Michelin CrossClimate now available for 4×4 and SUV
Michelin’s popular – some would even say trend-setting – CrossClimate tyre is now available to a wide range of SUVs and 4x4s. The Michelin CrossClimate was the world’s first summer tyre to achieve the 3PMSF winter accreditation, and it has won a string of awards since its launch.
Continue ReadingPSA acquires Opel/Vauxhall
In a deal designed to make PSA Group the second largest carmaker in Europe, the Peugeot-Citreon brand owner has bought GM’s long-term lossmaking Opel and Vauxhall brands and production bases for 2.2 billion euros. This figure includes a joint venture with BNP Paribas on the GM Europe auto financing operations (valuing these transactions at 1.3 billion euros and 0.9 billion, respectively). But what does it mean for the tyre sector?
Continue ReadingXbrite+ wheels help put shine on Dennison Trailers’ gold trailer milestone
Dennison Trailers has created a special one-off gold trailer to celebrate production of its 50,000th unit, with additional sparkle provided by Xbrite+ forged aluminium wheels. Number 50,000, a Slope Frame ISO Tank trailer ideal for the transportation of hazardous liquids, is one of 34 trailers that will be supplied in a new deal with Suttons International, an innovative logistics and supply chain company that has a global presence and a major name in the haulage industry.
Continue ReadingNFDA Winter 2017 Dealer Attitude Survey shows little change
The National Franchised Dealers Association Winter 2017 survey had 1,704 respondents from a total of 29 participating franchise networks, which equates to a response rate of 41 per cent. The all-important question asking dealers ‘how would they rate their manufacturers overall’, saw a slight decline compared with last summer’s survey (6.1 vs 6.2), but it stands at the same level as the winter 2016 survey.
Continue ReadingRecord sales of AFVs in February as overall market dips slightly
The UK new car market remained steady in February, dipping just -0.3 per cent, according to figures released by SMMT. 83,115 vehicles were registered in traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the number plate change in March. Fleets drove the market, with 45,699 cars registered, up 3.3 per cent, while private demand fell -4.4 per cent to 36,018 units and business registrations declined -5.3 per cent to 1,398.
Continue ReadingCAM launches new web portal for Cameo tyre trade software suite
A new aesthetic, clear and easy-to-use portal providing in-depth information about its leading tyre trade software Cameo, and a range of commercial, enhancement, sales and integrated apps is being launched by CAM this month (www.cam-systems.com).
Continue ReadingAutosupplies announces ‘Employee of the Year’
Autosupplies has made picker, Tyler Clarke, its Employee of the Year. He was presented with his accolade by Bob Ackroyd and Maureen Cole of Alliance UK. Voted by the management team, Clarke also received vouchers and a trophy sponsored by UAN Ltd. The motor factor said it is keen to reward staff members that go above and beyond to deliver customer satisfaction and it is very much aware of the significant impact they have upon the business. The company now employs 87 members of staff.
Continue ReadingAiming for the top 10: Sailun developing five-year plan to climb global rankings
At the beginning of November Sailun Jinyu International (SJI) appointed Gareth Passmore as its president for Europe. He replaced Martin West, who has been appointed global president of the SJI Speciality Tire Group. Passmore, who started on 1 December 2016, is now responsible for all operations throughout Europe across all of the Sailun Jinyu Group brand portfolio – Sailun, Jinyu, Black Lion and Rovelo. Passmore brings with him over 25 years of tyre industry experience, including time with Continental, Apollo (in South Africa) and latterly with Sumitomo Rubber Industries where he headed up the Falken brand’s European export operations. During a recent brand and winter tyre product demonstration event in Sweden, Tyres & Accessories caught up with Passmore and at the same time we were introduced to Sailun’s ambitious goal of becoming a top 10 tyre manufacturer in the years to come.
Continue ReadingInstitute of the Motor Industry presents motorist-supporting Budget ‘wishlist’
Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), has presented UK chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond with his ‘wishlist’ for next week’s Spring Budget. Top of the list is a request for the Chancellor to do more to encourage motorists to adopt new technologies – rather than penalising motorists driving the ‘wrong’ cars.
Continue ReadingKlarius achieves ISO 9001:2015 accreditation
The UK’s largest manufacturer of aftermarket emissions components, Klarius Products, has become one of the first businesses in the UK to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality systems. The new standard replaces ISO 9001:2008 as of September 2018, with companies required to attain the new standard before this date to ensure compliancy.
Continue ReadingGSF Car Parts announces winners of ‘Here Comes Summer’ promotion
GSF Car Parts has confirmed the January holiday winners from their ‘Here Comes Summer’ garage promotion. At the end of each month in the first quarter of 2017 a winner will be drawn from all those trade customers who have registered for the promotion and then met an agreed monthly spend target. January’s winner was VW, Audi and Skoda specialist Aire Valley Workshop in Skipton, a long-standing customer of GSF’s bustling Bradford branch.
Continue ReadingServicesure launch Slicker waste management solution
Servicesure Autocentres, The Parts Alliance garage programme, has announced a new partnership with Slicker Recycling aimed at streamlining waste collection for its garage members. Slicker Recycling will offer the growing national network a simple ‘one call’ solution. Once contacted, they respond by arriving almost anywhere in the UK to collect and process business waste.
Continue ReadingCold winter good for GSF heater sales
GSF Car Parts say this winter has seen record sales on their workshop heater programme from Z M Heaters, with sales rising by over 40 per cent. The success has been attributed to two key causes; first has been the growing support of The Parts Alliance. Since September, the trading group has moved to adopt the Garage Essentials programme created by GSF across the trading group. This has seen 90 more branches of CES, GMF, Allparts, Car Parts & Accessories, SC Motor Factors, SAS Autoparts, Waterloo and BMF gain access to the heater programme.
Continue Reading23% of motorists say increased penalties will not affect mobile use at the wheel
Under new legislation, motorists who have had their licences for less than two years will be banned if they use their device just once and penalties for all drivers caught using their handset in the car are doubling. However, research from Goodyear Tyres UK has shockingly revealed that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of motorists said the risk of being prosecuted would not affect their mobile phone use behind the wheel.
Continue ReadingApollo to introduce European truck tyre range at the CV Show
Apollo Tyres will make its CV Show debut with a stand at the event at Birmingham’s NEC in April. At the same time the company plans to introduce its range of European market-orientated truck tyres as well as its strategy for engaging with the whole of the commercial vehicle sector. Several weeks ahead of the CV Show, Tyres & Accessories met up with Benoit Rivallant who is Apollo Tyres group head, global product management - commercial vehicle and off-highway tyre, to find out more.
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