![‘More than 60%’ of garages closed in pandemic lockdown, survey shows](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-aftermarket-survey-sml.jpg)
‘More than 60%’ of garages closed in pandemic lockdown, survey shows
A survey of 510 suppliers, motor factors and garages has shown that more than 60 per cent of garages in the UK have closed their doors during the coronavirus pandemic. While these UK closures seem a high estimate at first glance, many that said they have temporarily closed are still offering emergency work to customers and key workers. The survey, which was conducted to highlight the current state of the automotive aftermarket as it responds to unprecedented challenges, was carried out by automotive aftermarket PR and marketing agency Impression.
Continue Reading![Giti Tire (UK) donates PPE to frontline NHS staff](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Brian-McDermott-II-scaled.jpg)
Giti Tire (UK) donates PPE to frontline NHS staff
Giti Tire (UK) has donated 400 face masks to frontline NHS staff at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), a key North West Trust in the fight against the coronavirus.
Continue Reading![Vaculug names new MD, fleet appointments](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Perry-Buckley.jpg)
Vaculug names new MD, fleet appointments
When Zenises Group chairman Harjeev Kandhari bought Lincolnshire-based retreader Vaculug in July 2018, some questioned the logic of buying a British manufacturing business while the country was on the brink of Brexit. However, shortly afterwards he told Tyres & Accessories that the circumstances only added to the opportunity and that he had plans to invest in the business via its staff, products and production lines. 18 months on, before the Coronavirus outbreak, T&A asked Kandhari how the transition has progressed and what the company is doing to celebrate its 10th anniversary. In short, the Vaculug transition is said to be going “absolutely wonderfully”, with a new MD appointed from within the ranks of Zenises, a number of other new personnel as well as new products and a developing van tyre business.
Continue Reading![‘Drastic decline’ – ETRMA releases members’ Q1 2020 sales figures](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/etrma-logo.jpg)
‘Drastic decline’ – ETRMA releases members’ Q1 2020 sales figures
Fresh figures from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) show the extent to which COVID-19 control measures have impacted upon Europe’s tyre markets. The year-on-year slowdown in tyre replacements and sales in the first quarter of 2020 has been “dramatic”, the ETRMA reports.
Continue Reading![Wheely-Safe agrees road safety pledge with Brake](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/049-01-Wheely-Safe-fitted-sticker-Brake-800x533-1.jpg)
Wheely-Safe agrees road safety pledge with Brake
Wheely-Safe has announced a new initiative with industry charity, Brake. It pledges to make a cash donation for every van, bus, coach or truck displaying a ‘Wheely-Safe fitted’ vinyl graphic, highlighting its protection using the firm’s latest generation tyre and wheel safety technology. Wheely-Safe will gift £5 for every light commercial vehicle (LCV) and £10 for every heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or public service vehicle (PSV) carrying the sticker, which it will supply with all new systems.
Continue ReadingPirelli offers contactless tyre and car maintenance through its Driver networks
Pirelli has launched a suite of initiatives for motorists wanting to carry out tyre and vehicle maintenance during the Covid-19 pandemic, while respecting social distancing.
Continue ReadingMarch motorbike registrations show beginning of COVID-19 impact on market
13,075 new motorcycles were registered in March, down from 16,682 in March 2019. In the year-to-date, the market has shrunk by -12.2 per cent, from 10,449 in 2019 to 10,753 in 2020 so far. “Motorcycle registrations for the plate-change month of March were -21.6 per cent in decline against the previous March of 2019,” said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
Continue Reading![Euro Car Parts Southampton donates PPE to local NHS hospital](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ECP-southampton.png)
Euro Car Parts Southampton donates PPE to local NHS hospital
A Euro Car Parts branch in Southampton has donated personal protective equipment to the Southampton General Hospital.
Continue ReadingCrisis car and van purchases continue by essential workers only – BuyaCar.co.uk
Occasional driving remains a necessity for two thirds of British motorists, even as traffic dwindles under the impact of social confinement rules, according to new research.
Continue ReadingAutomotive outlook worsens
The global recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is darkening the automotive sector’s short- and medium-term outlook given the prospect of steep declines in demand in North America and developing countries in 2020 in addition to Europe and China.
Continue Reading![Michelin issues tyre advice for truck fleets facing extended lay up](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/420-Michelin-truck-fleet-tyre-advice-scaled.jpg)
Michelin issues tyre advice for truck fleets facing extended lay up
Michelin has issued special guidance for haulage companies and own-account operators parking fleets for extended periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows a survey by the Road Haulage Association which revealed 46 per cent of the UK’s trucks – around 240,000 vehicles – are now parked up with no work.
Continue ReadingKwik Fit raises a million for Children With Cancer UK
Kwik Fit has raised £1 million for its first selected charity of the year, Children with Cancer UK. The UK’s leading charity dedicated to the fight against cancer in children and young people was chosen following a vote open to more than 5,000 Kwik Fit employees across the UK last year.
Continue Reading![Halfords Autocentres offering free MOTs](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/download-1.png)
Halfords Autocentres offering free MOTs
Halfords is offering free MOTs at Halfords Autocentres with every interim, full or major service booked, to ensure “vehicles that still need to be on the road are safe to drive during this challenging period”, according to the company.
Continue Reading![Goodyear: Fleet managers not taking truck tyres seriously](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/thumbnail_image003.jpg)
Goodyear: Fleet managers not taking truck tyres seriously
Goodyear Tyres research reveals that fewer than three-quarters (71%) of fleet managers feel tyres are a ‘very important’ area of investment, compared with fuel (81%) and repairs and maintenance (86%).
Continue Reading![Autogem upgrades tyre diagnostics range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Prashant-pic.jpg)
Autogem upgrades tyre diagnostics range
Autogem has unveiled its second generation Treadspec drive-over scanners, offering a more efficient and simplified way to perform simple tyre checks for wear, alignment issues and inflation. The Treadspec 2.0 supplements the company’s Groove Glove, which allows garage mechanics to scan all four tyres on any given vehicle and discover the tread depth and alignment of each within 50 seconds.
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