Bridgestone reflects on “memorable” 2022
As 2022 draws to a close, Bridgestone representatives reflected on the highlights of a “memorable” 2022, including: strategic appointments, commercial vehicle tyre and fleet developments, and numerous award wins.
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DVSA issues “part worns: what operators need to know” advice
On 7 December 2022, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published an information article entitled: “part worns: what operators need to know”. The obvious suggestion ‘don’t buy them’ aside, what advice is the DVSA offering when it comes to part worn tyres?
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Deloitte: Electric vehicle market growing, but financial benefits reducing
Commenting on the latest vehicle registration figures, Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, explained that while demand for electric vehicles continues, the benefits of transitioning are reducing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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