UK, EU car markets grow in April
The EU passenger car market returned to growth in April 2018 after demand declined in March. According to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a total of 1,206,273 passenger cars were registered last month, a year-on-year growth of 9.6 per cent. Growth in the UK market exceeded the European average, rising 10.4 per cent year-on-year to 167,911 new registrations.
Continue ReadingKirkby Tyres improves truck tyre range and distribution in changing market
Prometeon Tyre Group’s recent appointment of Kirkby Tyres as its official wholesale partner for Pirelli truck & bus product is “a landmark in Kirkby’s history as with this agreement, this is Kirkby’s first appointment as a national distributor of a major tier-1 tyre brand”, according to Dave Dorrity, managing director of Kirkby Tyres.
Continue Reading2018 UK truck tyre market data overview
The latest data from market analysis specialists GfK suggests that the market is predominantly made up of regional usage 22.5-inch tyres – a trend that is increasing year-on-year. Here Tyres & Accessories takes a look at the latest market data from a number of sources in order to give an overview of current trends. This article focuses on data provided by GfK, but – owing to the fact that it is current hot topic – also analyses different estimates about how many tyres are made in China, something that is outside the scope of the data provided by GfK and therefore our conclusions on this point are something quite separate to GfK’s input.
Continue ReadingTariff fightback? What importers and associations are doing in response to European anti-Chinese truck tyre duties
It is clear that European anti-truck tyre tariffs are already having marked impact on the shape of the market. This is putting pressure on affected importers and manufacturers alike, but – as we have seen elsewhere in this feature – it could also lead to price increases and product shortages. Here Tyres & Accessories takes a closer look at the issue and what is being done in response based on contributions of industry associations such as the NTDA and ITMA as well as key industry figures.
Continue ReadingMWheels to work with DfT to improve CV wheel safety
Negotiations to rectify the Department for Transport’s apparent failure to incorporate European Union Directives 2014/45/EU and 2014/47/EU into the wheel-related section of the new Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual has yielded a positive result for MWheels. The commercial vehicle wheel specialist shares that following a meeting with the DfT, DVSA and Parliamentary representative Mike Kane MP on 17 May, the DfT “has agreed to work with MWheels to investigate ways in which the Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual’s section on wheels can be enhanced to improve vehicle safety.”
Continue ReadingTyreSafe: Check your tyres before Bank Holiday, half term
The Spring Bank Holiday weekend is fast approaching and for most schools in England and Wales, it also means half term, signalling millions of drivers loading up their cars to get away for a week’s well-earned rest or a visit to family and friends. Around 30 per cent of Britons stayed in the UK for their holidays in 2017, and this figure is expected to be similar this year. The message from TyreSafe is – whether your car is packed for the day or the week, it’s vital to check your tyres before you leave to minimise the risk of a tyre-related incident.
Continue ReadingTruck tyre tariffs to cause shortages
On 7 May the European Commission announced that it is implementing provisional anti-dumping duties of between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre on new and retreaded tyres imported into Europe from China. It is a landmark move that is already having a huge impact on truck tyre markets across Europe. Tyres & Accessories spoke with TYM International managing director, Steve Eke and Triangle Tyres general manager for Europe, Corrado Moglia (representative examples of affected importers and manufacturers respectively) in order to find out more.
Continue ReadingGuy Martin, Peter Boast take podium on Avon tyres at Endurance Legends
Road racing legend Guy Martin and former British and European flat track champion Peter Boast took second place at the 12-13 May Endurance Legends event on Avon tyres. Racing a 1981 Suzuki GSX-R1100 XR69, Martin and Boast battled it out against 50 of the world’s top classic endurance race teams at Donington Park.
Continue ReadingMicroplastics: Government to tackle tyre pollution
Tyres aren’t part of the food chain and they certainly don’t belong in our air and water. Even the powers that be realise this and the government says it will work to combat the problem. The how and with whom of this was outlined in the draft Clean Air Strategy 2018 document released by Environment Secretary Michael Gove on 22 May.
Continue ReadingAutomechanika Birmingham seminar programme unveiled
Automechanika Birmingham’s seminar programme looks set to be the most comprehensive yet with a number of wide ranging topics discussed and technical advice available to visitors.
Continue ReadingMichelin CargoXBib High Flotation tyres helps major UK farm achieve ‘field-good factor’
Michelin’s CargoXBib High Flotation tyres will be fitted to a further two Stewart trailers run by York crop farmer Wharram and Kay, following a trial which pitted them against the standard technology CargoXBib 560/60 R22.5 fitments previously favoured. The 650/55R26.5 tyre, which features Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology, was credited by the prominent farmer and contractor with vastly improving the efficiency of its operation. Roger Kay, co-owner of Wharram and Kay, noticed that the High Flotation tyres provided a reduced rut depth, greater load-carrying capacity at higher speeds and improved contact with the ground.
Continue ReadingFA Cup honours for Yokohama-sponsored Chelsea FC
Yokohama-sponsored Chelsea FC enjoyed a winning conclusion to the 2017-18 football season by taking a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley. Marking the climax of the English season, the match was played in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley, and watched by a live UK TV audience which peaked at 8.7 million. With global TV viewership expected to be at least ten times this number, Yokohama will benefit from a jump in brand exposure from its shirt partnership with the winners.
Continue ReadingKirkby positioning Pirelli as premium truck tyre offer
Prometeon Tyre Group UK Ltd has selected Kirkby Tyres as a truck tyre wholesale partner, with the goal of enhancing its UK distribution capabilities. With the addition of the Pirelli TBR range, Kirkby Tyres will be now be offering a full-tier commercial product portfolio from value tyres, right through to premium.
Continue ReadingTread updates web site with new services
After seven years of development Tread Ltd has published an updated website, reflecting “the expanding number of services the firm offers”. “In addition to subjective and objective test driver support, our fleet of test vehicles has just been updated to reflect the current OEM and REM/Magazine trends for tyre development and fitments using the latest test cars,” the company explained in a statement, adding the following vehicles are now included in its test fleet:
Continue ReadingProactive Solutions helps Reynolds’ fleet tyre costs
Goodyear Proactive Solutions has helped a leading UK fresh food fleet reduce its tyre costs by almost 25 per cent. Reynolds, which is based in Waltham Cross, London, was keen to sign up to the system to help it mitigate against rising costs on its 234-vehicle fleet, which includes 19 trailers, local and regional haulage plus some logistic deliveries.
Continue Reading