News
£94m lost following discontinuation of car tax discs
The abolition of tax discs has led to soaring numbers of unlicensed vehicles and an unpaid tax bill of £94 million, as reported in the DfT’s 2019 survey on Vehicle Excise Duty evasion.
Wheel cylinders enter National programme
National Auto Parts has launched a new range of wheel cylinders for the automotive aftermarket, with an initial range of 100 part numbers covering the most popular vehicles in the UK. The competitively priced programme is made to OE specifications, with further range extensions planned in 2020.
Borg & Beck classic clutch range has 200+ applications
With more than a century’s worth of original equipment (OE) heritage when it comes to the design and manufacture of clutch systems and components, Borg & Beck is an iconic brand. As it was the original supplier of clutch to the majority of British-built vehicles dating back to the 1930s, it should come as no surprise that Borg & Beck’s classic clutch range has become the go to option for classic car enthusiasts.
Key appointment to lead Ricardo focus on innovation
Mike Bell has joined Ricardo plc as chief innovation officer (CINO) to spearhead the company’s forward plans on future product, technology and service innovation
Autoparts Garage Equipment launches TPMS starter kit
Autoparts Garage Equipment (AGE) has launched a TPMS Starter Kit. With a high number of vehicles now fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), there is a requirement for TPMS sensors to be serviced regularly to prevent faults. Furthermore, a faulty TPMS sensor can result in an MOT failure.
Warwick University: Want safer car battery transportation? Freeze them
Currently transporting damaged and defective car batteries is an expensive process as they need to be placed in an explosion proof box which costs thousands of pounds, however researchers from WMG at the University of Warwick in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover engineers have been able to freeze batteries with Liquid Nitrogen.
UK new car market falls -1.3% in November
The UK new car market fell -1.3% in November, with 156,621 models registered, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In November, the decline was driven primarily by weak private demand, registrations down -6.1%, while the business market also fell, down -3.2%, but fleet registrations fared better, up 2.8%. For the second consecutive month, total alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) registrations reached a record market share, with more than one in 10 cars joining UK roads either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – equivalent to 16,052 cars.
Terratoura leading new generation of Davanti tyres
Davanti reports that its strong recent growth “showed no signs of slowing in 2019” as the company launched its Terratoura all-terrain tyre. But, according to the company, Terratoura is just the first of a wave of next-generation projects the brand is working on.
Tyremakers among 52 automotive suppliers in US$23 million antitrust settlement
Tyre manufacturers Toyo, Bridgestone and Continental are amongst the 52 automotive suppliers that paid a total of $23 million in settlements for antitrust law violations in California, USA.
PCL’S helps distributors restock
Busy distributors with frequent orders of tyre inflation and compressed air products have given PCL’s new online portal the seal of approval. The easy to navigate system at www.pcl-online.com allows distributors to log in to their account and place bulk and one-off orders for next day delivery, removing the need for lengthy, time-consuming emails listing each item by part number.
Vredestein exhibiting at LAMMA 2020
Vredestein has chosen the largest British farm machinery, equipment and service show, LAMMA 2020 (NEC Birmingham, 7/8 January) to introduce the newest addition to its agricultural range, the Traxion 65 tyre, to the UK market. Vredestein will also show the Traxion XXL tested by independent German test institute DGL (and the test results) together with LAMMA 2019 Innovation Awards ‘Driven Innovation’ winner, the Traxion Optimall.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres considering Indonesia factory
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd (DATL) is planning to invest 1 trillion rupiah (£54.14 million; 64 million euros; US$70.92 million) in an aircraft tyre retreading factory in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia. According to several local news sources, the retreading factory will be followed by a new aircraft tyre production plant as well.
Tire Industry Project published ELT report
On 4 December 2019 the Tire Industry Project (TIP) published its 2019 report on the global End-of-Life Tyre (ELT) business.
Pirelli presents Paolo Roversi’s ‘Looking for Juliet’ 2020 Calendar in Verona
Pirelli has launched the 2020 edition of The Cal. Paolo Roversi’s “Looking for Juliet” was presented to the public today at Verona’s Teatro Filarmonico. Taking its inspiration, and location setting from Shakespeare’s play, the photographer said that he wanted to capture the “Juliet that exists in every woman.” The 47th Pirelli calendar features Claire Foy, Mia Goth, Chris Lee, Indya Moore, Rosalía, Stella Roversi, Yara Shahidi, Kristen Stewart, and Emma Watson.
Goodyear and Halfords moves represent the virtualization of the tyre distribution chain
The ongoing effects of import tariffs, Brexit uncertainty and structural changes in the distribution chain have all affected the tyre business this year. As well as featuring the latest motorsport news and covering market developments in our regular features, this month’s Tyres & Accessories focuses on a number of key examples of changes in the marketplace in our Review of the Year feature. But one trend stands out above the others – virtualization. In short, increasing moves towards electric and autonomous vehicles (complete with their inherent sensorisation tendencies), coupled with changes in vehicle (and tyre) ownership models such as MaaS (Mobility as a Service) are driving changes in the tyre market that are resulting in the virtualizing of parts of the distribution chain.
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