Latest Dealer Attitude survey shows ‘degree of optimism’
The most recent edition of the National Franchised Dealers Association survey has been published, with dealers showing more optimism about profit returns. “It is positive to see that when evaluating their satisfaction with profit return, the majority of dealers gave a response which was higher than the neutral score of 5.0. However, the average score for both current and future profit return has decreased again compared with the last survey,” said Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA, commenting on the results.
Continue ReadingCenex to join European electric vehicle road trip
Cenex – the UK’s first centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies – has announced its participation in the European leg of the Global Electric Vehicle Road Trip and E-Mobility Events, a 6,500 km long road trip through ten European countries, from 25 April to 10 May, showcasing the best of electric vehicle technology and innovation.
Continue ReadingSteve Patch is first winner of The Parts Alliance’s ‘Dream Drive’ promotion
The Parts Alliance has announced Steve Patch, Parts Manager of W&M Stevens as the first garage customer to win the ‘road trip of a lifetime’ along America’s iconic Route 66 in the current ‘Dream Drive’ promotion. Patch said: “I’m truly blown away to win a real once in a lifetime prize. It really is one of those bucket list moments.”
Continue ReadingNBRA launched as ‘industry voice’
21 March saw the unveiling of the National Body Repair Association (NBRA), the UK’s trade association for vehicle body repair sector – formally known as RMI Bodyshops (NAB & VBRA). The association held an exclusive evening event in London with both industry colleagues and press in attendance.
Continue ReadingSoE launching “Irtec Tyre” at CV Show
Following the news that Bridgestone became the first tyre manufacturer to trial and offer the Society of Operations Engineers (SoE)’s “Irtec Tyre” accreditation back in February, the society has announced that it plans to official launch the standard at the CV Show in Birmingham in April.
Continue ReadingBritish motorists drive over half a million miles in a lifetime, says research
The average British motorist will clock up a staggering 556,764 miles, fork out £168,880, have 1,935 rows - and 2,709 episodes of road rage in their lifetime, according to new research. Researchers studied UK motorists to reveal an average lifetime of driving, with the typical driver spending nearly seventy thousand pounds on fuel over the course of their lives.
Continue ReadingMichelin launches Click2Sell website solution to tyre dealerships
Michelin has launched Click2Sell – a website solution the company refers to as “a flexible ‘website in a box’ that helps dealers build their online presence and attract new customers with ease”. While wholesalers have done similar things, Click2Sell is believed to be the only tyre manufacturer-backed website-building package to allow dealerships in the UK and Ireland the freedom to promote their chosen tyre range online. And, what’s more, the range can be either primarily Michelin tyres or a premium competitor. Click2Sell is open to any dealership.
Continue ReadingRegistration for Tyre Safety Month Briefing & Awards open
TyreSafe stakeholders can now register to attend the Tyre Safety Month Briefing which will take place on Thursday 6 July at the Belfry Hotel & Resort, Wishaw in the West Midlands. The annual event will provide an update on the latest issues affecting tyre safety awareness and will launch the materials and resources available to support 2017’s forthcoming Tyre Safety Month in October.
Continue ReadingIAAF to highlight industry threats at The CV Show
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) will be taking its key messages surrounding the Commercial Vehicle (CV) sector to industry personnel at the CV Show in April. IAAF has welcomed many of the recent amendments approved by the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee (IMCO) as part of the forthcoming type approval legislation, and the federation will be available to provide more details about the current situation and what it means for the sector.
Continue ReadingUltra-Seal gains Schmitz Cargobull and Kögel as OE customers
Schmitz Cargobull and Kögel Trailer GmbH & Co. KG recently started filling tyres with Ultra-Seal from their respective trailer factories. The news comes is one of a series of announcements that show a significant jump in Ultra-Seal usage. At the same time Ultra-Seal reports that it is “systematically acquiring full European network coverage by contracting Europart Denmark and Eurotyre Belgium for the distributorship rights for the sale of Ultra-Sea”.
Continue ReadingFirst IAAF industry briefing ‘a success’
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) hosted its first industry briefing of the year at Sales–i in Solihull on Thursday 16 March. Headed up by Mike Smallbone, membership development manager, the event welcomed a diverse mix of IAAF members who were able to benefit from an informative update on IAAF’s latest activity and the threats affecting the independent aftermarket.
Continue ReadingBartec to host interactive workshop, seminars at Automechanika Birmingham
Bartec Auto ID will host an interactive workshop and seminar programme during its second visit to Automechanika Birmingham. The programme will focus on TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) at a time when record MOT failures attributable to TPMS are in the news. Bartec will exhibit from stand 20D100 at the NEC.
Continue ReadingFalken Azenis FK510 tyre available in 55 new sizes
From this spring, the Falken Azenis FK510 will be available in 66 sizes compared to the previous 51. “Our addition of 56 new sizes to the Azenis FK510 range reflects the continuing popularity of our UHP tyres,” says Andreas Giese, Manager Corporate Planning at Falken Tyre Europe, about the portfolio expansion.
Continue ReadingWestlake to partner Irish Drift Championship 2017
Westlake tyres has partnered with The Irish Drift Championship (IDC) 2017 and says it will “cooperate with drifters to bring amazing shows for all the visitors”. Westlake Tyres are pleased to partner the Irish Drift Championship for the 2017 season. The IDC has some of the best drivers from around the globe and they compete at the highest level. Westlake Europe plays a big role in marketing the brand for all our tyre products and aligning Westlake tyre with top championships gives us the perfect opportunity to show-case our motorsport range,” said Chris Carpenter, a partner of Westlake Tyres in Europe.
Continue ReadingAvon increases Cobra tyre production
Avon Tyres has increase production its Cobra motorcycle tyre in response to the successful launch of the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber. The Cobra tyre is the OE fitment on every Bobber that rolls off the production line, with the bespoke front and rear tyres specially designed for this premium custom bike.
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