HSE issue warning about fake Health & Safety posters
The Health & Safety Executive has warned employers to check that they are not buying fake health and safety law posters advising that only HSE can approve a version of the health and safety law poster. If you employ anyone, the law says you must display an approved version of the poster, or provide each worker with a copy of the equivalent leaflet. Employers must display the poster where workers can easily read it and cannot print copies themselves. HSE is aware of suppliers selling fake versions online that haven’t been approved.
Continue ReadingRestructuring creates three new government departments
Following departmental changes announced by the Prime Minister, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been restructured into three new departments.
Continue ReadingWorld’s first hydrogen-powered digger set to drive on UK roads
The world’s first digger, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, will soon be on UK roads and building sites following recent government approval, helping to decarbonise the UK’s construction industry. The UK government has given special dispensation, under a vehicle special order, that allows JCB, the British construction equipment manufacturer, to test and use its world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads. This backhoe loader is the first of its kind and offers a pioneering solution to help reduce emissions on construction sites.
Continue ReadingEuropean car sales could grow 5-10 per cent in 2023 as battery electric vehicle competition heats up
A new automotive report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) anticipates 5-10 per cent growth for European car sales in 2023. European car sales climbed 12 per cent in January, helped by easy year-earlier comparisons, fewer supply-chain hurdles and pent-up demand that boosted registrations. While these new figures may bode well for sentiment, they still trail 2019 considerably, 25 per cent lower. In BEV share, the UK led other European nations, but other major markets now have the benefits of far more generous subsidies reducing the cost of the shift to electric powertrains.
Continue ReadingThe Truck Hub Group, formerly MWheels, in liquidation, German subsidiary ‘unaffected’
The European importer of Indian manufactured xlite and xbrite aluminium forged commercial vehicle wheels, The Truck Hub Group has been placed into creditors’ voluntary liquidation following unsuccessful attempts to sell the business at the end of 2022. The company traded as The Wheel Hub, based in Sharston in south Manchester, having changed its name from MWheels in early 2021. This was one of a number of transformational changes for the company in recent years, with the establishment of a European operation, Wheel Hub GmbH in the Cologne region of Germany, which is “unaffected” by the liquidation proceedings. Further details of the companys stock liquidation sale can be found here.
Continue ReadingNTDA: MOT frequency change will lead to safety and environmental disadvantages
In mid-February the NTDA wrote an article assessing the Department for Transport (DfT) decision to open a consultation into changes in MOT frequency. Published on 18 January 2023, the text offered an extensive analysis of the proposal, beginning with the well-known position of the National Tyre Distributors Association: “As expressed on many previous occasions, it is the view of the NTDA and its members, that the date of the first MOT should remain at 3 years for motorcycles, cars and light goods vehicles.” Here Tyres & Accessories examines and summarises that in-depth response:
Continue ReadingBristol MOT tester convicted for 800 fraudulent tests
On 23 February 2023, David Stephen Carden was convicted of recording MOTs to vehicles which hadn’t entered the MOT garage he worked for on Duckmoor Road, Ashton Gate, Bristol.
Continue ReadingFirestone returns with Road to the Main Stage
Firestone is once again giving up-and-coming artists the chance to compete in the Road to the Main Stage competition. In addition to playing on the Firestone stage at Rock en Seine, which takes place in Paris in August, the winning act amongst this year’s unsigned talent will win a recording session with Deezer.
Continue ReadingSupport for used EV market should feature in Spring Budget – VRA
The Vehicle Remarketing Association believes there is an imbalance in government incentives between new and used electric vehicles. It says more needs to be done to ensure a healthy market for used models. The association is calling for this support to feature in the Spring Budget. VRA chair Philip Nothard said: “The government should be applauded for doing much in recent years to encourage uptake of new EVs, especially through low personal company car taxation. This has been notably successful and electric power now makes up a significant proportion of new car sales. However, the used car sector has so far been left to look after itself when it comes to EVs and, as shown with dramatic price falls in recent weeks and months, demand is extremely variable even for the relatively low numbers of electric cars now making their way onto the used market.”
Continue ReadingEnso hails 35% reduction in tyre particulate matter emissions
Enso, which describes itself as “the world’s first sustainable tyre manufacturer”, reports that it has “successfully proven the benefits of specialist electric vehicle (EV) tyres” in trials conducted as part of the TfL FreightLab Innovation Challenge. According to the company, Enso tyres outperformed standard-fit tyres both in terms of reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 35 per cent and improving energy efficiency by up to 10 per cent in a 15-month trial.
Continue ReadingVCS invests £5 million in UK’s largest ambulance and police vehicle factory
VCS, the UK’s leading manufacturer of emergency services vehicles, is investing over £5 million in a new manufacturing facility for ambulances, police, and specialist vehicle conversions in Bradford this April. According to the company, the new factory will ensure the UK’s supply of world-class emergency vehicles by creating the country’s largest dedicated manufacturing facility and trebling VCS’s current production capacity to nearly 1500 vehicles annually. And with ambulance and police vehicles a strong source of premium fleet tyre sales, there are obvious positive implications for the tyre business.
Continue ReadingNFDA welcomes MOT consultation extension
Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents car and commercial retailers in the UK, has welcomed the recent extension to the current MOT consultation. She said: “NFDA is pleased that its efforts to extend the consultation period, through discussions with DVSA and writing directly to DfT officials have been successful.
Continue ReadingCraig McCracken becomes IAAF president
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has appointed Craig McCracken, group factor manager at Arnold Clark Autoparts, as new president. He succeeds immediate past president Richard Welland and will remain on the IAAF board, alongside Richard, honorary treasurer Lawrence Bleasdale and chief executive Mark Field. McCracken has more than 40 years’ experience in the automotive industry and has worked for Arnold Clark for 37 years.
Continue ReadingEden Tyres opens 21st branch in Gainsborough
Eden Tyres & Servicing has completed the construction of its 21st retail depot in Gainsborough ahead of schedule, which means the new branch opened on 18 February. Located next to Morrisons supermarket on Heapham Road South, company representatives are clearly expecting decent footfall from such a prime retail location.
Continue ReadingCTSI issues warning about e-bike and e-scooter battery fires
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning consumers and businesses about the risks posed by non-compliant e-scooter and e-bike lithium-ion batteries in light of an alarming spate of household fires attributed to the devices. The number of fires caused by lithium-ion e-scooter and e-bike batteries in the UK has surged almost 150 per cent over the past year. In London alone, firefighters attended 88 fires caused by e-bikes in 2022 – an increase of 80 per cent on the 49 responded to in 2021.
Continue Reading