Company News
USA price increase for Pirelli car/light truck tyres
Prices for Pirelli car and light truck tyres sold in the US market will rise from 1 January 2019. Pirelli says the increase will be up to six per cent on average; it says it is implementing the new pricing in response to higher raw materials prices and “growing investment in the development of new technologically advanced products.”
UK News
October motorcycle sales ‘disappointing’ say dealers
Commenting on the latest figure released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association, Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK, said: “Following September’s modest growth, it was disappointing to see the new motorcycle market decline by -2 per cent in October. Positively, the market is still above 2017’s levels on a year to date basis”.
Product News
Sporty drivers choose Liqui Moly
The drivers of sporty vehicles spend a lot on their four-wheeled friend. Only the best is good enough, including motor oil. And for the readers of the German magazine "Sport Auto", that is once again Liqui Moly. In a survey, almost 75 percent of participants chose the oil "Made in Germany". Marketing Director Peter Baumann: "The crystal clear result and the repeat of last year's success are a motivation for the last quarter."
International News
Hella promotes intelligent mobility infrastructure in Beijing
Hella, the lighting and electronics specialist is participating in a consortium initiated by the Chinese automobile manufacturer BAIC to develop an intelligent mobility infrastructure in Beijing. This includes communication between vehicles and their environment, via traffic lights equipped with sensor technologies, for example. A total of thirteen international and Chinese technology companies are involved in the non-exclusive cooperation.
Career Tracks
Schaeffler to reorganise UK business
The global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler, which employs over 92,000 people worldwide, proposes to reorganise its UK business activities as part of its excellence programme “Agenda 4 plus One”. This programme includes a global footprint initiative that is examining the strategic and economic competitiveness and long-term sustainability of all Schaeffler locations worldwide. As part of this initiative the Executive Board has decided to reorganise its activities in the UK.
Motorsport News
CST to roll out new off-road motorcycle tyre pairings at EICMA
CST will launch two new off-road tyre pairings at the EICMA motorcycle expo. At its stand at the Milan, Italy trade show, attendees will be able to see the enduro racing CM-723/724 and the motocross oriented CM-733/734. Both pairs aim to offer a competitive mix of performance characteristics and affordability.
Retreading News
Port Express signs Vacu-Lug Tyre Management for compliance, efficiency
UK container transport service company Port Express has selected Vacu-Lug Tyre Management as its dedicated tyre management solutions partner. The company operates a fleet of more than 90 vehicles and 150 dedicated trailers from its depots in Felixstowe, Southampton and Birmingham. Port Express will utilise Vacu-Lug’s Tyre Rescue service to reduce downtime.
Comment
Amazon’s increasingly influential role in tyre sales
This year Amazon really stepped up its presence in the tyre space, especially in the USA where the company is now dominant across online retail in general. To be specific, a whopping 50 per cent of everything bought online is from Amazon. But these figures are not just an American phenomenon. In the UK, 33 per cent of online retail is conducted through Amazon. This makes Amazon the fifth biggest retailer in the UK, just behind the big supermarkets. The point is that, now we know Amazon is moving into the tyre space, anything that is happening in the US has resonance in the UK market as well.