New 65-plate continues rising CV registration trend
The latest figures from the SMMT show that commercial vehicle (CV) registrations once again posted a healthy rise in September.
Continue ReadingRecord September takes UK new car registrations past two million mark
SMMT figures show that new car registrations in the UK reached their highest-ever September total last month. 462,517 cars were registered in September as buyers took advantage of a range of competitive deals on the latest 65-plate, making it the 43rd consecutive month of growth in the market. This marked a rise of 6 per cent for the month and the highest September on record.
Continue Reading![Pirelli, Pro-Align kick off Tyre Safety Month events with football support](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Paul-Beaurain_Connor-Hammell_Charlie-Wyke_Andy-Widdop_Shane-McGinty_Bryn-Beaurain-crop-TN.jpg)
Pirelli, Pro-Align kick off Tyre Safety Month events with football support
Players and coaching staff from table-topping Burton Albion FC and Carlisle United attended tyre safety events hosted by Pirelli and Pro-Align to start October’s Tyre Safety Month. The roadshows, held at Pirelli’s Carlisle factory and Burton headquarters, aimed to remind Pirelli staff and the wider motoring public about the importance of regular tyre tread depth checks. To help deliver the message in a fast and highly visual manner, the events utilised the new Hunter QuickTread drive over tread depth measurement system, available exclusively in the UK through Pro-Align.
Continue Reading![The end of Goodyear Dunlop’s UK retreading](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Goodyear-Wolverhampton-factory-pic-1.jpg)
The end of Goodyear Dunlop’s UK retreading
Just before the September Retreading Special went to print, Goodyear Dunlop was in consultation on the proposed closure of its Wolverhampton mixing and retreading plant, announced in June. Though the plant was the subject of significant investment as recently as 2012, its viability has ultimately reduced to a level at which Goodyear Dunlop believes “there is no other option” but to close the facility, in the words of UK managing director, Erich Fric, who spoke to Tyres & Accessories shortly after the announcement. Indeed, the company’s exit from Wolverhampton appears the logical conclusion to decades of diminishment since its post-war peak, when Goodyear employed more than 7,000 jobs in the city, mostly manufacturing new tyres, an activity that ended in 2006. With the new tyre manufacturing site the subject of a £150m redevelopment plan to make the area a housing zone, Goodyear Dunlop signed a 10-year lease on the land occupied by its mixing and retreading operations, a commitment that was augmented by a five-year investment plan that brought two new Next Tread retreading machines and a Banbury mixer to Wolverhampton.
Continue ReadingVehicle Identity Check scheme to be abolished
The Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) scheme that is required before repaired write-offs are allowed back on the road is to be abolished from 26 October 2015.
Continue Reading![Euro Car Parts and Autologic sign distribution deal](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Autologic_tech1.jpg)
Euro Car Parts and Autologic sign distribution deal
Euro Car Parts, the UK distributor of parts for all makes of cars and light commercial vehicles, has agreed an exclusive distribution deal with Autologic, a world leader in automotive diagnosis, to add Autologic Assist to its Workshop Solutions portfolio.
Continue Reading![Car for sale – two careful owners since 1957](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/morris-minor.jpg)
Car for sale – two careful owners since 1957
There’s a feeling of nostalgia in the air at BCA, as a classic Morris Minor last sold by the company in 1980 has returned to be sold again. The two-door Morris Minor was sold at the former BCA Frimley centre in 1980 by the original owner who had bought it as a new car in 1957.
Continue ReadingFour out of five fleet drivers buy tyres at fast-fit, says survey
Four out of five fleet drivers told by a franchise dealer they need new tyres subsequently head to a fast-fit to buy them, according to a new survey. Research by epyx for the launch of its new TyreServe shows that dealers are leaking a worthwhile source of profit by not successfully retailing replacement tyres to fleets.
Continue ReadingCheck your tyres before the rain says AA
The AA is encouraging drivers to check their tyres as research released during Tyre Safety Month reveals the risks drivers are taking by neglecting vital tyre safety checks. Two-thirds of women (65 per cent) and a third of men (36 per cent) do not check their tyres regularly, instead relying on their garage to tell them when their tyres are worn out and need to be changed.
Continue Reading![Michelin launches fleet tyre management apps](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/imanage.jpg)
Michelin launches fleet tyre management apps
Today Michelin launched Michelin Tire Care, a suite of connected software solutions designed to help hauliers get the most out of their tyres. The idea is that as fleets use the mobile/tablet-based software they both get more performance (and therefore financial value) from their tyre purchases and in doing so see the value of premium and especially Michelin truck tyre products.
Continue Reading![Oak Tyres outlines brand strategy in new Davanti era](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Davanti-Autopromotec.jpg)
Oak Tyres outlines brand strategy in new Davanti era
Oak Tyres has undergone some dynamic changes this year as it adapts its business to a shifting wholesale landscape. The most radical of the company’s developments in 2015 has been the launch of its fully owned private brand Davanti, which Oak’s management most recently supported at CITExpo 2015 in Shanghai. To accommodate operations associated with the new brand, Oak Group Holdings was formed, with the Oak Tyres 100 per cent wholesale business now under this umbrella alongside Davanti Tyres, and promotional merchandise producer Davanti World. With the Davanti product designed as “an opportunity for margin”, in the words of general manager Larry Cross, Oak Tyres’ brand portfolio has increased its scope. Stating that “we have a very clear, defined brand strategy at Oak, which we have refined continuously over the past five years,” Peter Cross, commercial manager at Oak Tyres, told Tyres & Accessories a bit more about the company’s current outlook, and how the second tier “exclusive brand programmes” are offering customers the opportunity “to maximise their profits”.
Continue Reading![Exol general manager appointment](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Exol-Joe-oShea.jpg)
Exol general manager appointment
Exol Lubricants has appointed Joe O’Shea as general manager of its Wednesbury production facility. O’Shea has more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry, having begun his career at Land Rover serving an engineering apprenticeship. After 12 successful years, he then moved to Birmingham-based van maker LDV and occupied various managerial positions. In 2010, he enjoyed his first role at Exol Lubricants as operations manager before leaving two years later to join pressing supplier Sertec in a directorship position.
Continue ReadingIGA helps raise funds for BEN
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) will be taking part in this year’s Bangers 4 BEN charity challenge in aid of BEN. The event which kicks off on 10 -13 October will see Ian Ramsden and Terry Gibson driving the course of the UK, France, Germany and Belgium in an Audi A4 – donated by In Town Automotive in Northampton, which will then be auctioned off at the end of the event.
Continue ReadingOak Tyres: 35 years of serving the trade
Oak Tyres, the independent distributor for tyres and tyre accessories based in the North West, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month. Delivering to the fast fit industry, Oak Tyres started trading in 1980 and over the course of three and a half decades has established itself as a leading, independently-run tyre wholesale distributor. Oak has built its reputation on carrying an unrivalled stock of all premium brands, whilst also becoming exclusive UK agents for leading high quality import brands such as Evergreen, Landsail and Headway.
Continue ReadingProduct of the Year award for TRICO
Leading wiper blade company TRICO recently scooped the A1 Motor Stores Product of the Year Award, voted by the A1 members for its Exact Fit range.
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