Motorcycle Registrations Falling
New motorcycle registration figures released by the MCI, show falling numbers across the board. In the first nine months of the year, 29 per cent less scooters and 10 per cent fewer motorcycles and mopeds were registered than during the same period in 2003. In total the year-to-date figures show a 17 per cent drop. When the month of September is examined in isolation, the opposite is true. Last month there were roughly 500 more motorocycle, moped and scooter registrations than in Septmeber 2003. This represents a nine per cent increase in scooter registrations, a five per cent increase motorbike and moped registrations and seven per cent total rise in registrations.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Announces Senior Management Changes
Hayes Lemmerz has announced that company vice president, James Stegemiller has decided to retire.
Continue ReadingWDS Portfolio Grows
Wholesale warehouse distributor, WDS, has added XL and Kilen to its portfolio of aftermarket brands. The trading division of FPS was launched just over a year ago to support FPS’ same-day distress purchase delivery service by offering an overnight stock order service to independent motor factors.
Continue ReadingAA Calls Time on Mobile Tyre Fitting Service
The AA has announced that it intends to close AA Tyre Fit, which currently provides a national mobile tyre fitting through a fleet of 130 vehicles, and its Vehicle Inspections business, currently offering inspections on used cars for consumers. According to the company, both businesses have been operating at a loss.
Continue ReadingWomen Rewarded in Transport Awards
Iveco’s third annual Women in Transport Awards has recognised the achievements of three women working in the UK road transport industry.
Continue ReadingTRA Elects Officers
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has elected its first officers at a meeting held on 1 October. Born out of the TIC’s Responsible Recyclers Scheme the TRA was originally formed in July. Roger Hicks, MD Charles Lawrence International was chosen to take the role of president and Tony Allen, MD Environmental Tyre Disposal will become the associations vice president and treasurer. Both will serve in office for a period of two years. Tony Allen commented: “ There is a strong sense of purpose amongst us all and we must use this to develop policies and positions which will carry us into the long term.”
Continue ReadingAnsell and Goodyear Partnership to Continue
Dr Ed Tweddell, director of Goodyear joint venture partner, Ansell, has stated that his company expects to continue to be involved in its South Pacific Tyres partnership with Goodyear.
Continue ReadingTyre Manufacturers Form New Federation
The BRMA and ITMA have joined together to set up a new federal body to represent the interests of both associations’ tyre manufacturing members. The new Tyre Industry Federation will come into force as of 1 January 2005 and will take the form of a limited company. The BRMA are describing the union as “formalising the already close working relationship that already exists between them.”
Continue ReadingFord’s Harley-Davidson Truck to use Goodyear Wranglers
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it has been chosen as the exclusive tyre supplier for the 2005 Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty, a truck that becomes available in November. The four-wheel drive truck features 20 inch Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tyres, along with an optional 6.8-litre V-10 or 6-litre diesel V-8 engine. Supplying the tyres for one of the toughest, most popular trucks on the road is a job Goodyear is proud to claim, said Mike Parnell, Goodyears vice president, original equipment. This truck is an eye-catcher, and we want the tyres to play an important role in that appeal. The truck will use Wrangler AT/S tyres in the LT275/65R20 size.
Continue ReadingTyre Choice Crucial For Subaru
After winning the last the last three rounds of the 2004 FIA World Rally Championship, the Subaru World Rally Team will travel to Corsica this week looking for their fourth consecutive win. Subaru team boss, David Lapworth, told the Global Motorsports website that tyre choice will have an enormous impact on the race’s outcome. At this time of year, weather is likely to play a large factor, he said. You can win or lose the event on tyre choice, and I think what won the rally for us last year was reading the weather conditions right and getting the tyres choices right, those things could well be factors again this year. The weather is often unpredictable, but even in the dry its a tricky rally as the roads are abrasive and rough. The drivers get the stiffest necks because its so twisty and bumpy, while the roads generate the highest tyre wear, the highest grip level and the highest temperatures so you have to look after the tyres - being fast over 50km is very different to being fast over the first 5km. If youre a little bit too hard, it feels like youre going faster, but actually the tyres are going off and youre losing speed so its important to find the perfect balance between aggression, commitment and technique. Pirelli have also been working hard on the tyres and have made some good progress. However, we wont really know where we are until we see the times from the first stage in Corsica. The benchmark is moving forward all the time and we dont know what Michelin and the other teams have been doing.
Continue ReadingEuropean Passenger Car Registrations Down
The European automobile manufacturers association (ACEA) today released the latest European car registration statistics. In September 2004 1,353,817 units were registered across western Europe. This represents a decrease of –0.6 per cent (-0.7 per cent in the EU-15) compared with September 2003.
Continue ReadingConti Says “No Decision Made Yet”
“We have not made a decision yet.” That was the comment of a Continental spokesperson in Hanover, Germany, in response to rumours that the tyre manufacturer has already decided to end the joint venture with the Moscow Tyre Plant.
Continue ReadingTyre TV Documentary
British television viewers are in for a tyre lesson next week, as Granada’s ‘Men and Motors’ will be broadcasting a documentary called Life of Tyres. The programme will trace the history of tyre development from John Boyd Dunlop’s initial pneumatic tyre to today’s latest technical advances.
Continue ReadingWholesale in the 21st Century
Wholesalers across the world have noted that the face of tyre wholesaling is changing. “The tyre world is getting smaller everyday,” says one company, “there is a lot consolidation going on,” adds another. Yet despite the spiraling costs of raw material and fuel, a number of wholesalers are claiming that business is better than ever. In a new ‘Question of the month’ Tyres & Accessories invites national and international wholesalers to give their comments on the state of wholesaling asking the question: Which factors are the greatest threats to the wholesaling business? To add your answer to the current question of the month, and to participate in the discussion please click here
Continue ReadingHi-Q Trains Flat Out
Tyres fitters at Hi-Q branches up and down the country have completed the training necessary to fit run flat technology, the company has announced. Hi-Qs operations manager Mike Garwood said run flats should only fitted by highly trained staff, adding: “Theyre radically different from conventional tyres. Run flats are designed by experts: they must be installed by experts. Hi-Q is the only nationwide network to have been trained by Goodyear and Dunlop. We have the equipment and trained personnel to do the job safely and competently.” Goodyear Dunlop spokesperson James Bailey said his company had worked closely with Hi-Q to develop a training programme that made sure staff who fitted its safety tyres were qualified experts. “Courses within the industry are rarely as rigorous as this: passing it should give motorists peace of mind that our tyres are being fitted properly and safely. Although run flats must be fitted by experts, theyre not just for specialists. These tyres can be fitted to almost any wheel rim, and their popularity is growing at such a rate that theyre quickly becoming standard for any motorist who refuses to compromise on safety.”
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