Pirelli to outfit new Lamborghini
MILAN-Pirelli & C. S.p.A. will be the original equipment supplier for the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.
Pirelli said the exotic vehicle will be outfitted exclusively with the ultra-high performance Pirelli P Zero Corsa System tires. The tires will be offered in size 245/35R18 for the Direzionale model in the front and 335/30R18 for the Asimmetrico model in the rear.
The ultra-low profile tires are designed for use on both the road and the track, Pirelli said.
3 international firms join TRIB
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.-Three international supply firmss-MAE Industria Gomma S.r.L. of Italy, Maxlink Corp. Ltd. of Dongguan, Guangdong, China, and Steinbichler Optotechnik G.m.b.H. of Germany-have joined the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB).
Montecompatri, Italy-based MAE is a manufacturer of curing tubes, bladders and inner and outer envelopes for retreading, inner tubes for specialty applications and bias and radial tire repair patches. The company is developing its business in the extended skirt outer envelope sector, which was established five years ago in order to supply the North American market.
Neubeuern, Germany-based Steinbichler Optotechnik is a worldwide supplier of optical measuring and sensor technology, including non-destructive shearography tire testing systems.
Earlier this year Steinbichler established Steinbichler Vision Systems Inc. in Farmington Hills, Mich., to service the North American markets.
Maxlink is a supplier of equipment and machinery for the retreading industry. ``China-and Maxlink-are gearing up to be big players in the retread industry,'' TRIB Managing Director Harvey Brodsky said.
Cooper-Standard retains trade name
NOVI, Mich.-Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has granted Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the parent firm of automotive parts maker Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., the right to retain the Cooper-Standard Automotive trade name and associated trademarks.
``This agreement marks an important step in Cooper-Standard's evolution as a stand-alone company,'' said Jim McElya, Cooper-Standard president and CEO. ``For a number of years our customers have associated the Cooper-Standard brand with world-class quality and service, technological expertise and outstanding value, and we are excited to be in a position to continue using the Cooper-Standard Automotive name to globally identify our leading product lines.''
Cooper Tire sold the business-which produces body sealing, fluid handling and noise, vibration and harshness systems-in 2004 for $1.17 billion to an investors' group partnership formed by Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.
Toyo holding drift movie sweepstakes
CYPRESS, Calif.-Toyo Tires (U.S.A.) Corp. is holding a national sweepstakes to mark Universal Pictures' release of The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift, which features Toyo tires on many of the vehicles in the film.
The Gettin' Sideways Sweepstakes, which began May 1 and runs through July 31, does not require a tire purchase to enter. The grand prize will be a red Mitsubishi Evo 9 shod with Toyo Proxes 4T ultra-high performance tires and styled after one of the cars featured in the film.
The second-place prize is a movie-themed Toyo Tires red and black Les Paul electric guitar made by Gibson. During the promotion, purchasers of four Toyo tires will receive an assortment of Meguiar's car care products.
Michelin funds S.C. scholarship
HARTSVILLE, S.C.-Michelin North America Inc. has joined with the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville to establish a $15,000 diversity scholarship at the University of South Carolina's College of Engineering and Information Technology.
Funded by a $250,000 grant from the Greenville, S.C.-based tire maker, the scholarship will support the engineering studies of a female and/or non-white graduate of the Governor's School, according to a statement.