The UK new car market marked its 22nd consecutive month of growth as registrations rose 1.7 per cent in May, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With 147,678 units reaching the road, it was the best May market performance since 2021, although it remains down some -19.6 per cent on 2019.
Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK, urged the Government to rethink price incentives.
January saw a return to growth in new passenger car registrations, according to the latest European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) figures. These followed a -3.3 per cent contraction in December. New car registrations in the EU witnessed an increase of 12.1 per cent year-on-year, reaching 851,690 units for January 2024. “It is positive to see a return to growth in the EU car market following the contraction experienced in December 2023, particularly with January traditionally being a slower month” said Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), commenting on the figures.
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and its member companies have voiced their support for a legislative proposal to incentivise retreading. The Commercial Vehicle Fleet Retreaded Tire Utilization Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2022 (H.R. 8165), introduced to the United States Congress this week, would provide tax credits for fleet purchases of US retreaded commercial vehicle tyres.
Italian motorists may soon be financially rewarded for choosing safer and more environmentally friendly options when buying their next set of tyres. GripDetective.it, our partner B2C site in Italy, reports that proposed amendments to the country’s DL Energia (Energy Decree) would deliver a 200-euro bonus when buying a set of four passenger vehicle tyres that have scored an A or B for both wet braking and fuel efficiency on the EU tyre label. Italy’s parliament is currently examining this proposal.
February’s car registration figures were released as the SMMT calls on the Chancellor to use next week’s Budget to announce bold new measures to make new-tech zero emission-capable cars, including plug-in hybrids, more affordable for mass-market buyers. In 2020, manufacturers will bring more than 23 new battery-electric and ten plug-in hybrid electric cars to the UK to add to the more than 65 already on sale, but take-up of these new models depends on affordability and the provision of adequate charging infrastructure.
Seven treads in Vipal Rubber’s portfolio have been made eligible for use in the German De-minimis programme. The VT220, VT160, VDA4 (all drive axle), VL150A, VZAB, VAP1 and VT550A (trailer) designs have all been verified, and meet the programme’s needs. Promoted by the German government, De-minimis reimburses a significant part of fleet operators’ costs in acquiring tyres retreaded to certain specifications.
A Teddington-based garage has taken home the main prize of a brand-new Peugeot 108 in GSF Car Parts’ biggest ever national incentive promotion which aims to support its thriving independent garage customer base. Teddington Cars Ltd, an authorised Ford service and repair agent, was eligible for entry into the prize draw after achieving an agreed ‘3-star’ target monthly spend through GSF, guaranteeing them a prize of up to £500 in Love2Shop vouchers.
With Cooper, Mitas and most recently Michelin all upping production capacity in Serbia, you can understand the Serbs have invested in communicating the benefits of locating tyre production in the area during the course of 2014. But that’s not all. They have also invested in travelling all the way to Grungrao, Shandong provice, China in order to court the attentions of up-and-coming Chinese tyre manufacturers too.
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.