Demand for new heavy trucks (over 16 tonnes, excluding buses and coaches) declined the most sharply across segments in January (-18.4 per cent), totalling 15,510 vehicles. All major markets contracted, from -9.3 per cent in Italy to -11.1 per cent in Spain, -15.4 per cent in France and -22.0 per cent in Germany and the UK.
The HGV Road User Levy Act became law today (28 February) paving the way for a fairer deal for UK hauliers. Most EU states already charge lorries for using their roads which means that British vehicles have to pay to drive in Europe, while foreign lorries can drive in the UK without paying for the wear and tear they cause on the roads.
Figures released by ACEA show that new commercial vehicle registrations further declined in January (-10.6 per cent), pursuing a downward trend which prevailed throughout 2012.
Recent Plimsoll Analysis reports that the tyre wholesalers and distributors market is “in a healthy state” and on average sales are increasing at 7.9 per cent. Meanwhile margins are sitting at 2.9 per cent and 21 companies are said to be “struggling for survival."
Simon Winstanley has taken over as Michelin’s motorcycle tyre sales manager for the UK and Ireland. Based at the company’s headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, Winstanley will head-up a field sales force of four account managers and one key account manager. With 13 years of experience in the tyre industry, Winstanley has worked in a number of departments at Michelin and has held various marketing and sales roles. His most recent position was as manager of the Michelin customer service centre in Stoke-on-Trent.
Tarox F2000 brake discs have been made available to the Golf GTi Championship, a staple on the MSVR calendar. Competitors can choose to run an OEM style ‘smooth’ disc, or benefit from the improved cooling and pad-facing ability of the Tarox F2000 control option; the choice is left up to the teams. For 2013, competitors can also spec up to the larger 256mm set-up from the later GTi models. A combination, when fitted with a suitably aggressive pad and F2000 disc, that should see lap times falling amongst the quicker cars.
UK motorcycle sales were down 14 per cent in January, compared with the same month last year. According to the National Motorcycle Dealers Association, poor sales can be attributed to the “arctic weather” that affected much of the country during the middle of month.
TEXA is undertaking a tour of key venues throughout the UK in order to showcase its hardware and software products. Texa reports that, “due to the lack of trade shows in the UK” the company has decided to stage a series of events to support customers.
December figures for new commercial vehicle registrations show that Europeans just aren’t buying at the moment. According to information supplied by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, registrations of light commercial vehicles within the European Union dropped 24.3 per cent year-on-year during the month to 103,254 units, while registrations of commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes decreased 22.8 per cent to 19,309 units and heavy trucks (16 tonnes and over) fared little better, decreasing 21.7 per cent year-on-year during the month to 14,267 units. Only bus and coach (over 3.5 tonnes) registrations provided respite from this downward trend, increasing 11.9 per cent year-on-year to 3,262 units in December.
Firenza has established itself as a popular brand in the PCR, UHP and Truck tyre market sectors and also offers an innovative option within the van and light commercial sector with its SV053 pattern.
With temperatures sinking well below freezing and roads around the country dusted with snow, Michelin has found that many UK motorists are still resistant to fitting cold weather tyres to their vehicles. In a survey of motorists, the manufacturer found that 13 per cent of drivers claim not to know of winter tyres’ existence, while even those who may consider fitting cold weather tyres to their vehicle are put off by the cost and inconvenience of having to change their tyres.
The total UK bus and coach market rose 34.2 per cent to 8,102 units in 2012, ending the year on a high. 2012 was a positive year for the overall bus and coach market, with significant growth posted across the sector: Registrations of purpose-built buses and coaches climbed 12.4 per cent in the year, posting 3,811 units. Converted bus registrations rose 62.2 per cent in 2012 to 4,291 units.
Paul Kinkead, Head of Environment and Protection at Michelin’s truck tyre plant in Ballymena, has been awarded an OBE in The New Year’s Honours List for services to environmental protection in Northern Ireland.
A past pupil of Royal School Dungannon and a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Paul Kinkead is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and has worked at Michelin’s Ballymena site since 1986. In 2011, he was appointed to the senior management team with specific responsibility for managing the Environment and Protection Department for the site. He is also the Michelin UK Country Manager for Industrial Hygiene and Chemical Safety.
Burton-based independent fleet management company CBVC Vehicle Management has signed ATS Euromaster to support its tyre management proposition for customers. ATS Euromaster reportedly beat off competition from rival firms to win an initial 25 per cent share of CBVC’s fleet business. The new contract sees ATS Euromaster supplying and fitting tyres to a fleet comprised primarily of cars and vans.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wendy Williamson as Aftermarket Development Manager. She brings a wealth of experience in the aftermarket sector and will take control of SMMT activities from the end of the year when SMMT's current aftermarket expert, Bob Davis, retires.
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