![Britain’s best garages celebrated at WhoCanFixMyCar.com awards](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TxKF-srA.jpeg.jpg)
Britain’s best garages celebrated at WhoCanFixMyCar.com awards
The fourth annual WhoCanFixMyCar.com awards took place on 13 February 2020, following a year in which more than two million jobs were completed by registered garages. The awards comprised 24 categories, with 118 nominees shortlisted and acknowledged for their excellence out of a network of more than 14,400 garages and mechanics registered on the site. Headline sponsor, battery manufacture Varta attended alongside other members of the WhoCanFixMyCar.com partnership including Shell, Brembo and Hella.
Continue Reading![Michelin AxioBib 2 tyres fitted on Flawborough Farms’ UK-first Horsch sprayer](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/239-Michelin-AxioBib-2-tyres-Flawborough-Farms-Horsch-sprayer-1200x900.jpg)
Michelin AxioBib 2 tyres fitted on Flawborough Farms’ UK-first Horsch sprayer
Flawborough Farms has switched its next-generation Horsch sprayer’s original equipment fitments for a set of Michelin high-technology agricultural tyres.
Continue Reading![David Smith returns as Continental UK country manager](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/David-Smith1.jpg)
David Smith returns as Continental UK country manager
Following the purchase of Bandvulc in the summer of 2016, then managing director David Smith was promoted into the wider international role of Head of Channel Management Distribution and Region, North Europe for Continental. His 2018 promotion followed a 12-year tenure as UK MD that saw turnover at the UK business more than double. The latest news is that he has returned to the UK, so with all this in mind, Tyres & Accessories recently caught up with David Smith in order to talk about his return as well as both Continental and Bandvulc in the UK.
Continue Reading![4×4 tyre sales remain strong, but SUV sub-segment growing twice as fast](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rrvelar18mydriving070817015.jpg)
4×4 tyre sales remain strong, but SUV sub-segment growing twice as fast
Last month we heard that, according to the latest market data collated by analysts at GfK, both the value and the volume of the overall sell-out UK car tyre replacement market decreased in 2019. However, the value-rich SUV tyre sub-segment and its all-season tyre sub niche continue to show encouraging signs of growth. So, with this in mind, the March magazine’s SUV tyre feature takes a closer look at the latest trends in this particular market space.
Continue Reading![Vredestein: all-season SUV tyre trend favours our specialist range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Vredestein.jpg)
Vredestein: all-season SUV tyre trend favours our specialist range
In January GfK’s “panelmarket” identified SUV tyres and all-season tyres as top two growing sub-segments in 2019. Indeed, since all-season tyre sales have shot up 19 per cent in terms of value and 13 per cent up in volume, the UK market is now selling four times as many all-season tyres as winter tyres sold at their peak. Within this, high performance tyres and bigger size tyres, specifically 17-inch and over, are growing fastest (see separate article for further details).
Continue Reading1000s of MOT testers face suspension ahead of assessment deadline
A month ahead of the 31 March deadline, the DVSA is urging the 50 per cent of MOT tester that haven’t completed their annual training and assessment to do so “or face being suspended”. DVSA figures show that 30,950 testers still need to complete the training and assessment. Last year, 1,882 were suspended for failing to do so. This compares to 5,538 suspensions in 2018.
Continue Reading![Avon Tyres to support Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/LRBB-fleet-sml.jpg)
Avon Tyres to support Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes
Avon Tyres will support the Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes (LRBB) this year by equipping the charitable organisation’s van and motorcycle fleet. Under the arrangement, the tyre maker will supply Avon ZT7 van tyres and Avon Spirit ST motorcycle tyres, products it says are designed to deal with the variety of roads and weather conditions encountered by the LRBB.
Continue Reading![SMMT: Don’t ban hybrids and low emission vehicles](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Volvo_XC90-hybrid-sml.jpg)
SMMT: Don’t ban hybrids and low emission vehicles
The SMMT released its UK passenger car registration figures for January shortly after the government announced its ambition to end the sale of all vehicles with an internal combustion engine, including HEVs and PHEVs, by 2035. In response to the announcement, the SMMT calls for caution. It points out that hybrids and plug-in hybrids are zero-emission capable, and therefore views both as vehicles not only bringing “significant environmental benefits today,” but also an “important stepping stone in helping motorists make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle.”
Continue Reading![UK, European car registrations decline in January](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cars-in-car-park.jpg)
UK, European car registrations decline in January
As far as the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) is concerned, we can count Brexit as occurring from the start of this year – the association has already removed the UK from its passenger car registration figures for January 2020. Registrations for the slimmed-down EU27 region fell 7.5 per cent year-on-year, to 956,779 units. Registrations fell by a similar level on our side of the channel, with figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing a 7.3 per cent decline in January, to 149,279 units.
Continue ReadingHalf of Brits suffer from green guilt, reveals new study from Kia
Nearly half of Brits (49 per cent) suffer from green guilt and admit exaggerating about their green lifestyle because they feel pressure from family, friends and colleagues to be greener.
Continue Reading![Truck registrations rise, bus/coach decline in 2019](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Truck-sml.jpg)
Truck registrations rise, bus/coach decline in 2019
The UK’s new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market rose 12.6 per cent in 2019, with 48,535 units registered, however the market for new buses and coaches fell 18.8 per cent for a third consecutive a year and amounted to just 5,874 units.
Continue Reading![Britain’s best garages are celebrated at WhoCanFixMyCar.com’s fourth annual garage awards](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TxKF-srA.jpeg-002-sml.jpg)
Britain’s best garages are celebrated at WhoCanFixMyCar.com’s fourth annual garage awards
The 4th annual WhoCanFixMyCar.com awards took place on 13 February 2020 after a successful year where over two million jobs have now been completed by registered garages.
Continue ReadingMotoring experts comment on April’s upcoming changes to the theory test
Following today’s announcement from the DVSA that changes to the driving theory test are coming into effect in April 2020 for new learner drivers in England Wales and Scotland, Peter Brabin, head of training at www.BillPlant.co.uk, commented:
Continue ReadingGoodyear not looking to buy back all HiQs
Following the news that Goodyear has bought one of its largest and longest-established HiQ franchisees, Easy Tyre and Autocare, Tyrepress got in touch with executives in order to find out more. For example, how much money changed hands? And, considering the latest purchase is the second acquisition of its kind, is Goodyear planning to go full-circle with retail ownership? The short answer is no. But a Goodyear/HiQ spokesperson did say “the acquisition of Easy Tyre and Autocentres further strengthens the competitive advantage of Goodyear and HiQ”, adding:
Continue Reading![Giti to support new evening track programme at MotoFest Coventry 2020](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Motofest-2020-image-one.jpg)
Giti to support new evening track programme at MotoFest Coventry 2020
Giti Tire has extended its support of MotoFest Coventry with an evening circuit programme for the first time. The main GT Radial sprint circuit will host a full track programme on the Saturday night, including a dynamic display of wheel to wheel motorsport from teams involved in the VW Fun Cup UK series.
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