ATS Euromaster urges drivers to prepare for "worst winter on record"

ATS Euromaster is urging motorists to pre-order sets of cold weather tyres after a meteorologist predicted this winter will "break all records" in terms of snowfall and freezing temperatures. Specialist long-range forecaster James Madden, of Exacta Weather, correctly predicted the harsh conditions experienced over the last two years and gave his forecast to ATS Euromaster as it prepares to fit cold weather tyres in the UK for the second year running.

He warns: “The UK is to brace itself for well below average temperatures and widespread heavy snowfall throughout winter 2011/2012, which will result in the fourth bad winter in succession for the UK, and will prove to be the worst of them all. “I fully expect records to be broken, with the Highlands of Scotland being once again particularly hard hit. It is vital to start preparing now.”

James Madden’s forecast is based on major natural factors, including solar activity, and how they impact weather and climate on Earth. His forecasting techniques have attracted significant attention in recent years after correctly forecasting seasonal trends in the UK – and following the Met Office’s decision to scrap its own seasonal forecasts in March 2010, after being criticised for failing to predict extreme weather.

ATS Euromaster’s decision to introduce a system of pre-ordering cold weather tyres follows unprecedented demand last year, when many retailers sold out within days of the first snowfall. Thousands of disappointed motorists were unable to locate supplies, leaving cars and vans left stranded on driveways or at the side of the road.

From 20 June 2011, motorists can reserve Michelin, Pirelli, Avon or Riken cold weather tyres at their local ATS Euromaster. Customers will pay a 25 per cent deposit, with the balance due when the tyres are fitted in September, October or November. Prices have been fixed, so customers pre-ordering won’t pay any more if tyre prices increase later in the year – and if prices drop, they will pay the lower amount.
Chris Hufflett, Group Operations Director at ATS Euromaster, says: “Last year the UK had its first real taste of cold weather tyres and they quickly became hot property. We could have sold our stock several times over.

“With the forecast of another bad winter on the cards we’re confident our pre- ordering system will help car and van owners to guarantee supply and avoid the mad scramble to secure tyres when the wintry conditions return.”

The company warns that whilst it has ordered additional stocks for winter 2011/2012, the massive demand from mainland Europe – where fitment of cold weather tyres is a legal requirement in many countries – means UK supplies may still run short.

Last winter ATS Euromaster and its parent company, Euromaster Group, sold over 1.5 million cold weather tyres across Europe; a statistic which the company says makes it securing the Europe’s leading cold weather tyre expert.

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