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NTDA survey shows depots see 10 cars a month with TPMS

On 1 November 2012 a two year phase-in schedule for the introduction of TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) begins and all vehicles type approved after this date must install TPMS systems, as well as all vehicles manufactured after 1 November 2014. In preparation, the NTDA is running a series of regional workshops, offering practical advice to its members on the servicing of TPMS. Ahead of the workshops, the NTDA polled members to gauge how aware the tyre trade is of TPMS and whether members are geared up for its introduction.

27th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Easy Tyre and Autocentres launches website upgrade

Midlands fast fitter Easy Tyre and Autocentres – a HiQ franchise – has announced an upgrade to its website, with a major new online tyre ordering facility. Easy managing director Chris Kisby is HiQ’s largest franchisee, and the new update, with a fresh design and new functionality, is reflective of the network’s retail strategy discussed recently with Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com (see related news link below). The site also allows customers to research tyre prices and book a fitting at the touch of a button.

19th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik Fit agrees company-wide pay settlement with Unite

Kwik Fit has announced a 2011 banded pay settlement for 4,400 employees in its 676 UK centres. The settlement provides an increase of 3 per cent for fitting staff on the standard company salary for their grade, affecting the majority of the workforce. All other staff, including managers, supervisors, MOT testers and service technicians, will receive a 2 per cent increase. Kwik Fit said the agreement was reached after amicable discussions with the trade union Unite. The pay increase will be backdated to 1 January 2011.

11th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Klarius adds its voice to the MOT debate

Following much discussions amongst trade bodies and within the industry, exhaust manufacturer Klarius has added its voice to the continuing debate about the government MOT frequency change proposals. “Is this move really aimed at helping motorists or deflecting anger at artificially high fuel prices being used to prop up government spending in other areas?”, the company asked in a statement.

8th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Halfords Autocentres to use Cam Systems e-commerce platform

Cam Systems has announced that Halfords Autocentres has signed an e-procurement agreement with the software provider, as it continues to develop its growth strategy. Halfords announced a proposed expansion of its network to 400 sites in May. Cam says the MIDaS-based platform will provide transactional interaction with Halfords’ wholesale suppliers to streamline its tyre buying processes.The system will also allow consumers to view product prices online in coordination with Halfords’ own B2C web facilities.

29th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Second-hand safety

You wouldn’t dream of buying second hand underpants, would you? Not even if they weren’t too shabby and looked perfectly serviceable? No? What strange priorities we have – the idea of togging up in someone else’s castoff briefs is enough to make most people shudder, even if the risk to health and safety from doing so is nil. Yet when it comes to tyres, something we entrust our lives with, thousands of Britons are perfectly happy to dress their cars with a pre-used product.

29th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

National announced product development and fleet appointments

National Tyres and Autocare has appointed Joe Dutton as product development manager to head up the development of sales for non-tyre products. The role will focus on the augmentation of the autocare side of the business which includes exhausts, brakes, batteries, suspension, oil and filter and MOT along with new products and services. According to the company, Dutton will work closely with operations and also with National’s autocare partners and manufacturers to ensure that the product offering is highly competitive.

23rd June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreSafe gives Cumbria Police annual award

TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson has presented its annual award to PC Shaun McKeown, Forensic Vehicle Examiner for Cumbria Police Collision Investigation Unit, and Sgt Graeme Hodgson from the Roads Policing Unit at the Tyre Recovery Association’s annual dinner held at St Johns Hotel in Solihull on 17 June. Jackson said: “Our thanks go to Cumbria Constabulary for its relentless drive in supporting tyre safety. Not only has it been a great partner behind the scenes but has also been at the fore in many of our initiatives, as well as promoting those of its own.

21st June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreSafe supports MOT campaign

TyreSafe has become the latest motoring body to come out in support of maintaining current MOT frequency along with other road safety organisations such as the AA and consumers Association “Which”. Tyre Safe pointed out that over 2 million MOT failures annually are attributed to illegal tyres and any extension would lead to thousands of cars running around on our roads with unsafe, and in some cases dangerous tyres.

In a fact sheet published today and sent to Tyres & Accessories, TyreSafe outlined its position: “Tyres are safety critical items which constantly wear with vehicle use and it is imperative that they are regularly inspected and properly maintained. As many motorists rely on their annual MOT for the inspection of their tyres, any extension or lengthening of the MOT frequency is likely to have a significant detrimental effect upon driver and road safety. For these reasons TyreSafe does not support any extension to the frequency of the MOT test.”

21st June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Chiswick First Stop dealer revamps outlet on high performance demand

A Chiswick-based tyre dealership has diversified to capitalise on its recent success in the high performance segment. Iverson Tyres realised a trend of more customers wanting HP tyres, while fewer were visiting for MOTs and servicing. The company says it underwent an extensive retail development programme, supported by Bridgetone’s First Stop network, to re-focus the company. Iverson Tyres is now a “High Performance Fast Fit Tyre Centre”, combining premium brand tyres with improved in-store customer service, the company says. Bridgestone is also helping the dealership develop its website with a view to generating increased e-Commerce.

10th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

ATS Euromaster to roll out additional services in 2011

Over a two-year period, ATS Euromaster has undertaken what it calls a “record period of investment by the company.” This includes £4 million spent on service and network enhancements last year along with its recently-announced investment plans for 2011: ATS Euromaster intends to inject a further £6 million into its UK fast-fit network in order to introduce a number of new services, including nitrogen tyre inflation, air-conditioning recharging and re-gassing plus computerised wheel alignment.

9th June 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Speak out against MOT changes urges RMI

The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has become the latest automotive industry body to voice opposition to the proposed MOT test changes. Says John Ball, MOT Chairman for the RMI: "The RMI has taken a leading role in the fight against the possible change to the frequency of MOT testing and will continue to lobby on behalf of its members. The MOT debate is already very much underway on the Red Tape Challenge site and it is important that our views and accurate information are put across to help our anti 4.2.2 regulation cause. We are urging everyone to voice their opinion against the change to ensure the safety of our road users and livelihoods.

31st May 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Halfords Autocentres: Up to 600 possible expansion sites

Halfords, which bought Nationwide Autocentres almost 18 months ago, has suggested that there could be scope to increase its expansion plans beyond the ambitious target to double its presence to around 400 sites announced during the purchase. During a recent conference with financial analysts the company spoke of the “analysis of potential catchments – 400 possibly up to 600 sites.”

23rd May 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA a step closer to mandatory member roadside breakdown registration scheme

The NTDA Executive Council’s decision to proceed with a plan to encourage tyre technicians to carry a “licence to fit” means the concept is a step closer to being enacted. The licence to fit programme is currently being developed by a group of association members and the NTDA directorate and will include a requirement that fitters attending truck tyre breakdowns on the roadside will be “suitably trained, through a variety of qualifications, to work safely in the dangerous environment of a roadside breakdown.”

17th May 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Halfords Autocentres: Renault Meganes most likely to fail MOT

Halfords-owned Nationwide Autocentres, which purportedly performs more MOTs than any other garage group, has released details of research showing how cars perform when it comes to the annual road worthiness test. It found that three year old Renault Meganes examined in 2009 had a one in four chance of failing, while similarly aged Vauxhall Corsas had a one in five chance. According to the company the data was collated more than six months ago, but it still raises some interesting points on the the frequency of test failures of particular models.

11th May 2011/by Tyrepress Editors