New research conducted by IntelligentCarLeasing.com reveals the areas in the UK which have the highest and lowest rates of car theft per head. A total of 42 police forces across England and Wales participated in the study which was conducted via freedom of information requests. Each force told the leasing specialists how many cars had […]
From 1st October a paper tax disc no longer needs to be displayed in the windscreen of vehicles. Drivers will still be required to purchase vehicle excise duty (ved) but will no longer receive a small perforated tax disc in exchange for their money.
Edmund King, AA president, said: Scrapping the tax disc really is a poignant moment in motoring history and the end of an era. That circular disc in the corner of the windscreen has been an intrinsic part of the look of motoring over the last 93 years. In many ways the car windscreen will look naked without a disc.
Wide variation in prices achieved by different brands and platforms online
Online tyre retailing continues to grow in volume and influence – something that has been expected for a long time. However, the proliferation of differing online strategies is something that is proving to be less predictable. Gone are the days when online tyre retailing was simply a price competition, or in other words a race to the bottom. That strategy has resulted in the demise of many here-today-gone-tomorrow startups and has instead led to the development of a considerably more nuanced market place. Still, the online tyre space remains fiercely competitive with the likes of Blackcircles and Tyregiant each signing deals with supermarkets Tesco and Asda respectively; and with National Tyres backing the AA’s tyre offer, as another example, In other words, this market is now about far more than who can offer budget tyres for the lowest price.
NTDA auctioning Ryan Giggs-autographed shirt for BEN
During Brityrex International 2014, (EventCity Manchester 7 - 9 October), the NTDA will be auctioning a signed Ryan Giggs no.11 Manchester United shirt, which commemorates his 588 appearances, 108 goals and 24 years of service with Manchester United. It also lists all of his accolades as a player during that period including his PFA Player of the Year in 2009. The shirt will be on display on the NTDA stand during Brityrex and delegates will be able to make silent bids for the shirt between 7 - 8 of October.
One of the UK’s largest utility companies, Anglian Water, has renewed its tyre service contract with ATS Euromaster for the 13th consecutive year because of its team’s expertise and excellent customer service.
The new contract also sees the business maintaining its Michelin tyre policy for the car & van fleet. Since fitting the premium rubber, Anglian Water has recorded fewer tyre replacements and reduced levels of fuel consumption – important factors in its overall ambition to lessen its environmental impact.
After 12 years at Bridgestone, John McNaught is to leave the company on 31 October 2014. McNaught, who has 36 years of tyre industry experience, led many of the initiatives that resulted in Bridgestone’s recent growth in this part of Europe during his tenure including significant growth in the company’s truck and bus fleet business and the acquisitions of the Kingsway retail business in 2004 and the Bulldog retreading operation in 2005 (See “Strong growth at Bridgestone UK” in our September 2005 issue for more); not to mention the expansion of the UK office’s oversight into a regional or “zone” headquarters including the Nordic markets (See “Why Bridgestone believes its new European structure takes it closer to the market”, September 2011), to name two examples.
Apprenticeships ‘too important just to be an election promise’
After the Conservative Party joined Labour in pledging increased apprenticeship opportunities, the Institute of the Motor Industry has urged political parties to think carefully about how to improve such positions. Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI which represents the UK retail motor industry, is pleased to hear the latest political party promise about apprenticeships. But he’s concerned that the issue is just becoming one of the items on the list of ‘vote winner’ promises without, necessarily, addressing the challenge of how to attract young people to apprenticeships.
IGA to employ liaison officer tasked to change perception of garage careers
Following the pledge from the Labour party to increase apprentices, and the Independent Garage Association’s (IGA) own promise to promote the garage industry in schools, the IGA has announced that it will employ a dedicated person to promote a career in the motor industry to school leavers.
The Parts Alliance acquires associate member Car Parts & Accessories
The Parts Alliance has made its eighth acquisition, buying out associate member Car Parts & Accessories (CPA). Established in 1995, CPA employs 120 people in 12 branches serving Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey. It has a delivery fleet of 60 vehicles and a turnover approaching £12 million.
In the midst of party conference season, members of drivers lobby group The Alliance of British Drivers have reaffirmed their hostility to Pay per mile road pricing following its re-appearance on the political radar. In a recent survey of its members 85 per cent said they were opposed to road pricing under any circumstances.
Commenting on the Road Casualties Report, Institute of Advanced Motorists director of policy of research Neil Greig said: “We welcome the overall decrease in road deaths although the long term trends show improvements are slowing down.
Reduction in road casualties “disappointingly slow” says Brake
The governments official annual road casualty report, released recently, has confirmed figures showing disappointingly slow progress in reducing road casualties in the UK. 1,713 people were killed in 2013, at a rate of five a day, 2 per cent fewer than in 2012. 21,657 people suffered serious injuries, at a rate of 59 a day, 6 per cent fewer than in 2012.
Figures from ACEA show that, in July, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased by 9.5 per cent. The French market was down by 6.7 per cent, while Germany (+3.4 per cent), Italy (+23.7 per cent), Spain (+24.5 per cent) and the UK (+25.9 per cent) contributed positively to the overall upturn. In […]
Autoparts hosted what was billed as the midlands’ largest garage equipment trade show on Thursday 25 September at GTG Wolverhampton. The Autoparts A Night at the Track themed trade show has been designed to provide visiting mechanics and garage owners with both an informative and entertaining experience. There was the opportunity to take part in a fully hosted ‘track racing’ themed night and, the chance to win a share of more than £20,000 worth of products throughout the evening.
Kwik-Fit profits double to £22 million in full-year 2013 results
Kwik-Fit GB has reported operating profits of £22.922 million – almost double the 2013 figure of £11.918 million – despite annual sales remaining relatively flat (the company posted just a 1 per cent increase over 2013).
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