The new 63 registration plate boosted the car market for September, seeing it rise 12.1 per cent to hit 403,136 registrations, according to figures released by the SMMT. This made September 2013 the best performing month since March 2008 with the highest volume in 66 months. Private registrations have risen 16.7 per cent over year-to-date, helping the overall market rise 10.8 per cent. More than 1 in 7 new cars registered in the month is UK-built.
Paul Hembery has given the strongest indication yet of a longer term future in Formula One for tyre supplier Pirelli. While there had been speculation that the manufacturer had secured the supply deal for 2014 only, the company’s Motorsport director told reporters at the Korean grand prix that the exclusive tyre supplier is “working on five years”, meaning Pirelli would be in the series until at least the end of the 2018 season.
Bridgestone has entered into a deal to supply tyres for Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Events, the outfit in charge of all driver training and driving experiences at the German car maker. A range of tyres from the Potenza, Turanza, Dueler and Blizzak ranges will be fitted to the full range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles used during all 36 Mercedes-Benz driving events.
Bridgestone has stated its support for TyreSafe’s Tyre Safety Month campaign by urging drivers to use the clocks going back as a prompt to check their tyres. Bridgestone is calling on motorists to spend five minutes checking their tyres to combat the rising threat of accidents and breakdowns as roads become slippier and conditions more inclement.
AM Bromley has unveiled a new OTR (off the road) Tyre Monitor System that utilises telematics technology to provide cost-savings as well as safety and tyre life improvements. Developed in collaboration with ENAiKOON, the global leader in telematics communications, the new system combines AM Bromley’s Tire Monitor System (TMS) with ENAiKOON’s advanced tracking software to deliver an integrated system that offers real-time, anytime reporting for large off-road vehicles.
The Petrol Retailers’ Association (PRA) has welcomed the announcement that the Chancellor George Osborne MP has pledged in his keynote speech at the Conservative party’s annual conference, to freeze fuel duty until the next election in May 2015, meaning that the planned duty rise of 2 pence per litre in September 2014 is unlikely to go ahead.
Goodyear’s EfficientGrip and Vector4Seasons have been selected by Italian car manufacturer Fiat to fit its latest 500 models, including the 500C and the new 500L Trekking. The models will be supplied with tyres in size 195/45R16 84V. Fiat has selected Goodyear’s EfficientGrip for the 500 and 500C cabrio version, while the Fiat 500L Trekking will roll on the Vector4Seasons. The popular mini is available in more than 100 countries, with over 1.1 million cars produced since 2007.
The sequel, or successor if you prefer, to Dunlop’s Winter Response is now available throughout the UK following its recent launch. The new Winter Response 2, designed for small and compact tyres, picks up where the Winter Response left off and is described by Dunlop as the “perfect complement” to its high-performance SP Winter Sport 4D. The Winter Response 2 is available in 22 dimensions from 155/65 R14 to 195/65 R 15.
It gets underway tomorrow, and UK motorists will be put under pressure to ensure their tyres are properly inflated. The Tyre Safety Month campaign, organised by no-profit road safety group TyreSafe and supported by thousands of garages and other organisations across the UK, will be encouraging drivers to make monthly checks on their tyre pressures to ensure they remain safe on the road.
Bridgestone claims it “pushes back the boundaries of performance and tyre life” with it latest trailer axle truck tyre, the R168Plus, and states the tyre offers vastly superior tear resistance, lower rolling resistance and longer tyre life.” The R168Plus will be available in size 385/65R22.5 as of 1 October and is aimed at both the original equipment and replacement markets.
TyreSafe has launched an online dealer locator for motorists to use during October’s Tyre Safety Month to help them find retailers and dealers offering free tyre health checks throughout the month. The brand new resource – which can be found at www.tyresafe.org – is a key part of this year’s campaign. Visitors simply need to enter their postcode to find their nearest tyre retailer offering a free tyre safety check.
ATS Euromaster is calling on all drivers to observe October's Tyre Safety Month. To promote the importance of keeping tyres in top condition, the nationwide tyre retailer is supporting TyreSafe's efforts and hopes other retailers will gather their free campaign materials. ATS Euromaster hopes the initiative will encourage drivers to get into the habit of checking tyre pressure once a month.
New for this winter is the Nokian WR SUV 3; a rugged, high-performance winter tyre, with ultimate snow grip thanks to snow claws, for all-round use on SUVs.
The Nokian WR SUV 3 feels at home in the varying European winter conditions, and it has excellent winter grip and driving response for SUVs. Its Snow Claws bite firmly into the snow and the tyre effectively resists slush planing and aquaplaning and can cope with all of the surprises that winter may have in store. It rolls lightly and retains its balance on snow, slush, and dry roads alike.
"The sudden price hike in both Brent crude oil and UK wholesale fuel prices has thankfully receded as the likelihood of US and UK intervention in Syria subsides. This once again demonstrates the volatility of the UK's road fuels market as traders and speculators cause instability in prices" said Brian Madderson, of the Petrol Retailers' Association, commenting on the latest inflation figures.
Pirelli is taking its softest specification P Zero Formula One tyre to Singapore’s street circuit, but in a slight change of tack from 2012 the Italian tyre supplier has opted to take the P Zero White medium compound tyre as the second option. Motorsport director Paul Hembery said the decision was based on the evolving conditions particular to this, the only race to be run at night under street lamps on F1’s calendar, as well as the circuit’s stop-start nature and the fact that it is one of the year’s longest races, leading to heavier fuel loads.
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