For N.E. Wholesale looking good isn’t the most important attribute they like to shout about but it certainly helps when operating in such a competitive industry. You may have read in a previous edition, N.E. Wholesale who’s head office is based in Middlesbrough have undergone a revamp in bringing their brand into the new decade and have opted for a simple yet classy look for their new logo.
A French court, the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris, has dismissed Michelin’s request to annul the International Automobile Federation (FIA) decision to appoint Pirelli the sole tyre supplier to the world rally championship (WRC).
On April 4 Michelin released a press statement indicating it intends to appeal February’s decision to award Pirelli sole supplier rights for the 2008 to 2010 seasons.
The distribution and retail subsidiary of Amtel-Vredestein, AV-TO, has announced the opening of its new showpiece, a tyre and automotive service centre in Moscow. The openings signals the final step in the company’s 14 month re-branding of its retail network.
Stapletons has added 40 brand new Renault Master Panel Vans to its delivery fleet, a move the company says signals its commitment to improving its “fast, efficient and reliable delivery service.” Through its six distribution centres in Letchworth, Wakefield, Coatbridge, Bristol, Burton and Warrington, Stapletons stocks over 500,000 tyres and delivers to over 6,000 customers making the van fleet a vital aspect of the business. Stapletons representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the company is committed to ensuring customers have a wholesaler they can rely on and is a vital link in the tyre industry supply chain.
Amtel-Vredestein has won the EFFIE/Best Brand silver medal in the automotive category for its Vredestein brand promotion marketing project. Of 300 leading companies competing in 30 different categories, Amtel-Vredestein was the only tyre manufacturer to take a prize. The awards ceremony took place at the Forum Hall complex on 26 October. The EFFIE awards organisers describe the accolade as the most prestigious advertising and marketing award.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced a new franchise opportunity for people looking to start or expand their own business in the tyre/motor industry. The company used the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, to reveal a complete rebrand of its retail operation, Hi-Q and to announce the new franchise opportunity surrounding the fast-fit business.
Delphi has announced the appointment of Brian Lavery as commercial director for Delphi Product & Service Solutions in the UK. Based at Delphi’s UK headquarters in Warwick, Lavery will be responsible for ensuring the company’s sales and market share targets are met. He will report to Gael Escribe, sales and service director, Delphi Product & Service Solutions, Europe.
Traditional dealer fast-fit centres are starting to evolve into “fast-service centres”, according to motor industry consultancy Forester Grant Associates. The company says that the role of the fast-fit is changing. A few years ago the majority of dealers saw the fast-fit concept as way to retain customers of older vehicles – but now their thinking has altered.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. launched a new national ad campaign that incorporates television and print ads that are designed to reach out to a young, high-performance-minded audience.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has signed hip-hop star Funkmaster Flex to a year-long endorsement contract. Flex will appear in a new print advertisement for the Cooper Zeon XST tyre targeting the urban sport truck market, and will make appearances to support the Cooper brand.
Flex, dubbed the “evangelist” of hip hop’s car culture, created the successful Funkmaster Flex Custom Car & Bike Show, now in its fifth year. He is also a celebrity DJ on Hot 97 FM in New York City and the host of two TV shows, Spike TV’s “Ride with Funkmaster Flex” and ESPN 2’s “All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex.”
Sin Hup Huat Company (SHH Co.). has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nankang Rubber Tyres Corporation Taiwan, for SHH Co to exclusively market and sell Nankang’s full range of tyres for Brunei.
The tyre distribution deal will be supported by further contracts that SHH managing director Steven Kuan signed with Brunei’s Hyundai dealer Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. This makes SHH Co. the preferred service provider for tyres, wheel services and roadside assistance for Setia Motors Sdn. Bhd. SHH simultaneously sealed a deal with 24/7 Roadside Assist, represented by its managing director Mark Adams. 24/7 Roadside Assist will join forces with SHH Co. as its official affiliate service partner and retail outlet for roadside assistance service and preferred workshop.
Bridgestone UK will use the Commercial Vehicle show in April to launch a new, long-distance steer tyre, the R249, and a new range of Truck Point retread tyres.
The R249, for trucks of 16 tonnes and heavier, has been designed following a study of nearly 1,000 fleets operating in six major European markets. Reliability and mileage proved to be the main criteria for fleets, followed by traction/grip, fuel efficiency and comfort. Cost per kilometre is assuming ever-greater importance.
“With under-inflated tyres responsible for 6 per cent of all fatal motorway accidents – why isn’t more done to prevent tyre pressure?,” asks tyre pressure monitoring company, TPM Systems. For as little as 1p a day says it an bring a range of systems to the motorist. The Quik-Chek has been developed as a safe and quick way to accurately gauge tyre pressure – by simply pressing a button. However, while the gauge design is, by its very nature a direct monitoring system it does not update drivers in realtime or while they are driving. On the other hand it must be significantly cheaper than the aftermarket alternatives.
Carbon fibre is part of the construction of the new Goodyear Eagle(R) featuring ResponsEdge Technology™, which will be available to consumers in May. With threadlike strands of carbon that are strong and flexible, carbon fibre is a substance that weighs much less than steel of similar strength. As a woven composite fabric, it is increasingly used in high-tech racecars and jet planes.
In the new Eagle featuring ResponsEdge Technology, the outboard sidewall of the tyre is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fibre insert that provides stiffness for responsive handling and steering precision. Combined with conventional tyre construction on the inboard sidewall, the ResponsEdge tyre delivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
When Tyres & Accessories visited the Kumho stand at last week’s Autosport show it was a hive of activity – an achievement that is no mean feat considering it was press day. The centre of attention was Modern Tyre Service/Kumho Tyres’ announcement that the leading Northern Irish retailer would sponsor Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Eugene Donnelly.
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