![Maxxis up, despite down market](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/DSCN5318.jpg)
Maxxis up, despite down market
Despite other whole market figures saying the UK annual passenger car tyre replacement demand fell back during 2014 (Gfk) or was stable (Continental), Maxxis reports that the last 12 months actually represented examples of “good growth”. While not exclusively for this reason, this is likely to be a result of the company’s successful growth of its fitting network – not to mention increases in OE sales and product development and strategic sponsorship.
Continue Reading£40 million investment for Bentley
Bentley has announced the latest phase in the biggest site development in the companys history. A further £40 million investment will expand its headquarters in Crewe, with a new research and development centre, creating over 300 jobs in the process. This move was welcomed by George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who visited Bentley early in December. The new centre, measuring over 45,000m², will include a dedicated styling studio, research and development offices and a technical workshop. The facilities will house 1,300 Bentley engineers and is the latest step in preparing Bentleys infrastructure to bring the worlds first ultra-luxury SUV to roads in 2016. Work on the new developments will commence early next year.
Continue Reading![1 in 5 women ‘uncomfortable’ with getting car repairs](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/women-2.jpg)
1 in 5 women ‘uncomfortable’ with getting car repairs
Many women drivers are not able to care for their cars properly because they dont know how to choose a garage or technician they can trust, research released today reveals. In response, IMI, the professional body for the UK motor industry, is launching a campaign, featuring presenter Suzi Perry, to give them the tools they need. A quarter of women drivers admit to never having their car serviced by a professional mechanic. They only deal with problems when they show up on the MOT. IMI fears that this approach makes them vulnerable as consumers and compromises their safety.
Continue Reading![Chance to experience electric off-road motorbike](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/443840_num1034369-2.jpg)
Chance to experience electric off-road motorbike
When you read the term EV it generally conjures up the image of a four-wheeled electric vehicle. But it needn’t be so. The UKs first dedicated electric motorcycle riding facility is now open and is available for riders to experience the all-new KTM Freeride-E. An official partner of KTM UK, E-SCAPE, in Cheshire, is a bespoke facility for electric bikes and offers tuition and test ride opportunities for riders of all abilities on KTMs recently launched electrically driven off-road motorcycle.
Continue ReadingCoach registrations rise in November as bus registrations stall
SMMT figures on coach and bus registrations in November show that total bus and coach registrations grew 0.8 per cent, against a 2.6 per cent fall in the year-to-date. Coach registrations rose 6.5 per cent in the month, in contrast to the 13.3 per cent decline in the purpose-built bus market.
Continue ReadingStrong demand for vans continues growth in commercial vehicle market
Registrations of commercial vehicles grew 4.2 per cent in November, with a year-to-date increase of 13.1 per cent, says the SMMT. Growth was again fuelled by the van market, which rose 17.1 per cent to 26,516 units in the month. Meanwhile, truck registrations declined 49.6 per cent to 2,729 units in the aftermath of new Type Approval legislation.
Continue Reading![Continental: UK car tyre market stable, getting larger and AFV fitments growing](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bitmap.png)
Continental: UK car tyre market stable, getting larger and AFV fitments growing
Continental executives opened their annual market trends briefing in London with the positive assertion that the 2014 UK car tyre market demand is stable at roughly 35 million tyres for the year. Contis definition of the market includes imported tyres, 4x4 tyres and part worns, so this figure is broadly in line with other estimates.
Continue Reading![Vacu-Lug to introduce MTP budget OTR tyre range](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MTP.jpg)
Vacu-Lug to introduce MTP budget OTR tyre range
It looks like it will be a Happy New Year for Grantham-based firm Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres, as the company has announced it will begin distributing a new budget line of off-the-road tyres as soon as the end-of-year festivities are behind us. The range, named MTP, is produced by Magna Tyres Group and will act as Vacu-Lug’s official budget brand. Vacu-Lug says the brand’s inclusion in its product portfolio affirms the message that it is possible to offer a quality product to customers on a lower budget.
Continue Reading![Michelin Dundee plans on display](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/dundee.jpg)
Michelin Dundee plans on display
Those wishing to see Michelin Tyre PLC’s plans for extending and modernising its Dundee facility can do so today and tomorrow at the Michelin Training Centre in Baldovie Road, Dundee. The tyre maker intends to extend existing factory buildings on the southern part of the Dundee site, reportedly to provide space for additional tyre production and storage, and undertake earthworks to create a flood storage area on the western part of the site. It is understood that the extensions would enlarge the existing building by 2,000 square metres, and a further 300 square metres of office space would also be added.
Continue ReadingCooper Tire targeting ‘profitable growth’ in UK, Germany – and Eastern Europe
The United Kingdom is already the European market where Cooper Tire & Rubber is best-represented, however the tyre maker sees further potential to expand its market share. Speaking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2014 Leveraged Finance Conference on 3 December, Cooper Tire & Rubber treasurer Tom Lause conveyed the company’s aim to grow in both developed and emerging European markets, and singled out the UK and Germany as areas of particular focus.
Continue ReadingMotorists’ biggest winter fear is new drivers
As the Met office warns we could be facing one of the wettest winters ever, you may be surprised by what motorists are most concerned about when it comes to driving in winter months. Rather than hazardous weather conditions; black ice; getting stuck in snow or being stranded, a new study from Halfords Autocentres reveals […]
Continue ReadingBrake ‘disappointed’ with planned HGV speed limit increase
Brake, the road safety charity, has expressed disappointment at Government plans to raise the speed limit for large lorries on dual carriageway roads to 60mph, despite serious concerns from a number of road safety groups. The move comes on the back of the Government’s decision to increase the speed limit for HGVs on single carriageway […]
Continue Reading![MAM Certification for Klarius](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MAM-Certification-for-Klarius.jpg)
MAM Certification for Klarius
Klarius, the UK-based manufacturer of exhausts, catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters and mounting kits for the automotive aftermarket, has been accredited as an MMI Certified Data Supplier (MCDS). The MCDS programme, run by MAM Software, is designed to benefit suppliers, factors and garages by encouraging the production of accurate electronic catalogue data.
Continue ReadingNovember new car sales mark 33rd month of growth
SMMT Figures show that new car registrations grew for the 33rd consecutive month in November, up 8.0 per cent to 172,327 units. 2,310,237 cars have been registered in the year-to-date; a rise of 9.4 per cent and ahead of the 2013 full-year total. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Six months after the record was broken […]
Continue Reading![‘UK Autodrive’ to lead the way on driverless car integration](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Land_Rover_Freelander_II_front_20090118.jpg)
‘UK Autodrive’ to lead the way on driverless car integration
Innovate UK has announced that ‘UK Autodrive’, a consortium of local authorities, the UK’s leading technology and automotive businesses and academic institutions, has won the UK Government’s £10 million ‘Introducing Driverless Cars’ competition. In short this means a semi-autonomous Range Rover research vehicle will now be used to test driver reactions on the roads around […]
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