Richard Hayes, the incoming president of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), has certainly started his term with a bang by calling for HGVs to be banned from UK motorways on Sundays and has written to Roads Minister Mike Penning, asking for the Department of Transport to investigate the possibility.
In May, ACEA figures show that new commercial vehicle registrations continued the downward trend commenced in January, facing the sharpest decrease since 2009 (-17.8 per cent , compared to May 2011). The UK was the only market to post growth in the month (+10.0 per cent ), while Germany (-13.6 per cent ), France (-22.1 per cent), Spain (-27.4 per cent ) and Italy (-42.4 per cent ) all recorded double-digit downturns. From January to May, the EU market shrank by 11.8 per cent, compared to the first five months of 2011.
Figures released by ACEA, the European association of automobile manufacturers, show that, in May, demand for new passenger cars in the EU was down (-8.7 per cent) for the eighth consecutive month. In total, 1,106,845 new cars were recorded in the region. May 2012 counted on average one working day less than May 2011.
At the General Assembly of the international association for parts distributors, FIGIEFA, held on 24 May in Brussels, president of the German association GVA, Hartmut Rohl, was unanimously voted (with 34 votes) to the position of Figiefa president for the second time. He takes over from Michel Vilatte of FEDA (France) who was elected to the vice-president’s role with 30 votes. IAAF chief executive Brian Spratt was elected as Figiefa’s new treasurer with 31 votes.
Snap-on Equipment’s extensive Hofmann range of wheel alignment equipment could generate a net income of over £30,000 per year even given conservative throughput expectations, according to the company’s recent field research. Snap-on says its range accommodates any workshop and level of service volume, while the leading European manufacturer of garage equipment also offers wheel alignment service expertise and aftersales care. Its most recent machines feature the latest full 3D four wheel alignment technology.
Europe’s largest tyre exhibition, Reifen 2012 has opened today with the show’s organiser, Messe Essen, claiming record numbers of exhibitors – 653 to be precise. Messe Essen also said that the show represents a new level of internationality, with two-thirds of exhibitors attending the show from 44 countries outside Germany. The show, situated in the West German city of Essen, runs until Friday 8 June.
In April, new CV registrations fell by 1.2 per cent in France, 1.6 per cent in Germany, 13.3 per cent in the UK, 28.9 per cent in Spain and 38.6 per cent in Italy. Four months into the year, downturn continued its course (-10.1 per cent) as all major markets shrank. France remained the largest market, despite a 4.7 per cent contraction, followed by Germany (-1.2 per cent) and the UK (-9.8 per cent). Spain (-24.1 per cent) and Italy (-36.7 per cent) recorded more severe drops. In total, 589,987 vehicles were registered throughout the period.
Research and Markets has published a report analysing key elements of the five leading tyre markets in Europe during the period 2011-2015; the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. The report notes the “significant impact” of the 2008-2009 economic crisis, during which all countries experienced reduced sales in 2008 and 2009, which was followed by uniform recovery through 2010, based on essential replacements. Each country went on to experience various levels of sales downturn in 2011.
Following the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association report on passenger car registrations, market research company JATO Dynamic has added its new car sales analysis for the region. The headline figures are declines of 6.1 per cent in April, the lowest monthly decline of the year so far, and 7.1 per cent in year-to-date compared to 2011. Focusing more on the top ten brands, JATO explained that Renault and Opel/Vauxhall experienced the largest fall in sales during April of 16.9 and 16.1 per cent respectively, while Volkswagen maintains top position, ahead of Ford.
April 2012 passenger car registrations in the European Union hit ten-year lows according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. There was a decline overall in the Union of 6.9 per cent in comparison with April 2011, itself a decade-long low – a fair comparison, given that there were the same number of working days in each month. The UK and Germany bucked the trend, posting modest growth in April at 3.3 and 2.9 per cent respectively.
Vipal, one of the largest manufacturers retreading and repair materials, has agreed to sponsor the Buggyra Formula Truck team for the second consecutive year.
In the 2011 season, Vipal participated with a VIP area in 5 of the 10 races and brought 75 customers, mainly retreaders form across Europe to the events. The races invited partners to were at Misano, Italy; Albacete, Spain; Nurburgring, Germany; Most, Czech Republic; and Le Mans, France. This year Vipal will participate with VIP areas in Istanbul, Donington, Nurburgring, Most and Jarama.
Ahead of Pirelli’s latest financial results, rumours are circulating between the press and financial analysts that Pirelli COO Francesco Gori could be about to resign. A report from analysts Morgan Stanley cites an article in the Italian newspaper "Il Corriere della Sera" today (8th May) making this suggestion.
Pirelli itself has reportedly been quite non-committal in its response. Morgan Stanley reports that it has “spoken to the company this morning and this was neither denied or confirmed. The company have signalled before that they are looking to simplify their organisational structure, however unconfirmed rumours in the industry are that there were clashes between the CEO (and owner) Tronchetti on Pirelli’s long term strategy."
While the Formula One season currently involves 20 long weekends across most of the world’s continents – Africa and Antarctica continue to hold out – tyre supplier Pirelli is adding a mid-week run at Mugello, Italy from 1-3 May; the first time that in-season testing has been seen in Formula One since September 2008 (excluding last year’s Abu Dhabi young driver test). The manufacturer explains that the test will allow for greater understanding of the way the P Zero, and Cinturato if rain is forthcoming, tyres work, “accumulating more data” and allowing some of the team’s “third drivers to get time in a Formula One car on the current tyres.” This is the first mid-season test since Bridgestone completed a session in 2008, though pre-, and post-season sessions are common practice.
Commercial vehicle venture Speedline Truck, created by global wheel manufacturer Ronal, has appointed SP Holding as the UK aftermarket agent for its new range of forged truck wheels. Marketed through an independent sales and distribution centre based in Italy, the new range represents the Ronal group’s response to what it perceives as a growing demand for forged aluminium truck wheels.
Bridgestone Europe indicates that is sponsorship of the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events will continue in the 2012/13 season. The company will thus be a main partner at 35 World Cup Alpine Ski events in eight European countries – Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland – starting in October 2012. As in the previous season, Bridgestone will supplement its sponsorship branding package on start huts, gate flags and athlete singlets with high-visibility track-side signage and local marketing programmes.
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