Legislation
Two-thirds of drivers think new legislation needed after cyclist growth
A survey of more than 2,000 UK drivers, which was commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, a leading supplier of GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance for new and second-hand cars, finds that over two-thirds (69 per cent) want new legislation for cyclists including bikes having a registration number to make them identifiable (68 per cent), and more than half (53 per cent) saying cyclists should be required to hold a licence.
PRA ‘disappointed’ by Supreme Court decision on ATMs and rates
“The PRA is disappointed to see that the Supreme Court has agreed to allow the government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the right of appeal against last year’s defeat in the long-running dispute with major supermarkets over business rates and ATMs.”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA). In November 2018 the Court of Appeal ruled that ATMs located both inside and outside of stores should not be assessed for additional business rates on top of the normal store rates costs, retailers are already facing. The VOA appealed on the grounds that ATMs facing outward shouldn’t be exempt, and should count towards overall business rates, making the bills higher.
Electric Vehicle Approved Scheme launched to certify excellence in EV retail
The Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme has been launched by the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) to certify retailers’ excellence in the electric vehicle sector. The launch took place at the House of Commons, where an audience of MPs, retailers and industry stakeholders were given an insight into the new initiative.
Speed limiters to increase demand for wheel alignment
Wheel alignment supplier Absolute Alignment anticipates increased demand for four wheel alignment services from 2022 onwards if speed limiters become compulsory on all new cars across Europe.
USA increasing tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese imports…including tyres
In the USA, the recent United States Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 investigation exploring potential tariffs on a range of Chinese imports has reported back. After tariffs of 10 per cent were put into place in September, the planned increase to 25 per cent in January was delayed while trade talks continued.
Carmakers will look to ‘pool’ ahead of tough CO2 emission rules in Europe – GlobalData
As average vehicle CO2 emissions trend upwards in Europe, carmakers are looking to form 'pools' that can help avoid large fines under new tighter EU CO2 emission rules that come into force in 2021. Dave Leggett, automotive editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view.
ETRMA welcomes EU General Road Safety Regulation
The ETRMA has welcomed the endorsement of the new General Safety Regulation compromise agreement of 25 March by EU co-legislators. The European Parliament IMCO Committee endorsed the proposal for revising the General Safety Regulation on 2 April 2019. This regulation updates existing rules on vehicle safety by introducing new important elements into EU legislation, such as the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for light and heavy commercial vehicles, trailers and buses.
Speed limiters head raft of safety rules due to be introduced from 2022
A range of new vehicle safety features, to be fitted as standard on all new cars, vans, lorries and buses sold in Europe from 2022, has moved a step closer after a provisional EU deal was reached in Strasbourg. The new rules include requirements for new technologies, such as Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) and over-ridable Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), to be fitted as standard for the first time.
ETRMA targets early 2020 for new EU Tyre Labelling Regulation
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) is ready to enter the final phase of the review on the 2009 EU Tyre Labelling Regulation, following the outcome of the European Parliament plenary vote to replace the existing regulation. The association said that “an improved Regulation” could be adopted in early 2020, should the new European Parliament move the file into trilogues in the second half of 2019. ETRMA added that it is pleased with the commitment and efforts by the European Institutions to pursue a new Tyre Labelling Regulation, as it “increases consumer awareness of the label and strengthens market surveillance and enforcement in EU Member States.”
IAAF welcomes EU’s call for “robust regulatory system” before January 2020
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed an own-initiative report by the European Parliament, urgently calling for “robust” legislation regarding access to in-vehicle data to be in place by January 2020.
IAAF and FIGIEFA evaluating EU Block Exemption Regulation
The IAAF is working in conjunction with FIGIEFA to give input to the EU Commission’s review of the Block Exemption Regulation (BER) (EU) No 461/2010, which is now underway in Brussels.
Evaluation of EU Block Exemption Regulation begins
The IAAF has announced it is working in conjunction with FIGIEFA to give input to the EU Commission’s review of the Block Exemption Regulation (BER) (EU) No 461/2010, which is now underway in Brussels.
Updated EU tyre label to include snow and ice grip information
On 4 March 2019 the European Union adopted its negotiating position on the introduction of the next phase of its European Tyre Labelling legislation. In short, the EU is updating its rules in order to add information on snow and ice grip and raise the prominence of labels for consumers. At the same time there are plans to broaden the scope of tyre labelling to include wear/mileage performance once suitable testing methods have been found.
Government consulting on 10-year-old tyre ban
Following strenuous campaigning from the industry, Tyred and Frances Molloy in particular, the government announced on 26 February that it will consult on “options to ban older tyres from use on buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to help keep road users safe”. The Department for Transport explained that the proposed legislation will make it illegal for these vehicles to run with a tyre aged 10 years or over.
Brexit OE tyre red-alert
Is Brexit going to wreak havoc on the automotive business or is it all just another millennium bug flash-in-the-pan? If a no-deal withdrawal does spell havoc, is it going to impact the tyre business as much as the OEMs?
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