The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited, or NFU Mutual for short, is the latest organisation to join TyreSafe. Following the example set by Adrian Flux Insurance Services two years ago, NFU mutual is the second insurer to join the tyre safety organisation; in total, TyreSafe now boasts some 70 members from a diverse range of sectors including tyre manufacturers and retailers, car manufacturers, emergency services, local councils and fleet operators.
Half of all road markings on England’s highways are so worn that they need replacing immediately or need to be scheduled for replacement now, according to a survey of nearly 4,000km of the country’s roads. LifeLines England, a report based on the survey carried out by the Road Safety Markings Association, and published today (13 March), found that 52 per cent of markings on motorways, 42 per cent on dual carriageways, and 48 per cent on single carriageways all need replacing immediately or need to be scheduled for replacement now. The survey, the most comprehensive published of its kind, also shows that just 16 per cent of markings on England’s motorways and 13 per cent on single carriageways make the “excellent” grade.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation is launching a series of members’ meetings around the UK with a networking opportunity and seminar on Tuesday 25 March at First Line HQ, Banbury. The event will be the first of its kind and is open to all IAAF supplier, factor and garage members.
The latest generation of low rolling resistance tyres can pat themselves on the back – they have played a role in enabling the UK car parc to reach, and pass, the 2015 EU-wide average emission target of 130g/km CO2. According to the ‘New Car CO2 Report 2014’ published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today, the average new car in the UK now emits 128.3g/km CO2 – a 3.6 per cent decrease over last year.
Older, greyer and growing in number – the SMMT studies the UK car parc
The cars on our roads are getting older, and there are more of them as well. According to the findings of the largest-ever census of UK car ownership carried out by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the country’s car parc rose by around 436,000 units, or 1.4 per cent, to reach a precise total of 31,917,885 cars in 2013. The ‘Motorparc’ study also identified that the average age of cars in the UK has risen by a year over the past decade; average car age is now 7.7 years old, and in 2013 there were 2.06 million cars over 12 years old on the road, 11.3 per cent more than in 2012.
Last years BEN Ball more than lived up to its billing as ‘the night of the year for the automotive industry. It will live long in the memory of all guests and is already attracting interest and enquiries for this year. BEN has decided to reward this interest with the offer of an early bird booking discount. Therefore every booking made before the end of March will qualify for a full 10 per cent reduction on all prices.
Manheims latest monthly UK Market Analysis in 2014 shows that part-exchange values have risen again for the second month in a row, with February witnessing an all-time high of £3,216, which is a £7 increase when compared with the previous month. On the whole, average selling prices have been on a positive trajectory over the past six months, with values rising by £587 over the period. In fact, the positivity goes even further back, as average values in February 2014 are £280 higher when compared with the same period last year.
It comes too late for those who have already experienced tyre and wheel damage on poor road surfaces over the winter months, however the decision to direct an extra £140 million to councils in England to repair roads damaged by winter weather is nevertheless good news for motorists. The Local Government Association has welcomed Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s announcement, even though it believes the extra funds probably won’t cover the full repair bill following the winter floods.
Nankang has been named official tyre partner of Japfest – billed as ‘Europe’s biggest Japanese car show – and the Trax. modified and performance car event. Nankang Tyre UK will entertain the crowds at both shows with displays from Nankang-shod drift cars, and will also display the latest Nankang product range at its stand.
More than 17 fleets have fitted the Goodyear Marathon Coach tyre, an all-position tyre for year-round use and the first tyre Goodyear designed specifically for coaches, launched in 2012.
Figures from the SMMT show that the UK bus and coach market fell 12.1 per cent in February to 356 units. The purpose-built sector dropped 44.4per cent in the month, down 18.6 per cent for the year-to-date. However, the converted bus market picked up, rising 31.2 per cent in February.
The SMMT has revealed that total UK commercial vehicle registrations grew by17.5 per cent in February to 13,320 with the rolling year figure up 15.1 per cent to 330,283. Van sales drove the CV growth with a strong February performance. A 28.2 per cent rise in the month to 11,731 registrations boosted the rolling 12 months by 13.8 per cent.
February marks two years of growth in UK car sales
February new car registrations rose 3.0 per cent to 68,736 units; this means that the UK new car market has achieved 24 consecutive months of growth, increasing 17.4 per cent over the period. The SMMT suggests that rising GDP and growing car registrations signal increasing consumer confidence and automotive retailers are looking forward to March results as expectations rise for a strong 14-plate performance.
The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the Governments decision to offer local highway authorities £80 million to fix the roads most damaged by severe weather. However, with the possibility that we will see more occasions when severe weather will affect our road network, highway authorities must look at their whole life maintenance plans to build and maintain more reliable, resilient roads.
Bandvulc Group has rebranded its operations; the Devon-based company has made subtle changes to its logo and introduced a new slogan, ‘More than a tyre’. In addition, it has renamed Devon Rubber and Bandvulc Tyre Contracts – these are now known as BV Mixing and BVPlus+ respectively. Last but not least, Bandvulc has redesigned its website to reflect these changes. The company will display its new brand image at the CV Show between 29 April and 1 May.
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