Mechanic swapped car parts
Alexander Keating, 23, of Widnes, stole a gearshift knob, steering wheel, brake callipers and other parts from a brand-new Audi A3 that he had hired and swapped them with the same component parts from his ageing S3. He has been fined £2,000 and sentenced to complete 200 hours of community service for the crime.
Continue ReadingYuasa Batteries back dragster restoration project
The Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) has announced that Yuasa Battery Sales (UK) Limited has joined the list of companies backing the restoration of Europe’s first dragster, Sydney Allard’s 1961 Allard Chrysler that is owned by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Yuasa is well known for its support of motor sport and is a global supplier of original equipment and aftermarket batteries.
Continue ReadingBus and coach market steady in March but still behind 2013
The bus and coach market remains stable; down just 0.2 per cent in March to 1,032 units. The purpose-built sector dropped -28.7 per cent in the month and -23.5 per cent for the year-to-date, while the converted bus market continued to rise, up 22.3 per cent in March to 707 units.
Continue ReadingVan and truck sales up in March
Demand for the new 14 registration plate fuelled commercial vehicle growth in March. Total commercial vehicle registrations grew 11.4 per cent in March to 54,232 with the rolling year figure up 15.6 per cent to 335,840. The combined March and September plate-changes typically account for around a third of the annual van market. The strong 14.6 per cent rise to 50,064 van registrations is in line with expectations
Continue ReadingYorkshire Ambulance Service reports 20% tyre cost reduction with ATS Euromaster
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (YAS) has reported that it has reduced its tyre spend by approximately 20 per cent eight months after ATS Euromaster was appointed to service the Trust’s fleet.
Continue ReadingRAC launches first mobile electric vehicle charging station
The RAC report it is launching its first mobile electric charging system at GreenFleet Scotland to cater for the UK’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) market which now consists of more than 9,000 vehicles. A standard RAC diesel VW Transporter van has been fully equipped with an Evrescue, totally portable fast charging unit which can deliver around 15 miles of range to a stricken electric vehicle in less than half an hour. Equivalent to a ‘gallon of electricity’, the RAC believes this should be sufficient to get the driver safely on their way home or to the nearest charging point.
Continue ReadingTyre retail market showing signs of price polarisation
Last month’s leader “Pumping up” discussed how a number of key economic and tyre market indicators are pointing to better days ahead in the tyre market. Then in mid-April ETRMA reported that its members experienced double-digit increases in (sell out) sales during the first quarter of 2014 compared with the low first quarter of last year. But how does this translate into retail demands and what strategies are tyre retailers adopting to make the most of any consumer pickup coming through? Here Tyres & Accessories analyses the latest research from Encircle Marketing in light of recent macro-economic indicators.
Continue ReadingUK car production up 12% in March
According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the manufacture of cars in the UK picked up pace in March due to improving domestic and export sales. UK car production rose 12 per cent during the month to 142,158 units, bringing 2014 to-date growth to 2.9 per cent. Production of cars intended for sale in the UK increased 18.2 per cent year-on-year to 33,221 units, although the year to date production count of 86,505 units is still 4.1 per cent down on last year. Production of cars for export markets rose 10.3 per cent year-on-year to 108,947 units, while year to date figures are 5.0 per cent higher than during the corresponding period of 2013, at 318,298 units.
Continue ReadingMichael Portillo to host 2014 NTDA tyre awards
The NTDA has announced that former cabinet minister Michael Portillo will present the 2014 Tyre Industry Awards, which will take place on 8th October 2014 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate. The Tyre Industry Awards is the new name for the Tyre and Fast Fit awards (affectionately known as the TAFF awards), which themselves carried on a long line of industry awards under a third moniker.
Continue ReadingTemperature controlled logistics firm retains Bridgestone tyre services
NR Evans, one of the UK’s largest temperature controlled distribution fleets, has renewed its tyre service agreement with Bridgestone. The tyre supplier said that its Total Tyre Care package played a critical role in the company’s success during a competitive tendering process.
Continue ReadingNew car registrations make March biggest month in a decade
Demand for the new 14-plate saw March reach 464,824 new car registrations, a rise of 17.7 per cent. Since the move to twice-yearly registration plate changes in 1999, only March 2004 has seen a higher registration figure (at 466,954). Year-to-date registrations were up 13.7 per cent to 688,122 units.
Continue ReadingDriving tests in foreign languages banned
Driving tests will only be allowed to be taken in English and Welsh from today (7th April) in a bid to improve safety and clamp down on fraud, Roads Minister Stephen Hammond has announced. Theory tests have previously been available with voiceovers in 19 foreign languages and candidates could use an interpreter on both the theory and practical driving tests. But changes which come into effect today were introduced after a consultation showed more than 70 per cent supported the withdrawal of foreign language voiceovers and interpreters.
Continue ReadingUK tyre retail: following pack growing fastest
Continuing our coverage of developments in the UK tyre retail sector, Tyres & Accessories reports on the following 15 companies in its 2014 top 20 leading UK tyre retailers report. After the market leading five, the next five companies in the top 20 are the fastest growing in our ranking, and probably in the market as a whole. Like Micheldever/Protyre, McConechy’s Tyre Service has grown significantly since our last survey, adding seven branches to its number and pushing its total up to 52. This brings the company’s total back to pre-recessionary levels and could be read as another indication of improving conditions in the market.
Continue ReadingBEN Scotland Ball ‘a great success’
Automotive industry charity BEN is celebrating the success of its 16th BEN Scotland Ball, held at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, which raised a total of £8,900 on the night.
Continue ReadingTyresafe offers scooter safety advice
TyreSafe is providing Scooter riders with free advice and tyre maintenance tips, designed to ensure that they remain safe on the road, whatever the conditions. “Due to their low cost of ownership and their congestion-busting ability, scooters have become an increasingly popular method of transport in recent years,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
Continue Reading