NFDA delivers evidence to Supreme Court in motor finance commission appeal
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) presented robust evidence to the Supreme Court, in the appeal against the decision on motor finance commission in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Limited, Wrench v FirstRand Bank Limited and Hopcraft v Close Brothers.
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Delun Rubber punished for not handling employee social insurance
In February 2025, tyre manufacturer Delun Rubber was administratively punished by the Dingyuan County Human Resources and Social Security Bureau for not paying social insurance for employees. The fine was about 155,000 yuan (about £16,600; €19,800).
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TRA: UK government procrastinating on ending T8 exemptions
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has warned the British government of the damage being caused to industry and the environment due to “an ongoing lack of action to deliver policy reform”. Recent responses from the DEFRA minister responsible, Mary Creagh MP, are said to highlight the concern of recyclers that government “lack a grip on industry reality”. Specifically, “despite the British government’s stated commitment to bring an end to T8 exemptions there has been no date given to enact the policy, something of increasing concern to industry players as market conditions continue to deteriorate”
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US class action verdict: operating in parallel isn’t necessarily tyre price-fixing
Following the news that the recent class-action price-fixing case against tyre manufacturers has been dismissed, we took a closer look at the Judge’s ruling combining her legal opinion with analysis that we produced based on third-party European data around the time the US suits were brought. In short, we found that Judge’s opinion amounts to the belief that operating in parallel isn’t necessarily tyre price-fixing. And furthermore, our data shows that that broader tyre market prior landscapes somewhat contradict simplistic notions of prices always rising.
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Tyres & Accessories Magazine February 2025 issue available to read or download
In the February 2025 issue, available now for Tyrepress subscribers to read online or download, Tyres & Accessories brings you the latest news from the car and motorcycle tyre segments . This issue also features the breaking stories and analysis of the UK and international tyre business, including Goodyears sale of Dunlop to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux on an invasion of low-cost car tyres in Europe (as well as an analysis of this to lead the car tyres feature), and the extension of EU tariffs on China-produced truck tyres. Non-subscribers can gain access to Tyrepress with a print or online subscription. Tyre professionals can take advantage of the current Tyrepress Professional Membership offer, helping to drive business online and stay informed with the industry’s leading magazine and websites.
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Two-thirds of tested tyres don’t do what they say on the tyre label – DVSA
When DVSA tested 10 different tyres from three tyre sizes, equating to 30 individual tyres in total, 20 came out with results different to the official tyre label. Here we take a closer look at those results as well as parallel research into part-worn and retread compliance.
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Say cheese: DVSA updates garages on anti-fraud efforts
When DVSA set out its strategy for 2030 back in 2023, combating fraud plus “making it easier to identify and support those getting things wrong” were key focus areas. Connected equipment has been a part of that too. Now, the department has published an article explaining what has been done and how that will impact garages.
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Menegaux: The European market is ‘undergoing a massive invasion of tyres from Asia’
Michelin has called for “a more level playing field” in terms of global competiveness as well as emphasising its own efforts in terms of product development and manufacturing innovation. On 21 January 2025, Michelin managing partner, Florent Menegaux specifically called on the French and European authorities to support European manufacturers like Michelin with better energy cost and taxation policy as they face an “invasion” of imports from low-cost production markets in Asian.
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EU extends Chinese truck tyre tariffs
The European Commission has published its final decision on extending the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on truck and bus tyres produced in China. The new tariffs amount to figures between €21.12 and a maximum of €78.90 per tyre, effective immediately following the 16 January publication of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/58 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/61, both of 15 January 2025.
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EUDR: European Parliament gives extra year to comply with deforestation rules
Companies will have one more year to comply with new EU deforestation rules after the European Parliament adopted the provisional political agreement with the Council to delay the application of the new rules by 546 votes to 97 with 7 abstentions. Large operators and traders will now have to comply with regulation from 30 December 2025. For “micro- and small enterprises” it will be another six months – from 30 June 2026. According to the European Parliament,” this additional time is intended to help companies around the world implement the rules more smoothly from the date of application, without undermining the objectives of the law.”
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Industry backing needed to make government youth guarantee a success
Support for 18 to 21-year-olds in education and employment through a proposed government Youth Guarantee could help alleviate the skills crisis in the automotive aftermarket according to Easy2Recruit. However, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent believes industry backing will be crucial for this to make a difference to the ongoing skills crisis affecting the garage sector.
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Wheel alignment in MOTs ‘would cut emissions, save UK motorists £4bn a year’ – SharkEye
Garage equipment company SharkEye Wheel Aligners UK has made the case for making wheel alignment part of the MOT test. The company argues that ensuring UK road vehicles are properly aligned would save motorists billions of pounds a year. Proper alignment helps to minimise rolling resistance, as well as ensuring that tyres wear evenly, increasing their longevity. The firm used the occasion of a visit from Jo White MP to its new service centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire to put forward its argument. SharkEye’s message comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlines his UK’s ambitious ‘net zero’ targets at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
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US final ruling on Thai-produced truck tyre tariffs, ups rates for Bridgestone and Prinx
The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a final ruling to impose anti-dumping duties of 12.33%-48.39% on truck and bus tyres imported from Thailand. Among them, Bridgestone Corporation, a company located in Thailand, was subject to a tax rate of 48.39 per cent. Prinx Chengshan (Thailand) needs to pay an anti-dumping duty of 12.33 per cent. Other manufacturers and exporters located in Thailand also need to pay a tax rate of 12.33 per cent.
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Investment key to ending skills crisis – Easy2Recruit
In the 2024 Budget, the UK government earmarked a £2 billion investment to assist the automotive sector’s transition to full electrification. Easy2Recruit, an agency helping garages hire overseas talent, said investment in overall training will need to increase if the skills crisis is to end. It called such an investment the key to sustainable growth. The chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the £2 billion investment as part of the government’s modern industry strategy in her first Budget.
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