Garage equipment manufacturer Hofmann has introduced the next generation of its Geoliner wheel aligner series. Two new models have been introduced, the Geoliner 670 Gen 4 and Geoliner 680 Gen4; both aligners feature Hofmann’s icon-based Pro 42 software, a ‘one-touch’ programme that is designed to make the most effective use of the information required by the technician carrying out the alignment procedure.
Following the organisational changes announced late last year, the Trelleborg Group has recalculated its business area quarterly data for the years 2007 to 2012. Results are now tabulated under the “Coated Systems”, “Industrial Solutions”, “Offshore & Construction”, “Sealing Solutions” and “Wheel Systems” business areas. This recalculation has resulted in little change for the Trelleborg Wheel Systems tyre and wheel business.
Snap-on Diagnostics has introduced the new Snap-on Verus Pro hand-held diagnostic tool for workshop technicians. The company says the latest addition to its hand-held diagnostic range offers a complete solution for UK garages and bodyshops. The Verus Pro is fast, powerful and portable, providing access to required information sources, scanner, components test metre, scope readings and car-fix information. Snap-on Diagnostics says the range-topping device has been designed to allow the technician to manage the complete job from start to finish.
DriveRight, an independent supplier of wheel and tyre fitment data, has added a tyre fitment finder to its expanding portfolio of marketing solutions for distributors and manufacturers of tyres. DriveRight’s database of 37,500 individual vehicle fitments can now be searched with a new function added to its TyreFit online tyre guide. The company suggests its use as a point of sale fitment look-up tool for sales staff.
ATS Euromaster has reported that it beat its own roadside assistance records for the fourth year running in 2012. 2012 data shows ATS Euromaster’s customer response team and mobile fitting fleet cut the average time from receiving a customer call to arrival on the scene to one hour, five minutes and six seconds. That’s a drop of 17 minutes and 45 seconds from the 2009 times, which ATS technicians have reduced every year since. The data also shows ATS Euromaster is averaging a total time from receiving a customer’s call to completing the job at the roadside of one hour, 51 minutes and 29 seconds. That’s a saving of 14 minutes and 54 seconds on the 2009 times, which again, ATS technicians have slashed every year since.
Independent tyre and wheel fitment data provider DriveRight has added a new product to its range. The ‘Tyre Fitment Finder’ is designed to help tyre distributors and manufacturers ensure their advertising and marketing is targeted at the right customers.
Firestone’s agricultural Tyre Pressure Calculator app for iPhone has reportedly stormed to 10,000 downloads, confirming demand from farmers for this information to reduce soil compaction and maximise successful germination.
A package of measures promised as part of the Red Tape Challenge is being launched for consultation by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond today. The consultation looks at ways of streamlining the way in which operators have to comply with regulations around drivers' hours; tachographs and the support of green technology.
The Commercial Vehicle Show 2013 will take place between 9 and 11 April, and ATS Euromaster says it has decided to make helping fleet operators reduce operating costs its number one show objective. The company will use its 150 square metre stand to reinforce how it works with customers to reduce vehicle operating costs and improve tyre life, safety, uptime and fuel economy. Van service, maintenance and repair (SMR) will also take prime billing on the ATS Euromaster stand; this is to reflect the £14 million investment the company has made over three years to expand its non-tyre offering and to highlight its ability to accommodate the largest vans in 95 per cent of all ATS Euromaster centres.
With Germany the only market out of the Big 7 economies that will have positive GDP in 2012, this deterioration has reportedly fed directly into slowing trailer sales. In the first quarter of 2012 trailer demand was up 0.4 per cent, but it will finish the year down 6.3 per cent. Nevertheless 77 per cent of goods in Europe are moved by road and most of that proportion is transported on a trailer, making the progress of this sector of significant interest.
Following publication of the most recent data, the RSMA named and shamed and named and praised the worst- and best-marked UK roads. These are:
DriveRight has appointed Jeremy Wood as its new UK and European sales manager. Wood joined the DriveRight team in October, bringing with him a wealth of experience within IT, including extensive web coding and UI design knowledge. He has a background as a vehicle technician using tailored software systems within Formula 1.
Reports from Reuters say that the chairman of Pirelli, Marco Tronchetti Provera, will face trial over a long-running probe into alleged use of Telecom Italia data to snoop on Italy's elite.
Tructyre Fleet Management has introduced Cam Systems’ panintelligence fleet tyre management system following the completion of a two-month pilot. Using the new system the truck tyre service specialist introduced a dynamic, live data feed aligned to the organisation’s KPIs into its head office, improving functionality and visibility while saving administration time.
Last weekend saw the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) come to a close with Gordon Shedden taking his maiden touring car trophy, with Dunlop once again the proud sponsor and the sole tyre supplier. Across the ten rounds of the season, Dunlop supplied 4,616 tyres to the championship, 656 of which were wet v-grooved tyres. Each round is attended by a 15 strong motorsport service team who ensure the teams are running the correct tyre set up for their vehicle.
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