ETRMA call for end of EU-South Korea trade barriers
On the eve of EU-South Korea summit (7 November) the European automotive industry released a statement calling for more to be done to dismantle barriers to trade in South Korea.
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Four metre height restriction would damage trade between UK and Ireland, warn associations
A group of leading trade associations from the UK and Ireland have written to the European Parliament’s Transport Committee asking it not to damage highly efficient trade flows between the two countries by imposing unnecessary and unwelcome height restrictions on goods vehicles. The letter, alerting the Committee to the real threat posed to trade by a report which was presented to it today (5 November), received strong support from key members of the Transport Committee and from the European Commission.
Surprises and new winners at 2013 TAFF Awards
The NTDA’s 84th annual dinner was once again a sell-out. And this year the TAFF awards provided a number of new winners. In addition the crowds were entertained by Hal Cruttendon and association chairman Stephen Callow was joined by Lanxess UK MD Kim O’Connor in addressing the 400+ industry decision makers in attendance.
Motor Codes’ network exceeds 2,000
Bringing a huge boost for consumer protection, Motor Codes has announced a 45 per cent surge in its independent garage subscriber-base, taking the number of formally-endorsed local businesses to more than 2,000 across the UK.
Erik Jonnaert becomes secretary general of ACEA
Erik Jonnaert has taken over as new Secretary General of the European automobile Manufacturers’ Association, following confirmation by the ACEA Board of Directors in September.
US tyre demand showing ‘signs of recovery’
Tyre demand is picking up in the US, according to analysts and industry associations alike. Industry body RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) estimates that US light vehicle replacement tyre shipments increased 7.1 per cent year-on-year in August. US replacement commercial truck tyre volumes were estimated to be up 3 per cent year-on-year.
Kumho extends ‘Platinum Club’
The UK, along with Italy, served as the pilot market for Kumho’s new dealer programme. Since its rollout here a number of years ago, the Ecsta Performance Centre network has grown to include around 400 tyre retailers, while its Italian counterpart, the Kumho Platinum Club, contains some 300 dealers. The Korean firm is now launching equivalent dealer networks in other European markets; our sister publication Neue Reifenzeitung reports on the Kumho Platinum Club’s rollout in Germany.
Bill Hall passes away
It is with great sadness that Tyrepress.com reports the passing of Infleet founder Bill Hall, following a long battle with cancer. A prominent figure in the tyre business for nearly 30 years, Hall joined Goodyear in 1980, serving in several senior positions in the UK and Europe, before leaving to set up the independent tyre service network in the mid-2000s. His long and distinguished career also included two years as chairman of the British Rubber Manufacturers Association tyres committee, forging a close working relationship with most of the major tyre brands and the industry associations. Hall died on Friday, 19 July, and was commemorated at a funeral on Thursday, 25 July. A keen sportsman who was a lifelong supporter of Bolton Wanderers, he lived with his wife in Sandbach, Cheshire and has a grown up son and a daughter with three grandchildren.
PRA backs MP's campaign for oil price enquiry
The Petrol Retailers’ Association (PRA) fully supports Robert Halfon MP's campaign and petition for a full Office of Fair Trading (OFT) enquiry into Oil Pricing Process. The PRA submitted a formal complaint in February 2012 to the OFT regarding competition in the market for retail road fuels. Its call for a full UK Market Study was supported by many other trade associations and the cross-party group of MPs led by Robert Halfon.
Kraiburg holds first summit meeting
At the end of June, Kraiburg Austria held its inaugural “Retreading summit” in the village of Leogang. Some 70 guests from eight European countries and from Russia participated in the event, which was devoted to the most pressing current subjects of interest within the retreading sector. These included the repercussions of advances related to truck tread design patents and what this means for Kraiburg’s own in-house tread development. A second emphasis was presented by Hans-Jürgen Drechsler from the German tyre trade association (BRV) and Christoph Priewasser, product manager at Kraiburg Austria, about the latest interim results from the BIPAVER “Re-Tyre” project and Kraiburg’s parallel undertaken “tyre labeling” project.
Our sponsorship reaches 100% of core target group – Continental
These days it seems every tyre maker and his dog participate in motorsport. This is fine of course, and a good way to boost brand awareness. But serving as a tyre supplier involves considerable product development costs, not to mention the logistics and planning associated with each championship round. And motorsport sponsorship only reaches a particular target audience – unless, as we’ve seen throughout this year, in cases where the tyre supplier finds itself on the receiving end of negative media attention.
Bosch backing new measures to protect consumers
Bosch Car Service has become one of the first associations supporting a new UK-wide scheme to strengthen industry self-regulation. The Bosch Car Service national network of independent garages, comprising of over 500 members in the UK and Ireland, intends to provide motorists with an alternative to main dealer car servicing and repair, for all vehicle makes and models.
AutopromotecEdu hosts IAAM13 conference
Leading European aftermarket trade associations Aica, Anfia, Airp, Clepa, Egea, Feda, Federpneus, Figiefa met at the IAAM13 conference that ran as part of the AutopromotecEdu section of the recent Autopromotec exhibition. IAMM13 focused on providing companies and professionals operating in the aftersales business some foresight of trends and developments of the aftermarket sector in Europe and a number of strategic countries, such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China), threreby offering them the opportunity to find new international channels for their sales and marketing activities.
AutopromotecEDU offers an international perspective
Running alongside the Autopromotec automotive parts exhibition itself, the AutopromotecEDU arena focused on offering an international perspective on current aftermarket trends.
The International Automotive Aftermarket Meeting (IAAM13) on Thursday 23 May was something a highlight, presenting international operators and experts focusing on forthcoming trends and developments in both the European several strategic countries such as the BRIC area.
Retreading MDs to speak at China show
The heads of rival US retreading associations, the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) and the Retread Tire Association (RTA), will both make an appearance at the China International Rubber Tire & Auto Accessory Exhibition (ChinaGRTAE 2013).
