Milltek will offer a talented race driver a fully supported drive in its VW Cup Golf for the 2014 season, the exhaust manufacturer has revealed. Launching the search at the 2014 Autosport show between 9 and 12 January, Milltek will host a test day in February, having teamed up with long-term technical partners KPM to create a vehicle to compete in the APR VW Cup, based on the company’s previously successful Golf Time Attack car.
In August, tyrepress.com brought news of the world’s largest ice cream van. This very vehicle will be pressed into service at January’s LAMMA show, dispensing chilly treats for visitors at the Mitas stand (B57). The 5.5 tonne, ŠKODA Octavia vRS-based van is fitted with Mitas tyres sourced from Farmers Tyre in Leamington Spa.
Litchfield – the GT-R tuner – has released details of its latest exhaust system for the R35 variant. This latest system has been precision-fabricated in a substantial 102mm (4”) diameter is aimed at “those discerning owners that refuse to compromise on either soundtrack or performance for their car.”
The Belgium-based Bosal Group has opened its first production facility for automotive emission control systems in Chongqing, China. According to the company, the new 2700 m2 facility in Dadukou District will produce innovative emission control systems and components for passenger car manufacturers in the region. The factory is reporteldy equipped with a latest technology production line including laser welding and CNC roll forming. The news comes less than 8 months after the firm closed its UK production operations with the loss of over 100 jobs.
Northampton power train supplier Cosworth has announced the completion of the first part of its multi-stage power package for Subaru’s FA20 powertrain. The Stage 1 upgrade brings together a fully tuned stainless steel exhaust system, a bespoke four into two into one exhaust manifold, a high-flow sports CAT, a high performance panel air filter and a specially mapped ECU program to ensure all these components work together in perfect harmony while conservatively improving power by approximately 24hp over the original equipment. The FA20 features in the Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) and the Subaru BRZ. Cosworth is currently exhibiting the Stage 1 Power Package at Booth #23324 at Las Vegas’ SEMA Show.
Kumho Tyres awarded Kindlington Guides £5,000 in its second annual Cash for Causes competition. More than 400 charities and good causes signed up for the tyre manufacturer’s online public voting contest, sharing a fund of £100,000.
Philip Duffy and David Whitehouse, both of global financial advisory and investment banking firm Duff & Phelps and Joint Administrators of Preston based Bosal (U.K.) Limited, have announced the sale of certain assets of the Company which relates to sales and marketing activities to Bosal International N.V. and Bosal Tobo B.V.
March's edition of Tyre & Accessories is due to arrive on doorsteps any day now. The virtual version, however, is online now. As well as the latest news and reviews, the March magazine contains the latest information and analysis on 4×4 tyres as well Ancillary garage services, so if you are a subscriber simply click more to read it now.
Falcon and sister company Milltek are celebrating 30 years in business, with plans to commemorate the landmark in the companies’ marketing activities. Started by Phil Millington, who trained in one of UK’s first dedicated exhaust centres in 1970s Devon, both companies are still run by the founder. Making the move from retail to manufacturing suited Millington, and following the foundation of Falcon, the team grew, becoming one of the leading names in the Classic Car market.
Klarius Group Limited put its Quinton Hazell Automotive Limited (QH) into administration on 6 February 2013. Following their appointment, the administrators reached an agreement to sell the Klarius emissions business based at Cheadle, Staffordshire to Klarius Products Limited, preserving 234 jobs. The deal will formally complete during the course of 7 February (today). In addition, the intellectual property rights relating to the QH business were sold separately to Tetrosyl I-Tec Limited, part of Tetrosyl Limited.
Bosal UK, which is best known as an exhaust manufacturer but also makes roof racks and towbards, has entered administration. Various news sources report that calling in the administrators follows the recent confirmation of a contract to supply Land Rover with the exhaust systems for its popular Evoque model.
On 11 January 2013, the company issued a statement appointing Phillip Duffy and David Whitehouse of Duff & Phelps Ltd, Manchester as administrators in a move that follows “a decade of strong support for Bosal UK from its owners in the face of a mix of factors which over time increasingly impacted on its viability”.
The National Tyre Distributers Association (NTDA) has elected Roger Griggs, director of communications at Kwik Fit, to the role of vice chairman, working with Stephen Callow, who succeeded Kwik Fit’s David White as NTDA chairman in March 2012. Griggs has spent 34 years in the tyre industry, starting in a Jersey tyre centre in the late 1970s. Richard Edy, director of the NTDA, says: “We are delighted that Roger has joined the board. His experience in all areas of the industry means he has a great deal to offer and we look forward to supporting him in developing future campaigns.”
The Klarius Group has concluded an agreement with Irish auto parts distribution company, CD Group, to sell its Quinton Hazell Ireland operation. QH Ireland will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity within the CD Group of companies distributing QH and Klarius branded products to the Irish market. Customers can continue to deal with the people that they always have done at QH in Dublin and place orders through the normal channels.
Despite the name, there is no way that Vortex Exhaust Technology Ltd is getting sucked down by the negative economic environment. On the contrary, according to the Grays, Essex-based business, things have moved quickly since the company relocated from their old premises at the end of 2011. The company can now be found in a much bigger and brighter unit on the Globe Industrial estate in Grays. Having spent the last year organise things at the new facility managing director Barry Mead reports that he is looking forward to the next chapter in the company’s business development:
Tyrenet UK Ltd and Benelux-based Profile Tyrecenter are entering into a joint venture that will see the two companies cooperate in the execution of the ambitious goal of becoming the largest tyre retail network in the UK. The goal is 1000 branches in the UK. And what’s more the partnership of the leading independent tyre dealer network and the award winning tyre retail leader in Benelux is seeking to get a foothold in the lease and fleet services market currently dominated by other leading players, while focusing on service excellence through the deployment of its unique ICT solutions across the new chain.
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