Several tyre makers have received new silverware of late, with OEM partners in the vehicle manufacturing sector handing out awards to honour their suppliers. We’ve already shared news of awards Hankook Tire received from Honda and General Motors; more recently, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Maxxis and Pirelli have commented on the accolades they’ve gained.
We were told that 29 March was the Brexit deadline. As we go to press in the week after that deadline passed, it is clear that we don’t know either when or how we are going to Brexit. As we discussed last month, the consensus amongst analysts and the automotive industry is that there will be a massive negative impact on vehicle manufacturing (and therefore automotive suppliers) in the UK. But what else do we have to look forward to?
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is expanding its vehicle export operations by adopting a multi-port strategy with the first shipment of 1000 locally assembled Ford Rangers from Port Elizabeth to markets in Europe.
In the USA, Ford Motor is supplying Michelin Selfseal tyres for the new Ford Explorer. The 2020 Explorer is the first SUV to offer Michelin Selfseal tyres, according to Ford.
Ford’s new Focus Active is available from the factory with Hankook tyres, reports the tyre maker. As of December 2018, the crossover wears Hankook’s Ventus Prime 3 in sizes 215/50R18V and 215/55R17V.
The recently announced partnership between Ford and Volkswagen in the commercial vans and medium pickup trucks arena served to highlight the strong global demand that both companies foresee in these two segments. The partnership was made public on the sidelines of the just concluded North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2019, in Detroit. It marks the first step in a partnership that seeks to leverage the complementary strengths of both automotive giants in a bid to boost their competitiveness.
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company have will partner in the production of light commercial vehicles after announcing the first formal agreements in “a broad alliance”. The alliance does not involve cross-ownership between the two companies.
Thirty-three new aftermarket exhausts have been introduced to the Klarius Products European emissions control range, covering a multitude of popular vehicle applications. Designed to deliver equivalent performance and efficiency to the OEM component, the entire 10,000+ product range is available from regional European distributors with same or next day delivery.
Ford has extended its original equipment business with Apollo Vredestein by selecting the Vredestein Quatrac 5 for fitment on the latest Ford Fiesta. For the past year, the Ford EcoSport has been also available from the factory equipped with the Vredestein Sportrac 5.
As increasing numbers of people get on their bikes, flashpoints between drivers and cyclists are an all-too frequent sight in Europe’s cities. And while infrastructure that keeps different road users apart struggles to keep pace, Ford is launching a new campaign designed to help improve safety and reduce pollution and congestion.
Standard Motor Products Europe (SMPE), one of the UK’s largest independently owned automotive parts manufacturers and suppliers, has introduced three new exhaust pressure sensors for sought after Ford diesel engine vehicles.
The Ford scrappage scheme, which includes cars and CVs, is to be extended into the first quarter of 2018. The success of the scheme, which has seen over 10,500 vehicles scrapped and replaced with cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles, is expanded to include the Ford Ranger as well as the most popular all-new Fiesta, Focus and Transit CV models.
Apollo Vredestein’s work to shift its Dutch brand’s replacement market focus to become an original equipment supplier has resulted in fitments on three major models. Vredestein, has been selected as a fitment on the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Ford EcoSport.
Ford has launched its ‘New For Old’ Scrappage Scheme where customers can save between £2,000 and £4,950 when trading in a car or between £3,650 and £7,000 off a commercial vehicle. Ford are promoting the fact that this will reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy. Ford also assures customers that they will manage the scrappage of old vehicles responsibly.
The new van market got off to a positive start in 2017, with January seeing a small 1.2 per cent growth in registrations, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Heavy vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5t, which make up the bulk of the market, rose 5.6 per cent in January. Meanwhile, pickups’ popularity continued to grow following a successful 2016, with registrations increasing 28.9 per cent.
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