Kwik Fit is extending its mobile network in response to “an increase in demand from both fleet and retail customers”. To that end, the tyre retailer has signed an agreement with Mercedes-Benz Vans to add over 100 Sprinter vans to its mobile fitting fleet over the coming year.
Maverick Diagnostics has ventured into the ADAS market with the distribution of the Mobile ADAS Recalibration System – or M.A.R.S. This system, developed by Dynamic Automotive Solutions, will be launched at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event on 5 and 6 June at the NEC in Birmingham.
Following the success of the Tyre Technician Professional Development Scheme (TTPDS), which has seen more than 12,000 tyre technicians trained, assessed as competent and issued with a licence since 2014, the NTDA has launched a new licence specifically for mobile tyre technicians working on car and light vehicle tyres.
Following earlier reports on 25 November 2022, Avayler, Halfords’ B2B software arm has confirmed that ATU has selected the Avayler mobile solution to support its new mobile servicing and tyre fitting division. Avayler Mobile will initially be rolled out in Munich as part of ATU’s “Mobile Workshop” pilot project, with further plans for expansion throughout Germany.
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) reports that it is continuing to invest in e-commerce solutions that benefit their tyre retailer network, with its dedicated tyre selling website, TyreClick, providing a “key platform for online success”. MTS investments include development of the TyreClick site and investment in third-party expertise, such as Strategic Q, to help enhance Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
Tirebuyer has formed an exclusive partnership with mobile tyre franchisor Tread Connection in order to capitalise on the “explosion” of mobile tyre fitting demand. Tirebuyer will use the Treadsy brand as the identity for its mobile solutions division and over 11,000 existing Tirebuyer brick and mortar install partners as well as more than 80,000 American Tire Distributor customers will be given the opportunity to add a Treadsy van to their business to provide mobile tyre installation services to their own consumers in exclusive geographic territories. Tread Connection’s existing network of franchisees will be integrated with the Treadsy brand and technology that will also be assigned preferred territories within Tirebuyer.com.
Goodyear’s HiQ fast fit network has launched its HiQ2U mobile tyre fitting service across the Midlands. This service is now available across the Midlands from Coventry to Birmingham and includes the surrounding areas. Motorists can receive tyres and tyre fitting services at their doorstep between 7:00am and 7:00pm Monday to Friday and between 8:30am and 12:30pm on Saturdays.
Halfords has entered the B2B software market by making American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) the first customer of Halfords’ Avayler proprietary software which streamlines “service delivery for companies that operate in multiple locations.” According to Halfords, the Avayler platform will underpin ATD’s operations, supplying tyres to 80,000 garages across the US. ATD will also be the exclusive provider of the Avayler Mobile platform to the North American automotive market. ATD is one of the largest independent suppliers of tyres in the US replacement market and the part owner of Tirebuyer.com (which was established by blackcircles.com founder Mike Welch). No price details associated with the sale of the Avayler software system to ATD have yet been disclosed.
One of the most pronounced effects of the pandemic on the tyre retail business has been the uptick in online and mobile tyre business. RubberHub, a Software-as-a-Solution (SaaS) project originating in Canada, launched its beta product in 2019 and went fully goes fully live this month (February 2020), with followers and test users already hailing from around Canada, the USA and the UK. Tyres & Accessories found out more from RubberHub Inc. president and founder, David Mulensteen.
With mobile tyre fitment take-up increasing since the pandemic, E-Cube equipment is aiming to become an “essential part of a tyre retailers services in the UK and Europe”. However, while things have been developing positively with the E-Cube in general, the coronavirus pandemic has is said to have “temporarily delayed” manufacturer TMG’s intention to fully launch E-Cube into the UK tyre market. Nevertheless, the final preparations regarding the distribution and servicing of the unit are being made now with a view to an early 2021 launch.
We’ve all had to adapt during the corona-crisis and lockdown. For many tyre retailers it has meant agonising decisions relating to either staying opening or shutting down. But some have found a middle way – mobile tyre fitting.
During our recent “Kick-starting your tyre business” Tyrepress webinar, Craig Sprigmore, retail director of HiQ; Graham Mitchell, wholesale director of Micheldever Tyre Services; Noel Pope, managing director of Merityre; and John Stone, founder and managing director of Stone Tyres discussed the role of mobile fitting in helping tyre businesses adapt to the new normal.
As the UK increasingly adopts social distancing measures, tyre retailers are reporting increased demand for mobile tyre fitting services. For example, Kwik Fit is introducing social distancing measures for its mobile fleet operators. The company reports that it has seen a 15 per cent increase in enquiries for appointments for tyre fitting at customers’ homes, the majority of which are said to be due to customers self-isolating after being impacted by the government’s latest guidance on the coronavirus. And Halfords has introduced a ‘contactless’ home fitting service.
Having recently announced the appointment of Yorkshire based On Board Power (OBP) as a UK distributor of E-CUBE, TechnoMarketing Group (TMG) reports that it will be delivering orders into the mobile tyre sector during the early months of 2020.
Netherlands-based TechnoMarketing Group (TMG) has appointed Yorkshire-based On Board Power (OBP) as the exclusive UK Distributor for the E-Cube compact mobile tyre servicing unit. According to the company, E-Cube will soon be available in the UK.
With mobile tyre fitment becoming increasingly popular for motorists and being an enterprising addition for tyre retailers, demand for mobile tyre service vehicles has increased. Along with increased demand for mobile tyre vehicles comes the need for on-board power solutions.
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John Stone; Stone Tyres; Gorilla tyres