Arnold Clark Autoparts starts trade website roll-out
Arnold Clark Autoparts has begun rolling out its new trade website, meaning customers in Glasgow can now access the group’s wide product range. While the new trade website is currently available for Arnold Clark Autoparts Glasgow customers, it will be coming to other branches soon.
Continue ReadingEcobat offers battery solutions to customers at CV Show
Ecobat Battery will be exhibiting at the CV Show, where it will address the issue of battery failure and highlight a range of solutions to this increasing problem.
Continue ReadingTomket and Tyres Life extend partnership
Tomket Tyres will now be distributed by Tyres Life across the UK (excluding the North East and, Ireland). The extended partnership will be announced on 18 March via the Wolves versus Leeds United English Premier League game, which will be broadcast globally via 200+ channels including UK broadcasters Sky Sports, BBC Match of the Day. At the same time, Tyres Life has relocated to a larger warehouse.
Continue ReadingLaunch Tech UK’s latest ADAS calibration equipment
Launch Tech UK has revealed its new passenger car advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) calibration equipment, ADAS PRO+ and ADAS Mobile. ADAS PRO+ is an ADAS calibration tool that meets the requirements of daily ADAS calibration for car workshops. X-431 ADAS PRO+ contains the main frame, wheel clamp, target holder, laser range finder, range indicator and calibration target.
Continue ReadingNexen raises winter tyre prices across Europe
Nexen Tire has increased the price of its winter tyres across all the companys own brands in the replacement market. The new price list for winter tyres will be valid for the whole European market, including the United Kingdom and Turkey.
Continue ReadingMinister calls for “swift end” to T8 Exemptions
After lobbying regulators to do more to prevent rogue operators using T8 exemptions as a cover for the illegitimate handling of Britain’s end-of-life tyres, the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has welcomed DEFRA’s February announcement suggesting the government department would act to end the current exemptions regime.
Continue ReadingLKQ to divest GSF Car Parts following Uni-Select acquisition
LKQ Corporation, the parent company of LKQ Euro Car Parts, is seeking to divest GSF Car Parts (GSF) following its acquisition of the factor’s Canadian owner, Uni-Select. With the transaction subject to the receipt of anti-trust clearance in the UK, LKQ Corporation made the offer as part of its application for the UK competition authority’s approval. In the interim, LKQ Corporation will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the GSF business with the existing management team remaining in place and the organisation ringfenced from LKQ. LKQ announced its plan to acquire Uni-Select for around US$2.1 billion on 27 February.
Continue ReadingGoodyear: Avon will remain in our portfolio both for passenger and motorcycle tyres
Following reports that Avon is set to become a two-wheel/motorcycle-only tyre brand in Germany in the future, Goodyear representatives have sought to clarify that the Avon brand will remain in the company’s product portfolio both for passenger and motorcycle tyres.
Continue ReadingFirst MOT date extension to increase tyre-related road safety risk
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which represents more than 90,000 automotive professionals, has conducted in-depth analysis of MOT data to formulate what it calls a “considered and balanced response” to the Department for Transport’s MOT Consultation. Working with Garage Industry Trends to examine root causes in current patterns of MOT failure, the IMI analysis provides clear evidence that extending the date for the first MOT will significantly increase road user risk.
Continue ReadingNorthern Ireland bans tyres aged 10 years plus on HGVs, buses and minibuses
Northern Ireland’s Vehicle Policy Unit at the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is banning tyres aged 10 years and older on the front axles of HGV’s, buses and coaches, and to the tyres on all axles of minibuses when fitted in single configuration. The changes being implemented in Northern Ireland will align with the changes introduced in Great Britain (GB) on 1 February 2021.
Continue ReadingMore than half of motorists think petrol, diesel cars are cheaper to run than EVs
A new poll by car insurer NFU Mutual found that over half of motorists think petrol and diesel cars are now cheapest to run. As the cost of electricity rises, just 18 per cent thought a fully electric vehicle would be cheaper, while 11 per cent said a plug-in hybrid would be cheapest. This is in stark contrast to last year, when a survey found 57 per cent said cheaper running costs were an incentive to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). However, motor experts at NFU Mutual show EVs are still significantly cheaper to run when charged economically and have many other cost benefits too.
Continue ReadingBest February in quarter of a century for UK van market
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew for the second consecutive month in February, rising by 8.5 per cent to 17,540 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While February is traditionally a volatile month due to small volumes as many operators delay procurements until March and the new number plate, the increase marks the best February performance since 1998, the year before the bi-annual plate change was introduced.
Continue ReadingFebruary UK new car market marks seventh straight month of growth
UK new car registrations grew by 26.2 per cent in February as 74,441 new cars joined Britain’s roads, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While February is typically low volume ahead of the March plate change, this year it marked the seventh month of consecutive growth as easing supply chain shortages steered the market closer to pre-pandemic levels, down just -6.5 per cent on the same month in 2020.
Continue ReadingHella’s Neil Grant becomes Automotive 30% Club member
Hella’s UK managing director, Neil Grant, has become a Silver Member of the Automotive 30% Club, a voluntary network of automotive executives. “I believe that the greater the level of diversity within a team, the greater the variety of ideas and strategies that will be generated,” Grant explains. “In an industry that is changing rapidly, it is vitally important that we are able to attract the best people and that we have the most diverse pool of talent to select from. I am therefore a huge advocate of the Automotive 30% Club and look forward to playing an active part in improving gender equality within the industry, for the greater good of everyone.”
Continue ReadingMOT pass most likely in Enfield
New analysis has revealed that the borough of Enfield, North London is the area of the UK where motorists are most likely to pass their MOT, with an average pass rate of 87.04 per cent, nearly 7 per cent higher than the national average.
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