Pirelli offers Dainese back protector to Angel GT, Diablo Rosso II riders
Pirelli has introduced a new offer open to all customers purchasing a set of Pirelli Angel GT or Diablo Rosso II tyres. The manufacturer has partnered with premium motorcycle clothing manufacturer Dainese to offer a free back protector. Pirelli comments that the Italian clothing brand has become synonymous with style and safety thanks to over forty years in the industry.
Continue ReadingHgCapital acquires The Parts Alliance
The Parts Alliance group has been acquired by investors HgCapital (HgC). The acquisition of the business, along with its central facilities in Solihull and central warehouse in Smethwick, was completed on Friday 4 April. Peter Sephton has become chief executive, pledging “to build an industry leading board of industry experts” to drive the enhanced business forward. Sephton retains his role as Group CEO of the HgCapital-owned Parts Alliance members which trade under local brand names and are organised into The Western Alliance and The Eastern Alliance.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster helping retailer B&M reduce commercial tyre spend
Liverpool based B&M signed a new tyre maintenance deal with ATS Euromaster at the beginning of 2014. The retailer says it has reduced its commercial vehicle tyre spend by 30 per cent. Before securing the new deal, ATS Euromaster completed a full tyre audit of B&M’s fleet using its new electronic inspection tool, FleetSure.
Continue ReadingMarch new car registrations the highest in 10 years
Last month’s UK new car registrations reached levels not seen in a decade, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports. The month of March is typically the biggest month for registrations in the year, attracting around a fifth of all registrations, but this year demand for the new 14-plate drove new car registrations up 17.7 per cent year-on-year to 464,824, an amount not seen since March 2004, the only other occasion registrations have hit such heights since the twice-yearly plate change was implemented in 1999. Year to date registrations are up 13.7 per cent to 688,122 units. March was also the biggest-ever month for alternatively-fuelled vehicles, with volumes reaching 8,713 units, a growth of 63.8 per cent on 2013.
Continue ReadingMore online services, fewer employees – DVLA to cut expenditure 30% by 2016/17
The direction the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency will take over the next three years has been set out in its new strategic plan, which was released yesterday. Amongst the highlights of The Strategic Plan for 2014/15 – 2016/17 are total efficiency savings of approximately 30 per cent (compared with 2013/14 levels) by 2016/17, and an expansion and acceleration of DVLA online services.
Continue ReadingConti acquires remaining share in British engineering firm
On 3 February, Germany’s Continental AG took over full ownership of its joint venture, Zytek Automotive. It previously had a 50 per cent shareholding in the Fradley Park (near Lichfield) company, and following the buy-out is operating it as a part of the Continental Engineering Services (CES) organisation in the United Kingdom. Neither Continental nor former joint venture partner Zytek have disclosed the price paid for the 50 per cent share in Zytek Automotive.
Continue ReadingHiQ warns of state of British roads, as car repairs rise
The extremely wet British winter has had a devastating impact on the state of roads across the UK, a report by the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) has revealed. As a knock-on effect of the potholes, fast fit and garage network HiQ says that more motorists have been forced to repair their cars, increasing the number of such jobs by 14 per cent in November 2013 – February 2014 compared to the same period in 2012-2013.
Continue ReadingIAAF network meeting launch success
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has held the first in a new series of members’ network meetings for parts suppliers, distributors, installers and members of the press. All 30 places were taken at the exclusive event, held at First Line’s headquarters in Banbury. Feedback was extremely positive with the information provided described as excellent” by attendees, with additional comments rating the event as “very informative” and “thought provoking”.
Continue ReadingWorld’s fastest lawnmower
Honda (UK)’s Mean Mower (#meanmower) has officially broken the Guinness World Records title for the fastest lawnmower, averaging 116.57 mph, to break the previous record by almost 30mph. The successful Guinness World Records attempt took place under the watchful eye of a Guinness World Records Adjudicator at the IDIADA Proving Ground, in Tarragona, Spain, on […]
Continue ReadingSuccess for Maxxis Trepador in South Wales
Maxxis is celebrating after the M8060 Trepador competition tyre came out on top at this year’s Welsh Xtrem 4×4 event in South Wales. Five out of the top seven competitors were all using the M8060 Trepador competition tyre, making it the best performing tyre at the event. The event, which is organised by Jason Morgan, […]
Continue ReadingNew in-car first aid kit standard published
BSI has published guidance for use at the scene of motor accidents.According to the business standards company, this new standard (BS 8599-2 Motor vehicle first aid kits – Part 2: Specification for the contents of motor vehicle first aid kits) will bring existing UK regulations on first aid kits up to date.
Continue ReadingCrowdfunding sought for mobile tyre fitting service
A brand new UK mobile tyre fitting service launched a crowdfunding campaign this week. Motion Tyres says a series of attractive awards await investors, along with a strong return on investment. The concept aims to combine cutting-edge technology with a back to basics approach to customer care and service delivery.
Continue ReadingValentino Rossi partners with Bridgestone in ‘Club46’ competition
A total of six pan-European competitions will be held and 46 winners will receive a range of prizes, including Bridgestone and VR46 co-branded merchandise. As well as meeting Rossi, the top prize offers two fans the chance to go behind the scenes in the MotoGP paddock.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles ‘growing’ revenue through 1,200 fitting centres
Blackcircles.com has announced a growth in revenue of 20 per cent to £27.8 million (versus £23.2 million in 2012). The online tyre retailer said that the latest full year results mean its revenues have a compound annual growth rate of 22 per cent since 2008. EBITDA increased to £1 million. The results follow the announcement of former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy’s appointment to the Blackcircles.com board.
Continue ReadingHGV charges ‘level playing field’, says DfT
As of today, HGVs of 12 tonnes and more will pay a charge to use UK roads. The introduction of the new HGV levy has been introduced a year ahead of schedule and is paired with a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty. The Department for Transport says the VED reduction means that nine out of ten UK registered HGVs will pay no more under the new system than they did before 1 April 2014. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin describes the implementation of a user-pays system that also covers foreign hauliers, who previously were not charged for road use in Britain, as a step that will “provide a massive boost for the UK haulage industry.”
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