Associations
Peugeot and Citroën have demonstrated their support of TyreSafe by becoming members, taking the number of vehicle manufacturers in road safety association up to 15. As members, they will seek to educate all of their existing customers about the importance of correct tyre maintenance, utilising both their own individual and TyreSafe campaign materials.
The opposition to the UK Government’s proposed changes to the MOT test has acquired another voice, as fast fit network HiQ makes the argument that doubling the length of time between legally required tests will eventually cost motorists more: “The pockets of motorists will be hit harder than ever,” HiQ stated. Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond hopes to introduce the initial MOT test for new cars after four years instead of three, as it currently stands today.
The British Horse Society, the UK’s largest equine charity, has teamed up with TyreSafe to educate both amateur and professional horse owners about the importance of correct tyre maintenance and care for their vehicles.
The new partnership has been launched to coincide with Equifest 2011, which takes place from the 18th to 21st August at the East of England Showground in Peterborough. At the event, the Society will distribute TyreSafe’s leaflets offering visitors specific tyre safety advice and information in respect of horseboxes and trailers.
An application for a petition to abandon proposals to change the frequency of the MoT test lodged by the IAAF has been accepted. The e-petition went live today. Now the federation is urging everyone in the trade, as well as motorists, to add their voice to the IAAF‘s demand that “the ill-considered proposals to relax the frequency of MoT testing be dropped.
On 1 November 2012 a two year phase-in schedule for the introduction of TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) begins and all vehicles type approved after this date must install TPMS systems, as well as all vehicles manufactured after 1 November 2014. In preparation, the NTDA is running a series of regional workshops, offering practical advice to its members on the servicing of TPMS. Ahead of the workshops, the NTDA polled members to gauge how aware the tyre trade is of TPMS and whether members are geared up for its introduction.
The NTDA (National Tyre Distributors Association) has opted to make its “Licence to Fit” roadside technician accreditation scheme a requirement of membership.
The decision forms of the culmination of a process that began with the deaths of six vehicle recovery operators who were killed on Britain's motorways and hard shoulders in 1998. This prompted the AA and the RAC to fund the establishment of SURVIVE in March 1999. SURVIVE stands for Safe Use of Roadside Verges In Vehicular Emergencies and the purpose of the group was to promote the safety of people working or stopping on motorway hard shoulders and high-speed dual carriageways. The SURVIVE Group is a partnership between the Highways Agency, ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers), the breakdown/recovery industry and other service providers.
Following much discussions amongst trade bodies and within the industry, exhaust manufacturer Klarius has added its voice to the continuing debate about the government MOT frequency change proposals. “Is this move really aimed at helping motorists or deflecting anger at artificially high fuel prices being used to prop up government spending in other areas?”, the company asked in a statement.
Senior figures from across the automotive industry are meeting for the annual SMMT International Automotive Summit in Westminster today, which is being broadcast live across the Internet. The industry has had a major boost in recent weeks with huge investments announced by BMW and Nissan, but is the wider industry able to secure similar funding? For our part, Tyres & Accessories has lodged a question about the effect of the Longbridge revival and the UK’s relationship with China on the tyre trade, which we will report on as and when this is answered.
A legal enquiry has been commissioned into access to repair and maintenance information for independent repairers following a decision from the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, which is part of the European Commission. The RMI Independent Garage Association (IGA) along with CECRA, the European organisation which represents 260,000 independent repairers throughout the European Union, were invited, together with FIGEFA which represent the aftermarket through Europe, to give evidence before Gomez-Acebo a firm of lawyers who are conducting the legal enquiry.
TyreSafe has become the latest motoring body to come out in support of maintaining current MOT frequency along with other road safety organisations such as the AA and consumers Association “Which”. Tyre Safe pointed out that over 2 million MOT failures annually are attributed to illegal tyres and any extension would lead to thousands of cars running around on our roads with unsafe, and in some cases dangerous tyres.
In a fact sheet published today and sent to Tyres & Accessories, TyreSafe outlined its position: “Tyres are safety critical items which constantly wear with vehicle use and it is imperative that they are regularly inspected and properly maintained. As many motorists rely on their annual MOT for the inspection of their tyres, any extension or lengthening of the MOT frequency is likely to have a significant detrimental effect upon driver and road safety. For these reasons TyreSafe does not support any extension to the frequency of the MOT test.”
National Motorsport Week, which will run between 25 June and 3 July, will receive the backing of UK motorsport tyre manufacturer Dunlop, the company has announced. The initiative is led by the Motor Sports Association and the Motorsport Industry Association and is intended to encourage more people to participate in motorsport and reaffirm the country’s dominant position internationally.
Westlake Tyres has announced that it will sponsor the NTDA’s annual golf day, which will be held on 15 September at the Oxfordshire Golf Club. The brand’s sponsorship will make it the title sponsor of the day. “Westlake Tyres strongly believe that the NTDA is doing a great job of promoting the interests of tyre retailers to a higher professional standard and that is why it is an enormous pleasure sponsoring their Golf Day event. We really look forward to strengthening our partnership with this particular trade association in the UK,” stated Jorge Crespo, European general manager of Eskay Tyres.
UK importer and wholesaler Bond International has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). As the exclusive UK distributor for several brands, the company says it will benefit from ITMA’s expertise and access to the latest EU legislation and regulations, in ensuring that its imported tyres remain fully compliant for sale in the EU. “The number of laws and technical requirements for importers and manufacturers looking to sell tyres within the EU can be quite daunting and overwhelming,” explains Steve Tidmarsh, financial director, Bond International.
The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has become the latest automotive industry body to voice opposition to the proposed MOT test changes. Says John Ball, MOT Chairman for the RMI: "The RMI has taken a leading role in the fight against the possible change to the frequency of MOT testing and will continue to lobby on behalf of its members. The MOT debate is already very much underway on the Red Tape Challenge site and it is important that our views and accurate information are put across to help our anti 4.2.2 regulation cause. We are urging everyone to voice their opinion against the change to ensure the safety of our road users and livelihoods.
The NTDA Executive Council’s decision to proceed with a plan to encourage tyre technicians to carry a “licence to fit” means the concept is a step closer to being enacted. The licence to fit programme is currently being developed by a group of association members and the NTDA directorate and will include a requirement that fitters attending truck tyre breakdowns on the roadside will be “suitably trained, through a variety of qualifications, to work safely in the dangerous environment of a roadside breakdown.”
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