British car manufacturing falls -14.4% in March as industry warns no-deal Brexit could send output back to 1980s levels
British car production declined -14.4 per cent in March, falling for the 10th month in a row with 126,195 units rolling off factory lines, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Production for both home and overseas markets declined in double digits, down -18.1 per cent and -13.4 per cent respectively.
Continue ReadingEastman scientist’s dispersion insights feature in Europe Rubber Industry Forum 2019
At the Europe Rubber Industry Forum 2019, May 7–9 in Vienna, Austria, Eastman technology fellow Dr. Fred Ignatz-Hoover will challenge industry paradigms about dispersion with his comparison of Eastman Crystex Cure Pro insoluble sulphur to sulphur masterbatch (SMB).
Continue Reading![McErlean wins Pirelli International Rally double](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/pirelli-int-rally.jpg)
McErlean wins Pirelli International Rally double
Pirelli-equipped Junior British Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean won his second straight win in the category on the Pirelli International Rally. McErlean and co-driver Keaton Williams followed their asphalt triumph on the West Cork Rally by leading the way on the gravel stages of Kielder Forest. The Peugeot 208 R2 pair took victory by 53 seconds.
Continue Reading![Pirelli supported Ferrari Challenge UK holds prologue test](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/pirelli-ferrari-challenge-uk.jpg)
Pirelli supported Ferrari Challenge UK holds prologue test
The new Ferrari Challenge UK has held a prologue test at Brands Hatch ahead of its first ever season. 20 Ferrari 488 Challenge cars in action on the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch, many of them being driven by their owners for the first time. The Ferrari Challenge UK is the first national championship to be operated by Ferrari, alongside its European, North American and Asia Pacific series: all with tyres supplied by Pirelli. The inaugural season features rounds at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Croft and Silverstone.
Continue Reading![Lord Coe to speak at Automechanika Birmingham Aftermarket Power Network](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Seb-Coe-Headshot.jpg)
Lord Coe to speak at Automechanika Birmingham Aftermarket Power Network
Automechanika Birmingham will host industry leaders from the UK aftermarket at an exclusive event, the Aftermarket Power Network, on Tuesday 4 June, in Hall 20 at the NEC. Lord Sebastian Coe will join the launch event to address the group. 200 leading personnel from the UK automotive aftermarket will be at the invitation-only event, hosted in the keynote area of the show and sponsored by ZF, SMMT and IAAF.
Continue ReadingRichard Tawlks named as TruckForce equity business manager
Goodyear Tyres has announced the appointment of Richard Tawlks as TruckForce’s equity business manager, having worked as a TruckForce regional manager since 2014.
Continue Reading![IAAF heads north for next Industry Briefing](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IAAF-Industry-Briefing-session-Phocas-Coventry.jpg)
IAAF heads north for next Industry Briefing
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) will hold its second Industry Briefing of 2019 at Involution’s new premises in Leeds on Thursday 20 June. The association invites aftermarket businesses to gather for insights into the industry. Sponsored by Involution, head of membership development, Mike Smallbone will open proceedings, with attendees offered presentations on industry developments from industry speakers.
Continue Reading![IGA publishes guide to consumer-facing websites for independent garages](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IGA-Garage-Work-Provider-Report-2019.jpg)
IGA publishes guide to consumer-facing websites for independent garages
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has published its 2019 report on consumer facing websites seeking to work with independent garages. The 2019 Garage Work Provider Report builds on the detail established in the 2018 report and features significantly more feedback and testimonials from independent garages.
Continue Reading![UK hosts Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe opener, supported by Pirelli](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/pirelli-brands-blancpain.jpg)
UK hosts Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe opener, supported by Pirelli
The opening round of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe takes place this weekend at Brands Hatch in the UK, with Pirelli supplying the tyres. It will be the sixth outing of the sprint-format series at the circuit, which will host the event on its 3.9km grand prix layout, including the famous Paddock Hill bend, one of the track’s few overtaking spots.
Continue Reading![Growth and stability amongst leading UK tyre retailers](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ripley_img.jpg)
Growth and stability amongst leading UK tyre retailers
6 - 10 stability, but battle for ninth position Outside of the top five, there is a certain degree of stability amongst the remaining five companies. Those in sixth, seventh and eighth position (McConechy’s, The Tyre Group and Lodge) appear to have remained stable in terms of branch count, with 61, 58 and 40 branches respectively. However, it is worth considering all this in the context of ULM Services Ltd the fleet-orientated cooperation Universal, Lodge and McConechy’s set up during 2017. Put those three partners together and we have 119 branches and another strong contender for fifth position on the table.
Continue Reading![Melksham Motor Spares to exhibit at Japfest 2019](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Melksham-Motor-Spares.jpg)
Melksham Motor Spares to exhibit at Japfest 2019
Melksham Motor Spares will appear at Silverstone on 5 May, exhibiting at Japfest 2019, Europe’s biggest Japanese car show. More than 4,000 of Europe’s best Japanese cars from the UKs thriving club scene will appear at the event, alongside drifting displays and a retail village. The independent automotive parts distributor will seek to raise brand awareness at the event.
Continue Reading![ETEL continues to lead top 20 UK tyre retailers 2019](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/24094.jpg)
ETEL continues to lead top 20 UK tyre retailers 2019
After years of expansion amongst the top 20 UK tyre retailers, the latest data shows that this trend peaked in 2017/2018 when the top 20 accounted for 2014 branches. The same 20 tyre retailers had 1980 branches between them in 2018/2019. And what’s more, the reorganisation of one retailer alone accounted for a 40-centre decline in branch count, with the overall figure remaining positive due to growth at other chains. Here Tyres & Accessories analyses the branch count data in the context of 10 years of comparable research.
Continue Reading![The growing influence of autocentres on tyre retail](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Newport_River_Way_Halfords_Autocentre_branch.jpg)
The growing influence of autocentres on tyre retail
In recent years autocentres have been selling more tyres than ever. At the same time, specialist tyre retailers – such as those featured on our annual table, have moved towards additional servicing and mechanical repairs in order to increase sales. This is especially the case at the top of the table, amongst the largest tyre retail chains where as much as 45 per cent of annual turnover is now made up of non-tyre sales.
Continue Reading![Peter Taylor becomes vice president of ETRA](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TRAs-Peter-Taylor-becomes-UKs-only-Vice-President-of-ETRA.jpg)
Peter Taylor becomes vice president of ETRA
Peter Taylor OBE, secretary general of the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), has been elected vice president of the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) nine-member board. The board, comprised of nine members, oversees the formation and execution of ETRA’s strategic priorities and focus areas. Taylor is the only UK representative on the board.
Continue ReadingEuro Car Parts charging up leisure battery offer
Euro Car Parts is investing in its battery portfolio for motorhomes, yachts, and other leisure applications, acknowledging the surge in demand that comes from six million vacationing Britons over bank holiday weekends. The UK aftermarket distributor partners leading names in battery technology, including Bosch and Exide as well as its own aftermarket brand Lion, to provide a comprehensive leisure battery offering alongside its wide range of car battery products.
Continue Reading