17th consecutive month of growth for new van sales
The UK new light commercial vehicle market posted its 17th consecutive month of growth in May, as registrations rose by 1.9 per cent to reach 25,853 units, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The result was the strongest performance for the month since 2021, which recorded the best May market in history when business investment in commercial vehicles accelerated in the wake of the pandemic.
Continue ReadingKerr’s Tyres and Elite Garages continue growth – Tyre Retail Ranking 2024, places 16-25
Coverage of this years UK tyre retail ranking begins with the news that Kerrs Tyres and Elite Garages are the fastest movers in positions 16 to 25. However, Eden Tyre Services maintained its total of 24 centres after several years of consistent growth, remaining in 16th position.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre rating and outlook upgraded on ‘increasing share of premium products’
CARE Ratings Limited (CARE) has upgraded JK Tyre and Industries Limited (JKTI)’s credit rating from CARE A+ to CARE AA- and reaffirmed its short-term ratings of CARE A1+. The outlook has also been revised from Positive to Stable.
Continue ReadingHalf of motorists think government should do more to make electric cars affordable
Half of motorists (50 per cent) say the government should do more to make electric cars affordable, new research shows. June’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also finds that 35 per cent believe action should be taken to make electric cars easier to buy, 34 per cent that more money should go into making chargers more widely available, and 26 per cent that power from chargers should be cheaper.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres and Manchester United Vredestein football school in Enschede
Apollo Tyres, via its Vredestein brand, has hosted its latest ‘Soccer School’ day in Enschede, the Netherlands, in partnership with Manchester United. Held on 8 June, the event welcomed children of Apollo Tyres employees to partake in an exclusive coaching session led by Manchester United trainers, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of footballers in the region.
Continue ReadingData shows ‘tyre issues’ responsible for almost half of UK motorway breakdowns
A Freedom of Information request to National Highways by motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA), part of the QuestGates Group, has revealed that 47.6 per cent of all breakdowns on UK motorways and A-roads over the last three years were caused by tyre issues. In February, National Highways confirmed that there were 5,934 tyre-related incidents on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in 2021, rising to 7,095 in 2022 and 7,762 in 2023, including blowouts which led to serious collisions.
Continue ReadingTyreSafe names 2024 award winners at annual briefing
TyreSafe has named the recipients of its 2024 award winners during its annual briefing on 13 June at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. The briefing included contributions from several sectors within the tyre industry, as well as the broad coalition of road safety stakeholders that has been built by the tyre safety body, emphasising TyreSafe’s mission to ally with other automotive sector organisations to promote vital tyre safety messages. The awards were sponsored by several large tyre manufacturers and distributors, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Yokohama, Micheldever/Protyre, as well as other members of TyreSafe, such as National Highways, Ring Automotive, and TJA Associates.
Continue ReadingKerridge Commercial Systems acquires Rain Data
Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), which bought Compilator about a year ago, which itself bought Team Systems back in 2016, has completed the acquisition of Rain Data. According to the company, the acquisition marks a significant step forward in KCS’s commitment to delivering enhanced product information and data solutions.
Continue ReadingAlligator presents new truck TPMS valves
Prepared for the mandatory installation of TPMS on trucks? From July 2024, new regulations take effect, making the use of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) mandatory for all trucks. Not only fleet operators, but also workshops and wholesalers need to prepare for this. This is because the demand for TPMS products will also increase noticeably in the spare parts market. Alligator has responded to this development by expanding its range of TPMS valves for trucks.
Continue ReadingRema Tip Top UK joins IAAF
The Rema Tip Top UK group of companies, suppliers of equipment and consumables to the automotive aftermarket, has joined the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) membership.
Continue ReadingWest European heavy trailer outlook weakens in 2024, but 4-year forecast appears record-breaking
The 2024 outlook for sales and production of heavy trailers has weakened in comparison with the previous year. However, the 2024-2028 data is set to be record-breaking, according to the June 2024 forecast for the West European Heavy Trailer Market produced by Clear International.
Continue ReadingKeolis chooses Colmec as ‘complete tyre supplier’
Keolis, a key player in Swedish public transport, has agreed a new long-term cooperation agreement with Colmec starting as early as 1 June 2024.Keolis, a key player in Swedish public transport, has agreed a new long-term cooperation agreement with Colmec starting as early as 1 June 2024.
Continue Reading‘Record visitors’ at UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2024
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024, hosted by the NEC Birmingham, enjoyed a “significant increase” in visitors versus its inaugural edition in 2022, according to organisers. The two-day show welcomed 5,125 industry professionals, largely garage and workshop owners, technicians, and bodyshop experts on 5-6 June. Focusing on the latest training, technology and tools for the UK aftermarket, organisers said the significant transformations in the sector make the event an attractive proposition. The event offers interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, and workshops, including 100-plus hours of seminars led by more than 80 industry experts, covering topics such as engine fault diagnostics, MOT, diesel, ADAS, and more.
Continue ReadingEU to Impose Additional Tariffs on EV Imports From China
The European Union is planning to impose additional import tariffs of up to 38.1 per cent on Chinese-produced electric vehicles (EV) effective July 2024. Leading Chinese EV-makers BYD Co., Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd. and SAIC Motor Corp Ltd cooperated with the investigation and so received bespoke rates. Specifically, BYD imports will be charged 17.4 per cent, Geely 20 per cent and SAIC 38.1 per cent. All others will be charged 38.1 per cent.
Continue ReadingMichelin showing lunar wheel prototype at Le Mans 24 Hours 2024
Michelin is revealing the airless lunar wheel prototype it has produced to meet the tender brief NASAs Artemis programme at Le Mans 24 Hours 2024 . The objective of NASAs Artemis programme is to explore the Moons south pole, where no human has ever been, in order to acquire scientific data and search for water in the form of ice.
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