Fast-fits becoming slow-fits, says epyx
Only 40 per cent of motorists visiting fast-fit centres get new tyres fitted on the first visit, according to new research from e-commerce firm epyx. Instead, 60 per cent of drivers had to make a second visit. The figures, which were released on 19 June, show that fast-fit centres are now only half as fast as they were 10 years ago.
Continue ReadingBVRLA welcomes plug-in car grant assurances
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), has clarified the status of the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG), which is available for vehicles emitting less than 75g/km CO2. It has confirmed that the current version of the grant, worth up to £5,000, will end this year, at a date yet to be confirmed. Until that date, OLEV has said that it will honour any deal placed on its system for a qualifying car, provided that the vehicle has been allocated to a customer and is delivered and registered within nine months.
Continue ReadingGlass’s calls for ‘grown up debate’ to avoid ‘demonising diesel’
Central government and local authorities should think hard and look at the facts before making major policy changes in the name of in the name of achieving green environmental improvements, says Glasss. They point out that knee jerk reactions to studies showing the negative impact of diesel emissions on urban air quality could be counterproductive as well as affect sales and use of diesel cars and commercial vehicles.
Continue ReadingHiQ launches roadside emergency app
HiQ, the franchise retail arm of Goodyear Dunlop, has unveiled a new roadside emergency app. ‘Pocket HiQ’is free to download from app stores as of June and features functions including quick call links for a selection of breakdown providers as well as geo-location technology to find places of interest nearby should motorists and fleet drivers need to find facilities such as a café or petrol station. The app also provides directions, opening times and details of how to get in touch with the nearest HiQ centre should a motorist need a new tyre or other vehicle maintenance.
Continue Reading![Karl Naylor joins Kumho as national sales manager](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Karl-Naylor.jpg)
Karl Naylor joins Kumho as national sales manager
Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd (KTUK) has appointed Karl Naylor to the newly-formed role of national sales manager. Naylor will lead the car tyre sales team in further growing its business within Kumho’s own network of independent retailers, while simultaneously developing new market channels for the brand. The former Grouptyre MD will report to sales director Kevin Peck.
Continue ReadingChemChina (UK) Ltd founded
On 4 June, Pirelli’s largest single shareholder, ChemChina announced that it had set up ChemChina (UK) Ltd., as a wholly owned subsidiary of ChemChina Petrochemical Co., Ltd. According to the company, this business serves as “a London-based trading platform that will effectively complement its sister company ChemChina (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. to build around-the-clock trading networks covering various fields”.
Continue ReadingWill raised school leaving age hit apprentice numbers?
Steve Nash, chief executive of the Institute for the Motor Industry, is calling for government and education bodies to ensure that schools are giving the most impartial advice to young people, given that the mandatory education or training participation age is now raised to 18.
Continue Reading![BM Catalysts invests in increasing output](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/BM-Catalysts_UK_Manufacturing_Headquarters_NottinghamshireEngland-2.jpg)
BM Catalysts invests in increasing output
BM Catalysts, a UK-based manufacturer of aftermarket Catalytic Converters (Cats), Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Front Pipes, has invested over £500,000 in its in-house production facilities, as well as the internal layout of its head office to help improve production processes and create a better environment for its employees.
Continue ReadingEuromaster partners with NetBooster for European digital performance strategy
NetBooster has been selected to assist Euromaster in the development and implementation of its international digital performance strategy across Europe (including ATS Euromaster in the UK), using SEO, PPC, display advertisements, social media, RTB and CRM approaches.
Continue ReadingProtyre buys Walkers Tyre Service
Protyre has announced its acquisition of Walkers Tyre Service, a well-established business operating four sites in the Leicester area. The deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions completed by the Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd-owned business and brings the number of centres now operated under the Protyre brand to 70.
Continue ReadingIAM ‘disappointed’ in increase in road fatalities in Scotland
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has reacted with disappointment to the big increase in fatalities on Scotland’s roads as announced this morning by Transport Scotland, stating it made the Scottish government’s mid-term review of its Road Safety Plan all the more urgent.
Continue ReadingAA ‘quirky’ TV ad campaign begins today
Lost keys at a naturist camp. Diplomat’s car skewered by bollards in Whitehall. Wrong fuel in a ‘push me-pull you’ car with two ‘fronts’. Rising tide around an ice cream van. German armoured carrier gone kaput. In its 110-year history, AA patrols have seen it all…and then some. These quirky call-outs, based on true stories, are among those featured in the AA’s new TV advertising campaign, which kicks off on Thursday (18 June).
Continue Reading![Driver shortage threatens UK economic recovery says RHA](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/rha.jpg)
Driver shortage threatens UK economic recovery says RHA
On Wednesday 17 June, the Road Haulage Association delivered an urgent plea to the Prime Minister demanding government intervention to help with the chronic truck driver shortage, which is having a profound effect on the UK’s supply chain and which threatens to slow the UK economic recovery.
Continue Reading![Exol wins top accolade at Express & Star Business Awards](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Steve-Dunn-Express-Star-Awards.jpg)
Exol wins top accolade at Express & Star Business Awards
Exol Lubricants has won the top award of Business of the Year 2015 at the Express & Star Business awards. Taking place in the Ringside Suite at Wolverhampton Racecourse, a sell-out crowd of 440 people witnessed the UK’s largest independently owned oil blender take the top award and also the prize of Exporter of the Year, being praised for its success in winning work overseas and creating and maintaining long-term partnerships with customers.
Continue ReadingVan Cost & Carbon Calculator predicts savings through low-carbon vehicles
Cenex – the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies – has released its new online tool, the Van Cost & Carbon Calculator, or VC3. The VC3 computes the economic and environmental performance of diesel, electric, gas and stop-start van technologies. It enables fleet decision-makers to assess the feasibility of incorporating new low carbon vans into their fleets.
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