Goodyear is supplying some of the most vaunted vehicles at this week’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The 2013 Ram 1500 and the Tesla Model S have been honoured in two very different categories, though Goodyear supplies the standard tyres on both models.
Exhibition organiser ECI International has confirmed that tyre and workshop equipment exhibition Tyrexpo Africa will return to the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 4-6 March 2014. Managing director, Paul Farrant, said: “We are delighted to confirm that Tyrexpo Africa will once again be returning to the Sandton Convention Centre, which has proved to be an excellent host venue for the show since it was first launched in 2006.
With Apollo Vredestein’s Enschede factory continuing to expand, and with the Indian parent company having invested around 100 million euros in the European company since the 2009 acquisition, Tyres & Accessories took advantage of its recent visit to Enschede for the opening of Apollo’s new global R&D centre and also have a look at the latest developments at the Dutch tyre factory.
There are reports from the North American International Auto Show, (Detroit, Jan 14 – 27) that Volkswagen will decide this year whether to introduce a new budget brand aimed at developing markets.
If the company decides to go ahead, it would almost certainly start in China, where VW recorded a near-25 per cent increase in sales to a total of 2.15 million in 2012. But India and other new markets such as Mexico could also be targets for a low-cost VW brand.
With parts of the UK having experienced their first significant snowfalls, and forecasts predicting up to three weeks of winter weather, Vauxhall offers a solution to keep vehicles moving safely through the snow.
"Up to one thousand independent forecourt sites will be wiped out by new supermarket forecourts by 2017 unless the Government takes action" said Brian Madderson Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) Chairman.
The PRA report commissioned from Christie & Co looked at the planning applications for new petrol filling stations between 2009 and the third quarter of 2012. It found that an average of 40 supermarket forecourts were being granted permission each year, and Steve Rodell, director and head of Retail at Christie & Co said: "If applications continue at the same rate, and there is no reason to believe that will not be the case, there will be another 160 supermarket sites by the end of 2016.
After two consecutive years of modest growth in total tyre unit sales, European tyre makers are reporting double digits drops across the board in 2012. While previous market growth can be qualified by the fact that the increases came despite a decrease of ETRMA member market share, it is clear that the economic crisis is far from being over.
One of the UK’s leading vehicle leasing and fleet management companies, Zenith has hosted the Michelin Fill Up With Air roadshow to educate its employees about the importance of regular tyre inspections. The leasing company is running an environmental campaign designed to significantly reduce its carbon emissions while encouraging safer driving. Its new environmental awareness initiative is part of its CSR policy encouraging all employees to play their part in reducing carbon emissions. The business manages more than 38,000 vehicles across the UK.
Exhaust manufacturer Milltek used the occasion of Autosport International to reveal the car in which its team will compete during the 2013 UK Time Attack Championship. Having won the 2012 Club Classes with a Nissan GT-R in the hands of driver Richard Marshall, the Milltek team will return to its VW Group roots with a prepared VW Golf GTI Mk6, as it goes head to head with the reigning Club Pro 2WD class champion, Bo Nielsen in his Astra VXR Coupe.
Continental AG reports that 2012 was another record year for the automotive supplier. Despite slumping auto markets in Europe, the corporation reports in preliminary figures that it boosted 2012 sales by more than 7 per cent to approximately 32.7 billion euros. At around 10.7 per cent, the adjusted EBIT margin topped the previous year's figure of 10.1 per cent.
Several media outlets plus supporting information from Tyres & Accessories’ own sources are reporting that at least two private equity firms are preparing considering bids for Warburg Pincus LLC's majority stake in Alliance Tire Group (ATG). The potential deal is said to be valued at around US$400 million.
Apollo Tyres Ltd has opened a global R&D centre in Enschede, the Netherlands as well as a global branding centre in London, UK. Opened just days apart, the two moves follow earlier commitments to put European activities in the driving seat for passenger car tyre development and, in company chairman Onkar S Kanwar’s words, to fuse the company’s three cultures into one team. Hints towards increased OE activity and the potential of a more international investor base are also evident.
Bosal UK, which is best known as an exhaust manufacturer but also makes roof racks and towbards, has entered administration. Various news sources report that calling in the administrators follows the recent confirmation of a contract to supply Land Rover with the exhaust systems for its popular Evoque model.
On 11 January 2013, the company issued a statement appointing Phillip Duffy and David Whitehouse of Duff & Phelps Ltd, Manchester as administrators in a move that follows “a decade of strong support for Bosal UK from its owners in the face of a mix of factors which over time increasingly impacted on its viability”.
Six months after appointing Andrew Huntly as business development director, Halfords Autocentres is continuing to drive its fleet and affiliate business with the addition of two further BDMs. The new appointments bring Halfords Autocentres’ fleet account handling complement to six, demonstrating the business’ willingness to invest in the sector as part of ambitious growth targets.
TyreSafe has announced that GiTi Tire has become its first new member in 2013. The company’s managing director – Europe Richard Lyons said that GiTi was demonstrating its commitment to customers’ safety and its products’ quality by joining the organisation. TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson pronounced himself “delighted to welcome GiTi Tire on board as a key member”. TyreSafe will continue to run a number of campaigns targeting wider awareness of tyre safety, including October’s Tyre Safety Month. The organisation’s major focus this year is on promoting tyre safety to young drivers, following its high-profile demonstrations of the hidden dangers of part-worn tyres.
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