"Vehicle manufacturers must comply with European legislation and make their technical information available to independent garages" said Stuart James, Independent Garage Association (IGA) Director, speaking to fleet operators at the BVRLA Technical and Operational Management Forum.
Europe's new car sales decline by 9.5 per cent in February, and 8.1per cent Year-to-Date compared to last year. According to the latest analysis from leading provider of automotive intelligence JATO Dynamics, the European new car market continues to suffer, as economic uncertainty kept customers out of showrooms in February.
Goodyear’s Eagle F1 SupercarG:2 has been selected by General Motors as an original equipment fitment for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Goodyear said the tyres – size 285/35ZR20 for the front and 305/35ZR20 for the rear – have been optimised specifically for the 6.2 litre, 580hp V8 to “yield outstanding handling while maintaining excellent street tyre performance for wet handling, tread wear, low noise and rolling resistance.”
Toyo has announced a new original equipment deal in the US, where its all-season A23 tyre has been selected for the Grand Touring model of the 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV. The Toyo A23 will be supplied in size 225/55 R19.
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show sales overall were up 1.4 per cent against February 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down 15.8 per cent in February, while over 50cc motorcycle sales have increased six per cent.
"February 2012 sales figures saw a dip in the overall commercial vehicle market after a period of strong recovery in 2011. While truck registrations continued to rise, up 26.4 per cent in February, van registrations fell by 26.4 per cent" said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT's van and truck registration figures.
Mercedes-Benz UK has maintained its record 4.8 per cent market share in February and year to date (YTD), according to figures from SMMT. February 2012's new car registrations showed an 11.0 per cent increase for Mercedes-Benz, to 2933 new cars. The year to date figure of 9,182 vehicles is a rise of 17.2 per cent, compared with the first two months of 2011. During the same period the overall new car market was down 0.7 per cent.
The total bus and coach sector grew significantly in February to 519 registrations, up 73.6 per cent, with the year-to-date up 39.9 per cent, says the SMMT. Registrations of purpose-built buses and coaches rose 121.7 per cent in the month and 72.6 per cent for the first two months of 2012. Converted bus registrations were up 32.3 per cent in February, and 8.7 per cent for the year-to-date.
Nissan’s decision to produce its new Invitation model at its Sunderland, UK plant is likely to create 2000 jobs at the company and its suppliers. Production of the Invitation, which is a project totalling around £125 million, is due to start in 2013. Nissan says it will produce 100,000 of the cars a year when manufacturing gets underway.
"Although the new car market was down last month, it is positive to see an increase in private registrations highlighting that consumers are slowly coming back to the market." said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s new car registration figures.
ACEA, the European Automoblie Manufacturers' Association, has published figures showing that, in January, demand for new cars dropped by 7.1 per cent in the EU, compared to the same month a year earlier. In total, 968,769 new registrations were recorded in the region, with on average one more working day than in January 2011. These figures exclude Malta, for which data was unavailable.
Pirelli’s new Diablo Supercorsa SP (Sport Production) will be fitted to Ducati’s 195hp 1199 Panigale in 120/70 ZR17 (front) and the new 200/55 ZR17 rear size. Pirelli says the tyre’s SC – “Special Compound” – version will be used by Superstock 1000 FIM Cup riders this season. The announcement was made at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, the scene of the company’s recent 2012 season Formula One tyre launch.
JK Tyre and Industries Ltd, India’s number three tyre maker, has reportedly secured an OE supply deal to Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt Ltd, supplying tyres for its Bharat Benz trucks.
“The latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) client for us is Daimler India that will be rolling out trucks at its plant here,” Raghupati Singhania, vice chairman and managing director, told reporters on Monday 6 February, according local news sources. Daimler India is expected to launch its trucks sometime in the middle of this year.
Motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has selected Pirelli’s new generation Diablo Supercorsa as original equipment for its latest offering, the Speed Triple R. The new Triumph bike, which recently premiered at the EICMA, will feature the ‘SP’ or Sport Production version of the Diablo Supercorsa in size 120/70 ZR17 tyre for the front and 190/55 ZR17 on the rear.
Kia Motors Slovakia has produced the one millionth vehicle at its factory in Zilina – a white, diesel-engined cee'd SW. The car was immediately handed over to a Slovakian children's charity, the Red Nose Clowndoctors.
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.
