The European Automotive Manufacturers’ Association has confirmed what we already knew – last year commercial vehicle registrations plummeted. According to ACEA figures, new registrations of commercial vehicles was down 32.4 per cent compared with 2008, and this downturn affected all segments and all countries represented by the organisation. In total, 1,706,996 vehicles were registered throughout the year.
In defiance of recession trends, Kwik-Fit Fleet has reported record sales, a phenomenon it attributes to an increased use of its range of services, notably mechanical work, by ‘value-for-money focused’ companies. The fast-fit firm also has benefited from companies lengthening fleet replacement cycles since the onset of the recession, which has led to increasing demand for a variety of replacement parts, including tyres. As a result, Kwik-Fit Fleet reported a 10.4 per cent rise in sales in 2009 – up to £203.6 million from the £184.4 million recorded in 2008 – due to MoTs on company cars and vans increasing 89.7 per cent year-on-year and fleet vehicle servicing rising 54.2 per cent.
Snap-on Equipment, whose brands include Hofmann, John Bean, Cartec and Blackhawk, has invested in a new nine-strong fleet of Vauxhall Vivaro customer service vans. Providing mainland UK-wide coverage, Snap-on Equipment’s specialist engineers offer installation, calibration, servicing and training for the company’s entire garage equipment portfolio.
New figures show that, of vehicles first used in 2004, the Toyota Corolla has the lowest failure rate – just 11.2 per cent. The Ford Transit Connect had the highest failure rate at 30.5 per cent, followed by the Renault Megane at 28.1 per cent and the Ford Transit at 26.3 per cent. This data refers to 2007 MOT results. VOSA is expected to publish statistics for 2008 and 2009 later this year, and then each year in the future.
Online grocer Ocado has decided to fit its entire 600 plus fleet of delivery vans with cold weather tyres. The company, launched in partnership with Waitrose in 2002 and delivering to an area covering more than 13.5 million households across the South Coast, South East, Midlands and North West, will now be equipped to handle its growing deliveries even when the mercury plunges. The cost of equipping the fleet with winter rubber is approximately £300,000.
ATS Euromaster has taken delivery of 44 new 3.5 tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, after investing £1.7 million in increasing the size of its car fitting by roughly 25 per cent. According to the company, the new vehicles will be used to support “the increased demand for mobile fitments which has been driven primarily by the FN50 [top 50 UK contract hire and leasing companies]”, a sector in which ATS Euromaster has reportedly increased its share from 18 to 28 per cent over the last 18 months.
A mix of fleet additions and replacements, the new long wheelbase Sprinters see the dedicated ‘car’ fleet grow to 128 units, supported by a further 200 dual-purpose mobiles which are equipped to fit both car and commercial vehicle tyres.
In the New Year Kwik-Fit Fleet is expanding its range of services with launch of its Vehicle Health Checks – a service it says will help companies comply with duty of care legislation. Specifically, Kwik-Fit Fleet says the checks are being launched to meet fleet customer demand to help them with their occupational road risk management compliance obligations under health and safety legislation. The company is already operating a pilot scheme with two fleet customers ahead of the planned January 2010 roll out of the service for both outright purchase fleets and contract hire and leasing companies.
Waste and environmental management specialist Focsa Services UK has selected an all Michelin policy, and the tyre maker reports this move away from budget brands is increasing tyre life amongst Focsa fleet vehicles and reducing tyre related breakdowns. The Focsa agreement covers it mixed fleet of vehicles, which ranges from vans and road sweepers through to 32 tonne refuse collection vehicles. All are being switched to Michelin tyres following trials at a number of the company’s operating centres.
Uniroyal has launched a new tyre for MPVs and light vans – the RainMax 2. According to the company, the tread pattern on this new rain tyre has been completely re-developed to ensure “safe, economical performance on both wet and dry roads.” New design features centre on a 17 per cent shorter wet braking distance the than that of the previous model.
The terms of the Government’s revised scrappage scheme, which includes provision for replacing vans, comes into force today (22 October). In September it was announced that an extra £100 million was proposed for the Government’s scrappage scheme bringing the total budget to £400 million and covering up to 400,000 vehicles in total. The scheme will end in February 2010 or when the funding runs out, whichever is sooner.
The key change to the policy is that van owners looking to trade in their vehicles will now be able to scrap their 8-year-old van instead of the previous 10-year requirement. Car owners must trade in vehicles registered on or before 29 Feb 2000 (V registration).
Arguably sounding like the nation’s biggest second-hand car salesman, business secretary Lord Mandelson said: “Consumers and businesses looking for a new vehicle should make the most of the scrappage scheme now…but it has to end when the funding runs out.”
Barry Shaddick Tyres is celebrating two decades of providing a tyre supply, fitting and repair service to commercial vehicle operators across the South of England and Wales. Since opening the doors on its Bristol premises in 1989 the company has developed into a network of eight depots, from which 48 service vans provide a highly responsive service, including 24/7 roadside assistance.
A fleet audit highlighting opportunities to improve business has led PHS All Clear and sister company PHS Wastetech to entrust their tyre related needs to ATS Euromaster. The West Sussex based waste management and collection companies will now utilise ATS Euromaster’s fully-managed service package for the management of tyre requirements across its nationwide fleet of 314 trucks, vans and cars.
Following business secretary, Peter Mandelson’s announcement that the UK government will be extending its car scrappage scheme to February 2010, as well as including van owners in those eligible for scrappage discounts, the auto director at ‘Big Four’ professional services firm, KPMG has said that he welcomes the government’s support for the industry:
The UK government is to extend the successful “bangers for cash” scrappage scheme until February 2010 with £100 million in extra funding. Alongside the increased funding the government will work with manufacturers to extend the benefits to van owners with vehicles over 8 years old rather than the current 10 year requirement. Car owners will also get a boost, with the age qualification changed by 6 months to extend the benefits to cars registered on or before 29 Feb 2000 (V registration). The scheme will come to an end in February 2010 or when the funding runs out, which ever is sooner.
So far 227,750 orders have been placed through the scheme. The increased funding enables the scheme to fund a further 100,000 vehicles, bringing total budget to £400 million and covering up to 400,000 vehicles in total. The extension continues as a government and manufacturer partnership, with matched funding providing the £2,000 discount for each scrappage order.
Announcing the news Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “The sector has been strongly affected by the recession, but the scrappage scheme has delivered a boost to manufacturers and the supply chain. We have listened to the concerns of manufacturers and are increasing the funding of the scheme to £400 million.”
The Romanian Mediafax business publication is reporting that Michelin Romania’s majority shareholder, Michelin Group subsidiary Compagnie Financiere Michelin, is considering injecting 510 million Romanian lei (£109 million; 120 million euros) into the company by cash contribution. According to the report, the shareholders will discuss the issue on 16 October. Michelin Romania currently has a share capital of 439 million lei, which would mean the reported cash injection would more than double share capital.
Michelin has been operating in Romania since 2001, and currently owns three factories, namely Victoria Floresti, which produces tyres for cars and vans, Silvania Zalau, which produces truck and industrial tyres, and RomSteel Cord, which produces metallic cord. Michelin Romania is 99.6 per cent owned by Compagnie Financiere Michelin.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
