest concentration of luxury and sports cars in the world: it’s a space for tyre replacement and more importantly, ‘a reference point for car lovers to experience a full immersion in the motorcar world’.

The 8,000 square feet location features state of the art retail design, including three service bays for tyre changes, an espresso bar and luxury ‘waiting area’, personalised counsel on the best tyre fit queries, and a display of Pirelli’s full range of product. Guests will also experience a full brand immersion, with the store

showcasing Pirelli’s Motorsport history, Original Equipment partnerships, Pirelli Calendar and vintage advertising.

The concept for the new shop will be the model for other Pirelli prestige tyre centers in other parts of the world, with future locations yet to be decided.

“Los Angeles is a hotbed of innovation, where game-changing ideas and concepts from around the world come to take shape,” said

“P Zero World will be a game changer for the tyre retail industry just like its namesake, the iconic P Zero tyre, which is also the exclusive product for Formula One vehicles – the pinnacle of motorsports.”

Eric Garcetti , Mayor of Los Angeles.

“I am proud that Pirelli has chosen to put its first U.S. flagship store in our city, and glad to celebrate today's opening of P Zero World.”

“P Zero World will be a game changer

for the tyre retail industry, just like its namesake, the iconic P Zero tyre, which is also the exclusive product for Formula One vehicles – the pinnacle of motorsports. The location aims to deliver a unique shopping experience catered directly to high-end automotive enthusiasts,” said Paul Hembery, Global Motorsports and Prestige Project Director. “Los Angeles serves as the perfect backdrop for the launch of this project, as it provides the perfect mix of business-related strategic elements – such as the high concentration of prestige vehicles – with an exciting and active car culture which produces passionate consumers and tastemakers; who are exactly the clientele that most appreciate the services and products that we offer. For this reason, we are also very grateful to work with Claus Ettensberger of CEC Wheels fame, who will manage the retail sales at P Zero World. His knowledge of the market and its clientele is indispensable in our new endeavour.”

“P Zero World perfectly expresses our deep appreciation and nuanced understanding of car culture and we’re excited to serve our customers here in a truly dedicated fashion through offering Pirelli’s rich range of prestige and premium applications, our ‘marked tyres’ on a great variety of models," said Pierluigi Dinelli, CEO and Chairman of Pirelli Tire North America.

"These tailor-made designs for each vehicle are achieved through close cooperation with the most important car makers in the world. This new venture is part of an aggressive growth plan for Pirelli in North America and beyond. P Zero World also speaks to a key part of Pirelli’s unique approach to the market – the strong expression of our corporate identity, which is tied deeply to both the innovative and the experiential. This new initiative brings the concept full circle with retail at the very heart of the brand.”

Queenslanders and Bridgestone hit the road to help cure blood cancer

C

ars that have become the stuff of legends cruised through Queensland in August, as the Sunshine State hosted the Leukaemia Foundation’s Aussie Muscle Car Run for the first time.

Setting out from Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, eight entrants travelled 2,125 kilometres, passing through Warwick, Roma, Emerald, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Tewantin on their odyssey.

Bridgestone Australia is the Principal Partner of the event, which started in 2012 and will this year include four runs across the country.

Since it began, the event has raised $1.7 million dollars, which helps support the Leukaemia Foundation in its quest to improve treatments and find cures for blood cancer.

Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Andrew Moffatt said the Company was proud to support the Aussie Muscle Car Run for the fifth consecutive year.

“Blood cancer is a disease which strikes 35 Australians every day and we take our support of the Leukaemia Foundation and the vital work they do seriously,” Mr Moffatt said.

“This is a great event for aficionados to showcase their Fords, Holdens and Chryslers that hail from the glory days of Bathurst during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“More importantly, along the way participants are helping to raise awareness in Australia’s rural and regional areas about blood cancers – and the support needed from the community to fund critical ongoing research by the Leukaemia Foundation.”

Bridgestone Australia is a proud partner of the Leukaemia Foundation and this year celebrates 30 years of support for the organisation – providing patient transport vehicles, assisting with patient accommodation and more.

15

INDUSTRY NEWS

BFGoodrich launch G-Force Sport Comp 2 B FGoodrich has released the G-Force Sport Comp 2 tyre range into the local market.

Manufactured in the U.S., where the tyre has found favour with the high-performance tyre buyer, the G-Force Sport Comp 2 is available in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes and has, the company says, been engineered to meet the rigorous demands of ultra-high-performance vehicles. This includes the use of a racing style Silicainfused "COMP-2" compound offering better tread wear and sharper steering response and grip under any weather conditions.

Cornering performance has been maximised with a reinforced construction Performance Racing Core that delivers 30 per cent better grip in the wet and 8 per cent better grip on dry surfaces. The compound’s Sport Tread Design (with

BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2

g-Hooks) also assists in braking.

The G-Force Sport Comp 2 represents the company’s latest extension to the passenger car

tyre market in Australia, after the recent introduction of the Advantage T/A Drive range.

“While BFGoodrich is best known for its market-leading off-road tyres, products like the G-Force Sport Comp 2 show that we are equally adept at producing top of the range products for the passenger car tyre market,” said Cedric Binoit, BFGoodrich Tires Australian Managing Director.

“The G-Force Sport Comp 2 has been received extremely well in the U.S. and we expect a similar reception from Australian drivers who now have better access than ever before to our market leading tyre technologies.”

The BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2 tyres are now available in Australia in the following sizes: • 225/40ZR18 88W TL • 245/40ZR18 93W TL • 225/45ZR18 95W TL • 245/45ZR18 96W TL • 245/40ZR19 98W TL For further information, visit http://www.bfgoodrich.com.au/

Toyo unleashes ‘The Ferret’

T

oyo Tires produces some terrific promotional videos and they’ve scored another winner with ‘The Ferret’ featuring, once again, off-road champion BJ Baldwin. Showing off the ‘every terrain’ capabilities of the company’s Open Country tyres, Toyo slapped the tyres onto a 1959 British Ferret 4X4 military scout vehicle and the resulting footage is remarkable.

Heavily modified from its original design by Action Vehicle Engineering, the Ferret has six massive Toyo Open Country tyres mounted on custom wheels - two of which are powered by hydraulic motors operated from

16

BJ Baldwin

inside – and its modified suspension with King Shocks allows the Ferret to travel rough terrain and conquer obstacles with ease. To give it a boost in horsepower, American muscle was added by installing a Chevrolet LS

engine in the rear. Atop the Ferret is a custom-built launcher with a grappling hook, attached to a winch cable.

It’s pretty spectacular stuff and you can view the clip at Toyo Tires’ YouTube channel.

Toyo Tires earns high mark G WS Giants members and AFL fans are more likely to recognise the Toyo Tires brand and purchase Toyo tyres than ever before, a new study has revealed.

Over half of general AFL fans, 3.46 million people, indicated their awareness of Toyo Tires, with 1.2 million AFL fans considering purchasing Toyo in future.

Toyo Tires is the leading brand in awareness and recall among Giants fans and members, placing the tyre maker above nine other Giants and AFL sponsors.

The survey measured the effectiveness of Toyo Tires’ campaigns since partnering with the Giants, comparing results against the same survey conducted at the commencement of the sponsorship.

Toyo Tires brand recall and purchase consideration has increased by 34 per cent and 21 per cent respectively according to the survey conducted

by Nielsen Sports that polled Giants members and general AFL fans. 89 per cent of Giants fans, an increase of over a fifth since commencing the partnership, said they would be thinking Toyo for their next tyre purchase.

Toyo Tires Australia marketing manager José Angeles said the brand had been strategic in activating the partnership.

“Logos on guernseys and around stadiums are great, but we wanted to genuinely connect with Giants and wider AFL fans to demonstrate our commitment and show that the Giants are our team and AFL is our game. Toyo Tires did not want to be another ‘set and forget’ sponsor.

“The report shows what we are doing is working, but my favourite stat is the growth of brand association with ‘family oriented’ and ‘community minded’, up 14 and 11 per cent. Two in three Giants fans consider the brand

“ . . . we wanted to genuinely connect with Giants and wider AFL fans to demonstrate our commitment and show that the Giants are our team and AFL is our game.” female friendly, and this is alongside major recognition of our key attributes: ‘Safe’, ‘Performance’ and ‘Trust’.”

The brand has conducted a series of digital, experiential and out-ofhome campaigns to capture the attention of Giants fans, with some bringing international attention.

“When Paul Waterhouse nailed the tyre stack in the half-time $100,000 Kick For Cash it went viral and circled

the globe before the game ended. The roar from the crowd was the loudest of the night; in fact I think the players on both sides were a bit miffed!” said Mr Angeles.

The Kick for Cash complements the brand’s microsite-based #DRIVENTOPERFORM promotion that asks fans to post a selfie of their best game face and share it to social media with the namesake hashtag. At the second quarter, the winner of a set of new Toyo tyres is announced, with the winner also getting the chance to attempt the Kick for Cash and claim the $100K prize.

Home game punters at Homebush’s Spotless and Canberra’s Manuka Stadiums are greeted by the Toyo Tires Giants fan zone, where co-branded merchandise is given away and kids can practice their precision kicking in a mini kick-for-cash set-up.

The Toyo Tires Field Club places fans and tyre dealers on the grass, in the midst of the action on the ground to create an unparalleled spectator experience.

Toyo also leverages its local tyre industry-leading social media presence in conjunction with The Giants’ digital fan base, producing a weekly Toyo Tires ‘Gripping Play’ and sharing mutual achievements.

Playing a season that has seen the team topple favourites and shock pundits, the Giants are set to play, for the first time, in the AFL finals.

It's a scenario that makes Toyo's investment even more valuable, “Partnering with the Giants has been a boon for Toyo, and survey results are showing us people are considering Toyo more than ever before,” Mr Angeles said.

“Suffice to say, everyone at Toyo Tires is now on the AFL and Giants bandwagon!”

17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT wins MOTOR’s tyre test D unlop’s Sport Maxx RT tyre has been awarded best in class in the 2016 MOTOR Magazine tyre test.

The annual test involved 10 size 235/35 R19 high-performance road tyres being put through their paces

by V8 Supercar driver, stunt driver and driving instructor Warren Luff at Sydney Dragway. Results were measured on five disciplines including wet slalom, wet braking, dry braking, motorkhana and lateral G. Dunlop came out on top, outperforming its competition in all five disciplines.

“It was a stand-out across the board for its performance in both wet and dry conditions. It’s an excellent all-round tyre,” said Luff.

MOTOR Magazine not only awarded Dunlop “best in class,” but also named the Sport Maxx RT the “best bang for your buck tyre.”

“The results highlight the Sport Maxx RT’s ability to perform to the highest possible standards when faced with a range of tough conditions, taking sports performance tyres to the next level,” said Cat Parker, general

“The results highlight the Sport Maxx RT’s ability to perform to the highest possible standards when faced with a range of tough conditions, taking sports performance tyres to the next level.” manager, Product, Digital, Marketing & IT for Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres Australia. “We’re extremely proud that our Dunlop Sport Maxx RT offers consumers superb wet and dry grip thanks to our adaptive compound technology, the best stability and handling, phenomenal

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT

braking distances through our Short Braking blocks, as well as low fuel consumption due to its lightweight construction. It’s the ideal tyre for passenger vehicles.”

The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT has been designed for a wide range of high performance vehicles.

Yokohama’s ADVAN to come factoryequipped on Porsche’s new models

T

he Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105 tyre has been selected by Germany’s Porsche AG as original equipment for its new 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman.

The original equipped tyre was developed together with Porsche and the “N0” mark on the side of each tyre indicates Porsche’s approval.

The supplied tyre sizes are:

18

718 Boxster

Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105

• 911 Front: 235/40ZR19 (92Y) Rear: 295/35ZR19 (100Y) • 718 Boxster Front: 235/40ZR19 (92Y) Rear: 265/40ZR19 (98Y) • 718 Cayman Front: 235/40ZR19 (92Y) Rear: 265/40ZR19 (98Y).

Bridgestone named Most Trusted Tyre Brand – for the third time running

B

ridgestone has again been named the Most Trusted Tyre Brand in Australia by an independent survey.

Commissioned by Reader’s Digest, the annual survey directs consumers to the brands they can trust most.

For the third year running, respondents voted Bridgestone the most trusted tyre brand.

“We are extremely grateful to those who continue to instil their trust in us by choosing the Bridgestone brand,” said Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director.

“Being the leading tyre retailer is a position we take very seriously, so to uphold this award three years in a row is a significant achievement which recognises the ongoing efforts of our people to provide the best tyres and service in the country.

“We are completely committed to providing products and services of the highest standard and believe this award reflects that commitment.

“We are confident that receiving this accolade from Reader’s Digest for a third time will further help set our products apart in a very crowded market.”

The full survey results can be found in the latest issue of Reader’s Digest Australia.

Goodyear launches new premium tyre G oodyear Australia has launched its latest premium tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, into the Australian market.

The company says that the premium luxury sport tyre delivers a 31 per cent better wear performance and shorter braking distance on dry and wet roads compared to leading competitors and has on original equipment record, including fitment on the new Jaguar XF, that makes it Goodyear’s premium offering for ‘excellent braking performance, responsive handling and control in both dry and wet conditions’.

New technology found in the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 includes Grip Booster Technology - a grip booster compound and adhesive resin for stickiness for strong grip, shorter braking and improved handling - and Active Braking Technology which increases the contact surface and grip when braking. Goodyear says a stronger, lightweight construction improves handling, cornering performance, tread wear and fuel efficiency.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 has been tested by independent organisation DEKRA, which resulted in a strong performance on tread wear compared to other premium tyres on the market with results apparently showing that the tyre is projected to offer up to 11,500km more mileage (or +31

per cent better wear performance) when compared to the average of three leading competitors.

Additionally, the independent TÜV Süd Benchmark Test ordered

by Goodyear shows that the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, compared to the average of three leading competitors, has a 2.6m shorter braking distance (9 per cent better performance) on wet roads, a 1.3m shorter braking distance (4 per cent better performance) on dry roads and 4 per cent better wet handling. The same test results also show a 10.9 per cent better rolling resistance compared to the average of the three tested competitors.

“Goodyear is known for its commitment to innovate and offer superior-performing products to its consumers,” said Cat Parker, general manager, Product, Digital, Marketing & IT for Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres Australia. “The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is designed to suit the needs of motorists in Australia’s varied weather and road conditions. With its improved grip and braking technology, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 demonstrates Goodyear’s brand promise of offering greater peace of mind, regardless of the destination.”

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is available in 28 sizes in 17 to 19 inches.

Jaguar XF

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

19

PRODUCTS

BP transforms buying fuel with mobile payment technology B P has launched its latest Australian-first initiative BPMe, a smartphone payment technology which allows consumers to purchase fuel from their vehicle.

The BPMe app is the first of its kind in Australia and gives BP Plus card customers the power to pay for their fuel, track their odometer, store electronic fuel receipts and locate their closest BP service station, all from their smartphones.

“Providing a simpler and faster way to fill up, BPMe will allow customers to enjoy the best possible refueling experience by giving time back and conveniently making payment from the comfort of their own vehicle,” said Brooke Miller, VP Sales and Marketing.

Autoequip Australia release Android Auto Diagnostic System

A

new high end auto diagnostic Android device suitable for heavy duty commercial vehicle applications released

by Autoequip Australia, offers fast Bluetooth hook-up and is capable of multitasking.

Marketed under the XTOOL brand, the heavy-duty intelligent diagnostic tool provides extensive coverage for most US, Asian and European vehicles.

Product features incorporated in the XTOOL Model PS90HD include one click for the latest software updates whenever connected to WIFI, remote access, diagnostic reports in PDF format, record and

20

“Smartphone penetration rates in Australia are some of the highest in the world and mobile payment solutions are what our customers have been demanding.

It’s the way of the future and BP is playback live data, and a 9.7” multi-touch inter-active screen with 1024x768P resolution.

The operating system is based on Android 4.4.4 with 2GM RAM, 32GB Flash, CPU Quad core, 1.6GHz with 5.0 megapixel camera (rear), AF with flashlight.

Specs include gravity and light sensors, microphone, dual speakers, 3.5mm headset jack, USB type C and DC charging post, mini HDMI and TF card ports.

The battery is a 2400mAh Lithium Polymer with 8-hour battery life and 12-volt power supply.

The PS90HD connects directly to the vehicle with

at the front of this innovation.

“We recognise the importance of mobile and card-less payments to this customer base and we understand the need for faster transaction times and easier payment processes.

“Ultimately, we’re giving time back to our customers by delivering a faster way to refuel.

“BPMe will be piloted to a select group of highly valued BP Plus card customers in August. We look forward to inviting more customers in the coming months and developments into the future.

There are endless opportunities for BPMe and we are excited to bring this new digital offer to the Australian market.”

For more information, visit BP.com.au main test cable with all heavy vehicle connectors, OBD2 16 pin connector, OBD6+9 pin connector plus additional connectors supplied for remote access.

System diagnosis includes engine, ABS, ACM, CDS, COM SRS etc. with basic functions fault code reading, fault code clearance, live data, actuation and active testing in both wave and dashboard form.

Special functions include service reset, DPF and ADBlue reset, injector coding, cylinder cut-off, fuel pump calibration, ERG learning, learned valve reset, maximum vehicle speed setting, limited hand throttle plus more.

The PS90HD can have software and connectors added for OBDll cars, 4X4 and light commercial vehicles or upgraded to include software and connectors for all vehicles.

Visit autoequipaustralia.com. au for more information.

Bendix make it easy to choose the right brake pads C hoosing the right brake for a vehicle may just have been made easier thanks to the new Bendix website guide and the Bendix Catalogue App for iOS and Android.

The new guide allows the trade or consumer to match the vehicle and driving style with the right brake pad formulation.

The company says that by choosing the most common style of driving - such as General, Country, Freeway, Hill and Steep Inclines, Towing, High Street Performance or High Performance on the Track - and clicking on the vehicle type, will effectively allow you to select the right Bendix brake pads with confidence.

The broad range of vehicle types covers Light/Small, Medium/Large, 4WD/SUV, People Mover, European, Sports or Van/Pickup/Ute.

The new guide allows the trade or consumer to match the vehicle and driving style with the right brake pad formulation.

Having selected these two key elements you are then directed to the Bendix recommendation for the brake pads best suited to your vehicle.

As an example, a general style of driving in a light vehicle in a suburban environment will direct you to the General CT Bendix brake pads; a medium to large vehicle driving on hills and steep declines will provide a recommendation of either General CT or the Bendix Heavy Duty pads; and for a high performance street vehicle in the Sport category the recommendation is Bendix Ultimate or the performance Street Road Track (SRT) brake pads.

If you’re towing using a 4WD/ SUV vehicle the recommendation is for the Bendix Heavy Duty designed for load carrying.

For further information, go to bendix.com.au

Fingertip Convenience in new Narva Master Fuse assortment

N

arva has released a new Master Fuse Assortment, providing users with a wide range of the most popular fuses in a neat and convenient package.

Each assortment is packaged in a hard-wearing PVC container with separate compartments for each fuse type. It includes a selection of the more popular glass-types fuses, along with all blade fuses – ‘ATS’, ‘Mini’,

‘Micro’ and ‘Maxi’ that are now the most widely used in modern vehicles.

The company says that its selection and availability of different fuse amperages ensures that there’s likely to

be a fuse available for the job at hand.

For ease of use, the inside lid of the assortment case features a content guide where all the included fuses are pictured and clearly identified.

Also helping removal and installation of the fuses are two Micro and Mini Blade Fuse Puller tools which are included in each assortment.

21

AUTO NEWS

Nissan BladeGlider

NISSAN’S BLADEGLIDER ON THE CUTTING EDGE N

issan has unveiled the working prototype of its futuristic, zero-emissions, high-performance BladeGlider vehicle.

The spectacular-looking vehicle, with its arrow-shaped design, was developed from concept cars first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2013 and Nissan says the BladeGlider symbolises ‘future technologies combining Intelligent Mobility, environmentally-friendly impact and sports-car driving capabilities.’

The BladeGlider is a stunning piece of work and the demonstration models’ chassis configuration of narrow front track and wider rear track is designed for ‘optimum aerodynamic efficiency and handling stability.’

Wheel-mounted controls for BladeGlider’s systems feed into an advanced display showing speed, state of battery charge, regeneration mode and torque map. Flanking the

22

POWER IS 100 PERCENT ELECTRIC, WITH POWERTRAIN PERFORMANCE DELIVERED

BY NISSAN’S TECHNICAL PARTNER FOR THE BLADEGLIDER PROJECT, UK-BASED WILLIAMS ADVANCED ENGINEERING. central display are two screens, with the images of rear-view cameras mounted just behind the front wheels.

The driver sits in arrowhead formation slightly in front of two passengers.

Power is 100 percent electric, with powertrain performance delivered by Nissan’s technical partner for the BladeGlider project, UK-based Williams Advanced

Engineering. Maximum speed of the demonstration models is in excess of 190km/h, with 0-100km/h taking less than 5 seconds. The rear wheels’ drive is provided by two 130kW electric motors – one for each wheel.

Power is supplied by a highperformance five-module lithiumion 220kW battery. Bespoke cooling systems have been developed for both the battery and the motors.

“These prototypes epitomise Nissan’s drive to expand its Intelligent Mobility strategy, where driving pleasure combines with environmental responsibility. Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero emission future and BladeGlider is a perfect demonstration of that. It’s the electric vehicle for car lovers,” said Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

“NISSAN BELIEVES THAT

ENTHUSIASTS SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO A ZERO EMISSION FUTURE AND BLADEGLIDER IS A PERFECT DEMONSTRATION OF THAT. IT’S THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR CAR LOVERS.” CARLOS GHOSN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

23

AUTO NEWS

Honda Australia confirms pricing and specs for NSX Supercar H onda Australia has announced pricing, key features and specifications for the hybrid Honda NSX supercar ahead of its arrival into Australia.

“The all-new Honda NSX brings Hypercar technology to the Supercar category as the first hybrid supercar on Australian roads,” said Stephen Collins, Honda Australia Director.

Already establishing itself as a global halo performance car for the brand, Mr Collins said five dedicated Honda NSX dealers in Australia would soon start accepting applications from prospective customers to buy the technologically advanced supercar.

The Honda NSX will have a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of $420,000 and comes standard with almost all the options boxes ticked.

The car will be available in a range of eight exterior colours and combination of four high-quality interior trims. A choice of three solid exterior colours are available as standard, with three additional metallic colours available for $1,500. The NSX also offers the latest in Andaro aerospace technology with two premium colours, including the Valencia Red Pearl, for an additional $10,000.

“We’ve seen the renewed positive interest in Honda from the Australian public with the arrival of the HR-V and just-launched Civic,” said Mr Collins. “The arrival

of the Honda NSX is an important signal to our Australian customers that Honda is truly a technology and engineering company that can deliver not only efficient, well packaged small cars, people movers and SUVs, but also a high-performance hybrid supercar.”

Already, some Australian customers have been in contact with dealers and paid deposits for the NSX. Only five Honda dealers in the country will be able to sell the NSX:

Yarra Honda (VIC), Scotts Honda (NSW), Austral Honda (QLD), Nordic Honda (SA) and Burswood Honda (WA).

The Honda NSX arrives packed with luxury features and performance technology as standard.

“It’s arriving fully-equipped. For example, we’ve made the carbon fibre exterior and interior packages standard, along with carbon-ceramic brakes. It’s a highly competitive supercar package,” said Mr Collins.

Foremost among the many innovations in the Honda NSX is Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD), while at the heart of the new Sport Hybrid power unit is a bespoke, mid-mounted twin-turbocharged V6 engine, paired with an all-new nine-speed dual clutch transmission (9DCT) and Direct Drive Motor that supplements the engine with instant torque response. Together, these components comprise the rear power unit.

Amplifying the instant responses and dynamic handling performance of the Honda NSX is the front Twin Motor Unit (TMU), with two electric motors independently driving the left and right front wheels. Total system peak output is measured at 427kW (570hp).

Honda NSX

24

CarsGuide to merge with Cox Automotive Australia C arsGuide has revealed plans to become part of Cox Automotive Australia, which itself is part of Cox Automotive, the online automotive leader in the USA. Cox Automotive lists amongst its holdings the top two sites in the US - Auto Trader and Kelley Blue Book – which have a combined audience of more than 18 million UA (unique audience) per month.

The agreements are subject to regulatory requirements, shareholder approval and a capital raise.

Currently, Carsguide is 50 per cent owned by News Corporation but the media giant will exit on closing of the proposed transaction, which is due to complete in late 2016.

Cox Automotive is based in Atlanta USA and the global company has nearly 30,000 team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers worldwide.

Cox Automotive Australia owns

other wholesale and retail automotive brands, including Manheim and the recently acquired Dealer Solutions.

“This deal is recognition of the success CarsGuide has achieved in the automotive classified market over the past few years, establishing itself as a leading site amongst consumers and recently achieving over a million unique visitors,” said Lauren Williams, CEO of CarsGuide. “Now, as part of Cox Automotive Australia, CarsGuide will deliver and support our 2100 dealers with much needed alternatives across all parts of the value chain. The merger of Cox and CarsGuide will be transformative for CarsGuide and the automotive industry in Australia.”

Greg Duncan, former owner of Trivett, Director of AHG and Chairman of CarsGuide said, “Cox

Automotive offers a comprehensive range of products and services to the automotive industry globally. Cox has the scale and breadth to be a game changer not only for CarsGuide but the Australian auto industry as a whole. Cox’s business is about partnering and supporting dealers, not competing with them.”

Mazda Announces MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition

A

fter debuting the MX-5 Miata RF at this year's New York International Auto Show, Mazda is set to bring that car to the roads in the US as the MX-5 RF Launch Edition.

Initially, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) will open up the preorders to a select group of customers who will be notified via email and will have a specific window of time Mazda MX-5 RF to preorder the MX-5 RF Launch Edition before ordering opens to the general public.

Customers who opt to purchase an MX-5 RF Launch Edition will have but one option available—SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or a six-speed

automatic transmission—with each vehicle being made to order.

"MX-5 has enjoyed 27 years of being the world's best-selling roadster, being named 2016 World Car of

the Year and World Car Design of the Year and receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of other accolades," said Robert Davis, senior VP, U.S. Operations, MNAO. "Rarely does any automaker have a vehicle that garners the sort of loyalty and enthusiasm MX-5 generates—something we don't take lightly.

MX-5 RF is the next chapter of this storied model line, and we can't think of a better way to give back than to first offer this bespoke Launch Edition to those who have stuck with us, believing in our mission to deliver the best-driving vehicles on the road."

25

MOTORSPORTS

Lewis Hamilton picked up the win in Germany while Daniel Ricciardo scored second spot on the podium

Mercedes continue Formula One domination W

ith 12 races now complete (at time of going to press) and 9 to go, Mercedes has stamped its authority over the 2016 Formula One season.

Though Red Bull and Ferrari looked like mounting a viable challenge to the German team at the beginning of the year, the season has panned out much like the previous two, with Mercedes and its talented drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, dominating.

And even within the Mercedes camp, it is defending champion Hamilton who looks to be in the ascendancy. Since the European Grand Prix in Baku, won by Rosberg, Hamilton has rattled in four consecutive wins with victories in Austria, Britain, Hungary and Germany.

At the conclusion of the 26

“I delivered the way I am supposed to.

I know I had the pace, I worked the tyres just right and I was never under threat from the guys behind.�

German GP at Hockenheim, Hamilton moved to 217 points, 19 ahead of his closest rival and teammate Rosberg, who had kept in touch thanks to top 5 finishes throughout those races.

Hamilton dominated the German GP, taking the lead from second on the grid and holding it to the chequered flag. For Rosberg, who had been in pole position, a disappointing start and a five-second penalty would see him finish fourth, with the two Red Bull cars of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen taking second and third spot.

It was another good performance from the Red Bull team, which has featured strongly in the past few races and whose drivers now sit in third (Ricciardo) and sixth (Verstappen)

FIA President Jean Todt with Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera

New FIA and Pirelli four-year agreement in support of the FIA action for road safety campaign

T place in the drivers’ standings.

For Hamilton, victory in Germany was sweet as it was the last race before the season took a four-week break.

“What a day! Just awesome!” said the Englishman. “I wasn’t expecting to be as strong today. I had a great start – we have been working hard to get off the

FORMULA ONE DRIVERS’ STANDINGS (AS OF THE GERMAN GP) 1

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

217

2

Nico Rosberg

Mercedes

198

3

Daniel Ricciardo

Reb Bull

133

4

Kimi Raikkonen

Ferrari

122

5

Sebastien Vettel

Ferrari

120

6

Max Verstappen

Red Bull

115

line faster and more consistently and that hard work has clearly paid off . . .

I delivered the way I am supposed to. I know I had the pace, I worked the tyres just right and I was never under threat from the guys behind.

No mistakes this time either, so I am very happy with that. It’s awesome to go into the break on such a high.”

For Ricciardo, second place was his best result since the Monaco GP six races earlier and the Australian was thrilled with the result.

“The last few races I got a bit more out of the race weekends and it’s nice to get a bit of momentum now before the summer break. Just to stand up there on the podium is the best feeling in the world.”

he FIA and Pirelli have signed a new four-year agreement in support of the FIA’s Action for Road Safety campaign.

One of the primary goals of the campaign, launched in support of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, is to educate and better inform road users on the importance of respecting the rules of the road.

According to the World Health Organisation, road crashes are the number one killer worldwide of people aged between 15 and 29.

As a Global Partner of the campaign, Pirelli will promote the FIA's '10 Golden Rules' for road safety through all of its networks. Pirelli will also organise training programs, as well as projects to raise awareness on safe driving, in collaboration with a selection of FIA Member Clubs.

"Safety has always been one of Pirelli's primary objectives,” said Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli CEO, during the 2016 FIA Sport Conference in Turin.

“I am delighted that Pirelli have agreed to support the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign,” said Jean Todt, FIA President. “Working together with our member clubs, this partnership can help spread the road safety message and the importance of respecting other road users to an even wider audience”.

The existing partnership between the FIA and Pirelli relating to the FIA Mobility Conferences and FIA Sport Conferences has also been extended.

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MOTORSPORTS

Holden signs up with Triple Eight for V8 Supercars agreement H olden has announced it has signed a three-year agreement with Triple Eight Race Engineering to form a team that will race in the V8 Supercars championship from next year. The team will be known as Red Bull Holden Racing Team and the announcement confirmed that as part of Holden’s ongoing brand and business evolution, it will move to a single factory-backed race team from 2017 onwards. Holden also revealed that the next-generation Commodore will be on the Supercar grid from 2018 and the new factory-backed Red Bull Holden Racing Team will develop, build and race the next-generation Commodore Supercar from 2018.

The announcement marks the end of Holden’s long motorsport partnership with Walkinshaw Racing – a 26-year partnership that fielded the incredibly successful Tripe Eight have been fantastically successful over recent years and currently runs cars for Red Bull Racing and Team Vortex

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“Motorsport has played a significant role in Holden’s heritage and we’re proud to be carrying on that tradition with the new Red Bull Holden Racing Team . . .”

Holden Racing Team (HRT). However, though HRT was phenomenally successful, in recent years it has been the Triple Eight set-up that has dominated, marking seven team

championships in the past eight years.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Bernhard, said he was thrilled to confirm that Holden was committed to Australian motorsport and Supercars for the next three years, and proud to be partnering with Red Bull and Triple Eight Race Engineering.

“Motorsport has played a significant role in Holden’s heritage and we’re proud to be carrying on that tradition with the new Red Bull Holden Racing Team, while reshaping our brand and presence in the market and in motorsport.

We’re taking our company forward.

“I’d also like to thank and pay homage to Walkinshaw Racing with whom we have shared a proud history over many years,” said Mr Bernhard.

“We’ll also continue to help Walkinshaw wherever we can.

We support every Holden team in pit

Michelin introduces new FIA WRC rain tyre

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Left to right: Jamie Whincup, Shane Van Gisbergen and Criag Lowndes, all driving Triple Eight cars, filled the podium at the Ipswich Supersprint in July

lane through various avenues such as marketing support, technical support, sponsorship acquisition, even down to helping design certain race liveries. We’ll continue that with Walkinshaw and I wish them all the best. Our relationship with Walkinshaw remains strong and we are working closely on future road vehicle initiatives as part of our ongoing partnership with HSV. “Fans around the country will see the new Red Bull Holden Racing Team on the grid from next year but I’m especially excited about our next-generation Commodore hitting the racetrack in 2018. Australia can rest assured that our next-gen Commodore will live up to the iconic nameplate, on and off the track".

Talking to supercars.com website, Triple Eight boss Roland Dane said his team were pleased to be linking up with Holden as the factory team.

“It’s good to have Holden’s commitment to carrying on in Supercars for the next three years – so that’s very positive, I think for everyone, and for us,” he said. “We’re honoured to be the single factory team going forward and also excited to be building the new Commodore.

“So for us it’s a good day and good news. We are very much hoping to carry on the success we’ve built.”

For Walkinshaw Racing, there was disappointment at losing

Holden’s backing for the factory racing team but resolution to continue in V8 Supercars and confidence in its off-track relationship with the company.

“After fielding Holden’s official factory team for 26 years we are naturally disappointed but respect Holden’s decision,” said Ryan Walkinshaw in a statement on the team’s website.

“We are rightly proud to have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Holden over the years, and have enjoyed many successes together.

“While our official motorsport partnership may have ended, our relationship with Holden remains strong and we continue to work closely on future road vehicle initiatives in line with our HSV business.

“Walkinshaw Racing has fielded the most successful Supercar teams in the sport’s history, with over 260 race wins, eight championship and nine Bathurst victories. Racing is in our blood.

We love competition and we remain steadfast in our commitment to find our way back to the top of Supercars.

“With change comes opportunity, and we are as committed as ever to deliver on the track. We also look forward to working with our other partners to re-define how we add value to their businesses in the future, as we obviously now have a real opportunity to innovate our commercial programs.”

orld Rally Championship teams now have access to the new Michelin Pilot Sport FW2 tyre.

The company says that, thanks to its highly-grooved tread pattern, the new Michelin Pilot Sport FW2 features a higher water clearance capacity and provides crews with enhanced safety in heavy rain since the size of its contact patch has been doubled.

Designed for use on asphalt rounds of the WRC, the Pilot Sport FW2 was available to crews for the first time at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland (August 18-21), the first of four consecutive sealed-surface events.

At the end of 2015, following extensive talks with the drivers, teams and manufactures, the FIA submitted a formal request for a genuine wet weather tyre for the WRC in order to combat aquaplaning. This led to the development of the Pilot Sport FW2 (FW = Full Wet). Thanks to its tread pattern, the Pilot Sport FW2 pushes back the aquaplaning threshold to provide longitudinal and lateral grip, as well as enhanced traction, both in a straight line and when cornering.

The Michelin Pilot Sport FW2 is intended for extreme conditions only, however, and drivers will be restricted to an allocation of eight tyres per car per rally.

Michelin Pilot Sport FW2 – technical data: Size: 215/45R18 (18/65-18) Tread band width: 175mm Tyre width: 220mm Sidewall height: 96mm Interior diameter: 18 inches Tread pattern: symmetrical 29

WORLD NEWS US Cooper Tire has unveiled the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1, a new all-season passenger car tyre for high performance vehicles and drivers.

The company says that, alongside a sleek race-inspired sidewall, the tyre’s tread compound and design deliver ‘a host of leading innovative features to create grip, stability and durability. Whether drivers are on dry pavement, wet pavement or even in light snow conditions, the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 is truly an all-season tyre with performance worthy of the high performance tyre category’.

In addition to its performance attributes, the tyre also features Cooper’s Wear Square, a visual indicator built into the tread design that allows drivers to quickly assess the remaining tread life.

UK Several news outlets have reported that Daimler has filed a patent with the Intellectual Property Office in the UK to use a high-pressure water injection system to optimise tyre temperature, increase grip and improve wear.

The system is, apparently, designed to be triggered by temperature sensors in a tyre – spraying water warmed by the heat of the engine coolant if the tyre is too cold and cooler water if the tyre is too hot.

EUROPE Hankook has released the AL10+ e-cube MAX long distance tyre for the low-line segment. With the dimension of 355/50R22.5, the new low profile tyre for the truck steering axle is designed especially for the requirements of volume transports.

Yokohama’s Geolandar to come factoryequipped on Mazda’s new CX-4 in China

New Mazda CX-4

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okohama has revealed that its Geolandar G91 has been selected as original equipment on Mazda Motor Corporation’s

30

new crossover SUV, the Mazda CX-4, to be sold in China. The Mazda cars will be equipped with 225/55R19 99V size tyres.

The company says that, until now, fleet operators with truck tyres of series 60 to 80 have often not been able to completely utilise the maximum inner load height of three metres without exceeding The Geolandar G91 is based on Yokohama’s Geolandar series for SUVs, which employs Yokohama’s most advanced tyre technologies, including the BluEarth technology. In addition to providing the utility performance required of tyres for SUVs, Yokohama says the Geolandar G91 ‘contributes to the fuel-efficiency, safety, and comfort required of tyres for today’s urban crossovers and compact SUVs’.

The tyre’s sidewall bears the BluEarth technology mark.

Geolandar G91 The new CX-4 is the latest addition to Mazda’s new-generation lineup, all models of which come equipped with the automaker’s SKYACTIV technology and KODO—Soul of Motion design.

US

the legally permissible total height of four metres.

Hankook is offering its customers a truck tyre for the steering axle in series 50 with the AL10+ e-cube MAX being developed in size 355/50R22.5 exclusively for use on jumbo trucks for long distances. The company says that, with its smaller diameter, the AL10+ e-cube MAX lowers the coupling height of the tractor engine, with the result that the inner load height increases and the three-metre loading platform can be fully utilised thanks to the lower profile tyres.

JAPAN

Yokohama has completed its $US1.2 billion acquisition of the Alliance Tire Group B.V. (ATG) having first announced the agreement to acquire ATG in March.

ATG had developed a highly specialised business in the manufacture and sale of tyres for agricultural, industrial, construction and forestry machinery, selling radial and bias tyres in 120 countries around the world, with a focus on the North American and European markets.

Until the acquisition, Yokohama had not been involved in the manufacture or sale of tyres for agricultural or forestry machinery.

The acquisition of ATG will, the company says, strengthen its product line-up in commercial tyres.

Omni United has acquired the Texas-based A to Z Tire & Battery, Inc. Founded in 1926 as Amarillo Bus Company, A to Z Tire has since grown to serve a network of over 6,000 dealers across 6 states in the west and south regions including Montana, California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

A to Z Tire currently manages 21 locations with over 500,000 sq. ft. of warehousing space.

A to Z Tire carries Toyo, Cooper, Atturo, Firestone, Roadmaster, Gladiator, Samson and other brands. Post the acquisition it will continue to distribute these and additionally include Goodride and Omni United’s brands such as Radar Tires and the newly launched Timberland Tires, the tyre brand manufactured in partnership with outdoors lifestyle fashion and footwear brand, Timberland.

Omni United says the acquisition of A to Z Tire is the next strategic step towards scaling up its multi-brand distribution business in the US. “We are excited about this acquisition as it takes the distribution business in our core market to the next level. Acquisitions like these gives us an opportunity to work with other manufacturers and collectively design the next generation of technology for distribution. With the tools that are available today, there is tremendous efficiency that can be brought into the distribution business” said GS Sareen, founder and CEO of Omni United.

Following the acquisition, Omni United’s footprint in the US will reach a total of 29 warehouses with a total capacity of close to a million sq. ft. and a network of over 10,000 dealers spanning 8 states within the west and south regions.

US

Cooper Tire Europe is to be the headline sponsor of Rallyday 2016, Europe’s premier rally car show.

Rallyday is an annual event held at the UK’s Castle Combe Circuit, taking place this year on Saturday

Shayne Neal and Brett Loughridge

Aussie ploughing champions take on the world’s best with Trelleborg

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reparations are well underway for the 63rd World Ploughing Championships in North Yorkshire, England with Australian Ploughing Champions Shayne Neal and Brett Loughridge getting set to compete against the best in the world in September.

Competition ploughing tractors are highly specialised. In the past it has been difficult for Australians to transport ploughs and tractors across the world but, this year, with ongoing support from Trelleborg Wheel Systems Australia, the ploughmen have packed a 40-foot shipping container with their own tractors and ploughs. The pair will also be using TM600 radial tyres and customised wheel setups.

“We are indebted to Trelleborg Wheel Systems Australia for sponsoring us and we are very happy to be working with such an innovative company,” said Shayne Neal. “Last year we competed in the 2015 World Ploughing Competitions in Denmark and once again we look forward to ploughing on an international level using our own customised tractors and ploughs with the backing of Trelleborg.”

Trelleborg agricultural tyres are available across Australia in a range of sizes from 15” to 54” with specialist patterns suited to a diverse number of working conditions.

For more information, visit www.trelleborg.com/wheels/au

continued on page 32

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WORLD NEWS 24 September. With a host of star drivers and cars, the popular show is set to entertain thousands of fans for the 16th year running.

The Cooper display will feature a Cooper branded Ford Fiesta ST in addition to leading SUV and 4x4 products including the Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport, STT Pro POR and the all-terrain tyre, the A/T3 Sport.

As well as the on-track action, all the Rallyday favourites will be returning, including an extended trade village, high-octane 4x4 Zone, Motor Club displays and rally car passenger rides.

“We have supported Rallyday for a number of years in the 4x4 Zone so it’s exciting to now be the headline sponsor,” said Sarah McRoberts, Marketing Communications Manager for Cooper Tire Europe.

“Cooper specialises in developing off-road tyres that can go from ‘the rough to the smooth’ and visitors to Rallyday will get to see Cooper tyres in action at the show. Plus, we will have an FIA World Rallycross Championship car, on Cooper’s uniquely formulated World RX tyres, for fans to see up close.”

Rolls-Royce Ghost

US European design house Bengala Automotive and US-based Vitesse AuDessus, famous for its carbon fibre wheels, have launched a bespoke carbon fibre program for current Rolls-Royce models.

The program offers carbon fibre options for the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupé, Phantom Drophead Coupé, Wraith, Dawn, and Ghost. The

BAC Mono supercar

BAC REVEAL HYBRID B CARBON COMPOSITE WHEEL 32

AC, the British manufacturer of the BAC Mono sports car, has revealed an upgrade to the looks of its Mono supercar, with a brand new set of hybrid carbon-composite wheels now available for new and existing cars.

The innovative 17-inch wheels

featured material is a compressed carbon matrix. The use of this material as an aesthetic offering is a first in the automotive industry.

The program is also offering another first in the industry: forged carbon fibre wheels. Lighter and denser than titanium, forged carbon fibre wheels offer a clear engineering advantage over their metal alloy counterparts.

are an advanced carbon composite construction, and are made using the latest technology from performance wheel brand Dymag. The rim is made of carbon composite to lower the rotational weight of the wheel.

The spokes, where stiffness is a crucial requirement, are crafted from a solid billet of aluminium, while the wheel is secured to the car with five pairs of titanium bolts, adding further strength and lightness. With each wheel bolt weighing just 30.2g, this amounts to a 212.5g saving per wheel.

stored in their original condition.

The parts come with a fiveyear warranty against defect or yellowing. OEM quality fit and finish are also guaranteed.

Forged wheels are also a marked improvement in manufacturing lead-time compared to traditional carbon fibre layup. The availability of fast-curing resins makes it possible to produce a set in minutes, as opposed to days.

Each wheel design is tested to meet or exceed manufacturer standards and includes a proprietary coating to protect against heat.

"Carbon fibre wheels are the clearest and best performance choice as they dramatically lower unsprung weight. The only failing is in the complicated production process and long manufacturing lead-times. Forged carbon wheels solve this problem and open the doors to a wide range of future applications," says Vitesse AuDessus CEO Stefany Sanchez.

Aside from the forged offering and true to Vitesse AuDessus's bespoke commitment, every removable body panel is available in bare carbon replacements in the weave, tint and finish specified by the client. For those parts attached to the chassis, the brand offers lightweight veneers.

All original parts are removed and

Avon Tyres has launched the WV7 and WT7, two new winter tyres.

The Avon WV7 is a performance winter tyre, with increased sipe density to improve traction in snow, ice, slush and wet weather and is available in 15 to 18-inch sizes. It features forward-facing shoulder grooves and V-slots to enhance braking, while the backward-facing centre groove improves traction.

The Avon WV7 is marked with the ‘Severe Snow Conditions’ three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.

The Avon WT7 is a premium winter tyre which has been performance tested in Alpine winter conditions. Available in a broad range of 13 to 16-inch sizes to fit many car types, the Avon WT7 also meets the ’severe snow’ rating.

Avon has also introduced the WM Van tyre to the Avon winter tyre range, developed specially for medium-sized vans.

The company says the new wheels boost the car’s handling and performance due to being notably lighter than the standard wheels.

The total weight saving on the front axle is 23.5%, where the 7.5-inch by 17-inch wheels weigh 5.7kg each. The 9-inch-wide rear wheels each weigh 6.0kg, despite being half an inch wider than the standard rims, amounting to an overall 22.9% reduction in weight on the axle.

The design of the wheel means

that the extent of options as part of the BAC Bespoke program can be increased. As well as choosing to colour match the spokes with the body of the car, the customer will also be able to tailor the colour of the logo and the wheel’s finish.

The wheels cost £9950 ($16,950) when chosen as an optional upgrade on a new Mono.

They can also be fitted to existing cars, and cost £12,500 ($21,200) for those that want to make the upgrade on their current car.

UK

Hankook and Real Madrid sign global partnership

H

ankook, already a long-time active global sports marketing player, has added high profile Real Madrid CF to its premium sports marketing and sponsoring portfolio.

The three-year (three seasons) agreement with the Spanish super club and UEFA Champions League winner started in July 2016 and beside perimeter advertising during all home games at the football club’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, will include a range of further global marketing rights.

Hankook says its aim is to increase brand recognition and expand its global footprint alongside Real Madrid’s worldwide popularity.

“This strategic partnership with one of the world’s best football clubs is a gift to our customers and of course the fans of the Hankook brand around the world”, said Mr. Seung-Hwa Suh, Hankook Tire’s Vice Chairman & CEO. “Hankook Tire and Real Madrid share the culture of winning innovation in respective fields, we believe that the partnership would be another stepping stone for both parties to enhance reputation as premium brands in the global community. Hankook Tire will provide outstanding driving performance to our customers matched with Real Madrid’s outstanding contribution to football.”

Hankook is already engaged as an official/premium partner and sponsor in various major international sports and motorsports activities: UEFA Europa League, BV Borussia Dortmund (German 1st league football club), Northampton Rugby Football Club (English Premiership), Lyon Olympique Universitaire Équipe Pro (French Rugby league), DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), FIA Formula 3 European Championship and more.

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Craig Lowndes, TeamVortex

The # 1 choice of TeamVortex and 40,000 other businesses Make it Yours

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