Continental Goes Big with MATS Rollouts

Continental Commercial Vehicles and Aftermarket, as well as Continental Tire the Americas’ Commercial Vehicle Tire unit, will present several solutions for today’s technology-focused trucking fleets and drivers at the Mid-America Trucking Show this week in Louisville, Ky.

The 83-foot Continental “Untamed Innovation” mobile tire exhibit – which includes a Navistar International LoneStar tractor, movie theater and tire technologies laboratory with Continental truck tires – will be the focal point.

Also on display in the Continental pavilion, located at booth #18252, will be a number of interactive experiences, including:

• The new HSL2 Eco Plus (Heavy Steer Long-Haul) steer tire; the new HDL2 Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Long-Haul) wide-base drive tire in super single size to replace duals; and the HTL1 (Heavy Trailer Long-Haul) trailer tire, also in super single. The weight reduction and lowered rolling resistance of these three tires, in combination, represents Continental’s most fuel efficient operation for long haul trucking, according to Clif Armstrong, Continental’s director of truck tire marketing in the Americas.

• Continental’s new “ContiGoodsCasing,” which the tiremaker said represents its third and most advanced generation of truck tire technologies. “The new casing will be introduced with 2012 product launches and provides lower rolling resistance; a wider platform for increased mileage and deeper treads; and advanced capabilities for retreading through a more durable shoulder, bead and belt package,” the tiremaker said.

• The ContiLifeCycle solution for cost savings over the life of a tire, which includes flat precure tire products that have the same tread pattern and compounding for consistent performance. Whether the tire is OEM, replacement or into extended life as a retread, Continental tire customers can expect premium technologies and unmatched performance with the ContiLifeCycle, Armstrong said.

• The introduction of “Axle,” the new mascot for Continental’s TrukFix emergency road service program for national accounts. TrukFix provides one-call access to Continental’s network of more than 1,000 dealers and points of sale and predictable, national pricing for tires and related services, according to the tiremaker

• The unveiling of Continental’s ContiPressureCheck, a TPMS for commercial vehicle tires. ContiPressureCheck integrates its sensors, communication system and data processor into a single module placed inside a rubber container and glued to the inner surface of the tire. “Compatible with all tire makes, the ContiPressureCheck system immediately detects any changes in air pressure or temperature, and sends warnings directly to the display in the driver’s cab to avoid a tire-related breakdown before it occurs,” said Armstrong.

• The industry debut of the VDO RoadLog electronic on-board recorder (EOBR), an all-in-one solution for daily log book and other compliance reporting. Conti said RoadLog is designed to allow drivers and fleets to record and report hours of service (HOS) and other key compliance data quickly, easily and without monthly fees. It automatically tracks the driver’s on- and off-duty time and can provide an instant paper report of accurate daily log book data during road checks.

A complete offering of instrumentation, senders, sensors and camera systems for a wide range of commercial vehicle aftermarket applications will also be on display, including the new line of VDO Viewline Instruments that offer a wide range of design freedom and feature easy, plug ’n play installation; VDO Cockpit International instruments; VDO Series 1 instruments featuring standard U.S. scales, edge-lit dials, and easy-to-read white numerals and pointers on black faces; and the VDO Vision instrument line, which is designed to deliver world-class accuracy, reliability and technology at competitive pricing, according to the company.

The Continental pavilion will have detailed information and product demonstrations for each of these solutions, as well as Continental’s ContiTireFinder, ContiCostCalculator and rolling resistance technologies, Armstrong said.

“We’re excited about taking this incredible suite of products all together on the road at one time, to create a ‘one-stop’ environment for owner-operators and fleets alike at Mid-America,” he added.

GRI recently conducted programs in Sri Lanka to empower women and motivate children under its Green x Circle initiative. The company said these endeavors aimed to address the needs of the community, focusing on both women empowerment and youth motivation.

GRI recently organized a training program titled "Management of household finance under current economic conditions" at the Ingiriya Rubber Collecting Center in Sri Lanka, South Asia led by Shashika Nimali, an NLP practitioner and life coach. The company said this initiative provided women in the industry with essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage household finances. GRI's tailored training sessions equipped participants with tools for informed decision-making, ultimately fostering greater financial security and independence, the company said.