![November car registrations rise sharply](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SMMT-Car-regs-summary-graphic-Nov-22.png)
November car registrations rise sharply
The UK new car market grew 23.5 per cent in November to 142,889 registered units in the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth delivered the best total for November since 2019, with manufacturers continuing efforts to fulfil orders amid erratic global components supply. However, registrations in the month were still -8.8 per cent below 2019 levels and, while further recovery is anticipated in 2023, global and domestic economic challenges mean that the market will remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Continue Reading![Gloomy November for van market](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/New-LCV-regs-summary-graphic-8.png)
Gloomy November for van market
The UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by -22.2 per cent in November, with 24,352 of the latest vans joining Britain’s roads, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While the scale of the decline is artificially inflated in comparison with last year, which saw the best November performance in history, the total is the lowest recorded for the month since 2013, and is some -13.9 per cent below the pre-pandemic five-year average.
Continue Reading![RMI Academy opens 5th training site](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/automotive-skills-academy-desktop-stage.jpeg)
RMI Academy opens 5th training site
The RMI Academy of Automotive Skills is opening a new training site in Cheltenham, offering a comprehensive range of MOT, electric vehicle and technical training to local automotive businesses.
Continue Reading![UK’s oldest working tyre centre owner, Ron Austin, dies](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ron-Austin-pic-1-e1670253451136.jpg)
UK’s oldest working tyre centre owner, Ron Austin, dies
Ron Austin, owner of A&A Tyres & Auto Services First Stop, was greeting customers on Monday November 14 in his inimitably jovial manner, only to pass away two days later. Austin, who was well-known to motorists in the Cardiff area and beyond died at the age of 89, having worked until his final days. He was believed to be the oldest garage owner in the UK.
Continue Reading![Shetland Island Council fleet transitions to electric vehicles](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Image-1..jpg)
Shetland Island Council fleet transitions to electric vehicles
The UK’s most northerly council is in the process of electrifying its fleet of over 320 vehicles. During that process, the Shetland Islands Council recognised that their cohort of vehicle technicians needed electric vehicle (EV) training to manage the transition. In order to help address that need, Autotech Training travelled 26 hours, covering almost 800 miles by car and ferry get there.
Continue Reading![Looking back, looking forward: 2022, tyres and the word ‘permacrisis’](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/fran-xGB2xHQF_Aw-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
Looking back, looking forward: 2022, tyres and the word ‘permacrisis’
This time last year we sought to sum up what can only be described as a tumultuous preceding 12 months by pointing to the Oxford English Dictionary word of 2021, which was “vax” – something that harked back to the heights of pandemic-related lockdowns. But for many it is still a current reality. The year before it the word of the year was “unprecedented”.
Continue Reading![Pro-Align supports Kwik Fit wheel alignment upgrade](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Hunter-Elite-TD.jpg)
Pro-Align supports Kwik Fit wheel alignment upgrade
UK Hunter tyre servicing equipment distributor Pro-Align is helping to upgrade wheel aligners throughout Kwik Fit’s 600-plus site network. The company is supporting the software upgrade to WinAlign 17 on Hunter Elite TD aligners used by the chain. The new version increases accuracy and efficiency, and therefore revenue opportunities, Hunter says. Kwik Fit has been using the Elite TD since 2014. In addition to the network wide software upgrade, Pro-Align is also installing the Hunter Elite TD system across 14 Kwik Fit and Tyre Pros centres, with one site investing in a new Hunter DSP706 aligner for its workshop.
Continue Reading![Arnold Clark Autoparts customers win Trico promotion prizes](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GTM-Autocentre-copy.jpg)
Arnold Clark Autoparts customers win Trico promotion prizes
Arnold Clark Autoparts has revealed some of its winners in its popular Trico wiper blade promotion – and has extended the deadline meaning customers still have time to win. Customers who purchase a pair of Trico wiper blades before the 16th December will be in with a chance of winning up to £15,000 worth of prizes, including a top prize technology bundle of a PlayStation 5, Samsung 4K HDR Smart TV and Oculus virtual reality headset.
Continue Reading![Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner supports TyreSafe](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Police_NewPCC_120521-49-scaled.jpg)
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner supports TyreSafe
TyreSafe has welcomed the support of Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell. The announcement is another boost to TyreSafe’s commitment to raising awareness of the importance of tyre safety in the community.
Continue Reading![Bandvulc invests in robotic retreaded tyre production upgrades](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bandvulc-ABC.jpg)
Bandvulc invests in robotic retreaded tyre production upgrades
Bandvulc has invested in the installation of an Automated Build Cell (ABC) Robot at the Ivybridge plant. Head of Hot Retread Production at Bandvulc, Tony Mailling, explained how the upgrade has increased efficiency:
Continue Reading![NFDA ‘disappointed’ at Government ULEZ decision](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ulez.jpeg)
NFDA ‘disappointed’ at Government ULEZ decision
Government has announced their decision to expand London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) to cover the whole of London and from 29 August 2023, drivers will be expected to pay £12.50 a day to enter this boundary.
Continue Reading![Halfords Autocentres revenue up 70% year-on-year; 14.3% like-for-like](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Image-option-1.jpg)
Halfords Autocentres revenue up 70% year-on-year; 14.3% like-for-like
Halfords Group has reported very strong financial figures that show group revenues amounted to £765.7 million in the first half of 2023. Of this figure, £265.2 million was generated by the Halfords Autocentres business. And what’s more, the latest projections suggest that the services part of the wider Halfords group, within which Autocentres is found, will account for the majority of revenue by 2024. Currently service-related sales represent 42.6 per cent of group revenues in the period and are expected to reach circa 48 per cent of sales on an annualised basis following the acquisition of Lodge Tyre.
Continue Reading![Tyre technician pay up 21%](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tekton-O_ufcLVTAYw-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
Tyre technician pay up 21%
During lockdown, one popular meme said: A key worker, someone whose work is overlooked and undervalued until a crisis, well that’s the clean version. As far as tyre technicians are concerned. their uniquely important role in keeping essential services running both during crises and in more normal times has definitely been overlooked by many. However, the latest Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) data suggests thats beginning to change.
Continue Reading![Translink equips 1,400-strong fleet with Wheely-Safe](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/109-Wheely-Safe-Translink-scaled.jpg)
Translink equips 1,400-strong fleet with Wheely-Safe
Northern Ireland’s public transport provider Translink is rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its entire fleet in one of Wheely Safe’s largest fleet wins to date. As a result, the 1,400 buses and coaches will now use the in-motion wheel loss detection system, which combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Continue Reading![Autumn Statement – NFDA “concerned” at possible electrification setback](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Chargemaster.jpg)
Autumn Statement – NFDA “concerned” at possible electrification setback
The Autumn Budget offers a balance of positive infrastructure measures and concerns over the support of car parc electrification, according to Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA). A variety of measures affecting the British automotive industry were set out in the Thursday 17 November Autumn Statement by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. As a whole, the Autumn budget announced today promises growth and investment that the UK so desperately needs, Robinson said. Whilst there are positive notions in areas such as business rates and infrastructure investment, NFDA is concerned that the removal of tax exemption for EV owners could set back the objective of electrification and increasing the number of electric vehicles sold in the UK, in a bid to reach the ever-challenging 2030 targets.
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