News
EAG and A1 Motor Stores announce supply deal
Excel Automotive Group (EAG) has agreed terms with A1 Motor Stores for the distribution of its own-branded wheel bearing kits, Suplex coil springs and Champion wiper blades.
Pothole poll highlights dissatisfaction in UK road network
As we have just passed the fifth Annual ‘National Pothole Day’ on 15 January in the UK, a poll shows almost half of UK residents think the state of repair in UK roads has reached ‘crisis’ point.
New Textar brake pad for DAF applications
Premium commercial vehicle braking brand Textar has launched a new brake pad kit for DAF applications. Featuring original equipment (OE) Pro TecS technology, the new pad – part number 2927804 – comes complete with an OE approved accessory kit and features a wear indicator, heatshield and retaining clips.
Switching gears is easier with a clean transmission
EDT Automotive, the engine decontamination specialist, is encouraging garages to advise their customers of the benefits of keeping their vehicles’ transmissions clean. According to managing director David Holmes: “There are plenty of fluids running throughout your vehicle, each one working to keep the car in running condition. One of the most important fluids to keep track of, however, is your transmission fluid."
NFDA welcomes EV charging infrastructure investment
The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced that Government funding for the installation of chargepoints on residential streets next year will be doubled to £10 million. According to the Government, “this could fund up to another 3,600 chargepoints across the country”.
Jon Butcher appointed MD of Formula One Autocentres
Formula One Autocentres has appointed Jon Butcher as its new managing director. The long-standing employee started as a tyre technician at its second depot in Rayleigh in 1987. Butcher climbed the ranks to become assistant manager, then manager, area manager and general manager before joining the board as sales director in 2005.
Nynas showing low rolling resistance oil benefits at Tire Technology
Nynas is attending Tire Technology Expo in Hannover, Germany, 25-27 February 2020 where the company is showing how tyres made with Nynas oils provide “low rolling resistance, reducing energy losses and fuel consumption, while maintaining wet grip for improved control on snow and ice.” Performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres will also be examined in a presentation by Technical Advisor Dr. Kamyar Alavi, entitled “Get a grip: performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres.”
Cooper scores 100% on 2020 Corporate Equality Index
Cooper Tire has received a score of 100 per cent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and has been designated as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ equality in the workplace.
Magnum+ gains TUV approval
Following the company’s recent acquisition of high-precision tyre balancing solution Magnum+, Martins Industries sent the system’s tempered glass beads to TÜV SÜD for testing. The tests were performed in December 2019 and the results that came later in January have confirmed that Magnum+ is approved for safety of the tyre, valves, TPMS.
Yokohama ends Chelsea shirt sponsorship
While Yokohama has ended its Chelsea shirt sponsorship after “five very successful years”, the Japanese tyre manufacturer will continue its relationship with the premiership team as Official Global Tyre Partner.
Global light vehicle sales low, further decline expected for 2020
In 2019, global light vehicle (LV) sales were at their lowest point since 2015, at 89.8 million, which was 4.8 per cent down on 2018’s 94.3 million total. December’s sales of 8.15 million were 2.3 per cent lower than in December 2018, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Bridgestone ‘sowing seeds’ after ‘best’ LAMMA
Bridgestone says it is “sowing the seeds for a busy season of sales amongst farmers and contractors, following what it describes as its “best ever” showing at LAMMA. Agriculture sales manager Stephen Lamb and his team presented the features of the manufacturer’s premium VT-Tractor range. With spring drilling planned for the coming weeks and months, and the UK’s wet weather causing headaches, the VT range offsets the worst that these elements can throw at farmers as it can operate at lower inflation pressures. With much larger footprints, the wettest and boggiest of land is still protected as a result.
New uprated performance clutch kit introduced by National Auto Parts
National Auto Parts has launched its first ever uprated performance clutch kit, with plans to continue to develop the range throughout 2020.
Sobering autonomous vehicles attitudes slash forecasts – GlobalData
CES in 2020 saw much more measured attitudes towards autonomous vehicles (AVs) than in previous years. As AV developers move beyond the technical hype and begin to tackle the immense challenge of putting safe self-driving vehicles on the road, many have realised that this goal will take more investment and more time to reach than previously thought, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.