Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
As the government announces another quarter’s casualty figures some four months after the quarter end, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) calls on the government to investigate casualty data far more rigorously and to ensure openness and honesty amongst all bodies concerned.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed the publishing of the Ricardo report that highlights the current difficulties faced by the trade in obtaining access to Repair and Maintenance Information (RMI) and the repercussions this has throughout the supply chain.
In Germany, as elsewhere in Europe, the average age of cars on the road is increasing. The TÜV Report 2014 shows that one car in seven has defective suspension. According to Dekra, 20 per cent of all technical defects which lead to an accident are still attributable to the suspension. For this reason, suspension specialist Bilstein recommends that shock absorbers be checked regularly and replaced when necessary in an auto workshop. To restore 100 per cent driving safety, shocks and springs should always be replaced in pairs on each axle.
The commercial vehicle market continues growth for the ninth consecutive month, up 23.2 per cent to 24,567 units, according to the latest figures from the SMMT.
SMMT figures on new car registrations showed a positive start to the year as the numbers grew 6.7 per cent in January to 164,856 units – the strongest January since 2007.
Former HiQ retail director, Farrell Dolan has been appointed Bridgestone’s new north Europe consumer sales and marketing director. Having spent a month with Bridgestone already, Dolan is optimistic about the coming year, expressing his excitement about the company’s potential. He said that he had been impressed by the sales team’s knowledge and professionalism, as well as the Firestone brand’s mid-range proposition. Dolan joins new managing director Robin Shaw at the helm of Bridgestone’s activities in the north Europe region during a period of reorganisation following a number of retirements and departures, including former MD John McNaught.
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Milltek has released detailed specs on its all-new system for the VW Golf GTi MkII 8 valve. The car, which is considered increasingly collectible, is the latest to get an upgrade under the Milltek Classic banner; a re-engineered range of classic car exhausts for some of the most iconic retro cars. Milltek says its Golf solution offers “a full ‘front to back’ tuning upgrade, bringing weight savings, aesthetic improvements and power gains along the way.”
Drive DMACK, the current WRC 2 teams world champion run by the authorised tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship, will defend its title in 2015 with two Ford Fiesta R5s. Returning driver Jari Ketomaa will start at Rally Sweden, while Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy winner Sander Pärn will make the step up to WRC 2 at Rally Portugal. In terms of its tyre supply deal, Dmack said that it will provide a complete range of upgraded tyres this season, featuring evolved construction and compound specifications to boost performance across all surfaces.
Yokohama has signed a deal to become the official tyre supplier for the 2015 Top Gear Live UK Tour. Yokohama tyres will be used on all vehicles featured during the five-venue tour. Commenting, Yokohama HPT Ltd managing director David Seward said: “I am delighted that Yokohama has been confirmed as official tyre supplier for the 2015 Top Gear Live UK Tour. The series of events really brings the television series to life and I am sure that our products will deliver the performance that the drivers require on every level.”
Exhaust manufacturer Milltek has excited classic and retro car enthusiasts everywhere with the launch of its Milltek Classic range. Having been at the very front of exhaust tuning for well over three decades, Milltek’s engineers have used their extensive experience to re-define and redesign a carefully chosen selection of newly engineered systems for key classic cars.
David Gauke MP, financial secretary to the Treasury, has written to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) in response to the RMI’s pre-autumn statement submission.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning that despite 50 years of seat belt laws, far too many drivers and passengers are still putting themselves and others in great danger by not wearing seat belts. The first seat belt law came into force in January 1965, which saw all new cars in the UK required to have seat belt anchorage points on the outer front seats – and paved the way for far-reaching compulsory seat belt wearing laws in the decades after.
Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 with a car developed and built entirely at its technical centre in Cologne. Over the next two years TMG will continue its test programme with the Yaris WRC in preparation for a return to the series in which it won four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ world championships in the 1990s.
Škoda has produced their 17 millionth vehicle. The jubilee car – a Škoda Rapid Spaceback in ‘Corrida Red’ – ran off the production line at the Škoda headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The vehicle is going to a customer in Germany. This production milestone is a highlight of the Czech carmaker’s successful growth strategy. In 2014 Škoda manufactured and sold more than 1 million cars for the first time during a single year in the company’s 120-year history. Over the coming years, Škoda plans to increase sales to at least 1.5 million per year.
Maxam Tire, the specialist manufacturer of OTR and industrial tyres, has launched a new version of its app for all devices working under the Android system, such as Smartphones, Tablets and Phablets. It complements the existing Maxam app for iPad and incorporates the same features.
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