Pirelli responding to Crossover growth
Pirelli has identified the popularity of what it calls “crossover utility vehicles” (CUV), which continued to grow in popularity over the past year. The more compact SUV has begun to bring new motorists to the segment, with both the safety and comfort of its larger cousins, but also the promise of improved fuel economy. Pirelli’s Scorpion Verde in particular has provided an option within its range to motorists attracted to a more efficient SUV, designed as a low rolling resistance 4x4 tyre.
Continue ReadingGfK: UK 4×4 market depressed, but V-Z speed sizes grow
Anyone aware of the continued economic fug across the continent might have expected the news that UK and Europe-wide 4x4/SUV tyre markets were depressed in 2012; what you may not have so readily expected was that the macro-trend of increasing sales of V, W, X and Y speed rated SUV tyres would have continued to grow. Yet the latest data from UK market researcher GfK, read in the context of Europool and ETRMA figures, shows that this is exactly what happened during the last year, with more powerful road oriented models continuing to prove popular.
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General Tire launches Grabber GT European SUV tyre
The Continental Tire Group’s General Tire brand has launched the successor to its Grabber UHP, with a new SUV tyre in its wide range most equipped to offer on-road performance, at an event in Gran Canaria for around 100 dealers representing 25 European countries. The largest single group amongst these guests was from the brand’s UK distributor, Micheldever Tyre Services and its customers. Visiting the last SEMA show in Las Vegas – “the home of 4x4” according to MTS wholesale director, Alan Baldwin – the wholesaler reported that General has a 4x4 market share into double figures, proving its significance in Europe, despite lacking the original equipment fitments that have come with nearly 100 years of American activity. The availability of General tyres suitable for Land Rover models, which dominate the UK 4x4 market, and the specific market focus of tyres like the Grabber AT have given the brand some notable success in the UK according to MTS marketing manager Amelia Lion – the newly launched Grabber GT taps into a different sort of European market specificity, namely the long-term tendency towards greater on-road performance.
Continue ReadingNTDA warns of Northern Ireland tyre scam
The NTDA have told us of a tyre scam currently doing the rounds in Northern Ireland. Regional Chairman Roy Nutt says that two retailers in Northern Ireland have been approached by a person looking to buy tyres with a stolen credit card. An enquiry was submitted via the website and, in what seems like an early April Fool's joke, the enquiry was submitted in the name of a Mr. Fraud and the e-mail address given was rip@tyretradeoff.com.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles hinting at closer Tesco connection
Blackcircles.com managing director Michael Welch has hinted that company may employ a closer relationship with leading supermarket Tesco as one way of moving towards its goal of £100 million (around 10 per cent of the UK market) in the next five year. Welch revealed the plans in an interview with The Telegraph published on 26 February, which also gave details of the guidance the company has received from a number of ex-Tesco executives and particularly former CEO Sir Terry Leahy.
Continue ReadingMichelin franchises to more than double within 5 years
At present, Michelin operates around 2,000 franchised dealer points of sale around the world; according to information published in the tyre maker’s 2012 annual results presentation, the exact figure is 2013. Yet within a few short years, this number should this number should increase by around 150 per cent. Michelin says it intends to have 5,000 franchised dealer points of sale by 2017.
Continue ReadingQuinton Hazell Cheadle sold, other sites closing
Klarius Group Limited put its Quinton Hazell Automotive Limited (QH) into administration on 6 February 2013. Following their appointment, the administrators reached an agreement to sell the Klarius emissions business based at Cheadle, Staffordshire to Klarius Products Limited, preserving 234 jobs. The deal will formally complete during the course of 7 February (today). In addition, the intellectual property rights relating to the QH business were sold separately to Tetrosyl I-Tec Limited, part of Tetrosyl Limited.
Continue ReadingMWSD’s Ellis presents CV wheel safety issue to Euro Parliament
Managing director of Motor Wheel Service Distribution, John Ellis has presented expert testimony to the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) during last week’s (22 January) public hearing into the Roadworthiness Package. Acting in his capacity as director of the Northwest Automotive Alliance (NAA), Ellis presented an introduction and background to the issue, then called for five measures, most prominently the light regulation of the supply chain to enforce existing standards and improved inspection procedures across all EU member states. Ellis, who has pursued the issues confronting the safety of commercial vehicle wheels in the UK over the last few years, said his proposed changes would make for a “far safer” commercial vehicle sector without burdening CV operators with additional costs.
Continue ReadingVoith buys Thyssenkrupp Services in UK
Voith Industrial Services has strengthened its position in the UK automotive industry by acquiring ThyssenKrupp Services Ltd. According to the company, the acquisition will create a combined business with a workforce of over 2,000 employees at 35 locations. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
Continue ReadingBosal goes into administration
Bosal UK, which is best known as an exhaust manufacturer but also makes roof racks and towbards, has entered administration. Various news sources report that calling in the administrators follows the recent confirmation of a contract to supply Land Rover with the exhaust systems for its popular Evoque model. On 11 January 2013, the company issued a statement appointing Phillip Duffy and David Whitehouse of Duff & Phelps Ltd, Manchester as administrators in a move that follows “a decade of strong support for Bosal UK from its owners in the face of a mix of factors which over time increasingly impacted on its viability”.
Continue ReadingNew female friendly repairer network gets “Foxy” approval
Foxy Lady Drivers Club has opened what it says is the UK's first female friendly accident repairer network. According to the network, Women drivers can now search for a female friendly business across much of the UK for when they need their car servicing, MOT'd or repaired including all kinds of mechanical work as well as major accident damage and more minor bodywork repairs like car park dents or damaged alloys. The new Foxy Lady Approved accident repair network opened for business on Monday 7 January with an initial 90 accident repair centres featured.
Continue ReadingGfK: UK tyre market down, but improving
However depressed the market feels to suppliers and despite the legitimate complaints of tough times from the retail sector, the overall UK tyre replacement sales situation in terms of unit sales is actually getting marginally better. According to the latest passenger car tyre sell-out sales data for the first nine months of 2012, compiled by leading international market research firm GfK, things are far from rosy, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Continue ReadingStapleton’s marks 75th anniversary
75 years after the company’s foundation, Stapleton’s, its suppliers and its partners are all celebrating three quarters of a century in business. It’s hard to imagine what Sidney Stapleton would make of the company that bears his name 75 years on from the September day in 1937 when he first incorporated the firm and opened his premises at 195 High Street, Watford. By the end of the Second World War in 1945, the company had not only survived but expanded with the opening of a new depot in nearby Hitchin – a move that brought the weekly wage bill to a total of £20.
Continue ReadingTWG chairman calls for increased pressure over tyre casualties
Tyre Wholesalers Group chairman Ashley Croft has called upon the tyre industry to campaign for greater attention to be paid to poorly maintained tyres after Department for Transport figures showed an increase in the number of Killed and Seriously Injured in 2011 where “illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres” were a contributory factor. The chairman also addressed the issue du jour, EU labelling legislation, and while he expressed support for the tyre label and supported the wish to scrutinise the grades on labels, he also suggested that it was not “the number one priority of the tyre industry”.
Continue ReadingProtyre – officially female friendly
Protyre says it is the UK's first retail tyre group to subscribe to the FOXY Choice approved female friendly garage network. This means their 57 retail centres have all signed the FOXY Promise to 'never overcharge, patronise or sell women services they don't need. "This is the area where some women need reassuring most, because the tyre industry has a poor image in many female minds," said FOXY Founder Steph Savill, "this is why we're so delighted to be promoting Protyre Centres and their garage services to women drivers including members of FOXY Lady Drivers Club and their families."
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