Beginning this month, eBay will begin adding tyre fitting to the portfolio of automotive services it offers in certain markets. The online giant says eBay Motors will initially offer tyre fitting to motorists in Germany before rolling out the service in the US market this summer. eBay has yet to provide a timetable for the service’s introduction into the UK or other markets.
Moto-tyres.co.uk, Delticom’s e-commerce site dedicated to motorbike tyres, is offering a wide range of tyres at the start of the new biking season, with flexible options for fitment. While many experienced bikers will want to fit their own tyres, Moto-tyres said its option to deliver to one of its fitting partners free of charge ensures those inclined to leave tyre fitment in the hands of professionals can use the site too.
The Tyre European Network (TEN), which comprises independent and professional tyre dealer networks covering 14 countries, has attended a presentation by CAM International on the integration options of e-jobsheet with the TiDaeX platform, enabling commercial tyre service work sharing across borders and languages. Hosted by Tyrenet in Liverpool, the meeting was attended by TEN service partners including Profil from the Netherlands, Top Service Team from Germany, Top Reifen Team from Austria, Dekk Partner from Norway, and Profile Euro Service from Belgium.
CAM has announced it will sever its ties with the market research company GfK, coinciding with the emergence of the Tyre Intelligence Europe data platform. CAM will relinquish its role in extracting data provided by regional and independent dealers through the agency of its software systems on GfK’s behalf. The service to extract data from customer systems will cease at midnight on 31 March 2017.
A new aesthetic, clear and easy-to-use portal providing in-depth information about its leading tyre trade software Cameo, and a range of commercial, enhancement, sales and integrated apps is being launched by CAM this month (www.cam-systems.com).
The new Tyre Intelligence Europe data platform is developing quickly, with 132 UK tyre sales locations incorporated by mid-February. Data is structured to distinguish clearly between consumer, van and 4×4 – delineating between retail and wholesale sources – an approach that also applies to truck and bus tyre sales.
In response to a contracting market in 2013 and 2014, Italian wholesale giant Fintyre underwent a reorganisation, involving relocation north from Empoli to Seriate, Bergamo and a staff reduction of 60 employees. The overhaul of the company structure did not end there; it started a process in 2015, completed in late 2016, which has changed the face of Fintyre. This, it states, has consolidated its position as the leader of the Italian market with a share of around 25 per cent. In 2015, British investment firm BlueGem Capital Partners, which at that point held a 90 per cent share in Fintyre after its original 2009 investment, was recapitalised following a major financing agreement with GSO Capital Partners. The company then made two major acquisitions – Pneusmarket and Franco Gomme – which have helped to increase turnover from 255 million in 2014 to an estimate of more than 400 million euros in 2016.
First Stop network partner KAM Servicing has been presented with WhoCanFixMyCar.com’s Best Regional Group award. The 12 garage, East Midlands chain rescued more than 450 stricken motorists, gaining a 4.7 rating out of 5, and receiving hundreds of online recommendations. More than 350,000 servicing and repair jobs were posted for garages on WhoCanFixMyCar.com.
Germany based tyre trader Andia International has made its range of 30,000 truck, MTP and earthmover commercial tyres available online in a new web shop. The newly online distributor said the retailer can check prices and availability online at any time and “order directly and comfortably around the clock.” Andia International added that online trading is an important step towards working more closely with the customer.
Online search and booking platform, AA Garage Guide has unveiled its partnership with the Motor Ombudsman – formerly known as Motor Codes. As part of the new link, the Motor Ombudsman will advocate the AA Garage Guide platform to all of its accredited garages with immediate effect.
Heuver states that it is “ready for maximum attack” following a shift in marketing focus and increase in size to support the company’s ambitious sales plans. The company said it has witnessed an increase in search and ordering activities in its web-shop, leading to a renewed focus on this business area.
Michelin has begun selling tyres at MichelinMan.com, expanding its online tyre retail trial in North America. As a result, online retail tyre sales for consumers in Southeast markets through MichelinMedia.com. The site aims to simplify the tyre-buying process so consumers can research, select and purchase tyres, as well as schedule installation with a local Michelin service partner all in one location.
SE Tyres has introduced CAM’s UniSerV platform. The company said the introduction of the software is designed to improve operational efficiencies and offer business enhancements for its fleet and commercial service operations. The incorporation of UniSerV will improve user work flow, mobile fitter work, stock visibility and integration to third parties, helping SE Tyres to maximise its business efficiency and sales growth.
Nicks Tyres has gone live with CAM’s UniSerV software as part of the business’ investment in operational processes across its depots. The company said the new software will help increase productivity and efficiency as well as assist in the continued provision of a reliable service to its customers.
Having seen increases in its Iberian customer base, Dutch wholesaler Heuver has made its web-shop available in Spanish. Heuver said the introduction of another translation was a logical step, since it wants to offer the fastest possible access to the whole range and make things as easy as possible for customers.
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