Yokohama to attend FORS conference for first time
Following the re-launch of its commercial vehicle tyre range earlier this year, Yokohama has announced it is attending a leading industry event for fleet operators for the first time. The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Annual Conference takes place at the ICC in Birmingham on Tuesday 15 October and Yokohama will be on stand #46. Yokohama will be the only tyre manufacturer in attendance.
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Elite Garages joins Bangers4Ben 2024 charity rally
Elite Garages is participating in the Bangers4Ben 2024 rally, a unique and engaging charity event aimed at raising funds for the automotive industry charity, Ben. This annual event takes place between 5 and 8 October and encourages participants to purchase a ‘banger’ – a car costing no more than £750 – and embark on a 1,500-mile journey across the Alps. Adding to the fun, each team themes their vehicle and dresses in matching fancy dress, bringing creativity and excitement to the rally. Upon completion, all the cars will be auctioned, with proceeds going directly to Ben.
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Valeo celebrates Specialist Club upgrade with prize giveaway
Valeo has upgraded its Specialist Club garage loyalty programme, and to celebrate it is running a prize giveaway until the end of October with £50 Amazon gift cards and a host of Valeo-branded merchandise up for grabs. To access the giveaway, garages just need to download and sign into the Valeo Specialist Club app. They then have the chance to win Amazon vouchers, as well as branded hoodies, t-shirts and lunch boxes via the spin & win feature.
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Unprecedented EV discounting shores up September new car market
The UK new car market rose 1.0 per cent in the key ‘74’ plate change month of September, to 275,239 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In what is traditionally a bumper month for new car registrations, second only to March, the performance was the best since 2020, but still -19.8 per cent off pre-Covid September 2019.
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Demand for new vans rises in September but EV uptake falls again
Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew for the second month running in September, up 8.3 per cent to record the best performance for the month in four years, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Some 48,455 new vans, 4x4s and pickups were registered as more businesses invested in fleet renewal than any month this year bar March, encouraged by the introduction of the new ‘74’ numberplate. It means 267,339 new LCVs have joined UK roads this year, up 3.6 per cent on 2023 and the largest January-September volume since 2019.
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Tyresure joins IAAF
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed Tyresure as its newest member. The IAAF said the move highlights “IAAFs commitment to supporting independent garages, parts distributors and suppliers towards the growth of the aftermarket sector”.
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Tyre Recovery Association’s vibrant forum demonstrates necessary focus on UK sector
When DME Tyres’ Bill Clarke, the Tyre Recovery Association’s president, addressed the impressively large number of delegates from across the tyre sector at the 2024 Briefing Day (Tuesday 24 September, Leamington Spa), he was in no mood to mince his words. “I don’t think the UK recycling industry can survive in its current form…with one hand tied behind its back,” he said, summing up many years of frustration for the TRA and its members. With a new government slowly – too slowly, perhaps – setting out its legislative agenda, his dramatic rhetorical tone was understandable. With several issues coming to a head, led by an end-of-life tyre (ELT) export situation that is, in every sense, unsustainable, and evolving UK legislation governing waste carriers, brokers and dealers (CBD), the association and its forum speakers demonstrated an increased urgency about the tyre recovery situation.
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ETB Wholesale driving forward after in-depth investment project
ETB Wholesale is investing in its brand portfolio after it signed a sales agreement with leading Indian tyre manufacturer Ceat. The wholesaler said the brand will complement its existing range of products, which include popular tyre brands such as Bridgestone, Davanti and Landsail. It added that it is currently undergoing a comprehensive investment project to position itself as one of the biggest regional players in the sector, with promotions and a significant investment to boost its online presence. ETB Wholesale operates in the Midlands, Wales, the South West and Cornwall, catering for a wide range of requirements for independent garages.
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Tyre Assist signs up to TiDaeX
Tyre Assist has signed up to TiDaeX to leverage its access to e-jobsheet tablet technology and push jobs direct to dealer suppliers.
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Prince William visits Enso, Uber partnership unveiled
On 1 October 2024, Prince William visited 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist, Enso, as the company announced a strategic partnership with Uber across the UK and USA. During the visit, Prince William met with founder and CEO of Enso, Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, and heard how the business has developed and scaled since he last visited in October 2023. The Prince learned about the technology behind their sustainable tyres and the real-life impact it has on pollution levels around the world.
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Pirelli UK CEO promoted to European role
Livio Magni, previously Pirelli UK CEO, has now been appointed as the new CEO of Pirelli Europe. This expanded role includes his recently assumed position of chairman of Pirelli UK. As a result, Dimitrios Papadakos has now been welcomed as the new CEO of Pirelli UK.
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Bridgestone partners Young Driver to improve road safety education for future drivers
Bridgestone and Young Driver have announced a UK partnership that will connect the company with 320,000 pupils and parents around the country over the next 12 months. Coinciding with TyreSafe’s October Tyre Safety Month campaign, the collaboration will see Bridgestone delivering the message about the crucial role that tyres play in keeping drivers safe through various inventive initiatives. On average, Young Driver delivers 140,000 lessons to young people between 10 and 17 each year, using cars ranging from Vauxhall Corsas to Porsches. The scheme operates at 70 private venues all over the UK, offering responsible learning in a safe, controlled environment, with qualified driving instructors delivering lessons in a fun and engaging way, to nurture the future generation of drivers.
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More consumers need to buy new EVs to provide the used sector with appropriate stock, VRA told
Delegates at the September meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) were warned that the used Electric Vehicle (EV) market is in danger of “becoming skewed”. Andy Webb, head of sales from Brego, explained that fleet dominance of the EV market meant there were too many medium and large electric cars entering the remarketing cycle, and not enough smaller ones for everyday buyers.
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Pichler Tools to exhibit at The Aftermarket Event
Specialist supplier Pichler Tools is set to exhibit its latest range of workshop solutions at The Aftermarket Event on 2–3 October at Farnborough International. Visitors to the Pichler stand will see cutting-edge workshop solutions, with live demonstrations and expert advice on finding the right tool for the job.
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CMA warns of headlight dazzle and ‘eye–snatching thefts’
Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA), part of the QuestGates Group, has highlighted a worrying rise in headlight-related cases, including dazzling incidents and an emerging theft trend known as ‘eye-snatching’.
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