UK new car registrations rose 11.3 per cent to 149,191 units in November, on the back of increased private demand. The UK new car market has grown 5.4 per cent to 1,921,052 units during the January-November period, putting the full year market on track to be the best since 2008.
Last week Bridgestone reported its Turanza T001 would be fitted to the new Mazda6 in markets outside of North America. Dunlop Tires in the US has also announced the original equipment supply of its tyres to the Mazda6. The new ‘2014’ model (which despite its name will go on sale early next year) will come equipped with the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 in size P225/45R19. Dunlop is claiming exclusive fitment with this size, which indicates the supply deal covers the North American market only.
With a technical background that includes a stint as a motorsport technician working in the UK 30 years ago, Yokohama’s president went on to share further details of exactly how the new tyre surpasses its predecessor. To improve steering stability, a new "Matrix Body Ply Structure" was developed employing technology fostered through participation in world motorsports. According to the company, weight was reduced while rigidity was maintained, producing more agile handling and more comfortable ride, although this upgrade is not available on all sizes in the range. Meanwhile the asymmetrical, non-directional tread pattern – inside for enhanced performance on wet surfaces, outside for dry – features a new compound created to provide “exceptional” grip.
Toyo Tire U.S.A. reports its Toyo Open Country A25 has been selected as an original equipment fitment on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder in North America. The new 4×4 will be supplied with the A25 in size 235/65R18.
With Germany the only market out of the Big 7 economies that will have positive GDP in 2012, this deterioration has reportedly fed directly into slowing trailer sales. In the first quarter of 2012 trailer demand was up 0.4 per cent, but it will finish the year down 6.3 per cent. Nevertheless 77 per cent of goods in Europe are moved by road and most of that proportion is transported on a trailer, making the progress of this sector of significant interest.
One of the advantages of electric and hybrid vehicles is their quietness. Alternatively, one of the disadvantages of electric and hybrid vehicles is their quietness. According to an article in the Daily Mail, under EU rules these cars will have to be fitted with 'sound effects' (possibly replicating the sound of a petrol engine) to ensure that they are audible to pedestrians, blind people and other road users.
British automotive success story Jaguar Land Rover is to produce Jaguar and Land Rover branded vehicles in China via its joint venture with Chery Automobile Company Ltd. The two companies laid the foundation stone for their new manufacturing facility in China on 18 November 2012 following formal approval from the Chinese Government for their joint venture and a licence to manufacture Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and new models for a partnership brand in China.
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that its ADVAN Sport V105 MO tyres are original equipment for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. According to the company, the CLS Shooting Brake will feature two Yokohama tyre sizes – 255/40R18 99Y, and 285/35R18 97Y (only for the rear).
The ADVAN Sport V105 MO was developed jointly by Yokohama Rubber and Daimler, with the MO mark on the side of each tyre signifying approval by Daimler. Improved performance on wet and dry surfaces and braking has been priotised along. Quiet ride and a high level of comfort have been finely balanced.
More than 20 high-profile banks, financial support services, and venture capitalists have signed-up to attend SMMT's 'Meet the Funder' event later this month, keen to enhance their understanding of the UK's automotive supply chain and boost funding in the sector.
Following the tabling of the European Commission’s CARS 2020 Action Plan to aid the European automobile manufacturing industry, there are a number of concrete proposals that are likely to affect the industry. According to the details, which we summarise here, the commission and member states must now implement the policies announced. In order to monitor this process, and continue the dialogue with the stakeholders a dedicated process will be established called "CARS 2020".
PricewaterhouseCoopers Automotive partner Phil Harrold has forecast a continuing “renaissance” for the British automotive industry. The analyst suggests the next five years will see the sector improve its workforce’s skills base following recent investments by major brands such as Toyota, and rises in new car registrations. Harrold commented after the firm’s auto analyst arm, Autofacts, predicted global production figures would top 83.19 million in 2013 up from 79.1 million this year.
The SMMT figures for commercial vehicle registrations in October paint a gloomy picture, with year-on-year CV sales down 8.1 per cent to 21,661 units; the rolling year figure is also down 0.9% to 293,312.
Truck registrations dipped to 3,867 units, down 8.1 per cent in the month, but the rolling year figure is up 16.3 per cent to 47,352.
New car sales figures from the SMMT show month on month sales were up 12.1 per cent compared to October last year. Fleet registrations increased by 4.5 per cent last month whilst private registrations increased by 23.9 per cent. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) saw sales increase by a huge 38.8 per cent.
Commenting on the figures, Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, said: "Retail car sales continue to drive the market in October whilst fleet sales remain flat."
Matthew Hammond, Tony Barrell, Ian Green and Mike Jervis were appointed joint administrators of Manganese Bronze Holdings plc, LTI Limited, MBH Services Limited and MBH Property Services Limited (“the Group”) on 30 October 2012.
The Group is the manufacturer and retailer of the iconic London taxi, sold in the UK and abroad. It provides a retail and maintenance service through its wholly-owned dealerships throughout the UK, under the trading name The London Taxi Company. It has a turnover of £75m and 277 employees in total including three overseas employees. 175 employees are based at the Group’s head office and manufacturing site located in Coventry with the remaining employees spread across dealerships in London, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Coventry.
September results in the segment of buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes were diverse across countries, leading to an overall 5.5 per cent contraction of the EU market. While the UK (+43.3 per cent) and Spain (+5.3 per cent) performed better than in the same month last year, France (-22.7 per cent), Germany (-26.3 per cent) and Italy (-26.6 per cent) experienced a double-digit downturn.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
