Nokian targets Central European growth with renewed winter, all-season tyre range
Nokian Tyres will bring a new portfolio of five new tyres to Central Europe, as the manufacturer targets growth in the region. Calling Central Europe the worlds largest market area for winter tyres, the Finnish manufacturer said that approximately 70 million winter tyres were sold in 2014, meaning the segment is growing faster than the overall market. With the faster growth experienced in some of Europe’s lesser heralded economic nations than in the traditional big five markets, tyre markets are expected to expand, while Nokian also predicts the continued spread of winter tyre legislation. Therefore Central Europe has become one of Nokian’s most important areas for growth.
Continue ReadingMotorcycle market off to a flying start
“It is encouraging to see that the motorcycle market has got off to a positive start, with dealers reporting an 11 per cent increase in January registrations”, said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
Continue ReadingAn influx of imports is making the car tyre market even more competitive
On 27 January the UK economy registered growth of 2.6 per cent in 2014. Of course it has not been the same across Europe, but with record new car registrations in the UK and 32 consecutive months of growth in that figure, you could be forgiven for asking why the UK tyre market came out as flat according to both the sell-in and sell-out measurements in 2014. At the same time it is important to set all this into its wider European context, something which this month’s analysis of the passenger car tyre market attempts to embark on.
Continue ReadingGrowth continues in CV market
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.
Continue ReadingBest January for new car sales for eight years
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.
Continue Reading2014 best year for UK car manufacturing since 2007
SMMT figures show that 1,528,148 cars weremanufactured in the UK in 2014 – a 1.2 per cent increase on the previous year and the best year since 2007. In addition, the strongest December in a decade saw 108,721 cars produced; up 27.1 per cent on December 2013. This growth came despite challenges in some export markets.
Continue ReadingOctober – Warmer weather chokes winter tyre sales; OE truck market weakness continues
Mild weather is responsible for far fewer winter tyres being sold in the European market in October, reports Michelin. Statistics released by the tyre maker show a seven per cent year-on-year decline in replacement market passenger car and light truck tyres in Europe (including Russia and Turkey). This drop in sales follows year-on-year growth of one per cent in the third quarter of the 2014 and was not reflected in the original equipment market, which enjoyed a three per cent year-on-year increase in November. Between the start of the year and 31 October, the original equipment and replacement markets are respectively four per cent and two per cent higher year-on-year.
Continue ReadingOctober CV registrations up 14%
SMMT figures show that commercial vehicle demand grew 27.0 per cent in October to 35,027 units, driving the market up 14.1 per cent to surpass 300,000 units. Truck registrations saw a sharp upturn of 65.7 per cent to 8,457 units, marking the first month of growth for the market in 2014. Year-to-date levels remain down […]
Continue ReadingOctober car sales push yearly figure past two million
SMMT figures reveal that new car registrations jumped 14.2 per cent in October to 179,714 units, marking the 32nd consecutive month of growth. 2,137,910 cars have been registered in the year-to-date – the first time the market has passed two million in October since 2007. Rising demand for alternatively-fuelled vehicles continued, with the market up […]
Continue ReadingMotorcycle sales ‘stable’ in September
“September marked another stable month with a 6.4 per cent growth for the motorcycle market.” said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK. In total, 757 more machines were registered in September 2014 than in September 2013, however it was expected there would have been a higher demand on the back of the new 14-plate change.
Continue ReadingTyre unit sales stabilised amongst ETRMA members during Q3 2014
Unit sales for tyre makers belonging to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association were stable in on-road segments during the third quarter of 2014, while the agricultural segment experienced a year-on-year decline. Unit sales of passenger car tyres increased 1.4 per cent to 58,409,000 pieces, a development the ETRMA attributes to a growth in new car registrations. Commercial vehicle tyre unit sales remained relatively flat, declining only 0.23 per cent to 2,552,000 pieces, while two-wheeler tyre sales were up 0.90 per cent to 1,797,000 units. The only area of the market where ETRMA members saw major movement was in the agricultural segment, and this was movement of the unwelcome variety, as unit sales dropped 8.97 per cent to 386,000 pieces.
Continue ReadingRegistration plate change boosts September car sales
The SMMT’s new car registration figures for September show that sales were up 5.6 per cent; the biggest September since 2004. The new ‘64’ number plate boosted volumes, with September marking the 31st consecutive month of growth in the new car market.
Continue ReadingMid-range online brand value growing
French manufacturer Michelin has won our global online tyre brand value rankings for the seventh consecutive year. However, while Michelin deserves credit for the unparalleled achievement. This year’s research also shows significant growth from Korean manufacturers/mid-range brands. Tyres & Accessories once again partnered with NetNames, a partnership that this year celebrates its 10th set of annual results and 10 years of assessing tyre brands’ online prominence and sentiment.
Continue ReadingEU CV registrations rise in July and August
Figures from ACEA show that, in July, demand for new commercial vehicles in the EU increased by 9.5 per cent. The French market was down by 6.7 per cent, while Germany (+3.4 per cent), Italy (+23.7 per cent), Spain (+24.5 per cent) and the UK (+25.9 per cent) contributed positively to the overall upturn. In […]
Continue Reading30th consecutive month of growth in UK car registrations – SMMT
Traditionally a fallow month ahead of the introduction of new plates, August has continued the trend of new car registration growth in the UK. Announcing the figures, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that 72,163 new cars were registered in August, a 9.4 per cent rise on August 2013 and the 30th consecutive month of growth. Anticipation is now growing for September, usually a far busier month on the back of the plate change.
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