asTech launches industry’s first ‘pay as you calibrate’ equipment
asTech launching what the company says is the industry’s first ADAS ‘pay as you calibrate’ initiative. The company is offering ADAS equipment with no upfront cost, and repairers will be able to pay as they use the equipment based on a small number of calibrations per week.
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Modern Tyres invests £5.6 million in new Modern Wheel Solutions division
Ireland’s Modern Tyres invested £5.6 million in the establishment of a new division, Modern Wheel Solutions division back in May. The new business will be situated at a 81,000 square foot purpose-built factory in Carnbane Business Park in Newry.
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IAAF campaigning against extending MOT frequency in Northern Ireland
IAAF is advising against the Northern Ireland Executive’s (NIE) potential introduction of biennial MOT testing (every two years) for private cars, light goods vehicles following the news that the NIE is consulting on the matter. The current testing frequency in Northern Ireland is 4-1-1 with the first vehicle test at four years of age and then a test every year after. The IAAF argues that the current test frequency is both safer and more cost effective for motorists.
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ATS Euromaster expands van fleet, hires new technicians
Tyre service and maintenance provider ATS Euromaster is investing in its mobile van fleet to meet growing demand for mobile servicing. It reports having added 30 vans to its fleet so far this year and anticipates the arrival of more vehicles before the end of 2021, bringing the total fleet to 155 mobile vans.
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Bridgestone recall: UK tyre market not affected
Following last week’s news that Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling 21,513 Bridgestone Dueler H/L, 422 Ecopia, Dueler H/L Alenza, Ecopia H/L 422 Plus, Turanza EL440, and Firestone Destination tyres, on this side of the Atlantic company representatives have confirmed that the UK tyre market is not affected call back.
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Dealers test latest GT Radial tyres in first Mira Ride and Drive for two years
80 guests became the first European customers to test drive the new GT Radial SportActive 2 and FE2 at GT Radial’s first Mira Drive and Ride event for almost two years. Potential new dealers, supported by select GT Radial Performance Centre (GTPC) owners, got back on track under Covid secure conditions over two days, during which GT Radial’s exclusive UK distributor over the last decade, Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS), presented the brand’s product portfolio. All attendees were invited to experience high speed circuits in the new BMW 5 Series of Giti Tire’s country manager - UK, Brian McDermott who put his own car on the redline.
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Over 4.5 million extra MOTs coming this autumn, pent-up tyre demand building
5.5 million drivers took advantage of the government’s six-month MOT extension between April and July 2020. This caused a rush for MOT slots between September and January last year and the same is set to happen again as garages prepare for what some are calling “super September”. On top of all that, nearly 1 million new cars registered between September 2018 and January 2019 are set for their first MOT. As a result, some sources are predicting 16 per cent more MOTs in September 2021 than the year before and 29 per cent more in October. And, of course, more MOTs mean more tyre and fast-fit business. But this is just part of the story, there are also growing signs of pent-up tyre demand hidden in the details of the MOT data.
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CV Show debut for latest Hankook SmartFlex tyres
Next week the Commercial Vehicle Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham after a year’s absence, and Hankook Tire will be present as an exhibitor. The tyre maker will debut two new products for European markets during the show, the Hankook SmartFlex AH51 and DH51 steer and drive tyres.
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Tomket Tyres and Tyre Spot become Gateshead Football Club partner, academy sponsor
Gateshead Football Club has confirmed Tomket Tyres and Tyre Spot as an official club partner and academy sponsor. The partnership sees Tyre Spot extend their association with Gateshead Football Club having previously supported the club in a number of areas including as the club’s shirt sponsor, social media sponsor and official club partner.
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Hankook adds DriverReviews-powered reviews to UK website
A new partnership with DriverReviews gives Hankook Tyre UK a means of supplementing its consumer-facing website with user reviews. The fruits of integrating the DriverReviews platform can already be seen on Hankook’s UK site, and the tyre maker plans to roll out the concept in further markets next year.
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Northern Ireland consulting on two-yearly MOT tests
The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure is consulting on whether MoT tests should be conducted every two years. The announcement follows test delays resulting from the Northern Ireland MOT lift crisis and the pandemic.
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Motofix adds further four-wheel alignment with Pro-Align
One of the UK’s leading independent vehicle repair groups, Motofix has extended its four-wheel alignment capabilities with a new Hunter wheel aligner, supplied and installed by UK distributor Pro-Align. The Towcester firm recently completed the latest installation at one of Motofix’s repair facilities in Northampton, allowing customers to access premium four-wheel alignment.
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First continuous pyrolysis plant for end-of-life tyres ‘supports’ TRA ‘vision’
Carlton Forest Renewables (formerly known as IRR Waste 2 Energy) has become a member of the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). The company’s Worksop based continuous pyrolysis plant – the first of its kind in the UK – is due to become fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2021. The company said that it pledges its support to the TRA as they work towards a shared goal for the responsible recovery of used tyres.
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GKN Wheels becomes Moveero
In October 2020 GKN Wheels & Structures was acquired by Aurelius Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA. The new owners announced that the acquisition was completed on 26 November 2020 and since then, the company has been planning for our future. This means listening to [its] teams internally as well as our external stakeholders-working to look at how we can work better and smarter together as we move forward. But in practice the most noticeable immediate development is the decision to rename the business as Moveero.
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STS Tyre Pros wins Pirelli Performance Centre of the Year
Norwich-based STS Tyre Pros Canary Way is Pirelli’s Performance Centre of the Year. The tyre maker selected the centre from the 134 depots currently in the Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) network.
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