First Stop Network Grows
Bridgestone has reported that the number of independent tyre dealerships that have joined Bridgestone First Stop is at an all-time high. A total of 160 dealerships are now involved in the network.
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Women Rewarded in Transport Awards
Product NewsIveco’s third annual Women in Transport Awards has recognised the achievements of three women working in the UK road transport industry.
AA Calls Time on Mobile Tyre Fitting Service
Career Tracks, News, UK NewsThe AA has announced that it intends to close AA Tyre Fit, which currently provides a national mobile tyre fitting through a fleet of 130 vehicles, and its Vehicle Inspections business, currently offering inspections on used cars for consumers. According to the company, both businesses have been operating at a loss.
Automechanika a Success for British Automotive Suppliers
Product NewsThe SMMT is describing Automechanika 2004 as “another success for British exhibitors.
Car Registrations Remain Flat
Product NewsNew car registration figures have levelled out during September.
UK Team Selected for Arctic Challenge
Product NewsThe 2005 UK Fulda Challenge team has been selected following a gruelling final elimination event held in Sulden, Italy.
Vredestein Presents All-Round Winter Performance
Product NewsVredestein has released a new ultra high performance tyre, the Wintrac Xtreme. Launched at a glitzy ceremony in a setting surrounded by mountainous Swiss scenery, the Dutch tyre manufacturer is clearly looking to make a statement with its newest product.
The Wintrac Xtreme is the first winter tyre Vredestein has produced in collaboration with design partners Giugaro. The company describes its aggressively firm lines and W-shaped tread as “powerful” selling point. The tyre features rim protection and will be available in sizes 205/55 R16 94 – 265/35 R18 97. It is, perhaps, a coincidence that the new product features a W shaped tread and has either a V or W speed rating, depending on size.
Vedestein’s UK managing director, Bert Stellinga, sees the new products as a kind of ultra high performance all-round winter tyre and, although it is capable of dealing with snow and ice, is keen to highlight the broad range of benefits associated with its product. “In wet conditions of up to 20’C, this one is just better.” According to the Mr Stellinga, if you want to drive your vehicle to full capacity at any time of the year than this is the one, adding “we should really call it an all-season tyre.”
Pirelli and Continental enter Romanian Joint Venture
Product NewsThe Department of Trade and Industry’s autoindustry.co.uk website is reporting that Pirelli and Continental are to enter into a joint venture in Romania. The £27 million project will be split 80:20 between Pirelli and Continental, with Pirelli holding the majority share. The operation will be based in Slatina and will produce 30,000 tonnes of steel thread a year for tyres sold by both firms in Eastern Europe.
Stapletons Reshuffle Sales Team
Product NewsStapletons has reshuffled its sales team in a move designed to deliver an improved customer service.
Bridgestone Creates New Sales Role
Product NewsBridgestone UK has created a new role within its sales force to capitalise on what it sees as the next growth market in the UK tyre industry.
Goodyear’s ‘Unique’ HydraGrip Promotion
Product NewsTaking what the company describes as a “brand new approach,” Goodyear commissioned the UK’s first HydraZorbs to mark the launch of its HydraGrip tyre.
Michelin Man to Drive Truck Sales at ATS Euromaster
Product NewsATS Euromaster has a new face leading its commercial vehicle sales operation, Phil Payne, who has joined the team from Michelin will now become the company’s national sales director truck.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Payne said: “I’m joining a business that is seeking to grow by building on the customer relationships it has already developed in the CV, agricultural and industrial markets. There is a new, extremely positive business philosophy evolving at ATS Euromaster and I look forward to helping drive this forward by delivering new levels of service and value to CV operators of all sizes.”
Mr Payne originally began his career with the Mars Group, but more recently moved to Michelin to perform the role of European car fleet manager.
The new appointment is the third senior management selection to be made by the company this year, the other two being Martin Saint, national sales director car and Robert Blaikie, divisional sales director. All three appointments are further steps in the company’s strategy to develop its products and services across the UK tyre and vehicle maintenance market.
New European Transport Event
Product NewsPlans for a new UK based European trade show have been announced by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT); the UK’s trade association for the bus, coach and light rail industry. Euro Bus Expo is scheduled to take place for the first time on 7-9 November 2006, at the NEC Birmingham.
Expo Management, will support the organisation of the trade event, which the company says is designed to build on the success of the Coach & Bus show brand, the existing biennial event for the UK industry.
As the third largest market for road based public transport vehicles in Europe, the events UK location should work well to attract international exhibitors and visitors.
4×4 Sales up 13 per cent
Product NewsSales of 4×4 cars have risen by 13.4 per cent this year from 98,630 to 111,846 units, according to SMMT figures. While the market for new 4×4 cars continues to rise across the UK, the latest regional numbers reveal that in London sales are lower than the national average, only up 12.7 per cent from 5,616 to 6,331 units. From January to August 5.9 per cent of new cars sold in London were 4×4 off-road vehicles compared to a national average of 6.8 per cent. The total number of London new car registrations from January to August was 106,664 units.
Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, sugested that 4×4 drivers had been criticised for too long. “The idea that one in two new cars sold in London is a 4×4 is nothing but a myth. The reality is that the proportion is actually slightly lower than the national average. This is just one of the unhelpful stereotypes that are being used to berate drivers of this type of vehicle. Now we have revealed the facts about sales, perhaps we could start to have a more constructive dialogue about the kind of benefits that this type of vehicle offers new car buyers. I have invited the Mayor of London to talk to me about this but, to date, he has not been able to find time in his schedule.”
European New Car Registrations in Slight Decline
Product NewsFigures released by the European automobile manufacturers association (ACEA) show that the number of new car registrations in Europe is in a slight decline. In total 831,805 cars were registered in EU and EFTA countries in August, 1.3 per cent less than the same time last year.
