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.
Kwik Fit has “significantly expanded” its ‘Mobile7’ mobile tyre fitting operation and is executing plans for “further development in 2019 and beyond”. Kwik Fit launched ‘Mobile7’ inside the M25 in 2016 and has subsequently expanded the service into other regions across the UK. According to the company, ‘Mobile7’ is Kwik Fit’s response to delivering both increased tyre replacement capacity and flexibility. Kwik Fit ‘Mobile7’ runs in addition to the company’s 600-odd bricks and mortar retail units.
Tyres on the Drive now offers delivery appointment self-scheduling online using Descartes’ dynamic appointment scheduling and route planning solution. The offering provides a differentiated customer experience while improving the productivity of Tyres On The Drive’s fleet and technicians.
Delticom AG teamed up with Netherlands-based TechnoMarketing to exclusively present the Mobile Mech concept and its compact, ‘all-in-one’ Ecube tyre service unit. Delticom believes the Ecube is a “completely game-changing” advancement which provides businesses with more versatile solution to the roadside tyre sales.
CEMB is widening its mobile service dedicated range of products by presenting some new lines at Autopromotec in Bologna.
The new SM624 semi-automatic tyre changer for products for cars, light commercial vehicles up to 24 inches and motorcycles (using the optional clamping kit) is particularly suitable for mobile service thanks to the 12V power supply. SM624 can be equipped with the patented pneumatic device UHP, which assists the operator during mounting/demounting of low-profile or particularly difficult tyres such as run-flats.
Beginning this month, eBay will begin adding tyre fitting to the portfolio of automotive services it offers in certain markets. The online giant says eBay Motors will initially offer tyre fitting to motorists in Germany before rolling out the service in the US market this summer. eBay has yet to provide a timetable for the service’s introduction into the UK or other markets.
Fleet and retail customers located within the area encircled by the M25 can now arrange for Kwik Fit to mount tyres on their vehicles between 8:30am and 8:30pm, seven days a week. While operating hours for the rest of the UK remain 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1pm on a Saturday, the new ‘Mobile7’ format will be extended to other metropolitan areas in 2017.
Visitors to the US-based onsite.michelin.com website are now being met with the message that “this service is no longer being offered.” The mobile programme, whose pilot rollout began last year, promised to take care of tyre purchasing and fitting in “three easy steps”, with tyres and a fitting appointment selected online and the tyres mounted at a location of the customer’s choosing. The tyre maker hasn’t officially commented on its decision to end its OnSite programme, however US publication Tire Business writes that Michelin was “disappointed that unit volumes did not meet expectations.”
Lodge Tyre Company Ltd has opened its 21st depot, with the unveiling on a new branch in Salford. The family run and Birmingham-based business is celebrating its 80th year of trading during 2015.
The new depot, which situated in Lord Byron Square, Salford and close to the M56, M60, M61, M62 and M67 motorway network is located to service Lodge’s expanding business to business customer list as well as its mobile response service. The depot will initially be used as a stocking unit employing three people and managed by long-time Lodge employee Jamie Davies.
2 April sees the launch of the AA’s first professional mobile tyre fitting service. Called ‘AA Tyres’, the service is a joint venture with Manchester-based Event Tyres and initially, the fleet consists of 30 AA-liveried vans, each equipped to change tyres, repair punctures and balance wheels at a location convenient to the driver. The news confirms earlier reports suggesting such a move was on the horizon.
An article in the Daily Mail on 29 October was entitled ‘Is this the end of the road for spare tyres?’ and focused on new research which revealed that the lack of spare tyres in new cars has led to a ‘huge rise’ in call-outs for breakdown services to deal with punctures in just four years.
A brand new UK mobile tyre fitting service launched a crowdfunding campaign this week. Motion Tyres says a series of attractive awards await investors, along with a strong return on investment. The concept aims to combine cutting-edge technology with a back to basics approach to customer care and service delivery.
Park’s Motor Group has renewed its tyre fast fit contract with National Fleet Dealer Division (NFDD) for another two years. Part of Axle Group Holdings, NFDD have been working with Park’s since 2005 and business has grown significantly during this period. According to the company, Nationa won the £3 million contract over two major competitors on its ability to provide a service including implant tyre managers, mobile fitting services, wholesale product supply and access to the fleet market.
Saga, which specialises in selling to the over 50s, is to merge with the AA in a deal valuing the combined firm at £6.15 billion. The deal will create a company with more than 11,000 employees, would value the AA business at about £3.3 billion. Permira and CVC bought the AA for £1.7 billion in 2004.
Chief executive, Tim Parker, who previously ran Kwik-Fit for CVC and who implemented cuts to the AA’s loss making mobile tyre fitting business, is expected to gain between £40 million and £80 million from the deal. Parker is estimated to have gained £20 million following the sale of Kwik-Fit.
Referring to the AA/Saga merger, Paul Maloney, national officer of the GMB union commented: “By our reckoning, the managing partners stand to make £300 million from owning the AA for less than three years…This money was made on the back of sacking 3,500 people, cutting wages and call centre staff and lengthening the working day.”
Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a two-year sole supply contract with Pendragon Group to supply fast-fit and tyre management services to the three contract hire and fleet management companies within the organisation. The new deal, which Kwik-Fit Fleet won after fighting off competition in a competitive tender, means Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company will supply services to the 25,178 vehicles operated by Pendragon Contracts, Bramall Contracts and Vardy Contract Motoring.
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