Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
Figures from the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new car registrations continued the positive start to 2016 in February, growing 8.4 per cent compared with the same month in 2015. 83,395 new cars were registered in the month, marking the biggest February since 2004.
Speke-based tyre wholesaler Kirkby Tyres has expanded its operations in Ireland with the appointment of new original equipment business development manager (Ireland). Sean Dougan joins the company following 20 years at Philip White Tyres, giving him “a wealth of experience in the industry,” Kirkby stated.
Delivering his analysis on the motorbike, scooter and moped sector, My Car Check’s Rob Hobson said: “The Triumph Speed Triple has always hit the mark as a fantastic road bike and the 2016 model is the best yet. They’ve improved it in virtually every department, notably in build quality and finish. A well maintained Speed Triple of any age can represent great value. Just check to make sure the one you’re looking at is what it claims to be, especially when buying privately.”
Head of valuation services at My Car Check, Gavin Amos, has named the Honda Civic as his car of the month, saying: “The Honda Civic is often overlooked in favour of the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, but it drives well, competes in terms of emissions and fuel consumption, and can be a great fit for those wanting something a bit different. Check to make sure the one you’re looking at is clear of finance and not previously written-off, especially the very rapid Sport variants.”
The IAAF’s recent Breakfast Network Meeting was a hit with the independent aftermarket, providing members with an update on its latest activity as well as delivering essential advice on retention of title (ROT) and corporate fraud, given the recent increase in fraud cases.
National No Smoking Day falls on 9 March and serves as a reminder of the new law, which bans smoking in vehicles carrying children. Not only is this a timely health warning, but motor industry valuation specialist, cap, warns that smoking in the car can also damage the resale value of vehicles. With this in mind, cap urges car owners to stub out the cigarette for a healthier body and bank balance.
Garage comparison company, The Motorists’ Organisation, has partnered with Gocompare.com to help motorists shop around for car servicing and repairs. Gocompare.com has become the first leading comparison website in the UK to help its customers compare car servicing, MOT and repair providers, via Gocompare.com/car-insurance/services-and-mots/.
GT Automotive has signed up to attend Automechanika Birmingham 2016 to exhibit its full, specialist, product range on stand 9H50, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 7-9 June.
GT Automotive has taken its next step in the UK aftermarket by becoming an IAAF member.
RH Claydon, one of the UK’s leading independent specialist tyre wholesalers, believes its wide range of brands and fitments within its extensive truck tyre portfolio meets the needs and requirements of its customers within the light and heavy bus and truck tyre market. This selection encompasses “premier” to “value” ends of the marketplace, sales & marketing director at the wholesaler, John Parker told Tyres & Accessories, with the brands Annaite, Basoon, Infinity, Lassa and Windpower. The wholesaler has recently extended its delivery reach in one of the more remote regions of the UK, launching a delivery service in Devon and Cornwall.
Tructyre’s ISO audit has shown that its mobile service team assisted more than 20,000 roadside breakdowns in 2015, with an average arrival time of 47.5 minutes year-round. The independent tyre management specialist services a varied range of commercial vehicle fleets, with more than 110 employed technicians and service vehicles operating from 25 depots throughout southern England. The company says it aims to maximise vehicle uptime through an emphasis on proactive prevention.
Commercial tyre retreading specialist and tyre management solutions provider, Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres will showcase its range of Vacu-Lug retread and Westlake truck and bus tyres at the 2016 Commercial Vehicle Show. A wide selection of Westlake’s latest range of truck tyres will be on display, featuring drive, trailer and steer applications, to suit a range of commercial transport needs, including heavy and light truck, waste management and construction. Westlake’s manufacturer, ZC Rubber (AKA Hangzhou Zhongce), recently announced two new commercial vehicle tyres for European markets. Vacu-Lug’s stand will be located at Hall 4, Stand 4H120.
OBO Tyres has marked the fifth anniversary of its retreading brand, Ecotrac, with discounts available on sever Ecotrac models. The manufacturer says its Ecotrac rubber compound, for retreading earthmover, agricultural and transport tyres, was the result of “years of market research,” which have made it “strong, durable and safe”. OBO said it is “proud” of the results, adding that “service and customer satisfaction is of paramount importance.”
Along with Nokian’s admission and apology for “mistakes” in its practices concerning tyre tests, the Finnish tyre manufacturer stated that “several operators in the field… have been suspected or evidence has been presented against them of differences between tyres in magazine tests and tyres that are for sale in stores.” After the Nokian statement’s implication of other tyre manufacturers in malpractice regarding independent tyre testing, Michelin immediately responded by stating categorically that it has “never designed or manufactured tyres specifically for tests conducted by the media, automobile associations or any other organisations.” Tyres & Accessories approached 11 more of the world’s leading manufacturers, many of whose products regularly appear in magazine tests, for their response to the question: Have you ever designed or manufactured tyres specifically for tests conducted by the media, automobile associations or any other organisations? Listed below are their responses.
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Randstad Ltd has unveiled plans for its fifth TerraClean service centre conference, held at the Holiday Inn, Tyne and Wear, on 12 March 2016.
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