UK new car registration figures for December 2015 released by the SMMT show a remarkable 8.4 per cent increase on the same period last year and, when combined with the previous 11 months of data, reflect an overall market improvement of 6.3 percent for 2015 over 2014.
The Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires plant has received the respected Ford Q1 certification. The Ford Q1 certification acknowledges supplier facilities or manufacturing sites which have achieved excellence in a range of important criteria including capable systems, high performance, superior manufacturing process, and satisfied customers. The Q1 mark is considered worldwide as an indication of exceptional quality.
In 2015 the West European trailer market got off to a strong start with registrations of new trailers up 14.8 per cent in the first half and 8.1per cent growth forecast for the second. Overall then, the market will be stronger than anticipated at the beginning of the year, according to Clear International’s analysis.
The following board meetings at both Renault and Nissan on 10 and 11 December respectively, the two firms have issued the following statement via Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer of the Renault-Nissan Alliance: “Today was an important day for the future of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. After months of discussions, I am happy to say that an agreement has been reached that builds on our heritage and strong foundations to achieve further sustainable growth and success of the two partners. While there were important short-term issues to address, it was imperative that all involved took a long view.”
The fastest selling used cars in different parts of the country have been named by Glass’s, publishers of the motor trade bible, Glass’s Guide. The results, covering the last month of sales, give a fascinating insight into the priorities of different buyers in different parts of the country, said Rupert Pontin, Glass’s Head of Valuations.
SMMT figures reveal that that it was a similar story of recovery for commercial vehicles, as registrations of commercial vehicles rose 13.9 per cent in November to 33,303 units. As with cars, this sales growth followed a dip in October.
Van registrations posted a 9.6 per cent rise in the month, continuing the general trend seen over the past few years with businesses having grown in confidence and online deliveries surging in popularity.
While November saw a rise in car sales, SMMT figures show that it was far from a good month for the VW Group in the UK: Volkswagen sales in Britain tumbled in November with new car registrations of VW-branded models falling 20 per cent year-on-year in the wake of the diesel emissions rigging scandal.
Following October’s decline – the first in 44 months – registrations of new cars in the UK returned to growth in November, according to the latest figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
178,876 cars were registered in the month, an increase of 3.8 per cent over November 2014, while the overall market in the first 11 months of 2015 has seen 6.2 per cent growth to 2,453,426 units.
Trelleborg has been named AGCO 2015 ‘Best Quality Performance’ for China and also received the AGCO EAME 2015 ‘Supplier of the Year’ award in the “Logistics” category.
Paolo Pompei, president Agricultural & Forestry Tires at Trelleborg Wheel Systems, says: “This double recognition of Trelleborg as a partner to AGCO is an exceptional achievement for us and a testament to the commitment that we share with AGCO; to improve the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of future farming. We are extremely proud of these awards since they acknowledge the huge efforts Trelleborg is making to support joint-initiatives with AGCO.”
The latest car registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the market is levelling off, after a 1 per cent drop in October 2015 figures. 177,664 new cars were registered in the month, down 1.1 per cent on last year’s figure, following 43 consecutive months of growth.
European trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull has approved Goodyear’s Ultra Grip Max T winter trailer tyre as original equipment fitment on its trailers for customers operating in severe winter conditions. Goodyear’s recently-introduced truck winter tyres will be available in sizes 385/65R22.5 and 385/55R22.5 for trailers destined for regions such as the Alps, the Nordic countries and Russia.
Goodyear has announced that it is supplying 19- and 20-inch OE tyres for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. As you would imagine, smooth ride is an important part of this particular OE deal, so it is interesting to note that the associate OE fitments feature Goodyear’s SoundComfort Technology integrated into the tyres.
Bentley’s new SUV, the Bentayga, is capable of 301kph, making it the fastest SUV in the world, and the brand has chosen Pirelli’s P Zero as the original equipment tyre tasked with transmitting its power to the road. The car’s launch is accompanied by a video showing the Bentayga reaching its top speed on 22” Pirelli P Zero tyres (285/40ZR22 110Y XL. Pirelli is also supplying other 20” and 21” sizes for the Bentayga. Each tyre homologated for the luxury SUV features the B marking, indicating to dealers and end-users that the tyre was made especially for Bentley. The video is available to watch within the full article below.
Renault’s 6×2 T-series Optifuel will roll off the production line on Michelin 315/70 R 22.5 X Line Energy tyres as standard, after intensive trials.
During three days of testing around a 143.6 mile test route, the low rolling resistance Michelin 315/70 X Line Energy tyres – designed to operate at a high average speed on long-distance trunking – showed a three per cent advantage in fuel efficiency over a set of competing premium-brand 295/80 R 22.5 ‘regional’ tread pattern tyres. The trials took in a combination of A-roads and motorways, and were conducted with the support of Michelin’s UK technical team.
Goodyear has become MAN’s exclusive tyre partner for its MAN ProfiDrive driver training initiative across Europe. The partnership includes equipping all 25 tractors and trailers used by MAN ProfiDrive with the latest Goodyear premium tyres. These comprise the fuel-efficient Fuelmax, the dedicated mileage line Kmax and the mixed service Omnitrac II for use both on and off road. Goodyear will maintain the tyres, which includes taking over the tyre repair shop. The partnership further involves Goodyear training the MAN trainers in tyre matters. This builds on Goodyear’s and MAN’s long-term close collaboration related to original truck equipment. The two companies have worked together for some time with events such as the MAN Trucknology Days.
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