The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is calling on the government to make its decision on the MOT test frequency, with the Federation calling the lack of clarity on the matter “completely unacceptable”, and harmful for the entire supply chain.
The NTDA has now issued more than 9000 REACT licences to commercial tyre technicians assessed as competent to work safely at the roadside across the UK. The need for such a system is clear. Prior to the introduction of REACT in 2011, some technicians were seriously injured and others killed while working at the roadside.
Northern Ireland’s Vehicle Policy Unit at the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is banning tyres aged 10 years and older on the front axles of HGV’s, buses and coaches, and to the tyres on all axles of minibuses when fitted in single configuration. The changes being implemented in Northern Ireland will align with the changes introduced in Great Britain (GB) on 1 February 2021.
In mid-February the NTDA wrote an article assessing the Department for Transport (DfT) decision to open a consultation into changes in MOT frequency. Published on 18 January 2023, the text offered an extensive analysis of the proposal, beginning with the well-known position of the National Tyre Distributors Association: “As expressed on many previous occasions, it is the view of the NTDA and its members, that the date of the first MOT should remain at 3 years for motorcycles, cars and light goods vehicles.” Here Tyres & Accessories examines and summarises that in-depth response:
Campaigning by automotive industry trade bodies has led to the Department for Transport (DfT) to extending the current 4-1-1 MOT consultation’s closing date to 22 March 2023.
There has been talk about closing the recruitment gap in the automotive aftermarket for years. More recently certain training bodies and associations such as the NTDA have taking significant steps to renew efforts to recruit and upskill the tyre and aftermarket workforce. Now, however, is clear evidence that these much-discussed issues are not just theoretical. Rather, the lack of skill people in the trade is affecting the ability to service already depleted demand, which is hitting profitability even amongst some of the largest, fastest-growing and most profitable tyre-selling businesses.
Automechanika Birmingham will be partnering with the National Tyre Distribution Association (NTDA) for its 2023 event. Taking place from 6 to 8 June 2023 at the NEC, Automechanika Birmingham 2023 will be the first UK event since 2019 and is already set to be a sell-out show packed with new brands exhibiting, features and training hubs for collision repair, electric vehicles, ADAS and more.
NTDA Chief Executive Stefan Hay commented: “We hope that more of our supplier members will join the hundreds of other businesses at the largest national gathering of automotive professionals in the UK and showcase their latest parts, components, equipment, tools, technologies and services this year. Of course, we also hope that as usual many of our full tyre distributor and fast fit centre members will also visit this fantastic event and come to meet the NTDA team.”
NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay’s 2022 Tyre Industry Conference address sought to bring tyre distributors together and further mobilise what he referred to as the tyre trade team:
In addition to our live social media reporting and reporting the highlights of the 2022 Tyre Industry Conference in last month’s magazine, the December edition of Tyres & Accessories brings you curated coverage of the NTDA chairman and chief executive speeches as part of our “Looking back, Looking forward” review-of-the-year feature. With so much having taken place within the tyre market, the nation and the world as a whole, the two speeches offer a distinctly tyre distribution perspective on key issues relating to the associations growing membership, how it is developing relationships with other trade and charitable bodies and how it is investing in the future of the business via training initiatives.
The freedom to service new vehicles was joined by another example of the sector’s current need to evolve quickly at the NTDA Tyre Industry Conference 2022. Dave Walker, business development director, Autotech discussed the topic of training technicians to carry out services on electric and hybrid vehicles. Noting the speed of the new car market’s move away from diesel (only around 5.5 per cent of new cars sold this year are diesel), and the growth of various flavours of electric car, Walker said that “only 15 per cent of UK technicians (around 32,900) are now qualified to work safely” on these vehicles. It is estimated that 90,000 technicians will be required by 2030 to work on EV/hybrid cars.
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Tyre Industry Conference has developed a reputation for assembling top-flight speakers to address the key issues of the day. The 2022 event was no different. Topics included tyre distributors’ role in highway safety as positive influencers, part worns and market surveillance as well as tyre recovery.
Hankook’s Tyre Manufacturer of the Year winning entry at the NTDA Tyre Industry Awards “demonstrated, in great detail, its growing marketplace leadership in product, performance, innovation, productivity and sustainability,” according to NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay. The award was presented to Hankook Tyre UK’s sales director Paul Emery and marketing & communications manager Zoë Baldwin. Emery said: “We are a relatively small team at Hankook and are extremely proud that the UK tyre industry has recognised the strength of the Hankook business. This is truly a team effort and a team award.”
Michelin Tyre plc was presented with the Environmental and Sustainable Solution of the Year Award for the second year running at the Tyre Industry Awards 2022. Announcing the winner, event host Louise Minchin said: “Michelin’s entry was considered visionary and a template for an approach to long-term sustainability in manufacturing within the context of the circular economy.” The Tyre Industry Award was judged by an independent panel of Liverymen on the Wheelwrights’ Craft Committee.
Bridgestone’s ultra-high performance tyre, the Potenza Sport, has received more acclaim for the manufacturer, as its adrenalin fuelled marketing campaign was made Industry Marketing Campaign of the Year at the NTDA’s Tyre Industry Awards. Bridgestone targeted its 1 April to 30 June campaign at consumers making more informed decisions than the average tyre buyer, addressing their passion for driving.
Autogem was made the Aftermarket Equipment Supplier of the Year in the National Tyre Distributors Association’s Tyre Industry Awards for the second successive year. The supplier of automotive chemicals, fasteners, hand tools, workshop consumables and TPMS solutions was pleased to retain its title, having made what it termed “giant strides in the aftermarket” over the past 12 months.
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