In the endless pursuit of car efficiency, tyres play an important role. As transport operators across the UK are aware, changes in vehicle design and the transition to EVs have put a new load on tyres. But adapting to changes in design and legislation isn’t new. One company which has seen —and adapted to — a lot of change over the last four decades is Oak Tyres. The family-owned business was established more than 40 years ago to serve tyre retailers across the north of England. Since then, Oak Tyres has become one of the largest independent tyre wholesalers in the UK, specialising in importing and developing exclusive brands such as Landsail and its own brand, Davanti Tyres, launched in 2015. Gary Cross, development director at Davanti Tyres with more than 20 years of experience and son to the founder of Oak Tyres, told Aftermarket: “As a family, we have a great knowledge of the tyre industry. Our passion and pride to develop and manufacture tyres which set a leading benchmark in the sector is unwavering. “We offer our customers innovative technology and reliable performance in every product — and the rise of EVs and heavier commercial vehicles is a new challenge we’ve risen to over recent years, creating new products to help with this trend.” As requirements have evolved, as Gary acknowledges, new methods and technologies have been developed to maintain tyre grip whilst also reducing rolling resistance — the latter contributing heavily to a car’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The design and structure of a tyre affects its rolling resistance. A tyre that aims to reduce rolling resistance will incorporate silica into the compound, which reduces friction and heat. Silica compounds also make a tyre lighter and stronger, making it 40 AFTERMARKET MAY 2024 TYRES AND TYRE BAY EQUIPMENT www.aftermarketonline.net more economical and durable. Davanti Tyres — the leading mid-range tyre brand in the UK — is aware of the gradual shift from internal combustion to electric vans and the tyre solutions drivers will require. To help combat this for customers, Davanti’s DX440 light commercial van tyre is exactly the kind of solution fleets look for. The DX pattern features core design elements that work together to provide safe, quiet, efficient tyres, including an enhanced silica compound. The DX440 offers an all-purpose tyre solution and not only is it a popular choice for delivery drivers and tradesmen driving traditional ICE vans, but British EV pioneers, London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), also champion the DX440 as their OE tyre, with every new VN5 van being fitted with the tyres. Electric vans carry extra weight distributed in a very different way to a traditional van due to the battery. They also deliver more torque than a regular van, which poses its own challenges for tyres and the steering angles are tighter. As legislation and public opinion drive the popularity of electric vans, the DX440 is perfectly placed to lead the way for electric van tyres. Sean Maddocks (pictured), Davanti Tyres’ sales director for the UK and Ireland, said: “With new vehicle designs and the rise in EVs changing what a tyre needs to be able to support, it’s important, for us at Davanti Tyres, that we consider this during the development process. TYRE PIONEERS KEEP INNOVATION ROLLING ALONG How a family-owned business used its expertise over the decades to embrace and drive change Left: Sean Maddocks
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=