Mazda UK achieved record sales in March of 10,100 vehicles. The sales success comes on the back of the new Mazda MX-5, the new Mazda5, Mazda6 and continued enthusiasm for the Mazda RX-8. The March sales figures also give Mazda a new record for the first quarter of 2006 with total sales of 15,994 vehicles for the period. This contrasts with Mazda sales in 2001 when the Japanese marque sold just 15,800 for the full year.
The alloy wheel aftermarket in the UK has seen a number of changes over the past decade many of which are continuing today. If we go back 10 years, the majority of the wheels sold were sold by tyre dealers. Admittedly, not every tyre dealer felt comfortable selling alloys and many shied away from what they perceived as potential technical problems, but for those who did, it was a nice little earner. The market potential was not lost on the Auto Accessory stores and they began to make inroads.
What was worse from the tyre dealers’ viewpoint was that the Auto Accessory stores more often than not offered a wheel and tyre package, so not only was the tyre dealer losing the wheel sale, but the tyre sale as well. One of the people who supplied information for this article – and I pass on my thanks to those who contributed, whether they asked remain anonymous or not – estimated that nine out of 10 Auto Accessory store sales were wheel and tyre packages, with customers either fitting the wheels themselves, or going to local garages for fitment. Apart from the loss of business for tyre shops, fitting tyres at home offers potential for incorrect fitments, wrong sizes and so on.
Village Motor Company in Wallasey has become the first member of Blackcircles’ franchised dealer network. The launch meant coming full-circle for Blackcircles’ MD, Mike Welch, as it is just 10 miles from where he launched his first tyre business in Garston at the age of 17. Blackcircles reports that it has been “inundated” with enquiries since it launched its bolt-on franchise option.
Beissbarth UK has launched a new wheel aligner in its highly successful Microline range, which has the highest number of top manufacturer approvals.
The Beissbarth ML1800 is an entry level wheel alignment unit aimed at smaller body shops and garages. It runs on a user-friendly Windows computer programme and includes car and van database details.
Beissbarth UK’s managing director Phillip Hodges said: “Beissbarth aligner technology is renowned throughout the industry. By introducing this latest model we have been able to offer even more features than previously available on our starter level systems.
The names of finalists in the Top Technician 2006 competition will be announced on March 24. The live final will be held at the Automotive Trade Show (25-27 April, NEC Birmingham) on the Top Technician stand, number 1531.
Of the 500 technicians that originally entered, only 36 were invited to attend the semi finals at three regional ATA approved test centres in Croydon, Hinckley and Manchester. They undertook ATA at diagnostic level and were independently assessed for the purposes of the competition by Mark Softley from MototeK and Ian Gillgrass from the IMI.
Having been established for almost 45 years within various sectors of the automotive industry, Sussex based, Elite Garages has now opened a Motorsport Tyre division within the wholesale operation based in Mannings Heath, Horsham.
Managing director Richard Whittemore commented: “With the increased number of people taking their cars on track to explore their performance limits, we felt it necessary to open a specialist division to offer sales support and technical information for these customers”. At the beginning of 2005, this idea became a reality under the watchful eye of Dave Blackley, who has over 10 years experience in the tyre industry with Elite Garages.
Only day’s after automotive magazines criticised the quality of British garages and their lack of support for the Kitemark scheme, Unipart Automotive has unveiled the first Unipart Car Care Centre received the accreditation.
Village Motor Company of Wallasey, Merseyside, part of Unipart Automotive’s national network of 1,400 independent garages, has become Britain’s first Unipart Car Care Centre to achieve the BSI Kitemark. As a leading supplier of automotive parts and accessories, Unipart Automotive says it always wanted a clear badge of distinction between the so-called “rip-off” garages and those who provide service motorists can have confidence in.
Varta has warned the UK aftermarket to expect further steep rises in automotive battery prices later this year. This is the result of the high price of lead on global markets, which has been steadily rising since mid-2003, driven by demand for base metals from China and other emerging markets. The price of lead is the major factor governing the cost of a car battery and, while increased material costs were initially absorbed by the manufacturers, this is no longer tenable, with lead costing 80 per cent more than it did two years ago.
GSF Car Parts has announced the official unveiling of its Canterbury branch, which has opened as part of their 2006 expansion drive. This new branch opening is the first of many during 2006 as GSF follows business objectives and targets to grow company operations significantly. The driving ethos behind this expansion is to return benefits from increased ROI and deliver this success directly back to the customer through competitive pricing, high quality products and enhanced customer service.
Five months after the introduction of Automotive Kitemark system, there are only three accredited workshops for consumers to choose from. So far the British Standards Institute says it has received fewer than 100 applications from the UK’s 25,000 garages.
According to What Car, numerous mystery shop reports have all shown motorists are routinely overcharged, told they need unnecessary work or left with cars in a dangerous, un-roadworthy condition.
Tecalemit Garage Equipment continues to increase its range of MOT & ATL Brake testers. The latest additions to the range are the split bed Class IV MOT brake testers DE 9425 and DE 9426 and Class IV ATL brake testers DE 9425/WT and DE 9426/WT with axle weighing facility.
“We have developed these new machines as a direct response to enquiries from existing Tecalemit customers,” said James Devonport Tecalemit managing director, “We have thousands of brake testers in service around the country many of them approaching the end of their design life, in fact a significant number over 30 years old. The DE 9425 is designed as a direct replacement for our early Kismet KBT 1300 and later DE 7200 models. If the original civil works are done correctly then the new models drop straight into the existing foundation work.”
A growing number of garages and workshops are boosting their bottom lines by offering air conditioning work. A new product from Autoclimate is a fast-acting and solvent-free cleaning solution that gets rid of unpleasant odours produced by the car’s aircon system.
A common misconception made by some motor mechanics and fitters is to believe the coveralls they wear are suitable for all the tasks they perform. This can be a costly and painful mistake when that task is welding, so all involved in this hazardous operation should ensure they are wearing adequate protective clothing.
Motaquip, the UK supplier of motor parts, has started the new year with a couple of changes. The first of these is the appointment of a new product planner. Alistair Large has taken up this role, with responsibility for Motaquip’s extensive clutch, steering and suspension propositions. Prior to joining Motaquip, Mr. Large notched up 15 years with Unipart Automotive in product and promotional management roles for Brown Brothers and ADS.
Thorite says its latest website is proving so popular that the company has introduced its first “web only” offer: This comprises a 2 hp compressor with a 6 litre compressed air tank, complete with a spray gun kit and pneumatic brad gun.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
