Dealers optimistic about demand despite current new car issues – NFDA
The National Franchised Dealers Association argues that there is cause for optimism in the new car sector based on strong consumer demand, despite a disappointing 1 per cent increase in new car registrations in 2021. Chief executive Sue Robinson said: “A poll conducted by NFDA revealed that 78.6 per cent of franchised vehicle dealers are optimistic about the level of demand in the year ahead as consumer confidence improves while we move through the pandemic and the electrification of the UK car parc continues apace.
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‘Year EVs became mainstream’ but infrastructure, pricing concern buyers – Deloitte
Responding to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ 2021 new car registration data, analyst Deloitte has proclaimed 2021 “the year electric vehicles became mainstream”. It added that range issues are receding as a headwind thanks to technological progress. It identifies the speed of charge point infrastructure and the price of entry post-subsidies as the major headwinds for the sector in 2022.
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Most successful year for electric cars, but 2021 UK registrations just 1% higher than 2020
2021 UK car sales were stalled by Covid and its impact on the supply chain, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders explains. 1.65 million new cars were registered in an increase of just 1.0 per cent on pandemic-ravaged 2020, making it the second-worst year since 1992. Sales were -28.7 per cent below pre-Covid levels thanks to headwinds, which included the semiconductor shortage. However, figures did show that the transition to electric cars is proceeding quickly. More than one in six registrations were plug-in, while battery electric cars alone rose to one in nine. Overall, the SMMT notes that this means more BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) were registered than in 2016-2020 combined. The society added that the UK auto industry is calling for the government to extend incentives and mandate chargepoint targets. It argues that the UK needs to accelerate consumer uptake of EVs, maintaining the country’s attractiveness against competitor markets.
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RL Automotive introduces AutoAlign for a greener transport world
As transport industries strive to balance commercial considerations with safety, compliance and the general ‘green’ issues of the day, digital analysis and sustainable technology developer, RL Automotive, has introduced a unique tyre management platform with a range of monitoring systems which enables fleet managers across all commercial sectors to reduce running costs, increase safety and limit the environmental impact of their operation.
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Continental delivering to John Deere in USA
From November 2021, Continental is supplying its TractorMaster and Tractor85 agricultural tyre ranges to John Deere’s factory in Iowa, USA for original equipment fitment on the John Deere 7R and 8R tractor lines. These sizable machines require tyres with external diameters of up to 2.05 metres and rim diameters up to 50-inches. This arrangement builds upon Continental’s supply to John Deere in Europe, where its tyres have been fitted to tractors produced at the Mannheim factory in Germany since 2019.
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Goodyear Total Mobility integrates Here location services
Services provided by location data platform Here Technologies are being integrated into the Goodyear Total Mobility one-stop fleet management solution. Goodyear says that by combining its solution with Here’s services, fleets can benefit from a fully customisable suite of vehicle-to-fleet operation management tools that will minimise vehicle downtime.
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TPMS: Bartec navigates shortages to engineer strong sales for 2022
Bartec Auto ID Limited, the Barnsley based TPMS manufacturer, reports strong growth in sales of TPMS sensors and tools worldwide during 2021. The launch of three new TPMS tools, the TECH350, TECH450, and TECH600, reportedly resulted in existing tool users upgrading their experience and taking advantage of Wi-Fi connectivity for software and coverage upgrades. According to Bartec, the new tools link to TPMS Desktop which has a library of information about TPMS and stores the repair data for later audit.
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Nokian announces forthcoming additions to winter tyre range
In a teasing press release just before Christmas, Nokian Tyres revealed that the company is extending its Hakkapeliitta winter tyre range, with the addition of new flagship products; the Hakkapeliitta R5 Nordic non-studded winter tyres, designed for passenger cars and SUVs. The new tyre is, says Nokian’s head of product management Marko Saari, “a revolutionary new tyre that everyone will want to experience for themselves.
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Sustainable materials: Goodyear shows off 70% tyre
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has taken a further step towards its aim of achieving material sustainability by producing a tyre with 70 per cent sustainable material content. While this Goodyear Assurance tyre is a demonstration model and won’t be offered for sale just now, innovations contained within will certainly appear in future ranges.
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Most efficient Mercedes ever riding on Bridgestone tyres
With more than 620 miles on a single battery charge, Mercedes-Benz says it is “setting new standards for electric range and efficiency” with the Vision EQXX. It attributes this generous range to numerous factors, including ultra-low rolling resistance tyres from Bridgestone.
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Pirelli P Zero Corsa OE on Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
Porsche has selected Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres for the latest Cayenne Turbo GT. The crossover SUV will wear the P Zero Corsa in size 285/35ZR22 XL (106 Y) at the front and 315/30ZR22 XL (107 Y) size on the rear. Both fitments bear the NO marking which identifies them as tyres specifically developed for Porsche.
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UK farmers to benefit from Goodyear Farm Tires’ Turkish radial production
Goodyear Farm Tires will provide a significant boost to UK and European farmers in 2022 by offering an enhanced supply of radial tyres. These will come from production in Turkey, a site that has traditionally made cross-ply tyres but is now about to benefit from a new plant. From early 2022, Goodyear will source radial agricultural tyres there too, initially offering the UK and European markets 20 key radial sizes. This figure should double by the end of the year.
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New Year’s price rise for Trelleborg Wheel Systems products
Prices for Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) products will increase by up to ten percent as of January 2022. Trelleborg says the price rises apply to all TWS brands and products and is a consequence of the escalating energy, logistics and raw materials costs in all markets.
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Kumho Tire develops bespoke tyre for TCR competition
According to WSC Group Ltd., the entity behind the TCR touring car series concept, Kumho Tire has developed a bespoke tyre for TCR competition. WSC has approved the new tyre following its successful completion of evaluation testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 11 October, the day after the TCR Europe season drew to a close.
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January launch for Metzeler Tourance Next 2
Following a Covid-related delay, riders will be able to get their hands on the Metzeler Tourance Next 2 in time for next year’s motorcycling season. The fourth generation of the Tourance family arrives in January.
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