Kent’s largest independent bus operator fits Wheely-Safe solution
Independent public transport operator Go-Coach is Kent’s largest independent bus operator, operating 46 routes and carrying up to 5,500 passengers every day. The company is now rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet after a trial installation on a single Optare Solo bus flagged a potentially dangerous issue with brake temperatures.
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Brands Hatch to host BTCC Season Launch
The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Season Launch will take place at Brands Hatch on 12 April with Free Entry available for all spectators wishing to attend. The BTCC Season Launch has become a significant event in recent seasons with thousands of fans expected to see the cars and stars of the 2023 campaign together for the first time.
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Wheely Safe appoints MD to lead new UK franchise
Ian Maynard has been appointed managing director of Wheely-Safe (UK), a new, wholly-owned franchise launched to manage sales and aftersales for the automotive technology firm within its home market. It marks the first stage in ambitious new growth plans by parent company Wheely-Safe, part of GX2 Technology, to expand with franchises in key international markets. Each franchise will have access to the full suite of award-winning Wheely-Safe systems, which combine protection against wheel loss with brake/hub temperature monitoring and an intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
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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.
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Restructuring 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.
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World’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.
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European 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.
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The 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.
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NTDA: 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:
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Bristol 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.
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Firestone 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.
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Support 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.”
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Enso 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.
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VCS 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.
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