Ban on aged tyres takes effect
The eight-year campaign to drive age-compromised tyres from UK roads reached its conclusion today, with amendments to Construction and Use Regulations now prohibiting the use of tyres more than ten years old on the front steered axles of lorries, buses, coaches or on any minibus single wheel axle.
Continue ReadingTecAlliance experts solve tricky repair cases
TecAlliance, a leading data management specialists in the independent automotive aftermarket, is launching its new series “What the Fix?!”. From now on, every month a new episode will present a repair query from workshop practice that the specialists on TecAlliance’s Expert Hotline have solved. On LinkedIn, Facebook and in the TecAlliance Newsletter, the problem will be described and the solution provided – a service from automotive professionals for automotive professionals. The first episode involves a Toyota Yaris with a stuttering engine that is losing fuel.
Continue ReadingNFDA launches ‘Engage’ to support dealers’ communications
“Given the challenges facing businesses and the increasing importance of having a robust digital strategy in place, we are delighted to launch NFDA Engage, a new programme aimed at supporting dealers’ communication activities”, said Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK.
Continue ReadingUK drivers welcome smart motorways to reduce congestion and emissions
Venson survey shows drivers support smart motorways, but some education is still required to improve safety and a sizeable minority have safety concerns. With controversial smart motorways continuing to cause debate across the motor industry and within Government, Venson Automotive Solutions has asked drivers for their opinion. Bucking the ‘anti’ trend led by industry influencers calling for alternations to the system, 56 per cent agree that smart motorways are indeed necessary to help improve road safety and ease congestion. Half see the benefits for congestion levels, and a quarter expect smart motorways to ease emissions. However, one in ten admit they don’t know what a smart motorway is, highlighting the need for driver education.
Continue ReadingTyreWatch tackles HGV misalignment with Josam solution
TyreWatch, the tyre monitoring technology company, is using the latest JOSAM Cam-aligner wheel alignment system to diagnose and correct mis-aligned vehicles which the company says, represent 33 per cent of the UK logistics industry. Supplied by JOSAM’s UK distributor Automotive Equipment Solutions UK (AES UK) the JOSAM Cam-aligner is a compact, mobile system which uses patented camera technology together with the ‘centreline principle’ to determine the position of axles and individual wheels in relation to the square of the vehicle.
Continue ReadingNFDA discusses transition to electric vehicles with DfT
NFDA chief executive Sue Robinson met with Rachel Maclean MP, parliamentary undersecretary of state at the Department for Transport, on 28 January to discuss the Government’s ambition to end the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030 and outline the key role dealers play on the Road to Zero.
Continue ReadingMichelin fits the bill for G&B Finch
Essex-based aggregates business G&B Finch was established in 1969. The company is a family-run business which provides aggregate and haulage services to firms in the construction industry. It also supplies ready mixed concrete and a range of sustainable waste disposal facilities, including inert soils, non-hazardous and hazardous soils and tarmac. The company’s 50-strong fleet of commercial vehicles runs almost entirely on Michelin, having found the tyres to deliver the best longevity and endurance of any truck tyre on the market.
Continue ReadingEast Anglian garage calls for further MOT extension
With data showing that 93 per cent of garages planned to remain open during lockdown 2.0, it is a minority view, but one Suffolk garage is appealing for another MOT extension similar to what was enacted during the first lockdown in spring 2020.
Continue ReadingMOT demand peaked at Christmas, Lockdown-related testing boom finished in January
2020 provided a turbulent 12 months for the humble MOT. At the start of the year, the centralised testing conducted on the island of Ireland was thrown into disarray after faulty vehicle lifts were found on both sides of the border. It also raised questions about the wisdom of centralised approach in comparison of the de-centralised model used across Great Britain. Of course, all this took place while Covid-19 was still a Far Eastern problem. And yet, before the first quarter was out, national lockdowns had resulted in the deployment a six-month extension of the MOT renewal date, which had the knock-on effect of causing an MOT boom in the last quarter of 2020. The last cars to make use of the extension had their testing date deferred to the end of January 2021, so that complex chapter in the history of the MOT is now over. It also means that we have a chance to learn what happened. At the same time, the latest full-year 2019/2020 DVSA vehicle testing data has now been released, so we can also learn more about how last year’s projections compared with the end results in the months preceding the pandemic and what this might mean in terms of tyre demand.
Continue ReadingDVSA enabling smartphone MOT login from mid-February
In December 2020, the DVSA shared details of the new secure way to log into the MOT testing system (MTS) via smartphone. Chris Price, Head of MOT policy, has further explained that, from mid-February 2021, testers will be able to log into MTS using an authentication app on your smartphone.
Continue ReadingNorth Devon Tyres to distribute Goodyear Farm Tires
A leading tyre specialist in Devon which has more than 40 years’ experience has become a new distributor for Goodyear Farm Tires. North Devon Tyres is a family-run business with 11 service depots across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset; the company previously sold Goodyear Farm Tires products and has wasted no time renewing that relationship after the famous brand returned to the UK and European markets.
Continue ReadingShipping costs temporary, price increases less so
The effects of the coronavirus and Brexit have led to an increasingly severe shipping bottleneck. The inevitable result of all of these factors is price increases. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) wholesale director Graham Mitchell in order to find out more about what this means for the tyre retail sector. Getting right to the point, are prices going to go up in 2021? “Undoubtedly,” was Mitchell’s immediate and definite response, with the wholesale director pointing to the three main factors behind the current and forthcoming price hikes as well as the different variables associated with each: “Containerised cost of product coming out of the far east…that’s not doubled, that’s quadrupled…a significant on-cost not to be underplayed…and then you’ve got a currency element that’s forcing manufacturing costs up as well.” The good news is that wholesale sources are confident that the containerised element is temporary, but the same cannot be said about other factors.
Continue ReadingJoshua McMartin appointed purchasing manager at Bickers
Bickers has appointed Joshua McMartin as its new purchasing manager. The son of current managing director Derek McMartin, Joshua has become the third generation of the McMartin family to achieve a management position for the aftermarket parts and accessories supplier. Bickers is the sole UK distributor of Maxxis and CST motorcycle and ATV tyres.
Continue ReadingA foretaste of normality: Michelin launches 2021 Guide
The Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2021 is now in circulation and available for the very first time as a digital-only product. Michelin unleashed the latest Guide and announced the latest recipients of its Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, Michelin Green Stars and special awards during an online presentation on Monday.
Continue ReadingMini specialist fits Falken tyres on ex-Beatles custom model
With more than 30 years’ experience, Andy ‘Ace’ Harrison is amongst the UK’s foremost specialists in the original Mini. Harrison has repaired, raced, rallied, restored, bought, and sold all types of Mini via his Acespeed business in Shipley, Yorkshire. As one of the world’s leading authorities on Minis, it is no surprise that one particularly iconic Mini found its way back to Harrison, as its famous new owner sought to restore the model.
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