The tyre business along with the rest of the automotive industry was hit hard by the effects of coronavirus. This tag brings you the latest news as it happens.
Messe Frankfurt and its customers, partners and supporting associations have agreed to postpone the Automechanika Frankfurt event that was originally scheduled to take place from 8 to 12 September 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. The new dates are 14 to 18 September 2021. Automechanika Frankfurt will then resume its biennial rotation – the event will now be taking place in odd-numbered years.
In April 2020 many European countries reached the peak of new infections resulting from the coronavirus, something that is likely to lead to a massive fall in trailer production in the second and third quarters of 2020, according to analysts Clear. During April many trailer manufacturers closed their business in April in order to comply with government recommendations on social distancing but also because there was little or no business to be done. Now manufacturers are having to consider how they can resume production to at least meet the low level of demand that will exist in Q2 2020.
The president of Sri Lanka His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed Prabhash Subasinghe, managing director of GRI, to the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation. The task force exists because Sri Lanka’s government has identified the need to create balanced social and economic development in the country, aligned with expectations by the United Nations such as environmental conservation, renewable energy and toxin-free food production, as well as the need to minimize poverty.
Although UK monthly new car registrations in April were lower than since the days of postwar petrol rationing, there is at least some optimism that the automotive industry will benefit from one aspect of the COVID-19 crisis. With social distancing and fear of contagion part of the ‘new normal’, mistrustful commuters may shun public transport in favour of private cars.
New car registration figures for April 2020 reflect COVID-19’s impact upon the automotive industry here in the UK, and our neighbours across the Channel are facing similar problems. Four automotive industry associations have now stepped forward with a plan to ensure a strong restart of the sector and the economy at large.
The great reduction in vehicle movements resulting from lockdown has had an unintended and unwelcome consequence for some motorists. Kwik Fit reports that with the vast majority of people making only infrequent, or very short journeys, the number of drivers visiting its outlets over the four weeks to 1 May needing a new battery has been double the usual rate for the time of year.
Figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK new car registrations plummeted 97.3 per cent year-on-year in April. This marks a record low for the new car market as the coronavirus pandemic forced the nation into lockdown for the entire month, with showrooms closed and car buyers housebound.
The BTRDA and Protyre share that the 2020 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship has been cancelled owing to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
In line with the gradual relaxing of the lockdown in Italy, industrial activity at Pirelli’s Settimo Torinese facility resumes today. The tyre maker says production levels will initially be below normal levels in light of lower current demand.
Saracens Tyres has put any plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary on hold to focus its efforts on helping its customers stay fully operational throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The Michelin Quality Centre-approved dealer is keeping its doors open during the UK’s lockdown period to support key workers in the transport and agricultural industries who are working around the clock to help keep essential supplies, including food, moving.
Loading and unloading goods vehicles can put drivers and other workers at risk. It is important to consider all risks to the health, safety, and welfare of drivers delivering to and collecting from sites, and take reasonable and practical steps to safeguard drivers and mitigate risk to their health and safety.
With the significant disruption of business around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ricardo experts will provide a free webinar to explore approaches to regaining or improving upon business as usual performance following lockdown.
Automotive industry charity Ben says the number of people seeking its support for mental health and money concerns has increased. It adds that demand will continue to grow as the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. The charity has created a ‘Coronavirus hub’ on its website, with specially developed online tips, advice, and tools for managing money, coping with stress, and facilitating home working now available.
Analysts have warned that the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on car production are not fully reflected in the March figures, released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Andrew Burn, partner and head of automotive at KPMG UK said that while the March data shows that conditions were difficult, April’s numbers will show the full extent of the effects of the UK lockdown on the sector.
As well as providing its retreading partners with the necessary materials to contribute to securing people’s basic needs across Europe and keeping truck rolling, Kraiburg reports that it is also committed to those who fight on the medical “front lines”.
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Messe Frankfurt
Elevate; Pexels.
GRI
Stephen Goodchild
Stephen Goodchild
Stephen Goodchild
Protyre
Saracens Tyres
SMMT