Garage of the year winner announced
Automechanika Birmingham, in partnership with Garage Wire, has named Hillclimb Garage as ‘Garage of the Year’ for 2018, with the High Wycombe-based workshop picking up the prize of £1000.
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Tire Cologne: Association claims visitor numbers similar to Reifen 2016
When we compared the visitor headcount at last week’s The Tire Cologne exhibition with those at Reifen 2016 two years earlier, we noted visitor numbers were down around 20 per cent this year – a figure we reached by examining the official post-show reports released after each respective event. But did attendance drop so sharply from the one show to the next, or were the published visitor numbers for Reifen 2016 incorrect? The former industry association partner to Reifen and current partner to The Tire Cologne says the figure for Reifen 2016 was a case of over-inflation, and points to statistics supporting this.
Treadsetters to distribute Apollo TBR tyres in UK
Apollo Vredestein’s UK subsidiary has chosen Treadsetters to handle the sale and distribution of its Apollo truck and bus tyre range across England, Scotland and Wales. Apollo’s debut in Europe’s competitive TBR tyre segment was barely one year ago. The new distribution arrangement represents a change in strategy; the manufacturer had initially said the brand would be available directly from Apollo through an e-commerce system. Apollo Vredestein states the decision to partner with Treadsetters will aid in achieving the tyre manufacturer’s strategy of rapid TBR growth by combining its product range with a highly efficient and experienced distribution partner in the UK.
Linglong to become first Chinese global Top 10 car tyre manufacturer by 2019 – analyst
New research by London based independent research company Astutus Research suggests that a domestic Chinese company could be about to join the top 10 global manufacturers of passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres. Linglong Tyre, currently ranked 12th globally in the segment by unit sales, is forecast to take tenth place by 2019, replacing South Korea’s Kumho Tyre. The move would make the manufacturer the first from China to enter the PCLT top 10.
Tire Cologne organiser upbeat about debut show
Many consider it successor to the Reifen tyre fair, therefore comparisons are inevitable. For this reason, the organiser of The Tire Cologne may be nervous about visitor and exhibitor numbers. But should this be the case, Koelnmesse isn’t showing it.
TBR tariffs: Giti displays two commercial tyres ‘Made in Indonesia’ at The Tire Cologne
Giti Tire has given its first indication of the measures it is taking to shore up its European position in light of the EU tariffs introduced on commercial vehicle tyre produced in China. Presenting two of its most popular tyres, including the Giti GTR955 Combi Road, with “Made in Indonesia” highlighted on their sidewalls, the manufacturer is showing it is capable of shifting European truck tyre production to its Tangerang manufacturing complex in Jakarta, following a development completed in late 2016.
Tariff fightback? What importers and associations are doing in response to European anti-Chinese truck tyre duties
It is clear that European anti-truck tyre tariffs are already having marked impact on the shape of the market. This is putting pressure on affected importers and manufacturers alike, but – as we have seen elsewhere in this feature – it could also lead to price increases and product shortages. Here Tyres & Accessories takes a closer look at the issue and what is being done in response based on contributions of industry associations such as the NTDA and ITMA as well as key industry figures.
MWheels to work with DfT to improve CV wheel safety
Negotiations to rectify the Department for Transport’s apparent failure to incorporate European Union Directives 2014/45/EU and 2014/47/EU into the wheel-related section of the new Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual has yielded a positive result for MWheels. The commercial vehicle wheel specialist shares that following a meeting with the DfT, DVSA and Parliamentary representative Mike Kane MP on 17 May, the DfT “has agreed to work with MWheels to investigate ways in which the Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual’s section on wheels can be enhanced to improve vehicle safety.”
Truck tyre tariffs to cause shortages
On 7 May the European Commission announced that it is implementing provisional anti-dumping duties of between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre on new and retreaded tyres imported into Europe from China. It is a landmark move that is already having a huge impact on truck tyre markets across Europe. Tyres & Accessories spoke with TYM International managing director, Steve Eke and Triangle Tyre’s general manager for Europe, Corrado Moglia (representative examples of affected importers and manufacturers respectively) in order to find out more.
Microplastics: Government to tackle tyre pollution
Tyres aren’t part of the food chain and they certainly don’t belong in our air and water. Even the powers that be realise this and the government says it will work to combat the problem. The how and with whom of this was outlined in the draft Clean Air Strategy 2018 document released by Environment Secretary Michael Gove on 22 May.
FA Cup honours for Yokohama-sponsored Chelsea FC
Yokohama-sponsored Chelsea FC enjoyed a winning conclusion to the 2017-18 football season by taking a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley. Marking the climax of the English season, the match was played in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley, and watched by a live UK TV audience which peaked at 8.7 million. With global TV viewership expected to be at least ten times this number, Yokohama will benefit from a jump in brand exposure from its shirt partnership with the winners.
Yokohama introduces all-season BluEarth 4S AW21
The increasing popularity of all-season tyres in Europe has led to an increase in product development in the segment as manufacturers, especially premium manufacturers, move to launch products offering less of a compromise of characteristics than ever before in the segment. Yokohama, a global brand that has arguably done more than any other tyre manufacturer not already part of the big seven to make a convincing case for being categorised as a premium brand, is the latest to launch a next generation all-season product, the BluEarth 4Seasons.
Nokian Tyres’ SnapSkan service expands internationally
The SnapSkan digital tread service, deployed by tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres in cooperation with its tyre retail and car service chain Vianor, is launching five new checking points in the Nordic countries. A total of four new SnapSkan service points will be opened in parking garages in various locations across Finland. SnapSkan is also going international with the opening of a new service point in Oslo, Norway. This is the first SnapSkan service point outside of Finland.
Truck tyre tariffs to end Chinese import tsunami
The EU’s decision to implement import tariffs on Chinese-produced truck tyres marks a sea-change in both the truck tyre market in general and European governments’ approach to the subject in particular. As of the 8 May 2018, truck tyres produced in China and imported into the UK have become between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre more expensive than before. And what’s more, with product registration having begun back in February 2018, such charges look likely to be backdated to February on tyres already sold. This cannot fail to have an enormous impact, but what exactly will it mean for the truck tyre sector?
Bridgestone wins Stagecoach bus tyre contract
Bridgestone UK has secured the company’s biggest ever commercial fleet partnership across Europe, after putting pen to paper on a five-year agreement with Stagecoach. The deal with the prestigious bus and coach operator, which serves more than 100 communities in the UK and up to three-million-passengers each day, encompasses 9,500 vehicles in total.
