The FIA is reportedly planning to impose an alternative to the controversial ‘red tyre rule’ during the 2007 Formula One season. Autosport magazine has reported that, in addition to the new regulation requiring drivers to race both the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ compound tyres Bridgestone supplies for each Grand Prix event, teams could also be asked to publish their initial tyre choice.
The Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF) has urged the entire automotive aftermarket industry to support the Kitemark for Garage Services. In a stark message to the ADF’s membership of leading aftermarket suppliers and distributors at the organisation’s Annual Dinner, President Alan Seal warned against the possible threat of government legislation facing garages, favouring the BSI‘s Kitemark for Garage Services as the only route for effective self-regulation.
In the last month the subject of metrification has caused something of stir. But if the reports that such a blanket conversion would cost billions are true, it is easy to see why. The furore all boils down to a new proposed EU directive designed to standardise all measurements to the metric system – and in so doing literally decimate inches. EU directive 80/181 also seeks to do away with the kind of imperial/metric dual markings that are currently commonplace with supermarket weights and alcoholic drink quantities for example. According to reports, the threatened legislation aiming to ban all non-metric measurements is scheduled for introduction in 2010 – only three years away.
Industry research shows vehicle manufacturers’ dealer networks are losing share of the lucrative new car service and repair market to independent garages. The Trend Tracker report on the UK car service and repair market shows that franchised dealers’ traditional near-monopoly of servicing and repairs of cars under manufacturer’s warranty is declining. In 2002, the European Commission introduced legislation to make the car service and repair market more competitive by opening up the market to independent garages and the research shows that car dealers’ share of the lucrative service and repair market for cars under four years old has fallen from 67 per cent of all services and repairs in 2003/04, to 65 per cent in 2005/06.
(Akron/Tire Review) In a move that appears to target the onslaught of overseas investment, China’s Ministry of Commerce implemented new rules earlier this month that increase government regulation of foreign companies’ mergers with and acquisitions of domestic Chinese businesses. The rules expand on previous provisions issued in 2003. The new regulations require regulatory approval whenever a proposed transaction involve a foreign company that has more than 3 billion yuan (approximately $376 million) in assets, more than 1.5 billion yuan ($188 million) in revenue within China, or a 20 per cent or larger share of the domestic market; give foreign investors more than a 25 per cent share of the Chinese market; involve a foreign company that has concluded more than 10 deals over the preceding year in related industries; result in a foreign company’s control of a famous Chinese brand or trademark; or otherwise affect ‘national economic security,’ a term that the regulation leaves undefined.
Workwear manufacturer, Dickies, has launched a new range of high visibility clothing designed specifically for the vehicle rescue and recovery industry. In distinctive high visibility orange and navy all the garments feature regulation 5cm reflective strips and are fitted with a number features intended to assist those working in this tough occupation. For example the Recovery Poly/Cotton Trousers are fitted with multi-entry cargo pockets complete with a pocket for a mobile phone and radio. Kneepad pouches that will take flexible cushioned kneepads are also fitted to relieve the discomfort of working in a kneeling position on hard road surfaces. Combining regulation safety and detailed construction, this range of high visibility garments offers comfort, durability and protection when working at roadside.
Luxury car imports into India could slow down after the Indian government circulated plans to require all replacement and OE tyres to bear the ISI mark. A draft circular for the new regulation has already been issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the rule is expected to take effect in the next 40 to 60 days.
Did you know that the tyre business could be subject to a “super complaint” because of poor service in the wider automotive service sector? Did you know that it could cost you as much as £750 per depot if the government is forced to push external regulation on the business? During the recent NTDA conference in Marbella, this subject stood head and shoulders above the rest as most delegates were surprised to hear what a so-called super complaint might mean for them.
So what’s behind all this talk of an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) super complaint? Basically the National Consumer Council (NCC) believes that there are too many legitimate customer service complaints being made against the automotive service industry and the tyre trade is being tarred with the same brush in terms of potential consequences. The recent push for action from the consumer point of view also follows media reports highlighting the “garages don’t care” attitude fostered by many consumers.
The second generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class continues to set the standard, using a new tyre set up from Bridgestone that is said to offer a sportier ride without compromising high speed stability or on-the-road comfort.
The classy SUV bears all the hallmarks of the ground-breaking mark one M-Class that paved the way for modern off-roaders following its launch in 1997 – majestic looks, stunning performance, a stylish interior and masses of load capacity.
Businesses are being reminded today that used tyres can no longer be sent to landfill from 16 July 2006 when new regulations come into force across England and Wales. Liz Parkes, Head of Waste Regulation at the Environment Agency said: “From 16 July, regulations will ban used whole and shredded tyres from being disposed of in all landfill sites.
Brazilian motor vehicle production is on a roll, with both output and export figures reportedly at all time highs in May 2006, according to the Brazilian Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Association, Antavea. The exact figures have not yet been published but they must be higher than April’s 182,481 passenger car registrations to break the record production figures. In 2005 the Brazilian vehicle manufacturing industry produced 2,009,494 cars, 365,648 light commercial vehicles 153,158 commercial trucks and buses.
From 13 September 2006 complying with ECE regulations 108 and 109 could be a compulsory condition of selling retreads in the EU member states. The EU’s Brussels-based Competitive council adopted the decision on the 13 March. Now that this major decision has been taken it is likely that the regulation will be written into the statute books. Industry observers are receiving the announcement as a positive end to what has been a long procedure. The regulation has been compulsory in the UK since 1 January 2004 and has been available for use on a voluntary basis since June 1998.
The Office of Defect Investigations at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating consumer complaints that the 2004 and 2005 Toyota Sienna’s tyre pressure monitoring/regulation system can fail.
In one incident, a consumer reported that by the time he pulled his Toyota Sienna to the side of the road the tyre was smoking and had burst into flame but the warning light failed to come on, according to consumeraffairs.com.
Five months after the introduction of Automotive Kitemark system, there are only three accredited workshops for consumers to choose from. So far the British Standards Institute says it has received fewer than 100 applications from the UK’s 25,000 garages.
According to What Car, numerous mystery shop reports have all shown motorists are routinely overcharged, told they need unnecessary work or left with cars in a dangerous, un-roadworthy condition.
Michelin has criticised the FIA’s new Formula 1 rules, hitting out against the association’s “hidden motives.” In an official statement the French tyre manufacturer said it is “perplexed by the step backwards of the FIA’s F1 regulation for 2006” which it says are “incoherent with the FIA’s proclaimed policy to reduce costs.”
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