IAAF backs ProMOTe campaign
The IAAF, as part of its membership of the Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group (AALG), has joined forces with the ProMOTe Campaign to fight the proposed changes to the MoT testing frequency.
Continue ReadingTyreSafe helps Britain’s largest motorway police group measure tread depth
TyreSafe has presented Central Motorways Police Group (CMPG) commanding officer, Superintendent Paul Keasey, with tread depth gauges to help it implement its tyre safety policy. The CMPG is responsible for over 400 miles of Britain’s busiest motorway network, reaching from the Welsh borders through to Cheshire and across to the East of Birmingham. Comprising specially trained officers from the West Midlands, West Mercia and Staffordshire police forces, CMPG is the largest single motorway police group in Britain.
Continue ReadingRMA asks government to address effects of low cost imports on retread industry
Several representatives of the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the tyre industry have met with Department for Business ministers to discuss the impact of low-cost new tyres on the UK and European retreading industry, and its direct implications for employment in the retread tyre industry, the tyre recovery programme and the environment. The association said it would “press for urgent measures” to address what it argues is evidence of ‘dumping’.
Continue ReadingMEPs urge EU Commission to get tough on emissions fraudsters
Emissions testing fraud should be investigated thoroughly and those responsible should face appropriate sanctions, said MEPs in a resolution passed on Tuesday 27 October. They said that the EU emissions testing system should be strengthened to ensure that EU emission limits are respected and that vehicles exceeding these limits are discovered quickly. They also recommended considering whether to establish an EU-level surveillance authority.
Continue ReadingResearch shows speed cameras responsible for bad driving
Using more than a billion miles of driving behaviour data, collected over three years (2011-2014), Wunelli, a LexisNexis company, has revealed the most frequent braking black spots across the UK created by speed cameras, based on motorists braking excessively just before speed cameras to avoid being caught. 80 per cent of all the UK speed cameras investigated had hard braking activity, with braking increasing six fold on average at these locations. Wunelli defines a hard braking event as a change in speed of 6.5+ mph over a one second time period, which is enough to propel a bag on the passenger seat into the footwell.
Continue ReadingVehicle Identity Check scheme to be abolished
The Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) scheme that is required before repaired write-offs are allowed back on the road is to be abolished from 26 October 2015.
Continue ReadingDfT: VCA to [re]investigate emissions in the UK
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced yesterday that the British government will set up its own inquiry into car emissions and testing. This will be done through the UK regulator Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), which is itself a division of the Department for Transport, and will work with OEMs.
Continue Reading6 part worn tyre retailers convicted in a week for sale of dangerous tyres
The sale of dangerous tyres to unsuspecting motorists has led to the conviction of six retailers of part worn tyres from the Brent and Harrow area of London within the space of a week. Top Tyres & Auto Parts Ltd (Wembley); Whitchurch Road Tyres (Harrow); Pinner Road Tyres Ltd (Harrow); Quick Car Repairs Ltd (Harrow); Mr Walazedeh trading as Harrow Tyres (Harrow); and 3D Tyres Ltd (Wembley) faced 36 charges of supplying unsafe tyres, not complying with the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994. All six pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay a total of £18,009.40 in fines, including individual penalties for company directors, costs and victim surcharges.
Continue ReadingPRA member wins tax appeal
A Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) member has successfully appealed via the First Tier Tax Tribunal against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) imposition of unreasonable conditions, to obtain an excise duty Deferment Account Number (DAN) for Oil Products.
Continue ReadingCar dealers urged to ensure GAP insurance rules compliance
The NFDA has urged dealers to ensure their compliance with new regulations governing the way in which Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance is sold to consumers. Set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the new rules are due to come into effect on 1 September 2015. Dealers will be required to explain that customers must return to the dealership four days after purchasing their car if they want GAP insurance.
Continue ReadingIntertek launches Portable Emissions Measurement System
Intertek Milton Keynes is among the first test laboratories in the UK to offer portable vehicle exhaust emission testing systems, enabling manufacturers to report “real world” driving emissions. Intertek said its Transportation Technologies laboratory has responded swiftly to changes in European exhaust emissions legislation by launching a service to deliver accurate on-road vehicle exhaust emissions testing and analysis.
Continue ReadingRMI also voices opposition to MOT extension
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), which represents retail business across the automotive sector including franchised dealers and independent garages, added to the NTDAs objections its strong opposition to the proposed MOT change. The RMI believes the change could only harm the UK’s road safety record.
Continue ReadingPRA welcomes Budget’s fuel duty freeze, ‘disappointed’ no cut
The Petrol Retailers’ Association has welcomed the chancellor’s Budget announcement that fuel duty will be frozen, while expressing disappointment that there was no cut. Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association comments: “The PRA has been lobbying Government and the Treasury on the subject of fuel duty, so it is good news to hear the chancellor’s announcement.
Continue ReadingNTDA to challenge MOT changes on ‘road safety’ grounds
The NTDA plans to challenge at the consultation phase the UK government’s proposal to extend from three to four years the deadline for a new car’s first MOT. Chancellor George Osborne announced today that the Government is exploring the options, with the proposed changes to become part of the government’s forthcoming Motoring Service Strategy.
Continue ReadingRegulation changes approach as TRA, tyre associations issue rallying cry
The Tyre Recovery Association’s (TRA) Recycling Day, a one-day conference and dinner organised in partnership with the Retread Manufacturers Association, was held at the Ardencote Manor, Warwickshire on Friday, 19 June. Attended by representatives of the tyre and waste recycling industries, the conference included presentations covering the key themes of regulations and enforcement, best practise and innovation, and common causes and issues facing the industry. The unity of the various trade bodies struck a particularly strong note throughout the day, not just through the joint organisation of the event between the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the TRA, but with strong backing given to the event by association directors representing the whole of the UK tyre industry. The Recycling Day also marked an occasion for celebration, as the TRA celebrated its tenth anniversary.
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