Few truckers are more “Born to Truck” than Alex Debogorski, having sat behind the wheel for 38 years. He’s been driving the treacherous ice roads of the Northwest Territories, Canada for 28 years. Described as a larger-than-life character and something of a good-luck-charm to his fellow truckers, Debogorski typically pulls the first load onto the ice each season.

Debogorski is traveling to Dallas from his hometown of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, where he lives with his wife, Louise. He and his wife are the proud parents of 11 children and nine grandchildren.

The Firestone-brand truck tire team is pleased to host Debogorski in its Great American Trucking Show booth #16089 located in the Dallas Convention Center. Debogorski will appear on Thursday, August 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; on Friday, August 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Saturday, August 28 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Source: http://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/news/news_index.asp?id=2010/100726a

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts

Starting on the softer of Bridgestone’s Potenza tyre compounds, the Spaniard was forced to play second fiddle to teammate Felipe Massa for much of the race. However, the Brazilian appeared to be told by his team to move over late in the race to let Alonso take the lead and the victory.

After the race, Ferrari were fined US$100,000 for ‘breaching sporting regulations’ by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

Massa later denied he had been the victim of team orders saying that it was his decision to let Alonso past.
“I didn’t have a good pace on the hard tyres and Fernando was quicker,” he said.

“You always need to know that we are working for the team and there were no team orders in the race. I made the decision because Fernando was faster than me.”

Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel took third place for Red Bull ahead of the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and Australia’s Mark Webber.

Bridgestone’s Motorsport engineers were delighted with the performance of the various Potenza tyre compounds used during the weekend.

“I believe that the race was a good illustration of the strength of our development engineers in Japan,” said Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone’s Director of Motorsport Tyre Development.

“These tyres were designed before the start of the season, and we have many changes such as the narrower front tyres, and no more refuelling meaning heavier cars. Despite this, our engineers have produced tyres capable of working well with this season’s cars, even when we try an extreme allocation as we did here.”

The next race is in Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 1st.

Source: http://www.bridgestone.com.au/media/articles/motorsport_26Jul10.aspx

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts

The new 255/35 R 19 96Y Proxes T1 Sport (R01) is the ideal tire for the most powerful Audi TT RS. With outstanding handling and aerodynamics, coupled to a 340ps engine, the Audi TT RS requires an exceptional tire.

Proxes T1 Sport (R01) features exceptional wet and dry handling, class leading braking and precise steering allowing Audi TT RS drivers to enjoy the ultimate driving experience.

Proxes T1 Sport will be the exclusive tire of the Audi TT RS from late April. This iconic car, fitted with TOYO TIRES, will be available worldwide in European, US and Asian markets.

TOYO TIRES continuously improves its technology, focusing its new product development to exceed the requirements of the World’s most demanding carmakers.

Source: http://www.toyo-rubber.co.jp/english/news/2010/100727.html

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The deal includes signage at the state-of-the-art, three-million-square-foot Cowboys Stadium, which opened last year; pre-game, post-game and in-game spots on the team’s flagship radio station; in-stadium displays and in-game announcements on the public address system and on LED boards; as well as hospitality opportunities at select games.

Yokohama will also partner with the team on its traveling Dallas Cowboy Museum Tour truck, which goes to more than 100 events per year.

“We’ve had great success the last few seasons with our sports marketing program,” said Dan King, Yokohama vice president, sales and marketing, “but we’ve really raised the bar by partnering with the highly visible Dallas Cowboys. “They have a huge, passionate fan base in Texas and across the U.S. They truly are America’s Team.”

“Our sponsorship agreement is going to generate excitement, foot traffic and sales for our dealers. These types of sports sponsorship programs offer far-reaching brand visibility and are a great avenue to promote our lineup of tires, ranging from the brand new AVID® ENVigor™ to the eco-friendly, orange-oil infused dB Super E-spec™. ”

With the agreement, Yokohama has now secured 2010 sponsorship deals with the NFL, Major League Baseball (Los Angeles Angels) and National Basketball Association (Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs). “More are to come,” said King. “We’ll have an announcement in a few weeks on other NFL teams we’re partnering with.”

Source: http://yokohamatire.com/newsroom/index.php?q=node/194

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“The Fuel Savings Calculator is specifically designed for fleet owners to see how much they can improve their bottom line by using our truck tires,” said John Cooney, Yokohama director of sales, Commercial Division. “Fleet owners can easily see their annual fuel cost savings when comparing Yokohama tires – which include our Zenvironment® line and the new 101ZL™ – against competitors. The 101ZL is on the EPA’s SmartWay list of verified technologies for tires – one of eight Yokohama tires that are recognized as SmartWay low rolling resistance tires.”

In addition, the Fuel Savings Calculator shows the total reduction of carbon footprint with the use of Yokohama tires. “Besides the pure monetary savings, there’s also a ‘green’ benefit to the calculator,” said Cooney. “With fleets being more environmentally focused, it’s important for them to see how the right choice of tires can dramatically reduce the carbon impact on the environment. For example, a comparison between Yokohama tires and a competitor’s shows more than 2,000 pounds of CO2 saved from being released into the atmosphere via gallons of fuel saved. It’s another example of our commitment to produce environmentally-sound products.”

Source: http://yokohamatire.com/newsroom/index.php?q=node/193

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The race, from start to count topped 4 “MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. Kiyonari / Takahashi / Nakagami set” is back in second place but a temporary and then take the lead again on lap 96 race played a brilliant victory led throughout while driving alone. In addition, Bridgestone tires “Keihin Kohara Racing Team ITO / set Tamada”, “FCCTSR Honda Akiyoshi / Ray / ???” each second, and third place finish, the team swept the podium on Bridgestone tires mounted.

Source: http://www.bridgestone.co.jp/info/news/2010072601.html

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This year, Yokohama will not only provide GEOLANDAR tires for 4 x 4 vehicles to all entrants in the newly established sports class category, but will award prizes to the winners in all rally categories. It will also support many drivers, including Takuma Aoki, who will participate in the T2-D class (non-converted commercial diesel) and Tadamitsu Niihori, the race’s overall winner twice in the past.

The Asia Cross Country Rally was begun in 1996 to promote international goodwill and friendship among countries in Asia. Yokohama has supported the rally for the past ten years, starting in 2001. Compared with the Dakar Rally (known as Paris-Dakar), now held primarily in a South American desert, and the Baja 1000, in Mexico, the Asia Cross Country Rally route is a very severe course encompassing many different kinds of terrain, including dirt, swamps, deserts, jungles, mountain roads and river-crossings - a total of about 2,000 kilometers, from Pattaya to Phare. Several dozen teams from Asia and Europe are scheduled to participate.

Source: http://www.yrc-pressroom.jp/english/html/201072316ms001.html

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts

Nexen Tire has been supplying OE tyres to mainly South Korean car manufacturers’ (Kia, Hyundai, Ssanyyong) main models (NF Sonata Transform, Mohave, Soul, Forte, Morning, Winstorm, Rexton) since 2008. However, the company’s key strategic victory so far was supplying the trendy but large scale Kia Soul. Nexen representatives report that the company supplies 70% of the OE for Kia’s Soul and Forte models, and Tyres & Accessories has it on good authority that the company supplies more than 50% on the Soul model alone.

As a result company representatives report that this fitment is already contributing much to “building up its brand awareness.” Moving forward, Nexen Tire expects not only to keep on increasing supplies to the Korean car makers but also to develop new contracts with “notable foreign makers in order to level-up its reliability on technology and quality to the world top level.”

According to a recent analysts report issued by Hanhwa Securities, Nexen Tire has significantly its product mix with more higher value-added products such as UHP tyres. Forty percent of the company’s Korean plant capacity (17 million tyres a year) is said to output roughly 7 million UHP tyres.

Back in June the company was reportedly experience levels of demand that exceed supply and were therefore planning to increase production in 2010 by about 30%. Hanhwa securities explained the importance of Nexen’s replacement sales when it stated that “most of the [company’s] sales and revenue comes from the export replacement tyre market, when the Korean Won exchange rate decreases below 1,200 won/IU.S. dollar, profitability of the domestic replacement market improves. Therefore, Nexen is trying to have the most ideal ratio between export and domestic.

Source: http://www.nexentireusa.com/articles1-14/NexenTireAnnouncesNewFactoryinKorea

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts

The luxury manufacturer launched its signature line of sport performance parts in spring 2008 with accessories for the IS 350 and IS 250 rear-wheel drive (RWD) entry luxury sport sedans. In June 2009, the line expanded to include F Sport parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more for the current generation GS luxury sport gas sedans, IS all-wheel drive (AWD), and the IS C convertible coupe models.

F Sport Performance Accessories by Lexus USA are engineered by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). When installed by an authorized dealer, the accessories are fully warranted for 12 months or for the remainder of the new car warranty, whichever is greater. If the F Sport parts are installed by an authorized dealer and the car is out of warranty, or purchased over the counter, the accessories carry a warranty of 12 months or 12,000 miles.

F Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels
The F Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.

F Sport Front Brake Upgrade
The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.

F Sport Rear Brake Upgrade
Similar in construction to the F Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F Sport Front Brake Upgrade.

F Sport Shock Absorber Set
Developed in cooperation with Bilstein® and available exclusively through the F Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.

F Sport Lowering Spring Set
This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F Sport Shock Absorber Set.

F Sport Sway Bar Set
The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body lean and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle’s sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.

F Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace
To help improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace

F Sport Performance Exhaust System
This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.

F Sport Performance Air Intake
This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.

F Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.

F Sport Performance Clutch Set
The F Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.

F Sport Quick Shifter
Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.

F Sport Shift Knob
Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F Sport logo.

F Sport Floor Mats
Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered “F Sport” logo.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/lexus/lexus-f-sport-performance-accessories-164312.aspx

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts

The Novanto telematics box has a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver that permanently tracks a vehicle’s exact position on the basis of the worldwide satellite tracking system and is hooked up to a GSM module. Via a coded cellular radio connection this sender can transmit the location of the vehicle to the control center. The radio message may be triggered by an alarm system, by pressing an emergency button in the vehicle or by a motion transmitter activated as soon as the vehicle starts moving. Novanto can, for example, also be programmed to allow a fleet’s central office to request the vehicle’s current position, whenever required.

If the vehicle is stolen, the police or authorised service providers can monitor the vehicle on the screen and, if necessary, initiate a pursuit. Continental also offers the option of remote vehicle disabling. As soon as the vehicle is stopped for more than thirty seconds, Novanto acts to prevent the engine from being started again, putting an end to the thief’s getaway.

Novanto is available both for retrofitting and as original equipment. Automakers can thus offer their customers more value in their vehicles. Service providers can use the technology as the basis for development of software platforms that provide insurance companies, managers of vehicle pools, or fleet operators attractive benefits.

The percentage of vehicles equipped with such systems is still quite low in many markets. Nevertheless, there are a number of countries worldwide in which systems of this kind are a prerequisite for registering vehicles of a certain value. What’s more, most insurers will refuse to cover exclusive luxury vehicles, powerful sports cars and valuable vintage cars not outfitted with a tracking system.

The idea of individualized auto insurance premiums opens up a further market that can be tapped for tracking solutions of this type. Motorists who do not exceed a certain driving performance, avoid high-risk areas or stick to given routes stand to qualify for rebates. In Italy, in particular, young motorists take advantage of more favorable insurance rates with the help of telematics systems. Thanks to Novanto, providing proof of compliance becomes child‘s play. What’s more, the tracking solution can also be put to good use by fleet managers to record actual operating expenses, for example, or to bill travel costs and delivery fees. Even private customers can make use of Novanto-based services in the future: If a vehicle’s route is electronically documented, the motorist can dispense with the log normally required by the tax office.

Source: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/com/en/continental/pressportal/themes/press_releases/categoryNavigation_overview_press_en.html

New and Used Japanese Auto Parts