When it comes to safe and enjoyable driving, the choice of tyres plays a pivotal role. Goodyear, a renowned name in the automotive industry with a history spanning 125 years, has consistently been at the forefront of tyre innovation.
With a commitment to providing products tailored to various driving needs, Goodyear introduces a range of premium tyre solutions designed to enhance the driving experience for a diverse range of vehicles and preferences in the Asia Pacific region.
Goodyear had just unveiled four new tyres: Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 for Luxury Sports, Wrangler DuraTrac RT for Premium 4×4 Off-Road, ElectricDrive, and Assurance MaxGuard for Mid Passenger. We got the opportunity to put these tyres to the test.
With Cooper Tire having become part of its group last year, the Goodyear Tire Company has grown even bigger as one of the largest tyre corporations in the world. This has meant that Goodyear subsidiaries around the world also handle the brand besides Goodyear tyres and in Malaysia, Cooper Tires are now officially available through selected Goodyear Autocare stores nationwide.
Like Goodyear tyres, Cooper Tires have a range of products that cover a broad spectrum of vehicle types. These include tyres for 4×4 vehicles and pick-up trucks which have been designed to withstand harsh terrain and challenging conditions.
To ensure that tyres are still suitable for road use during this festive season, Goodyear Malaysia is urging Malaysians to also obtain “new shoes” for their vehicles.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions for the past two-years, more people are taking advantage of long-distance travel this year. And with unpredictable weather to deal with, Goodyear, a company that consistently explores the possibilities of tyre technology, wants to encourage Malaysians to perform all necessary checks on their tyres.
Goodyear Malaysia has added another choice in its Assurance range with the launch of the new Assurance ComfortTred. The new tyre is intended for use with premium and luxury passenger vehicle models (including EVs) in the local market.
With premium vehicles, there is expectation of comfort and quietness, which the Assurance ComfortTred is said to excel in, as promised with the advertising tagline of ‘Serenity Redefined’. “We believe that the new Assurance ComfortTred is a true comfort provider that enables the vehicle to become a quiet space for the riders to recharge themselves, gather their thoughts and share moments with people they cherish,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.
Like any progressive manufacturer, Continental constantly improves its products. Not only is the upgrading only for current requirements and conditions but also with foreseeable changes in the market in future.
Following the success of its Generation 6 products, the tyremaker has now moved to Generation 7, with the first of this new generation in Malaysia being the UltraContact UC7. An all-round tyre, it prioritizes safety, with an emphasis on exceptional noise comfort and long drive life.
“The specific needs and driving habits of consumers are constantly evolving, and Continental Tyres is committed to bringing continuous innovations that meet those changing needs. We invest heavily in the development of every single product we bring to market, and the resulting UltraContact UC7 truly represents a next-generation upgrade,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of BA Replacement Tires Asia Pacific.
Significant improvements In comparison to the UltraContact UC6, the UltraContact UC7 has significant improvements in braking and control on wet ground, important with Malaysia’s tropical climate. Other performance aspects such as fuel efficiency, dry braking, and handling are also enhanced.
To offer the best driving experience to consumers, Continental has developed flagship technologies focusing on the unique consumer requirements for each segment. Specially tailored for the all-round segment, Confidence+ Technology combines the best of the brand’s compound technology and construction design features to create the ultimate tyre that does not compromise on any aspect of safety, comfort, handling, or mileage.
Extensive testing before launch With on-road safety as the greatest priority, before every new tyre product goes into the market, it is subjected to test after test to ensure that its performance across all aspects meets Continental’s highest requirements.
“We take pride in our safety technologies that have been highly recognised for generations. With ‘Vision Zero’ as our top priority, we strive to achieve zero accidents, zero injuries, and zero fatalities on the road,” said Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia.
The development of the UltraContact UC7 was carried out by a worldwide team of around 25 engineers and material experts. They spent more than 9,500 hours designing, simulating, building, and testing all the prototypes with the target consumer always in mind.
During the development phase alone, Continental engineers conducted more than 850 tests under various conditions, with a combined distance that could circle the earth 12 times. As Bob Liu, Director of Continental R&D Asia Pacific, explained, “We put this tyre through rigorous rounds of testing to ensure we meet our own exacting standards and can deliver cutting-edge tyre technology to consumers. We will continue to do so as we further expand the portfolio to establish powerful, competitive offerings for the market.”
What makes it better? Featuring the Continental ‘Diamond DNA’ – Diamond Compound, Noise Breaker 3.0 and Aqua Channel Advanced – the new UltraContact UC7’s superior wet performance is proven by a shorter braking distance and strong grip on wet slippery roads. This is due to the Aqua Channel Advanced surface sipes on the centre part of the pattern which efficiently evacuate water to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
Simultaneously, the innovative Noise Breaker 3.0 design with Flow X-celerator leverages the Venturi Effect principle to accelerate water flow through the groove, improving surface contact between rubber and road.
Thirdly, the Diamond Compound formulation enhances the transformation of kinetic energy into heat at optimum levels, resulting in shorter braking distances – even on wet roads.
The second advantage of the UltraContact UC7 is a quieter and more harmonic drive as a result of reduced noise levels and smooth vibrational frequency. As sound waves travel through the grooves, the Noise Breaker 3.0 interrupts the waves by disrupting the homogeneity of the grooves.
The sound waves are broken up and dissipated into smaller waves, preventing noise from building up and traveling into the cabin of the car. The Diamond Compound with whisper touch also contributes to reduced noise generation by absorbing impact from the road.
The third advantage is long drive life, allow the motorist a better return on his expenditure. The Diamond Compound’s optimised polymer network provides wear resistance for long-lasting tread life.
The UltraContact UC7 is available, in sizes from 15 inches to 18 inches. It is suitable for fitment on compact and mid-size cars, MPVs, and luxury sedans. Although launched, Continental Tyres has not released the prices for the new tyres.
Goodyear Malaysia recently donated RM30,000 worth of tyres to St. John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) to help improve the safety of the ambulances and passengers. The tyre company has been a sponsor of the organisation since 2006 as part of its support for the local humanitarian efforts in helping Malaysians in need.
The ambulance services from St. John Ambulance Malaysia provide 24-hour response to emergency calls, including transporting COVID-19 patients. At the peak of the pandemic, St. John Ambulance Malaysia transported over 400 COVID-19 patients to the Klang Hospital.
Goodyear Malaysia actively organises humanitarian initiatives to help the communities in need. Over the years, besides the St. John Ambulance, it has also supported Pertubuhan Amal Uncle Kentang Malaysia (since 2021) with tyre sponsorship of approximately 1,000 tyres in total, which were fitted to more than 50 ambulances.
About the SJAM The SJAM has a history going back to 1885 when it was first established in the region in Singapore. Form humble beginnings with 6 out of 56 pupils passing an examination in ‘First Aid to the Injured’, the organisation has grown to over 60,000 volunteers in Malaysia.
These volunteers are found at various sporting events, festivals, parades and other functions, big or small. They also assist in disasters like floods, fires, landslides, plane crashes, etc. In total, they serve up to 3.6 million man-hours annually, providing various services.
SJAM has local 24-hour emergency as well as non-emergency ambulance services. Annually during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year periods, SJAM volunteers are also on standby along the North-South Highway and the Federal trunk roads. SJAM also provides community services such as haemodialysis centres, and Nursing Home.
To know more about SJAM or to find out how you can be a volunteer, visit sjam.org.my.
Goodyear Malaysia’s Worry-Free Assurance (WFA) programme has been in the market almost ten years, having been introduced in 2013. It was initially offered with just one (the Assurance TripleMax) but within a short time, other tyres in the brand’s range were also included.
The original WFA programme had a straightforward benefit: if there were damages by road hazards, there would be free tyre replacement or partial credit for purchase of new Goodyear tyres, depending on the tread depth.
Goodyear Malaysia has now made improvements to the programme with extra benefits for motorists. “Since the Malaysian government announced the endemic phase in May, the number of cars on the road has seen an increase of two-fold compared to 2019. As such, we want to encourage our customers to be aware of their vehicle tyre’s health so they can drive with peace of mind. As an advocate of on-the-road safety, we believe the new Worry-Free Assurance programme will help our customers stay safe and have an enjoyable drive for the long run,” said Alex Ng, Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia.
Modern tyres are tough but can still be damaged by some road hazards. If that happens with Goodyear tyres, you could get a free replacement.
Added benefits for customers The new WFA programme is available at no extra cost for all customers who purchase any new Goodyear consumer tyres and now there is no minimum purchase as a condition. However, as before, motorists who have Goodyear tyres that come fitted as standard on their new vehicle will not have WFA coverage.
Customers who register for WFA will enjoy the security of a 1-year Road Hazard Warranty from the date of purchase. They will be eligible for a free 1-to-1 exchange if tyres are damaged beyond repair caused by road hazards such as potholes and/or sharp objects during normal driving. The tyres should have a tread depth of 5.0 mm and above to qualify for the exchange. This new feature is an extension of the previous WFA with 6-month coverage with a minimum tread depth of 6.0 mm.
Free tyre safety check The new WFA programme ensures that the tyres are in optimal condition by providing 2 free tyre safety checks. Customers may return to the original Goodyear Autocare centre where they purchased their tyres from for these safety checks on the sixth and twelfth months after the date of purchase.
Warranty up to 5 years Goodyear Malaysia has updated their terms and condition where the 5-year limited warranty will cover 5 years from the date of purchase stated in the original invoice, instead of from the manufacturing date on the tyres. This is fairer to the customer since the tyres might not be sold immediately after they leave the factory.
However, in the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.
In the event that the original invoice is not available, the limited warranty will cover the tyres from the date of manufacturing instead. Under this warranty, Goodyear also covers manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials used.
Easy registration online The process of registering for WFA is easy as it can be done online with submission of scans of the receipt and WFA card number. Each tyre purchase should come with a WFA card but if it is not available should a claim be made (or for the safety check), customers can print out the WFA online registration instead.
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) aims to capture a 7% share of the electric vehicle (EV) market by 2030, by which time it expects to be selling 1.87 million vehicles annually. To achieve this goal, the Korean carmaker will invest around 19.4 trillion won (US$16.10 billion) in EV-related businesses.
Besides its own investments, it will also work with other parties in various fields of expertise and one of them is Michelin. A MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed recently for collaboration on R&D for innovative tyre technologies over the next 3 years. These technologies will be used in the development of next-generation tyres optimized for premium EVs.
The MoU is the second one between the two companies, following the successful completion of their first partnership. This collaboration will lead to a new journey towards developing next-generation tyres to be equipped with the Group’s clean, smart and sustainable mobility solutions.
“This partnership with Michelin will result in real innovations in tire technology, solidifying Hyundai Motor Group’s position as a leader in the smart mobility industry,” said Bong-soo Kim, Vice-President and the Head of Chassis Development Centre at the Hyundai Motor Group. “By fully leveraging our mobility technology and Michelin’s tyre expertise, we are confident in our ability to achieve ground-breaking innovations in tire performance enhancement and create synergies in this organic collaboration.”
In the previous 5-year partnership that began in November 2017, the companies jointly developed an exclusive tyre for the IONIQ 5 EV. There were also joint experiments and analysis methods carried out which were related to tyres as well as technology exchange.
Over the next 3 years, HMG and Michelin will jointly develop the following innovations: eco-friendly tyres with increased use of eco-friendly materials; tyres optimized for next-generation EVs; and a real-time tyre monitoring system which will help advance autonomous driving technology.
The tyres for the IONIQ 5 EV were jointly developed by Hyundai and Michelin.
“The collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin over the past 5 years contributed to the successful launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 5,” said Georges Levy, Executive Vice-President of Automotive Original Equipment at Michelin. “We are pleased to announce that the relationship has been extended for 3 more years to continue our work together on new technologies in favour of safer, cleaner mobility. The association between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin is founded on the same vision and on a shared passion for excellence, performance and innovation that have become increasingly essential factors as we rise to the mobility-related challenges we all face today.”
The next-generation tyres will be installed on future premium EV models of HMG. The new tyre technology is critical to meet the durability requirements of tyres, as well as driving performance and electric efficiency under high load as the driving range of EVs continues to increase.
There will also be joint research to analyse tyre wear, tyre load and road friction beyond the current standards of tyre temperature and air pressure. The new tyres are also expected to significantly improve ride comfort by reducing vibration and noise generated by EVs at high speeds.
Additionally, there will be research into ways to increase the use of eco-friendly materials in tyres to about 50% of the total tyre weight from 20% currently.
Castrol Malaysia and Continental Tyre Malaysia will be collaborating to offer consumers high quality products and services for a convenient and complete experience. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore a joint initiative that will leverage on each other’s extensive dealer network, offerings, and expertise, and strengthen their respective positions in the country.
Under the proposed collaboration, both companies will offer motorists a combined trade loyalty programme where they can enjoy various deals, incentives, redemptions, and rewards. Both brands are also working towards a partnership that could see joint branded outlets nationwide with plans to grow and expand.
The extensive dealer networks of each brand will share special deals, incentives, redemptions, and rewards for the public.
“This partnership is a testament to both brands’ commitment to safety and customer satisfaction as together we join forces to further build our brand presence in Malaysia. Through our combined expertise that supports new opportunities, we will continue to lead and innovate in securing global market leadership when it comes to service and maintenance,” said Gan Wee Kiong, Market Sales Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.
“There is a steady demand for both brands and our products in the market amongst the premium vehicle owners, and we saw a great opportunity for us to come together to consolidate our offerings to serve our customers better. We believe that with both brand’s long-standing service and excellence in the market, we will continue to be the preferred brands in automotive maintenance,” added Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia.
Gan Wee Kiong, Market Sales Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore (centreleft) and Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia (centre right) at the signing ceremony of the MoU for the two companies.
About Castrol Malaysia
Castrol has had a presence in Malaysia for over 90 years and is one of the market leaders in the retail automotive lubricants segment. The company offers a range of high-performance lubricants and has leadership positions in a majority of segments it operates in. These include passenger car engine oils, motorcycle engine oils, commercial vehicle engine oils and industrial lubricants.
The company also has a lubricants blending plant in Port Klang, Selangor and a distribution network reaching out to over 14,000 customers including retail outlets and workshops. Its exclusive outlets – Castrol Auto Service and Castrol Bike Points – offer professional maintenance services to Malaysian motorists and motorcyclists.
About Continental Tyre Malaysia
Continental is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers and ranks among the technology leaders in tyre production. It has a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers.
In 2003, Continental AG established a joint venture company with Sime Darby Berhad as Continental Sime Tyre Sdn Bhd. The business expanded rapidly and Continental AG fully acquired the company in 2012, making it one of its production sites in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, Continental Tyre Malaysia has more than 2,500 employees with two factories supplying tyres to countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Korea.
For more information on Castrol products and services, visit www.castrol.com/my.
These days, the line between road-going vehicles and off-road vehicles is a bit blurred. Modern SUVs and crossovers can cruise on highways comfortably at high speeds and also go off the highway onto rough terrain. Actually, if the trail is not muddy or too rocky, almost any type of vehicle can be used as long as there is enough ground clearance and the driver is careful.
This being the case, tyres too should have broader applications and the new BFGoodrich Advantage Touring offers such capability. According to Michelin Malaysia, which distributes BFGoodrich tyres as well, the Advantage Touring is positioned as one simple tyre line to cover sedan, pick-up, MPV, and SUV fitments.
Essentially on ‘on-road’ tyre, it is designed to be used on any road drivers may want to take. “The BFGoodrich Advantage Touring targets active-lifestyle drivers who want the best value for their money and demand confident control for urban adventure. This newly launched tyre stands out with its extensive size offerings, as well as improved performance and aesthetics,” said Oliver Biggart, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia.
Various features address the expectations of drivers of different types of vehicles in different conditions. For example, the asymmetric, non-directional tread pattern with computer-optimized footprint reduces interior cabin noise so there’s a quieter journey on the highway. The dynamic and simplified tread design also looks good for those who want something sporty and stylish to complement their vehicle’s looks.
Of course, performance is also important and with its 150 years of experience in making tyres, BFGoodrich knows a lot about engineering the Advantage Touring to give good handling and braking in all conditions. The asymmetric tread design has rigid tread blocks and a shoulder that enhance handling responsiveness and control. The tread blocks are large and have deep grooves that are claimed to deliver superior braking performance in both wet and dry road conditions.
An interlocking band technology reduces friction and heat, which helps in reducing fuel consumption. Tyre life can also be improved with the optimized contact patch specifically designed for markets with severe heat conditions.
The Advantage Touring is available in sizes to cover more than 85% of the market in the 13-inch to 20-inch range, with a total of 67 dimensions. Depending on the tyre size, the speed ratings are H, T or V. Priced from RM200 to RM900, each new tyre purchased from an authorised dealer comes with a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty as well.
