Commenting on October’s car manufacturing figures, Justin Benson, Head of Automotive at KPMG UK, said:
“The automotive sector in the UK is at a hiatus. Consumer confidence is on a downward trend and is already at lower levels when compared to the same period last year.
The UK new car market declined by a modest -3.0 per cent in November with some 158,639 units registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Stalling consumer confidence, supply delays due to implementation of the new WLTP emissions test and model replacement all combined to affect overall sales.
SMMT figures show that he new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew 9.6 per cent in November, as more than 29,000 vans and pick-ups joined UK roads. This increase represents 2,549 more pick-ups and vans registered in the month compared to November 2017.
When you look at Tire+’s deliberate proximity to a premium car show such as Auto Guangzhou, the first thing that comes to mind is original equipment (OE). If we take a comparable European equivalent event such as the Geneva Motor Show as an example, most of the leading global tyre players as well as some of the larger up-and-coming brands use Geneva as a way of showcasing new technologies and products in order to generate additional OE tyre sales as well as the benefit of the enhanced ongoing tyre replacement sales that come with the so-called OE pull-through effect. While it is not as linear and transactional an equation as investment in a motor show equals OE contracts, it clearly is an important part of the corporate courtship ritual. Surprisingly, things are a little different in China.
Following the news that West European economies have had their forecasts for economic growth downgraded for 2019/20, analysts have concluded that suggestions of a slowdown in demand for trailers in the region during 2019 are likely to be correct.
Commenting on the latest figure released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association, Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK, said: “Following September’s modest growth, it was disappointing to see the new motorcycle market decline by -2 per cent in October. Positively, the market is still above 2017’s levels on a year to date basis”.
Following the news that UK car production fell almost 17 per cent in September, Justin Benson, head of Automotive at KPMG UK suggested the latest SMMT car manufacturing figures could motivate government to consider automotive industry incentives:
Millbrook is expanding its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) test facilities. According to the well-known test centre, Millbrook has “the best facilities for testing these cutting-edge technologies in the UK”. In addition to modifications to existing road and test track infrastructure, Millbrook is reportedly making “a significant investment in high-precision instrumentation and soft targets that allow contact without damage”.
Bracing itself for a no-deal Brexit, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) launched a new Brexit Readiness Programme to help the industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs in the automotive supply chain, prepare for the UK leaving the EU on 10 October.
While presenting its nine-month 2018 results, Michelin has predicted a significant slowdown in passenger and truck tyre market conditions in the second half of the year. However, the well-known tyre manufacturer also predicted “sustained growth” in the speciality sector, which consists of OTR, two-wheel, aircraft and agricultural tyres.
On Tuesday 25th September France and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding under which France will engage in a know-how transfer relating to tyre production technology with the Islamic Republic.
Schaeffler is to create 350 new jobs by investing 60 million euros in building its new automotive OEM headquarters, following a global surge in the demand for e-mobility products by vehicle producers.
Hankook is suppling tyres for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo in a development the company sees as completing its luxury OE portfolio. Hankook already provides both UHP summer and winter tyres for the BMW 7 Series. The BMW group’s new Gran Turismo will now also be delivered with Ventus S1 evo 2 ultra-high performance (UHP) run-flat summer tyres. The tyres were developed in Hanover and are produced at the company’s European factory in Hungary. Specifically, the car will be supplied with special 245/45 R19 98Y RSC front and 275/40 R19 101Y RSC rear run-flat sizes.
Hankook has launched its new Ventus S1 Evo 3 tyre at driving event in Slovenia. The UHP market-orientated tyre, which was informally described as a “sporty summer tyre” will be available in 17 to 22-inch sizes in order to supply fitments to vehicles from the Mercedes A series right up to the likes of Lamborghini.
Maxxis is joining forces with German electric carmaker e.GO. The strategic partnership will see Maxxis create tyres for the manufacturer’s future models. The latest e.Go to be launched is the aptly named ‘Life’. Being fully electric, the car will produce more torque than its comparable combustion-powered peers, which will present Maxxis with some very specific development challenges. The brand is set to re-engineer its premium sports tyre, the Victra Sport 5, to fit the ‘Life’, with modifications to include a unique sidewall design to help balance strength, performance and durability on the roads. Being OE on the TX electric taxi means Maxxis has plenty of experience in producing tyres for electric vehicles, making it the perfect partner for e.Go.
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