![Maxxis tyres in extreme motorsport action in 2018](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/brad.freeman_EWC-2018-Rnd8_2736-1.jpg)
Maxxis tyres in extreme motorsport action in 2018
Maxxis-sponsored riders across motorsport experienced success on the tyre manufacturers’ high performance tyres. Leading the way on two wheels for Maxxis was enduro athlete Brad Freeman. The British rider secured his first ever senior world title in the Maxxis FIM EnduroGP World Championship, riding to victory in the E1 class using the soft compound version of the MaxxEnduro and MaxxEnduPro tyres.
Continue Reading![Yokohama increases motorsport profile with successful 2018](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lloyd-02.jpg)
Yokohama increases motorsport profile with successful 2018
Yokohama has called 2018 one of the most high profile and busiest in recent years for its motorsport operation. The manufacturer’s products have been action in rallying and on the circuit, where Yokohama launched its support of the major new TCR series in the UK. The company also continued its ongoing support for a number of promising young drivers and grassroots motorsport.
Continue Reading![2018 has been ‘Up in the air’](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/brexit-1.jpg)
2018 has been ‘Up in the air’
When it comes to reviewing 2018, two words sum up the kinds of talking points virtually everyone has touched on this year: tariffs and Brexit. Indeed it has to be said that 2018’s two meta-themes are not entirely separate from one another. Nevertheless, both have this in common. For most of the last twelve months details of both subjects have been “up in the air”, leaving the rest of us to forecast (which often means speculate) exactly what is going on. See page 32 for further analysis of what has been going on this year as well as coverage of a couple of stories that are emblematic of these themes.
Continue Reading![Michelin rejuvenates retail programme](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/103-12-michelin-guildford-tyre-company.jpg)
Michelin rejuvenates retail programme
In May Tyres & Accessories reported that Andy Aylward had been appointed as Michelin’s retail programme manager for the UK and Ireland. In this role, the 30-year Michelin veteran is responsible for overseeing the company’s network of over 80 accredited car and motorcycle Michelin Certified Centres, which is now known as the Michelin Automotive Programme. Since then, there has positive feedback from the car tyre retail sign and a number of initiatives have been kick started in the two-wheel as well as car tyre side of things. At the end of November Tyres & Accessories met up with Aylward in order to find out more.
Continue Reading![The increasingly high-value UK tyre replacement market](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_7876.jpg)
The increasingly high-value UK tyre replacement market
4x4/SUV and UHP markets continued to grow in 2018 As part of our review of 2018, Tyres & Accessories asked market research specialists to give an overview of some of the key trends that have taken place in the UK car, 4x4 and light truck replacement tyre market trends during the course of the year. In doing so, we have a good foundation for looking forward into 2019 and beyond. What we found was that UK tyre replacement market is increasingly high-performance and increasingly high-value. GfK’s Panelmarket data compares the period between November 2016 and October 2017 with November 2017 to October 2018. Reading left to right, the infographic below shows the percentage share of the panelmarket broken down by vehicle type (passenger car, 4x4 including SUV and light commercial vehicle); key changes in the panelmarket during the last 12 months broken down by rim diameter; brand tier split; and the two five tyre sizes.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg invests in India two-wheel tyre production JV
Trelleborg Wheel Systems is investing in a two-wheel tyre factory in India. According to the company, the investment forms part of Trelleborg’s strategy to “strengthen its positions in attractive market segments”. Currently Trelleborg’s mostly makes two-wheel tyres in Europe. Products include tyres for selected niches, such as enduro and motocross, as well as scooters, mopeds and motorcycles.
Continue ReadingNational introduces new Wheel Hub Units for top marques
National Auto Parts has introduced 15 new wheel hub units and 7 new brake pads to its extensive aftermarket offering, enabling more workshops and factors to have more access to a wider range of its OE matching quality components.
Continue ReadingUncertainty stalls UK car manufacturing
Commenting on October’s car manufacturing figures, Justin Benson, Head of Automotive at KPMG UK, said: “The automotive sector in the UK is at a hiatus. Consumer confidence is on a downward trend and is already at lower levels when compared to the same period last year.
Continue Reading![TerraClean returns to Autosport International 2019](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/terraclean-as.jpg)
TerraClean returns to Autosport International 2019
TerraClean, available in the UK from Randstad, will be offering visitors valuable insight into its engine cleaning solutions when it exhibits at the 29th Autosport International Show on 10th - 13th of January 2019. The UK’s fastest-growing deep engine cleaning brand will be exhibiting on stand 3560, right next to the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship stage, as it looks to build on the success of 2018, which has seen it enjoy rapid growth with more than 500 Official TerraClean Service Centres spread across the UK.
Continue ReadingSurvey paints stark picture on garage recruitment challenges
Norwich-based automotive recruitment specialist Progress Recruitment Solutions (UK) says a recent survey starkly illustrates the challenges many independent garages now face in finding and retaining skilled technicians. The survey, conducted in conjunction with digital news specialists Garage Wire, gained 80 responses from six simple questions posed to independent garages during October 2018.
Continue Reading![E Rand & Sons appointed ZF Service Point dealer](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/E-Rand-and-Sons.jpg)
E Rand & Sons appointed ZF Service Point dealer
Supported by ZF Services UK’s Centre of Competence in Nottingham – which has recently boosted capacity to supply a wider stock of remanufactured transmissions and axles – ZF Service Partners can attend bus operators within a 48-hour window and perform on-site diagnosis, repairs and component exchange to ensure vehicle downtime is minimised. All Service Partner staff are trained in line with the factory production standards, which form part of ZF’s core competencies.
Continue Reading‘Modest’ overall decline in November new car sales
The UK new car market declined by a modest -3.0 per cent in November with some 158,639 units registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Stalling consumer confidence, supply delays due to implementation of the new WLTP emissions test and model replacement all combined to affect overall sales.
Continue ReadingNovember LCV sales up 9.6 per cent
SMMT figures show that he new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew 9.6 per cent in November, as more than 29,000 vans and pick-ups joined UK roads. This increase represents 2,549 more pick-ups and vans registered in the month compared to November 2017.
Continue ReadingNTDA taking action against false Association membership claims
The NTDA is taking action against a number of UK tyre retailers who are falsely claiming to be members of the association, displaying the NTDA logo on their recovery vehicles, websites and marketing collateral, or who are advertising that repair work carried out at their tyre depots is carried out to “the NTDA standard”.
Continue Reading![Vredestein ‘celebrates farming life’ in promotional video for agricultural tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/vredestein-ag.jpg)
Vredestein ‘celebrates farming life’ in promotional video for agricultural tyres
Vredestein has produced a promotional video focused on the role of farmers, their connection to the soil, and the hard work they do every day. Made by award-winning Amsterdam-based studio Sounds Like Film and the result of nine months of filming, the video is part of Vredestein’s Live the Land campaign for its agricultural tyre portfolio.
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