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Automechanika Shanghai – December 2007

Automechanika Shanghai has gained a reputation as one of China’s most valuable professional forums for the automotive parts, components and aftermarket industry. The Automechanika show to take place in China’s largest city is scheduled for 5 – 7 December and will house a complete range of products for the automotive original equipment and aftermarket, including parts and systems, accessories and tuning, repair and maintenance, and service station and car wash. Over 700 exhibitors have already confirmed their attendance, necessitating a doubling of the size of the fair to over 46,000sqm.

When Automechanika Shanghai was last held, in December 2006, more than 12,000 visitors from 97 countries & regions attended, 38 per cent more than attended the previous show in 2004. An onsite survey revealed that around 90 per cent of visitors were people involved in purchasing decisions for their company. Of this figure 25 per cent were attendees from overseas.

10th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

International Tyres and Trading Right Distributor for Sumo Firenza

Product News

The Sumo Firenza is reportedly steadily increasing its sales performance in both the UK and European tyre markets and is now considered to be increasingly favoured as a highly competitive choice in the truck tyre sector of the market.

During the past eighteen months Sumo Firenza have exhibited at many international tyre shows throughout Europe introducing its truck tyre range and the UK has proved to be a particularly successful market for the brand which is exclusively distributed throughout the UK by West Midlands based tyre company International Tyres and Trading.

The appointment of International Tyres was made following an extensive survey of the UK truck tyre market with Pat Berriman, Sumo Firenza’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing stating: “We believe International Tyres are able to provide a good trading balance of a professional business profile with impressive national distribution facilities and we are very confident that between the two companies Sumo Firenza will continue to gain momentum in the UK truck tyre sector.”

31st July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

“Secondary Tipping” Costs Dealers £2 million

News

Nearly a third of members responding to the recent NTDA fly tipping survey reported that tyres had been dumped on their premises in the past six months. Of those nearly half involved 20 tyres or more. The total cost of disposal is thought to be around £2 million. In February, Kwik-Fit’s David White spoke of how the retailer spent £250,000 a year secondary tipping disposal costs itself.

26th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Insurance Gains Industry Accreditation

Product News

Kwik-Fit Insurance was recently rewarded for its continued focus on training employees to deliver the highest levels of customer service. The company’s 12-week induction training has now been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Insurance, recognising the professional training delivered to new insurance advisors upon joining the company.

Head of HR and Training for Kwik-Fit Insurance Lynne Miller, commented: “Our people are trained to a very high standard not only to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the job in hand but to instil confidence that their knowledge and skills are extensive enough to accommodate almost any customer enquiry.

“Our people are some of the best trained in the industry and it’s great that this been recognised by the CII.”

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Trend to Accessorize Vehicles Going Strong

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) American drivers continue to embrace the notion of customization and personalization, having purchased a record $36.72 billion worth of specialty automotive products in 2006. The number represents a 7 per cent increase over 2005, when sales reached $34.28 billion.

“Today’s consumer wants something unique and different,” said Jim Spoonhower, vice president of market research for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). “They’re buying vehicles that are dependable and reliable, but then they’re personalising those vehicles so that they look distinctive, perform differently, are more comfortable, convenient, safe or just more fun.”

21st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Drivers Think Speed Limit is Too Low

Product News

Half of UK drivers believe that the current speed limit for motorways is too low, a survey by tyre specialist, HiQ, has revealed. Fast fit specialist HiQ, carried out the questionnaire in centres throughout its national network in order to determine just how much drivers knew about UK speed limits. The results demonstrated that UK drivers were on the whole, extremely knowledgeable about speed limits, despite some drivers believing there should be changes to current limits.

The most striking call for change was in motorway limits where, according to the survey, 51 per cent of drivers believed that the current motorway speed limit of 70mph was too low, with 37 per cent believing the limit should be increased to 80mph. A small minority of those questioned thought that the limit should be increased to 100mph or that there should be no restrictions at all.

18th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Gets Top Spot in Enthusiast Magazine Survey

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) Falken Tire Corp. was selected as “favourite tyres” in the 2007 People’s Choice Awards conducted by C16, a digital automotive enthusiast magazine. C16 polls its readers each year, asking for their favourite brands in categories such as “Car Care” and “Car Handling.” Last year was the inaugural year of the People’s Choice Awards.

“It is victories like this one that prove that Falken Tire has consistently gained the most brand equity in the last few years,” said Nick Fousekis, Falken’s brand manager.

11th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Smart in Norfolk

Product News

Motorists in the coastal town of Great Yarmouth are being offered hands-on advice to make them more safety conscious and, in particular, tyre aware. Technicians at Kingsway Tyres are sharing their expertise at driver awareness evenings in association with First Stop partner Bridgestone. As well as picking up basic maintenance tips, drivers are being taught how to carry out regular checks that can save them money and might even save their lives.

“We’re covering everyday scenarios like how to change a tyre, how to check the tyre tread depth and pressure, and how to check oil levels and water levels – things we all ought to really know about, but often don’t,” said Mark Buckenham, manager of Kingsway Great Yarmouth. “The evenings are hands-on, but relaxed. One of the key elements of the course is that motorists get to practice on their own car to make them feel more comfortable should a problem arise. The focus is simply making them better prepared rather than expert mechanics.”

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Study Suggests Many Second Hand Tyres Unfit for Re-Sale

Product News

According to the results of a regional study a high proportion of the partially worn second hand tyres sold in the UK each year fail to meet current safety standards, and if this study is representative of the nationwide situation as many as 600,000 of these unsafe tyres may be on sale throughout the UK each year.

A recent survey of suppliers conducted by the Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, with support from TyreSafe, revealed that some 30 per cent of the inspected part worn tyres were found to possess serious defects that could pose a safety risk when fitted to a vehicle. Much of the damage found by the Trading Standards Service was of a type not detectable by visual inspection and included unsafe repairs, damage to the tyre’s bead area that reduced its ability to maintain pressure whilst on the rim, and tyres possessing structural damaged caused through being run in when deflated. The thoroughness of the examination each tyre receives before being sold has also been called into question, as have been the qualifications and ability of the examiners whose job it is to identify faults.

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

“ESC Saves Lives!”

Premium, Product News

According to the European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, every year more than 40,000 people die and over one million are injured in motor vehicle accidents within the European Union, with loss of vehicle control identified as the main cause of accidents involving serious injury or death. As a result the European Commission is putting its weight behind a campaign to highlight the necessity to fit vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, launching a Europe-wide ‘Choose ESC!’ campaign at the Bridgestone European Testing ground near Rome on 8th May 2007.

Commission vice-president Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Policy, said: “The benefits of ESC are undisputed. In line with the CARS 21 programme, we are preparing the obligatory installation of ESC into new passenger cars via international harmonisation. Until it becomes mandatory, the voluntary choice of ESC is more than welcome.” The CARS 21 group, established in 2005 and comprised of experts from industry, government and other leading groups, has adopted a 10-year “roadmap” to make the EU’s car industry cleaner, safer and more competitive through the adoption of applicable legislation.

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30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Renault Van Takes Fleet World Honours

Product News

The Renault Trafic van was voted ‘Best medium van’ for the fifth consecutive year at the Fleet World Honours 2007 awards ceremony in London recently. The awards are presented to manufacturers who, in the opinion of the panel of judges, have achieved the highest levels of excellence in their sector. The judging panel is made up of industry experts, including the editorial team from Fleet World, members the leasing industry, fleet managers and representatives from residual values guides.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Survey Shows Fleet Buys Have Increased

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) New research by CK Commercial Vehicle Research indicates that the Class 8 tractor business may be picking up this, quarter, According to the research firm, 32 per cent of respondents to its Second Quarter Fleet Sentiment survey say they plan to place orders for power units in the next months.

According to CK Commercial Vehicle Research, that result was nearly identical to the 34 per cent who planned purchases during the first quarter of 2007.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres Under Inflated and Insufficiently Checked – Study

Product News

Yet another reminder of the importance of frequently checking tyre pressure has come from the results of a survey conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ Trust. The survey of approximately 500 drivers showed that on average only 18 per cent of men and 4 per cent of women are checking vehicle tyre pressure once a week, the recommended frequency. And only a minority of motorists – 37 per cent of men and 32 per cent of women – conduct monthly pressure checks.

Air pressure facilities at garages were found to be largely accurate, with 80 per cent accurate to within 5 psi at 30 psi, and almost all the others accurate to within 7 psi. However the majority of motorists appear to be unaware that the recommended inflation pressures given by car manufacturers and at garage facilities are for “cold” levels, when even a short drive from home to the garage can cause tyres to become heated. The result of inflating heated tyres to cold levels is that they can end up being between 12 and 15 per cent under inflated.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Tops India OE Tyre Study

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) India’s MRF received the highest customer satisfaction scores in the recent JD Power & Associates Asia Pacific 2007 OE tyre survey.

The study considers new-vehicle buyer perceptions of OE tyre appearance, durability, ride quality, traction and handling.

MRF ranked highest overall, scoring 840 points out of a possible 1,000 points. It marked the fifth time MRF topped the OE study list.

JK Tyre followed in the rankings with 822 points, while Apollo garnered 812 points.

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

US Drivers Going Soft on Tyre Pressure Checks

Product News

According to a recent US survey conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), motorists are today paying less attention to their tyres than they were a year ago. Just over 50 per cent of drivers responded that they have checked their vehicle’s tyre pressure within the past month, compared to 70 per cent last year.

The RMA believes this decrease in attentiveness is linked to the drop in fuel prices during the past 12 months. “Our most recent survey suggests that when gas prices began to drop last fall, so did drivers’ attention to their tyres,” said Donald B. Shea, president and CEO of the RMA. He added “low tyre pressure-related crashes are to blame for 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries every year. Motorists need to understand that while proper tyre pressure will save them a couple of dollars at the pump, it will also help keep our roads safer.”

17th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

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