Bridgestone US plant reaches production milestone
On 14 February, 2012, the Bridgestone America Tyre Operations plant in Aiken County, South Carolina achieved a significant production milestone, with its 100 millionth tyre rolling off the production line.
The arrival at the milestone was celebrated by company management, workers and invited guests; with the tyre at the centre of the festivities, a Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S, signed by all who attended the celebration and will be displayed in the plant’s lobby.
“Our teammates here in Aiken are dedicated to making the best products possible every day,” said plant manager John Stewart at the commemorative event.
“It’s a reflection of our company’s global philosophy, which we call the Bridgestone Way. We have upheld the same commitment to excellence now for 100 million tyres, and we plan to do the same for 100 million more.”
The Aiken County facility began operations in 1999 and currently employs 950 workers. In 2011, the company announced two phases of expansion for the plant; representing a capacity increase of 37,750 tyres per day or 13.4 million tyres annually and an increase in employment with more than 300 additional full-time and contractor jobs available when fully completed in 2015.
Pirelli Launches P Zero Silver
Pirelli
has introduced the P Zero Silver, the first road car tyre derived directly from its experience providing tyres for Formula One.
Developed for sports cars and sporting saloons, the new tyre expands the P Zero range, and marks the first in a series of highly specialised Pirelli road car tyres, ensuring the maximum level of performance even after long distances.
According to Pirelli: “Thanks to the same processes that are used in Formula One, Pirelli underlines some of the key characteristics of the entire P Zero range through the new Silver – with the emphasis on durability.
“The structure, compound and tread pattern design of the Silver have been developed to resist any deformation in the tyre’s profile, lengthening the tyre’s life and extending the consistency of its performance.
“The Silver has been conceived for drivers who enjoy performance and use their cars frequently. The P Zero Silver is particularly designed for people who drive their cars every day and cover more than 20,000 kilometres per year, mostly on motorways.”
This latest road tyre from the famous P Zero range shares the same mathematical modelling process with its Formula One equivalent. In particular, the design and development took place using the same state-of-the-art computer simulation, which allows the tyre’s performance and behaviour to be assessed under an extremely wide range of conditions.
The P Zero Silver tyre is a limited edition only and will only be available in European markets.
Continental Wins evo Magazine Tyre Test
Continental has been awarded top spot in evo’s annual tyre test, with its ContiSportContact 3 tyre.
The UK sports car magazine, measured performance indicators including wet and dry handling, aquaplaning and braking using 225/40R18 sized tyres on a range of high-end cars.
Evo described Conti’s tyre as giving “an impressively complete performance”.
The magazine praised the ContiSportContact3’s abilities in wet handling and braking, with it taking top spot in both categories. Evo wrote the tyre’s wet handling was “masterful”, even amongst “some great performances on the wet circuit” by competitors.
The tyre set “the fastest lap time, [recorded] the highest lateral G, and [scored] the highest subjective mark, too – it wasn’t bettered.”
Evo summed up the tyre’s all-round ability: “Especially impressive was its stability – it barely acknowledged puddles that were registered by its closest rivals, and its traction was superb. “Amazingly surefooted and grippy; the limit is your nerve.”
Jonathon Hayter, product manager at Continental, said: “This additional win for the ContiSportContact 3 is an excellent endorsement for our product range. The ultra-high performance tyre has proven its worth yet again next to competitor products and has displayed its prowess in a number of disciplines including wet handling and braking.”
Registrations Open for 2013 Michelin Challenge Design
Michelin North America has opened registrations for the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design competition – titled ‘Half! Lightweight with a Passion!’
Participants in the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design have been set the task of designing a family vehicle, whilst addressing the subject of weight reduction through design – a subject the tyre market says is “becoming a new battleground in the struggle for increasing fuel efficiency.”
In the 2013 Challenge, Michelin says it is looking to “bring forward passionate designs that employ innovative vehicle architecture for weight reduction, without compromising safety or comfort.”
Submitted vehicle designs must meet consumer demands for safety and comfort, be usable on the current road infrastructure and be feasibly produced using materials, powertrain solution or manufacturing solutions that are in use today or in development for use in the foreseeable future.
Successful designs will be those that drive desire for vehicle ownership or usage while contributing to lightweight vehicle development through choices of materials and using the most effective manufacturing techniques.
Michelin notes that more than ever before, successful design requires closer cooperation with engineering, manufacturing and planning.
“As an industry, we’ve come to an interesting crossroad,” commented John Moloney, Michelin’s vice-president of original equipment marketing for North and South America.
“Consumers and governments are pushing for dramatic gains in fuel efficiency as the automotive industry is designing and development lightweight next-generation vehicles. We look forward to seeing how participants in the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design will respond to these concerns.”
Further information on the 2013 Michelin Challenge Design is available on www.michelinchallengedesign.com
Gold Medal for Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
Goodyear takes top spot in MOTOR Magazine Tyre Test for third consecutive year
Goodyear’s Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 has been awarded the Gold Medal in the latest MOTOR Magazine Tyre Test, cementing its position as Australia’s ultimate performance road tyre. The accolade also gives Goodyear a hat-trick of wins in the authoritative test with the original Eagle F1 Asymmetric earning the award the two previous years.
With testing undertaken at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway, V8 Supercar driver, stunt driver and driving instructor Warren Luff was behind the wheel of a MY12 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR, putting nine 245/40R18 size high performance road tyres through their paces.
The tyres were tested in four separate challenges – Figure Eight Road Circuit, Wet Skidpan, Dry Slalom and Emergency Braking – with scores averaged across three attempts for each.
With Australian weather conditions providing a constant and varied challenge for drivers and tyres alike, performance in the Wet Skidpan is always a key performance indicator. Here the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 was the clear leader in what was the only wet test, with its new silica tread compound and race inspired resin creating better adhesion on the wet surfaces.
The Goodyear tyre again clocked the outright fastest average time on the Figure Eight Road Circuit, highlighting the credentials of its new improved tread pattern which allows for a more stable outer tread to aid cornering. The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 was also equal first place in the Dry Slalom.
Overall, after taking out three of the four categories, MOTOR awarded the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 the Gold Medal, commenting that, “its solid performance across all categories shows its broad capabilities to cope with a diverse range of situations”.
James Peate, Goodyear’s Communications Manager, said that the result was an accurate representation of the tyre’s ability to perform at the highest standards when faced with a range of tough conditions, taking performance tyres to the next level.
“Having launched the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 in Australia in July 2011, we’re very proud to see this tyre well and truly making its mark in the MOTOR test. As an extraordinary, best in class all-rounder, it goes to show the performance and benefits a premium tyre can offer the consumer,” Mr. Peate said.
“The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2’s Active Braking Technology and improved tread design allows for superior control and comfort, particularly in the wet*. Additionally, the tyre also provides lower noise emission levels, better mileage and features Goodyear’s FuelSaving technology which aids in reducing fuel consumption via a lower rolling resistance+.
“Being crowned winner by MOTOR now three years running certainly creates a compelling argument to consider Goodyear ahead of any others.”
The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 has been designed for a broad range of vehicles, including sporty models of city cars and compacts as well as large, powerful sedans.
Available in 17” to 19” rim diameters and 22 different sizes, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 offers wide market coverage.
* Compared to the average performance of three leading competitors. Braking distance on wet road from 80 km/h (49.6 mph) to 20km/h (12.4 mph), braking distance on dry road from 100 km/h (62 mph) to 0 km/h, measured by TÜV SÜD Automotive in December 2010; Tyre Size: 255/40R19; Test Car: Audi A7; Location: Mireval (FR) & Garching (GE); Report nr: 76244706-1. Your performance may vary based on driving and road conditions, and vehicle and proper tyre maintenance.
+ Goodyear tyre internal tests. Average performance of 3 sizes (225/45R17 – 245/40R18 – 255/40R19) tested in 2010Mireval (FR) and Colmar-Berg (LU) Test period: April to Dec 2010; Test Car pending size: VW GOLF, Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi TT, Audi A5 & Audi A7. Results may vary based on driving and road conditions, and vehicle and proper tyre maintenance.
The Michelin Man Celebrates his 113th Birthday and joins Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame
The Michelin Man turned 113 years old in October and celebrated by being inducted into Advertising Week’s Walk of Fame as “Icon of the Year” in ceremonies at Time Square in New York. As part of an online voting contest, The Michelin Man won the hearts of many who voted online to elevate him to his rightful place in advertising history.
For more than a century, The Michelin Man has served as an ambassador for the Michelin brand. In 1894, the two founding brothers, Andre and Edouard Michelin, saw a stack of tyres and noted that with arms “it would make a man.” Four years later, in 1898, The Michelin Man’s character was born, appearing in Michelin posters and representing the company. Today, The Michelin Man – sometimes called “Bibendum” – is regarded as one of the most iconic symbols in the world.
The Michelin Man has stood the test of time while representing improvements in transportation of people and goods, respect for the environment and promotion of road safety. As one of the world’s most recognized brand icons, The Michelin Man represents mobility to millions of consumers in more than 150 countries. As the ultimate stamp of approval, he gives consumers confidence wherever they are going by providing fuel-efficient, safe, long-lasting tyres.
The Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame recognizes America’s most beloved advertising icons and slogans. The Michelin Man will join such other iconic symbols as Columbian coffee icon Juan Valdez and Geico’s gecko.
Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology Named a Most Promising Future Technology
Goodyear’s Air
Maintenance Technology (AMT) has been selected by Car & Driver magazine (US) as one of “ten most promising future technologies” in its 2012 10 Best edition.
AMT will enable tyres to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturised pump, will be fully contained within the tyre.
Car & Driver editors called AMT an “elegantly simple idea” in their article in the December 2011 edition.
“While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simply and powered by the tyre itself as it rolls down the road,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear’s chief technical officer.
“A tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” said Kihn.
“This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”
AMT is currently under development at Goodyear’s Innovation Centres in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.