The AA has been ranked as the top roadside rescue and recovery service in the annual JD Power 2005 Roadside Assistance Study. The survey records the opinions of over 23,000 motorists to create an index of customer satisfaction based on three main components – timing, performance of the patrol, and performance of the call handler.
National Tyres & Autocare (NTA), has today announced the results of its ongoing customer satisfaction survey. Of the 20,000 comment cards received from customers over the last 12 months, 91 per cent described the service provided by National as ‘Exceptional or ‘Above Average’’ claims the company.
The research also revealed that 98 per cent of customers would use National again. Comment cards are collected from all 208 National Tyres & Autocare branches in the United Kingdom explains NTA, so that the company can monitor customer satisfaction on a regular basis.
Releasing its first quarter 2005 results, Continental’s management reaffirmed the company’s desire to achieve ambitious targets. During the first quarter, consolidated sales rose by 8.9 per cent to 3,253.1 million euros, with newly acquired Phoenix contributing 237.7 million euros.
At the same time EBIT increased by 9.5 per cent to 281.7 million euros, according to the company. Phoenix is reported to have generated an operating result of 11.3 million euros. Consolidated earnings climbed to 167 million euros, representing a 24.8 per cent increase. Earnings per share rose to 1.15 euros.
The TIC has released further results from last year’s roadside tyre checks that highlight an increase in the number of defective tyres on Britain’s roads.
West Midlands Police has revealed a disappointing seven per cent rise to 17 per cent in the number of cars and vans with defective tyres on the county’s roads.
Continental has commissioned a survey investigating student opinions of universities. It is hoped that the research will give a clearer picture of the opinions of German secondary and university students on social and political questions. The results will be presented by Thomas Sattelberger Continental board member responsible for personnel on 24 February. The research, conducted by TNS/Infratest, was wittily entitled “Reforms and Wissenschaf(f)t” – a pun referring to the word “Wissen schafft“ (meaning knowledge) and “Wissenschaft“ (meaning science).
A survey conducted by the CBI has reported that UK manufacturing firms fear that up to 26,000 jobs could be lost over the next three months. The CBI and Experian poll showed that confidence in the manufacturing industry has fallen in eight of the UK’s 11 regions over the past quarter with the north west hit hard. Despite the sharpest fall in confidence occurring with firms in the West Midlands, London and the South East are expected to bear the largest decline in manufacturing employment. The CBI states that whilst 26,000 jobs is a large figure, it is still short of the losses seen during the steep manufacturing recession of 2001 to 2003. However, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows a 0.6 per cent between November and December, its fastest pace in seven months.
A third of garages, tyre dealers and tyre repairers have had old tyres illegally fly-tipped at their site, according to a new survey published by the Environment Agency. Around 10 per cent said that it happened on a regular basis. The survey questioned 225 randomly selected garages and tyre firms about their knowledge and experience of tyre disposal. According to the Agency, fly tipping is usually carried out by cheap, unregistered companies that are operating illegally. Illegal disposal costs the industry, local authorities, the Environment Agency and landowners around £2.5 million a year, the report added.
The UK’s first “DIY garage” has just opened its doors in Aberdeen. The new workshop facility is targeted at those who enjoy carrying out motor vehicle repairs, but don’t have access to the necessary tools or facilities.
The SMMT is reporting that in the first 10 months of 2004 UK new car production has dropped one per cent, while production for export has risen 3.5 per cent in the same space of time. Octobers output in isolation reveals a decrease in production levels of 11.9 per cent, according to provisional data released by the office of national statistics.
“Despite a dip in October car production, levels over the year to October show that we remain on a par with last year. UK automotive manufacturing has a bright future. SMMT’s second annual issues survey of senior executives, to be published at the SMMT Annual Dinner, will show that we have much to be proud of. With the right skills in the workforce, an increase in R&D and a cautious approach to the introduction of new regulation by government, the industry has a very positive future,” commented SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan.
At the same time the SMMT reports that commercial vehicle (CV) production went up 11.3 per cent in October and 14 per cent year-to-date. CV export production levels rose by 27.5 per cent over the year to October. Rolling 12 month totals to October show that production is up 25,228 units to 210,322.
“The growth in commercial vehicle assembly remains robust. Over the most recent three months to October, production has risen 21.4 per cent, with 38.2 per cent for the export market. UK plants are keyed-in to a firm revival in demand for vans and trucks in the rest of the EC. Annual volume has now topped 210,000 units and with two months to go to complete the calendar year, it will probably nudge further ahead,” added Mr Macgowan.
An annual survey carried out by US magazine, Consumer Reports, has found that when it comes to car and truck reliability, European produced vehicles are worst; US mixed, with Asian brands topping the table.
Beissbarth has won the 2004 Best Garage Equipment Provider title, awarded by the Institute of Transport Management (ITM).
Patrick Sheedy, the ITM’s media and PR director, commented: “Over 900 independent garage equipment users were included in our survey, which tested opinions on the level of contribution to the industry, history of the product range and a rating on customer service. Beissbarth came out tops in all categories with a special commendation for customer service, which was rated as outstanding.”
Jaguar has felt more pressure after itself and Land Rover came second and third from bottom in a survey of vehicle reliability and cost of repair.
Off-road specialist Jeep recorded worse results in the study of 30,000 vehicles from 27 leading manufacturers.
There was good news for the Far East, which remained number one for reliability in the analysis by independent automotive warranty firm, Warranty Direct.
The JD Power and Associates 2004 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Survey has placed Michelin at the top of three of its four Categories.
September’s US auto sales appear to be off to a slow start according to a recent Deutsche Bank survey. The analysts’ results suggest that the light vehicle SAAR is claiming around 16.1 million units (16.5 total) a figure that compares poorly with last September’s 16.7 million.
Hurricanes are again thought to be the reason for the dwindling figures and analysts believe that these indications of a weak start are likely to weigh heavily on the sector. Ford’s sales are down 10 per cent and its market share around 20 per cent. It is also estimated that GM ‘s sales are down three per cent, implying a 28 per cent market share. Whereas Chrysler’s sales are thought to be flat, implying an 11.7 per cent market share.
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.
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