Fast fit network, Hi-Q has recently signed up to be a partner organisation in a new campaign aimed at ensuring drivers aren’t left stranded in the event of a breakdown. The Goodyear ‘Drive Home Safely’ offers drivers practical advice on what to do if stranded, or if being followed. The campaign also aims to create a network of ‘safety zones’ where drivers can go to receive free preventative safety checks on their vehicle.
The MOT turned 45 this week and has come a long way since its implementation in 1960. The annual check does not only test the brakes, steering, lights etc, as it did in the beginning, but now includes emissions testing too.
International Automotive Distributors Limited (IAD) has acquired the ADS business unit of Unipart Automotive.
Trading as Maccess, the company currently has 14 locations across the UK and will gain a further five sites from ADS. This coordination of resources has been done to improve product availability and offer, as well as delivery service levels to customers of both businesses.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear tyres will be fitted on the popular Toyota Prius hybrid and have also earned fitment on the new Pontiac Solstice. Goodyear Integrity radials (size P185/65R15) are OE on the 2004 Prius, the fast-selling hybrid vehicle in America. The petrol/electric hybrid delivers 55 mpg on average, according to Toyota. The 2006 Solstice, a two-seat roadster that is expected to reach Pontiac dealers later this year, will feature P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-As, the tyre manufacturer said.
Quicksilver has launched a stainless steel exhaust system specially designed for the new Land Rover 3 and Discovery 3 V8 petrol and Turbo Disel V6. According to the company, the new products are for “bold confident people who enjoy making a fashion statement,” and provide “a distinguished air of supremacy.”
The Toyota Prius has been awarded the European title of ‘Car of The Year 2005.’
The car was chosen from a group of finalists including the Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Renault Modus, Peugeot 407 and the BMW 1-series.
Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief, Autocar magazine, was one of the six UK members of the Car of the Year Jury, he said: “Toyota’s Prius is the most successful hybrid car available today and is being used as everyday transport by 120,000 drivers worldwide. Toyota has clearly demonstrated the way forward.”
The RAC is putting pressure on garages to provide free tyre pressure gauges in order to help prevent accidents. According to the RAC, only one in three motorists check their tyres before a long journey, despite the obvious safety risks associated with wrongly inflated tyres.
The widespread introduction of catalytic converters, almost a decade ago, has had a dramatic effect on vehicle pollution. Harmful emissions from petrol cars have been reduced by an average of 75 per cent. The effectiveness of ‘cats’, combined with vast improvements in the quality of fuels, means that today it is estimated that it would take up to approximately 100 new cars to produce the same emissions as just one made 20 years ago. To download this article as a PDF file, click here.
The European Commission wants to abolish motor vehicle taxes as well as the registration taxes for passenger vehicles in the European Union. The taxation should be linked more strongly to the use of the car and the output of carbon dioxide.
A faulty ignition coil has caused VW to recall 850,000 vehicles, built from 2001 onwards. Those models affected are equipped with 1.8L turbo, V5, V6 and W8 petrol engines. Industry experts estimate the cost of parts and labour to be around 100 Euros per vehicle, or 85 million Euros in total. Over 60 per cent of the affected vehicles are in the USA.
BMW and PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) are to jointly develop a new family of small petrol engines, with a target of one million units. The base for the project will be Munich and R&D will come from BMW, with PSA handling production and procurement. The total investment is said to be 750 million Euro.
Continental AG is to supply an integral flywheel, starter and alternator for General Motors’ full size hybrid pick-ups in 2004. The ring which replaces the flywheel, also replaces the vehicle’s starter and alternator allowing the hybrid petrol V8 and electric engine to have an effective stop start process. The system will stop the engine when the vehicle is stationary, saving up to 15 percent in fuel costs.
A European committee has agreed on the final text of the End Of Life Vehicle Directive (ELV). One paragraph bans the use of lead in wheel balance weights, including coated weights, on new vehicles after 1st July 2003. It is unclear whether any ban would apply to the aftermarket. The ELV text has to be submitted to the European Parliament and then to the Council for final vote and adoption.
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.
