Britain – the home of the Pirelli SUV tyre
The UK is one of Pirelli’s biggest SUV markets and with two UK factories, one in Burton-upon-Trent and one in Carlisle, Pirelli is the only premium tyre manufacturer to produce SUV tyres on UK soil.
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Coronavirus threatens Geneva, but Motor Show will go on
The so-called coronavirus (Covid-19) is threatening Europe’s largest motoring events, with some sources suggesting that March’s Geneva Motor Show won’t be able to take place. However, a statement published by Palexpo (the Geneva Motor Show’s organising company) said the show will go on and that the exhibition is taking all recommended steps.
Coronavirus: automotive supply-chain concerns ‘will spread rapidly’
Following the news that Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) is warning that it could halt production at a European plant in a matter of weeks as a knock-on effect of the coronavirus, market analysts are predicting that such concerns and their impact “will spread rapidly”.
1 million fewer cars – coronavirus’s impact on automotive production
The coronavirus clearly presents a human tragedy, but it is also affecting international economies and manufacturing in particular. Following our coverage of the impact on the tyre business, various market analysts have been assessing the impact on the automotive industry.
The short story is that internal OE demand is likely to be much harder hit than external exports. According to NBC, China could suffer the loss of 1 million vehicles worth of production due to the suspension of production for at least an extra week in the so-called “motor city” of Wuhan, which is located at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak and has a population of 11 million people.
Ford Puma Crowned 2020 What Car? Car of the Year
What Car? has named the new Ford Puma as its 2020 Car of the Year during its 43rd annual awards ceremony.
The first Ford to use the Puma name in almost 20 years, it took the top prize after triumphing in the Small SUV category, where it saw off competition from models including the Audi Q2 and Skoda Kamiq.
Asahi Kasei opens Michigan office
Materials maker Asahi Kasei America has opened an office in Novi, Michigan to reach out to the automotive industry in North America. In North America, Asahi Kasei manufactures and sells car interior materials, compound resins, and battery separators, as well as electronic components for the automotive industry.
New Mercedes-Geely JV is good for both, GlobalData
Following the announcement that Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group have formally established the global joint venture (JV) ‘smart Automobile Co., Ltd’ for the Smart brand after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, David Leggett, Automotive Editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
NFDA, DWF, KPMG, Global Data and SMMT reactions to 2019 car registration figures
While the 2019 UK car registration figures are clear that the market declined last year, various sources gave differing views as to what are the most important trends and what should be done.
UK car registrations fall to 2013 levels
The UK new car market declined in 2019, with annual registrations falling for the third consecutive year. According to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 2,311,140 units were registered in 2019, representing a -2.4 per cent decline. The market fell -6.8 per cent in 2018 and -5.7 per cent in 2017. This means the 2019 market is the lowest since 2013 when 2,264,737 were registered (see diagram). Representatives from industry associations and market analysts said the turbulent market reacted to weak business and consumer confidence, general political and economic instability and confusion over clean air zones.
Collaborations and consolidation in global auto industry will continue in 2020
Following the news that the boards of PSA Group and Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) have signed off on plans to combine operations and create a leading global group; David Leggett, Automotive Editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
UK new car market falls -1.3% in November
The UK new car market fell -1.3% in November, with 156,621 models registered, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In November, the decline was driven primarily by weak private demand, registrations down -6.1%, while the business market also fell, down -3.2%, but fleet registrations fared better, up 2.8%. For the second consecutive month, total alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) registrations reached a record market share, with more than one in 10 cars joining UK roads either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – equivalent to 16,052 cars.
BPW offers AirSave tyre pressure system
BPW is now delivering the AirSave tyre pressure system, claiming that it pays for itself in the first year. The effectiveness of the company’s intelligent tyre pressure control system saves costs was tested in practice with transport companies: “The purchase pays for itself astonishingly quickly”, said Alfred Weyres, owner and managing director of Alfred Weyres Spedition GmbH. “The system ensures a permanently optimised roll resistance; fuel economy is clear – and added is the considerably longer tyre mileage. Because the fabric carcass is conserved, the system also optimises retreadability.”
Goodyear OE on Tesla Cyber Truck?
During the last week Elon Musk and Tesla have been busily promoting their latest innovation – the Cyber Truck. The combination of its angular design and hugely powerful drivetrain will certainly turn heads. And, if the initial orders are anything to go by, it is set to be very disruptive in the growing SUV/pickup sector. Indeed, during the first 72 hours after the Cyber Truck’s launch 300,000 vehicles were pre-ordered – enough to put the Cyber Truck in the top 10 for annual US sales.
Bridgestone OE on Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
Bridgestone’s Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres have been selected as original equipment on the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX sport tourer motorcycle.
Pirelli exclusively supplying OE on new Aston Martin DBX
After three years of close collaboration with Aston Martin’s, the prestige carmaker has announced that it is exclusively fitting the new Aston Martin DBX with a range of three Pirelli tyres. According to the company, the P Zero for the DBX has been developed to offer “the best possible performance and handling”, while the Scorpion Zero AS will go off-road, and the Scorpion Winter delivers “safety and performance even in in winter conditions, with the same dynamic drive as experienced in summer”.
