In-car gadgets responsible for increased road traffic accidents
The Department for Transport recently announced that the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s road rose by 4 per cent to nearly 25,000 in 2014, with some commentators suggesting that in-car technology is distracting drivers behind the wheel. This concern is echoed in consumer research undertaken by BCA, Europe’s leading used vehicle marketplace, which found that 95 per cent of respondents had seen other motorists using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.
Continue ReadingIGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is assisting the Department for Transport (DfT) with a project to reassess statutory MOT test fees. The DfT is analysing garage running costs to validate the justification for an increase in MOT test fees to present to the next government, but to make this happen it needs financial costings for MOT test stations as a starting point to the project.
Continue ReadingNAB and VBRA to face bodyshop challenges together
The National Association of Bodyshops (NAB) and the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association Limited (VBRA) are to promote a single authoritative voice to take on the ever increasing challenges faced by the bodyshop sector. The decision comes in the aftermath of the recent investigation into the Private Motor Insurance Market by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Continue Reading4×4 or SUV tyre sector?
During the course of the last decade, the 4x4 vehicle sector has rapidly evolved out of its utilitarian roots and – thanks to the advent of the Sports Utility Vehicle or SUV – become a distinct category of often luxury road-going cars. The speed of this evolution has increased thanks to the arrival of the Crossover Utility Vehicle or CUV. In-turn these changes necessarily impact the make-up and even the definition of the 4x4 tyre market. All this has been further impacted by the European legislation putting pressure on reducing noise levels produced by out-and-out off-road tyres in particular. The result is a market that is now much more SUV than off-road or even mixed-use driven.
Continue Reading2014 European trailer market hits forecast levels, UK the star performer
The West European trailer market saw substantial growth in 2014, with an increase of 14.8 per cent over the previous year. According to new data produced by Clear International, the star performers were the UK and Germany, both of which saw their markets increase by 5,000 units. Other strong performers were Spain, France and the Netherlands where trailer demand was up by more than 2,000 units. In fact only Italy, Norway and Denmark failed to register a double digit percentage increase, the latter two only because they had both seen good increases in previous years.
Continue ReadingAlmost half a million motorists drive and phone
In 2014, 1.1 per cent of drivers in England and Scotland were observed holding a phone in their hand with a further 0.5 per cent observed holding the phone to their ear, according to data published by TRL on 25 February 2015. This may not sound like a huge proportion, but it means more than […]
Continue ReadingTyreSafe to increase tyre safety awareness with new member Foxy Lady
Foxy Lady Drivers Club has become the latest motor group to join tyre safety organisation, TyreSafe. Having previously supported TyreSafe’s campaigns informally, members of the UKs only everyday motoring club for women will now have access to a wealth of tyre safety resources and information designed to help keep them safe on the road. TyreSafe will also be able to access the club’s membership, providing valuable insight and feedback to help the development of its campaigns which aim to raise awareness about the dangers associated with illegal and defective tyres.
Continue ReadingSilverline 4×4 tyre range ‘evolving’
Silverline 4x4 wheels and tyres, a company well-known for its specialism on off-road-capable tyres, reports that even its range has evolved in light of changing trends towards SUVs. One manifestation of this can be seen in the addition of a number of more road-orientated Atturo brand tyres to the company’s line-up at the end of 2014, namely the AZ 800, 850 and 600.
Continue ReadingSelecta depot is Pirelli Performance Centre of the Year
Pirelli has announced that Selecta Tyre Ltd in Rugby has won its annual Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) of the Year award after scoring exceptionally highly in the 2014 club audit.
Continue ReadingPower is nothing without style?
Pirelli and the development of SUV/4×4 tyres With its emphasis on style and high performance, Pirelli aims to make itself synonymous with premium and UHP tyre products in general. When it comes to the SUV/4×4 tyre sector, the Italian manufacturer is no different. Global sales of vehicles fitting into this category are expected to have […]
Continue Reading3×3? SD-International offer three 4×4 tyre lines
Leading contract tyre producer, SD-International offers a competitive choice of 4×4/SUV patterns through its Zeta and Pace private brands and the firm’s Maxtrek exclusive brand. Both Pace and Zeta offer the Azura high performance pattern which has been produced for the prestige 4×4 and SUV vehicle market sectors. The Azura pattern includes a series of […]
Continue ReadingA versatile 4×4 option from Firenza
The Singapore-based Firenza brand, which is distributed by Stamford Tyres, offers a trio of tyres for the 4×4/SUV tyre sector which are designed to cover all applications. The Firenza ST-185 incorporates four straight grooves with deep sipes for steady grip on both wet and dry road surfaces. A fully covered jointless band has been added […]
Continue ReadingUK amongst the largest 4×4 tyre markets in Europe
The UK is the second largest 4x4 tyre market in Europe, according to the latest data provided by well-known market researchers and tyre market analysts GfK. During recent discussions with GfK automotive account director Kevin Glynn, we learnt that the Italian 4x4 tyre segment is top of the pile and still growing, the UK’s share of this business is second-place but flat, and Germany takes the bronze medal in this respect, but is growing at nearly ten times the rate of the Italian 4x4 tyre market.
Continue ReadingMichelin Solutions to introduce contracted fuel savings guarantee at CV Show
Michelin’s services company, Michelin Solutions will introduce a new generation of ‘pence per kilometre’ (PPK) tyre management contracts at the CV Show. The new products will offer customers a contractual fuel saving commitment, available on Effitires contracts when fitting premium low rolling resistance tyres. Michelin Solutions believes the move makes it the first provider in the marketplace to contractually commit to fuel savings on its tyre management contracts.
Continue ReadingAddison Lee warns of technology-led safety complacency
Tyres and driver training should not be overlooked when considering road safety in the context of more technological solutions, London’s leading minicab business Addison Lee states. Addison Lee’s head of fleet Rob Daniels, who looks after 5,000 vehicles, says he embraces new technology but continues to focus on the foundations of strong fleets – driver training and tyres.
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