4 million over-70s driving in UK
We have all heard that the average age of the population is getting older, but did you know that there are already 4 million over 70s on the roads currently? The statistics appear to show that this proportion is going up. According to the RAC Foundation, the number of people over 70 who hold valid driving licences passed four million for the first time in the last quarter.
Continue Reading![November sales key to unlocking UK winter tyre sales trends](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/winter-road.jpg)
November sales key to unlocking UK winter tyre sales trends
When it comes to analysing trends in the comparatively unpredictable UK winter tyre market, November unit sales figures are a key indicator of what is going on in the season. The latest figures arent out just yet, but GfKs Kevin Glynn talked Tyres & Accessories through the thinking behind the leading market research companys analysis.
Continue Reading![Rising demand for mobile fitting – ATS Euromaster](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Mobile-Tyre-Fitting-Tyres-Fitted-at-Home-or-at-ATS-Euromaster-2.jpg)
Rising demand for mobile fitting – ATS Euromaster
ATS Euromaster has introduced a £1 mobile tyre fitting service on the back of increased demand. The tyre specialist says that longer working hours during the week are a contributing factor to drivers putting off fitting new tyres, making the option of booking a tyre change at the office an attractive proposition. ATS-E said that its market research suggests growth in this service is sustainable, as customers often move permanently to the convenience of such a service.
Continue Reading![Life-size Scalextric anyone?](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/40309-e1387450396736.jpg)
Life-size Scalextric anyone?
Remember when you were 10 and Scalextric was top of your Christmas list? Then youll love this: Renault has produced a viral video showing off its electric cars competing in a life-size Scalextric race around central London. Electric vehicles are no strangers to motorsport - either in full-size racing, as Renault will show with its partners in 2014 with the FIA Formula E championship, or in miniature in the form of the ever-popular skirting-board scarring Scalextric models. Drawing inspiration from these two ends of the spectrum, Renaults team hatched the idea to take things one step further and race two full-size ZOEs on a Scalextric track.
Continue ReadingHalfords urges drivers to kick the kicking habit
The 1 April didn’t fall this week, so survey results shared by Halfords Autocentres – which include the gem that 32 per cent of all people believe kicking a tyre is an adequate means of gauging inflation levels – must be the awful truth. The survey of 1,000 motorists, conducted by Atomic Research on behalf of Halfords Autocentres in September, also revealed that 24 per cent of motorists don’t know how to check if tyre tread depth is above or below the legal limit.
Continue Reading![Triangle, TYM partnership already bearing fruit](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jenner-and-Steve.jpg)
Triangle, TYM partnership already bearing fruit
When Triangle senior-vice president Lin Xiaobin told Tyres & Accessories that “TYM is doing a really great job in the UK”, you can tell that it was more than just encouraging words. TYM International’s sales (of which the Triangle brand tyre sales represent a large part) have totalled some US$40 million over the last three years. But to give some impression of the growth arc, 2013 sales are said to have generated $13 million alone.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone extends London public transport deal](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/metroline-4.jpg)
Bridgestone extends London public transport deal
Bridgestone has announced an extension of its existing deal with City of London bus fleet Metroline. The tyre supplier will maintain 500 extra vehicles for the company, one of the city’s biggest public transport providers. The buses operate predominantly in the north west of London, from five different locations. Bridgestone describes the extension of its existing two-year deal, which already involves a ‘full maintenance package’ with 1,200 buses, as “a huge coup for the business”.
Continue ReadingASA upholds Halfords advert complaint
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint made against Halfords Autocentres Ltd. The website www.halfords.com featured information about their MoT services and included the text MoTs NOW ONLY £29.95 RRP £54.85. The complainant challenged whether the £54.85 recommended retail price detailed in the ad was misleading, because they understood this was the maximum allowable charge for an MOT and not an RRP.
Continue ReadingAutoparts UK winter promotion
Autoparts UK has launched its latest winter promotion with a heavy emphasis on crash repair and winter products, with a number of spend incentives also available to garages.
Continue ReadingMaxxis contributes towards Philippines relief
Following the recent tragedy of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Maxxis International has set up a donation fund for its “Maxxis family” members from around the world to contribute to those in need.
Continue ReadingIGA ‘concerned’ over limited technical information
“It is extremely concerning that access to manufacturers technical information is still limited for independent garages” said Stuart James, Independent Garage Association (IGA) Director. A new study by BOVAG, The IGA’s European counterpart, has found that only six of 13 manufacturer websites examined in the study allowed the researchers to successfully establish a connection between the vehicle and the manufacturer’s website.
Continue ReadingUK company simplifies ‘rubber asphalt’ process
Ground rubber from scrap tyres has resilient properties that can be used to enhance the performance of construction products. For the asphalt industry, which currently depends on materials with very high embedded energy costs – polymer-modified bitumen is expensive in carbon terms both to make and to transport and store – asphalt made using bitumen modified with rubber concentrate from ground recycled tyres could therefore offer a welcome solution to greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional asphalt manufacturing.
Continue ReadingIAAF members raise more than £85K for BEN in 2013
The IAAF and its members have raised more than £85,000 for motor trade charity BEN in 2013. The staggering figures were confirmed at the recent IAAF Annual Awards Dinner, where the charity was again featured prominently. The traditional envelope donation raised £5,800 which was swelled by the proceeds of an auction for a World Cup 1966 football shirt, which bore the autographs of several of the World Cup squad. The competitive bidding reached the heady heights of £1000.
Continue ReadingIAAF conference ‘a great success’
The IAAF’s conference has once again lived up to expectations with the delegates discussing the wide range of opportunities and threats for the ‘next generation’ of automotive aftermarket pioneers. Held at Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre, delegates expressed their appreciation at the breadth and quality of the topics covered and the informed speakers who made presentations to nearly 100 aftermarket personnel.
Continue ReadingFalken supplying Autosolo tyres at Autosport International
Building upon the success of its inaugural support of the Under 17 Motor Club in 2013, Falken Tyre Europe is helping more young drivers to get involved in motorsport by providing tyres for the Autosolo event at Autosport International, which takes place at the NEC between 9 and 14 January 2014.
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