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IAA REVIEW
11 GT Radial Tyres Make Show Debut at IAA
away earlier this year. Now the company is looking to improve its position in the market with a number of activities over the coming months.
The first of these was the appointment of a new key
account manager scheduled
for the start of October. The company is also looking to
further develop its recent
entry into the retreading
market. “It’s about giving
fleet operator the complete package,” says Mark Grace. “We will continue to invest in retreading. Our main goal is to give the customer what he wants and save him money.”
Also crucial is recent OE success achieved on the Mercedes Otago
GT Radial displayed a total of 18 tyres at the IAA show in Hannover, of which 11 were making their show debut including the recently launched GSW226 winter steer axle and GTL925 low platform trailer pattern tyres.
The GSW226 is the brand’s first specific ‘winter’ marked tyre, and carries the three peak mountain snow flake (3PMSF) symbol denoting all season capabilities and exceptional performance in severe winter conditions including snowy, icy and wet roads.
and carries a index one of 158L, and an index two of 160J.
The GTL925 is a new generation long distance tyre for modern three- metre high mega trailer configurations. An extra wide seven rib low-profile casing and tread
(starting with 17.5”) and with MAN in the 22.5” sector. “Original equipment is important to us,” says Grace. “It’s about gaining awareness in Europe and building a reputation as a quality product.”
Alligator Forge Ahead in TPMS Market with sens.it HD
At the IAA, the Alligator Valve Group have introduced a new tyre management system with automatic tyre pressure measurement for commercial vehicles, sens.it HD.
The new product, which is the third member of Alligator’s sens.it product range, combines professional tyre management with automatic tyre pressure control. A cloud-based database system makes the tyre data available anytime and anywhere - tyre data can be called up by the fleet manager and workshop, worldwide. Three versions are available: stationar y, proactive
almost any truck or lorry wheel from 16 to 24 inches. The tyre management platform handles all necessary settings and parameters including alarm and reporting functions. The router that receives and processes the sensor data can be mounted on the vehicle itself, or alternatively, in an induction loop at the gate (stationary solution) of the fleet operation. Both versions are installed quickly and guarantee a constant recording of data. This allows corrections that may be necessar y on the vehicle to be carried out in good time.
Since the end of last year, the function and reliability of the new
maintenance for depot-supported fleets, proactive maintenance during the trip for long-haul logistics, and this also with a supplemental info display.
The tyre sensor is the heart of the system. It is easily mounted: the new textile strap system SAS designed by Alligator allows for quick installation without tools and within minutes - universally for
product concept have been put to the test in a variety of field trials with different vehicle configurations. For safeguarding the system, from autumn onwards Alligator will be carrying out extended tests in Northern Europe and in the USA. The goal is to introduce the product to the market in 2015.
GTL925
GSW226
Designed with a wide shoulder groove to deliver optimum handling and stability and a new advanced compound for high mileage potential, the tyre is available immediately in size 385/65R22.5
results in a very regular wear pattern with low rolling resistance and noise emissions.
Wide shoulder ribs increase protection against tearing and impact damage. The tyre is available now
in 435/50R19.5 with an index of 160J.
Also making their show debut were the new GSR225 Combi Road multi- usage, GAM831 non-directional, all- position mixed service, GAU861 all- position urban city-bus, GTL919 long-haul road trailer plus the GAR820 and GAR821 regional all- position tyres.
Hankook Celebrate Leading Position in the UK
Recent press coverage, which identified Hankook Tyre as the market leader in the UK truck tyre market, has resulted in increased interest in the Korean tyre manufacturer. During the recent IAA exhibition in Hanover Commercial Tyre Business spoke to Hankook’s UK Marketing Manager Mark Grace, who was getting used to the additional attention caused by the brand’s newly attained status in the UK market.
“It is true that in the UK we have achieved a market position that was largely built up under the radar but now it’s in the open. We now have a bigger challenge in that we need to maintain and grow our share. Our aim is to transfer this success to Europe.”
In the UK, Hankook’s success has been achieved mainly with medium sized fleets and is a testament to the efforts of Hankook’s ex-sales director, Barrie Horrocks, who sadly passed
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