“Widespread Confusion” on Winter Tyres & Insurance: ATS Euromaster
ATS Euromaster has issued the following comment in response to reports of insurance companies charging drivers a premium for fitting cold weather tyres to their cars / vans:
Winter Tyres
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Hofmann Megaplan Gives Away Changer, Moves, Fits Winter Tyres
NewsHofmann Megaplan has given away one of its megamount Smart lever-less tyre changers to Mill Tyres of Boston, Lincolnshire, the latter having won the company’s Brityrex 2010 prize-draw. The Smart can handle rims up to 30” in diameter, and is specifically targeted at “tough rim and tyre combinations”, including runflats, according to Hofmann Megaplan.
Match-mounting “Removes Unwanted Vibrations”: Pro-Align
NewsLeading wheel alignment and wheel service equipment specialist Pro-Align is offering an advanced wheel balancer and tyre changer combination designed to solve the most difficult wheel vibration issues. “The majority of difficult vibration issues occur as a result of stiff spots within the tyre wall,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align. “These variations mean the tyre does not roll in a uniform manner and vibrations occur. However, as the stiff spots can only be detected under load, they cannot be identified on traditional wheel balancers. This means technicians rely on luck rather than correct diagnosis to solve issues.”
Interest in Volvo Winter Tyre Programme “Exceeded Expectations”
NewsCar maker Volvo reports sales of more than a thousand winter tyres since its Winter Tyre Programme was launched in the UK in October. “Interest in the Volvo winter tyres has far exceeded our expectations, with Scotland, the North of England and London seeing the greatest number of inquires and sales,” stated Lee Berrell, Aftersales manager for Volvo Car UK. “While some are struggling with supply, we pre-ordered a large number of tyres to ensure all Volvo customers can be catered for, even into the New Year."
Winter Tyres – an iPhone First from Conti
NewsTyre fanatics now have a winning justification for purchasing an iPhone – Continental has announced that the first tyre race game for the darling of the smartphone world is now available for free downloading from the iTunes Store. Called the ContiTireRace, the aim of the game is to take the racetrack with ContiWinterContact TS 830 as quickly as possible, along the way collecting points that give the rolling tyres additional speed and thus better lap times. The app is available in English and German.
The Ultimate In Cold Weather Tyres?
News14th December 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen reaching the South Pole, just ahead of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. To mark the occasion, Extreme World Races is staging the EWR Centenary Race to the South Pole, in what it describes as "the ultimate off-road test", with winds up to 80 mph and temperatures as low as -56ºC in the coldest, driest and highest desert on earth.
Transport Minister & Winter Tyres: “A Complete Lack of Understanding”
NewsWhile we appreciate tyres getting a mention in the House of Commons yesterday, it is regrettable that our Secretary of State for Transport hadn’t studied up on the subject beforehand. During a speech intended to reassure that last winter’s ‘big freeze’ mayhem would not be repeated this year, no less a person than the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP questioned their suitability for the UK and told parliament that “winter tyres wear out very quickly on normal road surfaces” – a feature that would be a major disadvantage for the cold weather product, were it true.
Tyre Industry Criticises Winter Tyre Insurance Hikes
NewsFollowing a article in this week’s Auto Express magazine claiming that some insurers regard the fitting of winter tyres as a vehicle modification, resulting in high insurance premiums for drivers, tyre industry representatives (including TyreSafe, NTDA and Roadsafe) have voiced the concern and disappointment.
“Many independent tests have proven that winter weather tyres are the safest option for drivers throughout the entire winter period, not just when we have snowfall and ice,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “To penalise drivers for taking a positive step to improve their safety on the road seems absurd. With the high number of drivers still being killed or injured in tyre related accidents each year, we should be actively encouraging responsible behaviour, such as the fitting of winter tyres.”
Pro-Align Maintains Service Through Winter with Seasonal Tyre Fitment
NewsLeading wheel alignment specialist Pro-Align, has fitted its fleet of service and sales vehicles with winter tyres for the first time. The company says this should help maintain the high levels of support and assistance, whatever the weather this coming winter. By fitting winter tyres, Pro-Align says it aims to maintain its maximum 48-hour response times for any service breakdowns while ensuring its drivers remain safe on the road.
Dutch Winter Tyre Rise Points Way for UK: ATSE
NewsWhile it is widely known that the UK’s winter tyres market will receive a bump this year – indeed, the question is now not whether there will be an increase in sales, but how large the increase can be, given the limitations of supply – a consensus seems to be forming that there will be room for greater future growth, given the performance of the segment in countries of similar climates. ATS Euromaster has contributed to this opinion today, stating that the results of a Dutch survey into road traffic accidents show that UK fleets would be safer if they fitted cold weather tyres. The survey by traffic psychologist Adriaan Heino revealed that cars with cold weather tyres were involved in significantly less accidents during winter than those which remained on ‘summer’ tyres.
Ford Helps Drivers Keep a Grip in Winter with Pirelli
NewsJoining the list of vehicle manufacturers endorsing cold weather tyres in the UK is Ford, who is teaming up with Pirelli to help drivers nationwide “avoid any slip-ups” this winter. And the two companies seem certain that British motorists can benefit from winter tyres – Ford and Pirelli reckon more than 30 days with average temperatures sitting below seven degrees Celsius await us between January 1 and February 28, yet should their forecasting talents be found wanting the companies will refund half the tyres’ cost. Any customer buying four Pirelli cold weather tyres through a participating Ford dealer before December 31, 2010 is eligible to register his or her details and receive a 50 per cent refund on the tyres’ purchase price if the weather proves to be warmer.
Fleet Software – a Tool for Evaluating Winter Tyres
NewsThis season’s talking point is shaping up to be winter tyres and what pros and cons are attached to them. In order to provide its customers with some clarity on the issue, Mycompanyfleet, the automotive software division of human resources services provider NorthgateArinso, has outlined the means by which fleet operators can effectively evaluate their need for winter tyres.
Winter Tyres – it’s Decision Time, says Kwik-Fit Fleet
NewsIn the weeks since the September launch of its first winter tyre programme, Kwik-Fit Fleet has reported considerable demand. At present the fast-fitter is fitting more than 2,200 winter tyres a week and soon demand may outstrip supply in Britain’s previously sluggish winter tyre market. And with demand for tyres increasing globally, supplying our market with sufficient fresh stocks may prove no mean feat.
Etyres Strengthens National Online Tyres Network
NewsOnline tyres company etyres says that it is strengthening its nationwide coverage and continuing to grow at a rapid rate, despite the challenging economic climate. etyres has reported a steep rise in the number of new branches launching across the UK.
The intensified growth of the company has led to a strengthening of its nationwide coverage. The consolidation of its network is also enhancing the service provided to thousands of customers every week, says the company.
Goodyear Dunlop Survey Shows a “Divided Europe” as Winter Looms
NewsWhile most German and Polish drivers make preparations for the bleak midwinter, Goodyear Dunlop says the only response from the west and south of Europe is often to “hope and pray the snow will stay away.” Snow has already fallen in parts of the country and the European Centre for Medium Range Forecasting predicts temperatures colder than average for this winter, yet despite warnings of another big freeze coming our way, a recent survey held for the tyre maker reveals a “Europe divided” between those countries who are switching to winter tyres and those that think they can weather the storm. More than half of French and Belgian drivers, two thirds of Spanish and three quarters of British drivers admitted they would not use winter tyres.
