Vaculug bringing the Vipal name to UK roads
The commercial relationship between Vipal Rubber and UK retreader Vaculug dates back 12 years, and motorists will see evidence of this partnership on British roads, with two trucks from Vaculug’s fleet now resplendent in Vipal Rubber liveries.
Continue ReadingTyreSafe: Don’t ignore tyres during lockdown
Driving safety charity TyreSafe has given drivers a timely reminder to spare a thought for their vehicles’ tyres in the days and weeks before lockdown ends. Many vehicles won’t have been used much since Christmas and most of those that have are likely to have only been used for short trips. While it’s tempting to put maintenance checks on hold, TyreSafe is advising drivers to check their vehicle’s tyres during lockdown to potentially save themselves money in the long run and reduce the risk of a tyre-related incident when they do return to the roads.
Continue ReadingCovid year a catalyst for UK light vehicle tyre market trends
Common sense seems to dictate that when you tell the majority of the population to stay home, vehicle utilisation – and therefore tyre consumption – should be down across the board. And in a blunt sense the latest full-year panelmarket data from GfK, which tracks points of sale around the UK to indicate aftermarket tyre trends, does show that this happened. However, the latest infographic from the automotive market data analyst also reveals a few more subtle patterns to consumer behaviour in the difficult 12 months of 2020, compared with the previous period. This article is available in Tyres & Accessories February issue.
Continue ReadingBuyaCar predicts surge in car sales when lockdown restrictions ease
Dealers should be ready for a new surge in car sales when Britain emerges out of lockdown, according to the specialist online car supermarket BuyaCar.co.uk. The digital motor retailer issued the alert after conducting research (among 421 car owners) which reveals that an overwhelming majority of people will choose to use their own car over other modes of transport, when the latest national lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Continue ReadingHoriba MIRA: Brexit trade rules will drive UK demand for battery development
Test specialist Horiba Mira expects the new ‘rules of origin’ clause will drive a surge in demand for development and testing of EV battery packs. It comes as last month Aston Martin boss and Nissan planning chief Dr Andy Palmer issued a warning to the UK government that the Brexit trade deal, alongside ambitious plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, presents a risk of “crippling tariffs” for the UK automotive industry unless the sector invests heavily in domestic battery production for electric vehicles.
Continue ReadingMWheels rebrands as The Wheel Hub
MWheels, the European market supplier of Wheels India’s Xlite range of aluminium wheels, has rebranded as The Wheel Hub in the UK and Wheel HUB GmbH at its Cologne, Germany based European operation. The move follows a 12-month review, during which the commercial vehicle wheel distributor decided the name change more clearly identifies its approach to the respective regions. The Wheel Hub is positioning itself in the UK as “a better way to buy CV wheels.” Across the continent, the company’s strapline will be “the home of Xlite”, reflecting its synonymous position with the range of quality forged aluminium wheels. Available in 17.5, 19.5 and 22.5 inch sizes, Xlite and Xbrite+ wheels are designed to be five times stronger and 40 per cent lighter than standard steel equivalents. Look out for Tyres & Accessories interview with Matt Mardle, chief executive officer for The Wheel Hub and Wheel HUB GmbH in our March issue, and next month on Tyrepress.com.
Continue ReadingPCL merges main website with online product
PCL has integrated its ecommerce and distributor portal into its pclairtechnology.com website. Distributors and end users will now have a single point of online access to PCL’s products, news, information, account management and order entry services. According to the company, the enhanced website has been updated for convenience and ease of use.
Continue ReadingPirelli’s Burton consultation, MIRS tyre production and the possibility of transferring tyre manufacturing to Carlisle
Following the news that Pirelli is consulting on reorganising part of its Burton tyre production, the company reaffirmed its commitment to both its Burton and Carlisle locations. But could the consultation relating to Pirelli’s Burton MIRS line mean transferring tyre production to Carlisle?
Continue ReadingPirelli ‘maintaining’ UK tyre manufacturing after Burton MIRS line closure reports
Pirelli has reaffirmed its commitment to “maintaining industrial operations” at both its Carlisle and Burton-on-Trent UK factories after unions suggested the company was about to close its MIRS robotic production line in Burton. According to Unite, which represents all 280 members of the Burton tyre factory workforce, Pirelli has proposed cutting 80 jobs. In a statement published on 11 February 2021, Unite criticised Pirelli for “not taking up the furlough scheme for these workers, instead of pushing ahead with the redundancies.”
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Repxpert ‘Tea-break training’ adds value and can save money
There is no question that during these socially distanced times, Schaeffler’s Repxpert ‘Tea-break training’ concept has captured the attention of the workshop community, with more than 200 workshops and technicians again attending the latest INA cooling module.
Continue ReadingMichelin tyres help restore classic trucks
Michelin has supplied five sets of 12.00 R20 Michelin XZY2 truck tyres to Co Down-based Mulgrew Haulage, for fitment to a fleet of classic vehicles being restored by the family-owned transport company.
Continue ReadingJaguar to be 100% electric vehicle marque by 2025
Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Thierry Bolloré has announced that the Jaguar brand will be a 100 per cent electric vehicle marque by 2025. The announcement, which came as part of the companys “reimagine” global announcement, also saw JLR initiate a journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039. Specifically, Jaguar and Land Rover will offer pure electric power, nameplate by nameplate, by 2030. By this point, in addition to 100 per cent of Jaguar sales, it is anticipated that around 60 per cent of Land Rovers sold will be equipped with zero tailpipe powertrains. At the same, executives emphasised the company’s British identity and sought to differentiate between its Jaguar and Land Rover flag brands.
Continue Reading‘The time to embrace EVs is now’ warns expert aftermarket and engineering panel
The automotive aftermarket has been encouraged to embrace electric vehicles or risk getting left behind in an exclusive webinar titled “Auto industry skills shortage & tackling electric vehicles (EV)”, hosted by automotive and engineering recruitment specialist, Glen Callum Associates. Supported by trade associations IAAF, IMI and MMMA, the webinar challenged perceptions about how the trade could embrace and alternative fuel future. An expert panel comprising businesses and associations from engineering, crash repair, electromechanical and automotive sectors, explored whether the aftermarket is prepared for an EV future, with the experts unanimously urging businesses to invest in technology and training sooner rather than later.
Continue ReadingEU flag is removed from new-style UK driving licences and number plates
To mark the UK’s exit from the EU, the EU flag has been removed from all UK driving licences and number plate designs, with the first batches issued from 1 January 2021. While existing licences and number plates will still be valid, the new versions will be issued to everyone renewing a licence or getting one for the first time.
Continue ReadingJanuary power two wheeler UK sales fall 36.7 per cent, but dealers remain positive
The latest Motorcycle Industry Association’s (MCIA) registration figures show the overall Power-Two-Wheeler (PTW) market was down 36.7 per cent in January. A total of 2,312 fewer units were sold compared to the same period last year. With much of the UK plunged into further Covid-related restrictions from January, the “weariness of the marketplace” may have contributed to the drop in motorcycle and scooter sales, respectively down -43 per cent and -22 per cent.
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