Figures released by ACEA show that, in June 2015, demand for new passenger cars in the EU was up (+14.6 per cent), pursuing the upward trend commenced 22 months ago and marking the largest over-the-month increase since December 2009.
New data from BCA, the UK and Europe’s leading used vehicle marketplace, illustrates the link between rising temperatures and convertible car prices. As summer finally arrives, BCA revealed that average monthly sold prices for convertibles rose by around £250 in June to reach £9,828.
‘Blue is the colour’, according to AA members as it has overtaken silver as the most popular car colour choice. These AA Cars survey results come from an AA Populus poll of 25,810 drivers. AA members’ top choice of car colour for their next car was blue (21 per cent) followed closely by silver (19 per cent), black (18 per cent), and red (14 per cent). Members aged 18-24 top choices are black (29 per cent), blue (17 per cent), and white (15 per cent). Whereas, those aged 65 and over top choices are silver (24 per cent), blue (20 per cent), and red (15 per cent).
Figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association show that, in June, registrations of scooters and mopeds were down -7.8 per cent compared with June 2014, at 846 units. However, June motorcycle registrations were up 21.6 per cent year on year at 12,282 units. Overall, two-wheeler sales in June 2015 rose 19.2 per cent.
The year to date registration figures are encouraging too, with the sector showing sales over the first six months of 60,965 machines; a 12.9 per cent rise over the first half of 2014.
Reifen Gundlach is celebrating the attainment of ISO/TS 16949, a standard that qualifies the German tyre wholesaler to supply the automotive industry.
However, this is not a completely new development. Reifen Gundlach reports that it embarked on the course for this technical innovation several years ago. Indeed OE-compliant complete wheel assemblies have been rolling off the production line of “one of the most modern assembly lines for the aftermarket in Europe” since 2008 and the firms tyre/wheel assembly business has had quality management system standard ISO 9001 since 2006.
The Honda HR-V will begin appearing in showrooms across Europe this summer, and Falken Tyre Europe shares that purchasers of the compact SUV have the option of choosing Falken tyres as original equipment. Honda Access Europe has approved the size 225/45R18 91W Falken Ziex ZE914 Ecorun for fitment; this is the first partnership between Falken Tyre Europe and Honda Access Europe. Initial batches of tyres are being delivered this month.
Dunlop has that a number of its tyres are approved fitments on the new Jaguar XE. With the XE coming with range of tyre and wheel fitments depending on the trim selected, Dunlop is providing five fitments in total.
Nexen Tire’s N’blue Premium has been selected as original equipment for the Renault ‘Twingo’ and the Smart ‘Forfour’ compact cars. According to Nexen, its tyres will be standard equipment for the two cars, which were co-developed by Renault and Daimler AG.
Industry cloud company, Infor, has announced that Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has selected its Infor Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The new system replaces a legacy system with the intention of driving “greater visibility, consistency and accuracy in the company’s sales and CRM programs, as well as enhanced reporting capabilities to sustain rapid growth”. Integrated with Infor SyteLine, Dunlop’s existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application, the solution will initially be deployed for 33 users globally.
Pirelli has unveiled new ultra-high performance tyre original equipment homologations for the latest Porsche Macan. The Italian manufacturer’s P Zero, Scorpion Verde and Scorpion Verde All Season are available for original fitment on Porsche’s compact SUV sports car in all conditions.
Continental AG, a major supplier to truck maker MAN, reports that it is strengthening its long-standing partnership with the truck and bus manufacturer further. Continental’s Conti EcoPlus tyres, part of its Generation 3 truck tyre range, are standard fitment on the MAN TGX EfficientLine 2 long-haul vehicle. In addition MAN has added Conti Hybrid, as well as all standard sizes of the Conti Scandinavia truck tyre range, to its original fitment portfolio.
Chevrolet’s full line of 2016 Camaro models will roll exclusively on Goodyear Eagle tyres in USA. Chevrolet’s sixth generation Camaro has been redesigned from the ground up, and Goodyear engineers worked closely with its development team to engineer tyres to support its performance. The project, which included more than 13,000 hours of tyre development and testing, resulted in three fitments “tuned to the Camaro chassis,” according to Johann Finkelmeier, Goodyear’s vice president of North America original equipment sales.
Ask Pirelli about its links with high-performance and ultra-high performance tyres and company representatives point to two things: 1) that by any definition, Pirelli exclusively makes high performance tyres. By many people’s definition Pirelli exclusively make ultra-high performance tyres that are quantitatively bigger in rim diameter than average fitments and – in the company’s opinion – qualitatively better that the competition; and 2) Pirelli’s order book is a who’s who of high-octane marques and such OE contracts demonstrate the company’s high and ultra-high performance tyre pedigree.
Bridgestone has been appointed as one of the tyre suppliers for the new Ferrari California T. The new V8 turbocharged Ferrari now can leave Maranello production line with Bridgestone Potenza S007 RFT (Run-Flat Technology) sport tyres.
The latest version of the Renault Espace will be equipped with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT tyres in size 235/55R19 101W. When it first launched in 1984, the Renault Espace revolutionised the automotive world as one of the first MPVs on the market. Today, the new Espace has evolved to become a crossover for the European market.
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