The UK is the fourth largest automotive producer in Europe, building two million engines and one million vehicles in 2009, according to latest Motor Industry Facts book published today (20 April 2010) by SMMT. Full year 2009 used car sales volumes were down only marginally on 2008 to 6,798,864 or 5.4 per cent. Automotive manufacturing is said to account for 10.6 per cent of total UK exports, valued at £26.6 billion.
More than a fortnight after the much famed scrappage scheme came to an end and two weeks before the general election, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published a “manifesto” urging the next government (whoever they will be) to continue support for the UK automotive industry.
Directing its plans squarely at the next government, SMMT outlines the key issues that will affect the UK motor industry in the near future and advises on policy direction to maximise the industry’s potential. The automotive sector is a vital part of the UK economy with a turnover of £52 billion, exports amounting to 10 per cent of the UK total and supporting over 800,000 jobs and is at the forefront of low-carbon technology.
He may be long retired from the British Touring Car Championship, yet Jeff Allam’s connection with HiQ is today stronger than ever. The 55-year old – who during the early to mid 1990s competed in Britain's premier motor racing series in Vauxhalls and BMWs – has become a franchisee of the fast fit network.
Results of the latest J.D. Power and Associates survey into OE tyre satisfaction levels in the US place Michelin and Pirelli on top in terms of positive consumer response. In the survey of 29,818 new-vehicle owners who purchased a 2008 or 2009 model-year vehicle, Michelin was ranked highest in the luxury, passenger car and truck/utility segments of the 2010 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, with strong results for tyre wearability recorded in the passenger car and luxury segments and for ride in the truck/utility segment. Pirelli came out on top in the performance sport segment and performed particularly well in the tyre appearance and tyre ride factors.
Toyo Tire & Rubber states its Board of Directors has approved the company’s decision to waive a US$35.8 million inter-company debt owed by Toyo Automotive Parts. By writing-off this debt, Toyo says it seeks to enable this wholly-owned North American automotive parts manufacturing subsidiary to proceed with the restructuring of its business operations.
The Tires, Wheels & Equipment Section of SEMA Show in Las Vegas is regarded as one of the major fixtures in the international tyre industry calendar. For years it has, as describes Tire Industry Association executive vice president Roy Littlefield, been “like coming home”, a place to catch up with old friends and colleagues, see valued customers face to face and learn the latest developments in the tyre industry. Yet Littlefield observes that, between the drastic downturn in the global economy and what he describes as “some complacency on the part of TIA and SEMA”, some within the industry may feel that the show might have lost its way.
In Thailand, Continental Tyres has concluded a contract with the local operations of logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel for the national distribution of its tyres. In the scope of the agreement, Kuehne + Nagel Thailand will support Continental Tyres’ original equipment and aftermarket dealer business in Thailand. The service to be performed for Continental Tyres Thailand includes receiving and unloading import containers, checking of manufacturing date, storage, in- & out-handling, picking & packing, inventory management and nationwide distribution to its dealers and end users. The operations are being implemented at Kuehne + Nagel’s shared facility in Theparak.
Conservative estimates from Supertracker place the daily number of wheel alignments carried out using its equipment at around 18,000. Therefore the company has no doubt that training in the correct and most efficient use of the machinery has never been so important for the industry.
The roots of W. von der Heyde GmbH (Stade) run about 130 years deep. When the company receives a smaller order from the Elbe-Weser triangle region of Germany, employees are reminded that the company founded its reputation as a machinery manufacturer as a forge. In the meantime, “VDH” is primarily equipped for high tech solutions in the specialty machinery industry. Without the traditional craftsman-like background repair jobs of rather simple, but often times very old mechanical devices for which drawings and spare parts no longer exist, as well as very complex machines with highly automated processes, would not be conceivable.
Exhaust system and towbar manufacturer Bosal has announced a senior appointment within the Automotive Division of its Preston-based UK operations. Peter Hayden, 46, has been appointed sales and marketing director. He joins Bosal UK on 6 April 2010, moving from his current position of commercial director at Valeo Service UK. In his new role, Hayden will be responsible for Bosal UK’s commercial functions including, sales, marketing and supply.
According to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), recent survey results indicate that more than 80 per cent of the population do not know how to tell a good vehicle technician from a bad one. To help UK motorists gain consumer confidence in the automotive repair industry, the institute has administered an Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme since June 2005. The ATA tests the current competence of individuals working in the retail motor industry, and following a pilot programme, the IMI has announced that two levels applicable to technicians working in the fast fit sector have now been added to scheme.
If you prefer to read your tyre industry news in Romanian, Continental has a treat in store for you. On March 22 the tyre and automotive systems manufacturer launched its Romanian language corporate press portal, www.media.continental-corporation.ro. At this site – or portalul de presă, as the locals may say – media representatives and other interested parties will find information in Romanian about the corporation’s activities, financial results, products and know-how. Contact data for all of the company’s operations in Romania is also available.
Haweka is gearing up to launch its Axis 4000 truck wheel aligner in the US. The heavy duty commercial vehicle alignment system will be distributed in this market by Haweka USA and the company comments that the Axis 4000 “promises to revolutionise the heavy-duty alignment of a full range of commercial vehicles such as long-haul trucks, buses, multi-axle cranes and agricultural vehicles” in the same way that existing Haweka product lines have benefitted car wheel balancing.
Our neighbours on the Continent are prone to heed the advice of consumer tests than the average shopper in the UK, and tyre tests there are eagerly awaited and the recommendations often acted upon. Therefore a good result is essential for any manufacturer wishing for strong sales in Europe. Hankook reports that its Ventus S1 evo has performed well in the current summer tyre test published by the German automotive magazine Gute Fahrt (issue 03/2010). The VW and Audi focused magazine rated the Ventus S1 evo as one of only two tyres to be “Very Good”.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced today (12 March) that the government has agreed a €300 million (£270m) loan guarantee with GME Europe. Agreed under the government’s Automotive Assistance Programme, the British loan guarantee will be joined by extra support from GM in the US and other European government. According to the business secretary’s office, the guarantee is designed to help secure the company’s operations in Britain and the rest of Europe and follows “detailed and highly complex talks between the Government and GM.”
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