![Vredestein eyeing UK fleet market](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/APOLLO-VREDESTEIN-A4-e1485425912204.jpg)
Vredestein eyeing UK fleet market
With a product portfolio covering high-performance car tyres, comprising summer, winter and all-season options, as well as a comprehensive range of brand new tyres for light commercial vehicles, tyre manufacturer Apollo-Vredestein is now aiming to enter the UK fleet market. T&A understands that the company is spearheading the project with its Vredestein brand, but Apollo branded tyres will also be involved.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone signs further BSMA motocross riders](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bridgestone-bsma.jpg)
Bridgestone signs further BSMA motocross riders
Nine talented young motocross riders have been praised for their natural biking ability by Bridgestone, which is backing their quests for silverware with a season’s supply of tyres. This year the tyre maker is expanding its portfolio of sponsored stars with three further riders: Nadiya Jones, Ray Rowson and, making a return, Jack Timms join Morgan Evans, Rob Yates, James Hanscomb, Harry Linton, Josh Waterman and Charlie Chater. All will compete on Bridgestone Battlecross products.
Continue Reading![CAM Fleet Management Forum steps up development](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_3861.jpg)
CAM Fleet Management Forum steps up development
The first ‘Fleet Management Forum’ took place in January at CAM’s head office in Gloucestershire attended by seven independent truck service dealers, with the aim of discussing how fleet inspection, communications management and contract reporting could be developed to maximise efficiencies and facilitate operations in the industry.
Continue Reading![Automechanika Birmingham growing ahead of second edition](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_1131.jpg)
Automechanika Birmingham growing ahead of second edition
Automechanika Birmingham is claiming to be on the brink of delivering “the UK’s biggest automotive event” ahead of the second edition of the show, which will be held from 6 - 8 June 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham. According to the show’s organisers the 2017 event will be 70 per cent bigger than the 2016 show, hosting over 750 quality exhibitors located in a new hall format and offering a seminar programme of talks from industry experts on tomorrow’s technologies and aftermarket business challenges.
Continue Reading![Westlake Motorsport Europe](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_6039.jpg)
Westlake Motorsport Europe
During the course of January’s Autosport Show in Birmingham, Tyres & Accessories met up with the directors of relative newcomer Westlake Motorsport Europe. While Westlake branded car and truck tyres are distributed by Zenises across many European markets, the Chinese manufacturer behind the brand (Hangzhou Zhongce a.k.a ZC Rubber) has chosen to distribute its motorsport tyres separately to that.
Continue Reading![Disreputable traders, illegal tyres – association shares part-worn experiences](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/partworn-bulge.jpg)
Disreputable traders, illegal tyres – association shares part-worn experiences
Although the National Tyre Distributors’ Association would like to see them banned and TyreSafe implores motorists not to buy these products, around 4.5 million part-worn tyres are sold in the UK each year. The Local Government Association (LGA) has now also highlighted some of its members’ experiences with the sellers of used tyres, and cautions motorists to exercise caution when buying.
Continue ReadingTyreSafe: No MOT changes at the expense of safety
The Department for Transport claims that motorists would save more than £100 million a year if cars underwent their first MOT after four years instead of three, however some see a downside to the recently proposed changes. Relaxing the inspection timetable may, believes TyreSafe, result in more vehicles taking to the road with worn tyres.
Continue Reading![AlloyGator appoints new operations director](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SR_AG.jpg)
AlloyGator appoints new operations director
Alloy wheel protection specialists, AlloyGator, has appointed Stephanie Rathbone to its board of directors, as operations director. Rathbone will move from her previous position as operations manager for the Redditch based firm and will take responsibility for logistics operations and marketing.
Continue Reading![Giti Tire extends UK exclusive distribution agreement with Micheldever](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ph075.Giti-MTS-contract-extension.jpg)
Giti Tire extends UK exclusive distribution agreement with Micheldever
Giti Tire and Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) have signed a renewed three-year exclusive distribution agreement, extending the wholesaler’s UK supply rights for GT Radial and Runway in the passenger car, 4x4 and light truck tyre segments. The relationship between the companies began in 2010, and under the terms of the deal MTS will continue to develop the GT Radial Performance Centres (GTPCs) whilst simultaneously promoting Runway across its larger independent network.
Continue Reading![UK commercial vehicles at risk of being declared unroadworthy due to exhausts](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Klarius087_UK_vehicles_are_illegal_if_not_fitted_with_type_approved_exhausts_JPG_PR4175_40290.jpg)
UK commercial vehicles at risk of being declared unroadworthy due to exhausts
As a business, maintaining a legislatively compliant fleet of commercial vehicles is the cornerstone of a successful logistics operation. Type-approval is the automotive EU directive that governs this compliance across the continent and partially, the UK. Type-approval is especially important for emissions components that are installed on a vehicle, guaranteeing product quality, performance and compliant levels of emissions. However, the introduction of on-the-spot checks for vehicle compliance in Europe over the next few years highlights a deficiency in UK type-approval legislation, which presents a risk to businesses whose vehicles are not fully type-approved.
Continue Reading![Tyres on the Drive deal gives Halfords an opportunity to grow mobile delivery](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tyresonthedrive-655x320.png)
Tyres on the Drive deal gives Halfords an opportunity to grow mobile delivery
Halfords has acquired a minority stake in TyresOnTheDrive.com valued at up to £8 million and simultaneously entered into an operating agreement with the mobile tyre fitting business. The shareholding was purchased during a round of investment in Tyres on the Drive in which existing shareholders MMC Ventures and True Capital also participated.
Continue ReadingNew oil designed specifically for new Fords
Engine development is making increasing demands of oil. What was once a universal lubricant has long become a highly specialized, liquid spare part that only fits certain specific engines. German oil expert LIQUI MOLY is now launching a new oil for Ford’s current TDCi diesel models: LIQUI MOLY Special Tec F 0W-30.
Continue ReadingTraxx appoints Ian Ochtman as general manager
Bracknell-based tyre wholesaler Traxx Tyres UK recently appointed Ian Ochtman as general manager. He joins the company after spending 17 years with Bridgestone in South Africa in senior management positions as well as positions within the workshop supplies sector.
Continue ReadingAutomotive industry responds to PM’s Brexit speech
Not long after Theresa May gave her headline Brexit speech, various automotive industry representatives spoke out about their perspective on the ongoing issue:
Continue Reading![Micheldever management comment on Sumitomo sale](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/micheldever-wholesale-and-distribution.jpg)
Micheldever management comment on Sumitomo sale
On 5 January, Micheldever announced that it was being purchased by Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan (the company behind Falken, one of Micheldever’s key exclusive brands). While it was no surprise that the business had been sold, the idea that Sumitomo would be the successful bidder was not widely foreseen. With Micheldever having grown into a leading position in the UK wholesale sector with a multi-brand, independent retailer-focused strategy, the acquisition raises many questions for the business’s staff, suppliers and customers. With this in mind, a week after Sumitomo’s purchase Tyres & Accessories met with Micheldever managing director, Duncan Wilkes; wholesale director, Alan Baldwin; and wholesale marketing manager Rory Carlin to find out more about the background to the deal.
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