"The motor industry is now in a vacuum which deters investment both in premises and employment. The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) urges Government to provide the industry with clarification of their intentions under the MOT review as soon as possible" said RMI chairman Colin Parlett, speaking at the RMI’s Annual Dinner, held at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London on October 20th.
Well known suppliers Autogem Motor Concepts and Rema Tip Top are celebrating their wins in last week’s NTDA TAFF awards in the Tyre & Aftermarket Supplier of the Year and Innovation categories respectively.
Last Thursday Hankook won the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Tyres & Fast-Fit Awards (TAFF) ‘Industry Advertising Campaign’ award. According to the company, the success of Hankook’s ‘Be One with It’ TV advertising which features eye-catching and adrenalin pumping extreme sports has helped to highlight the company’s focus on ensuring optimal performance, unrivalled quality and the best possible driving experience.
Plymouth HiQ franchisee Pilgrim Tyres Ltd claimed the inaugural Tyre Retailer of the Year TAFF Award at this year’s ceremony last week; an achievement the fast fit network is calling its “biggest success story of 2011”. The victory was the result of its performance in an assessment programme including a 30-point mystery telephone call, and a clandestine branch visit designed to observe how the branch operates in real-life conditions. The award was supported by Encircle Marketing. HiQ Plymouth’s franchisee Bob Saunders said: “I am absolutely over the moon. I am delighted to win this award and it is with great thanks to the team I have around me.
Stapleton's has reponded to the news that it recently beat stiff competition to be re-named as Tyre Wholesaler of the Year at the NTDA Tyre and Fast Fit Awards 2011 held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham on 20 October.
Stephen Childs, head of range planning and marketing said that the award demonstrated the company’s continued commitment to its customers and the efforts made to cement strong relationship with its trade customers, as well as the hard work of its staff to ‘go the extra mile’. “To be voted as number one Tyre Wholesaler for a second year running is a great achievement, made even more special as the award is given based on the support of our customers. Our focus continues to be on developing strong customer relationships and delivering a first class service across the business,” he said.
ECI International, the owner and organiser of Brityrex International 2012, is sponsoring the new TAFF Tyre Centre of the Year Award at the NTDA Dinner in Birmingham next week (20 October). As a new category in the NTDA’s popular TAFF Awards, the Tyre Centre of the Year has proved extremely popular, with 30 member companies nominated. The winning centre will be selected from a short list of five of these retailers and unveiled to guests at the sell-out annual dinner.
Cam Systems has called for no change to the MOT test, joining industry bodies such as the NTDA and TyreSafe and companies such as HiQ and Klarius in the campaign against the UK governments proposed lengthening of the time between required tests. The software solutions provider to the independent tyre industry is also urging customers to go online and petition on behalf of the “no change” movement.
Wholesaler BITS can lay claim to the UK tyre industry’s keenest golfing prowess after its company representatives, Brian Jenkins, John Chappel, John Sipson and Steve Taylor, won the Team Prize – and Taylor the overall first place – in the Westlake-sponsored NTDA Golf Day 2011. John Tarbox, honorary captain of the NTDA Golf Society and ex chairman of the NTDA, labelled this year’s event, “one of the best Golf Days ever” in his prize-giving speech at dinner. The event was held on 15 September at the Oxfordshire Golf Club, with Westlake providing the trophies, including a new permanent prize specially flown in from Dubai for the overall winner – Taylor will also keep a copy.
Euro Car Parts has put together a range of products to enable independent garages to service tyre pressure monitoring systems. Euro Car Parts’ director of communications, Donna West, explains: “TPMS is going to be massive. The technology features on many models already on our roads but, thanks to European Regulation 6612209, it will be mandatory on all new models from 1 November 2011 and on all new cars from 2014.
The MOT review has still not been formally announced and no decisions have been made, confirmed the Department for Transport (DfT) in a letter to the motor industry. In the wake of recent press coverage on the impending MOT review and the possible changes to its frequency, the DfT wanted to clarify to the industry where the review stood. In a letter addressed to the RMI, along with other key players in the trade, the DfT stated that although test frequency was under the review it was only a small part of a much broader review. Any reference in the press stating that the first MOT test will take place when a car is four years old, rather than the current three, is purely speculation on behalf of the journalist, the letter says.
Brityrex International 2012, the UK’s premier tyre trade and aftermarket equipment show, has switched to a new venue for its next staging in Manchester from 9-11 October 2012. Following discussions with sponsors and exhibitors, show organiser ECI International has confirmed that next October’s exhibition will be held at EventCity, close to the Trafford Centre.
The opposition to the UK Government’s proposed changes to the MOT test has acquired another voice, as fast fit network HiQ makes the argument that doubling the length of time between legally required tests will eventually cost motorists more: “The pockets of motorists will be hit harder than ever,” HiQ stated. Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond hopes to introduce the initial MOT test for new cars after four years instead of three, as it currently stands today.
An application for a petition to abandon proposals to change the frequency of the MoT test lodged by the IAAF has been accepted. The e-petition went live today. Now the federation is urging everyone in the trade, as well as motorists, to add their voice to the IAAF‘s demand that “the ill-considered proposals to relax the frequency of MoT testing be dropped.
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.
The NTDA (National Tyre Distributors Association) has opted to make its “Licence to Fit” roadside technician accreditation scheme a requirement of membership.
The decision forms of the culmination of a process that began with the deaths of six vehicle recovery operators who were killed on Britain's motorways and hard shoulders in 1998. This prompted the AA and the RAC to fund the establishment of SURVIVE in March 1999. SURVIVE stands for Safe Use of Roadside Verges In Vehicular Emergencies and the purpose of the group was to promote the safety of people working or stopping on motorway hard shoulders and high-speed dual carriageways. The SURVIVE Group is a partnership between the Highways Agency, ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers), the breakdown/recovery industry and other service providers.
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