Legislation
US puts 10% import tariffs on all Chinese tyres
The Trump administration upped the ante once again in the ongoing trade war between the USA and China on 18 September with the introduction of tariffs on all US$200 billion of imports including basically all categories of tyres, retreads and inner tubes. At President Trump’s direction the additional tariffs will initially be set at 10 per cent and will take effect on 24 September 2018. However, as of 1 January 2019, the level of additional tariffs will increase to 25 per cent.
Greenpeace anti-diesel campaigners hold blockade at Volkswagen UK HQ
Greenpeace anti-diesel campaigners held a peaceful protest aimed at blocking Volkswagen staff from entering the company’s head office in Milton Keynes on 20 August. Representatives from the organisation, which is demanding the manufacturer stops producing diesel cars, arrived at 7am and set up a ‘diesel pollution clinic’ outside the building’s entrance.
Opposition as shock report calls on ministers to scrap MOT test
The Independent Garage Association and National Franchised Dealers Association have strongly opposed a report published this week from The Adam Smith Institute which recommends the abolishment of the MOT test.
vPlate launched to meet strict new number plate legislation
vGroup International has launched vPlate, a new number plate that ensures re-sellers remain compliant under new legislation coming into effect later this year. The new number plate standard, BSAU145e, improves compatibility with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems and requires plates to be resistant to bending, impact, abrasion, corrosion, solvents, weathering and extremes of temperature.
Ignorance of Europe driving laws rife among road-trippers, Sainsbury’s Bank warns
Nearly three in ten UK residents (29 per cent) heading to Europe on holiday will be getting behind the wheel, equating to 15 million people embarking on European road trips in the next 12 months. While the majority of them are organised when it comes to their car insurance on the continent, new research from Sainsbury’s Bank reveals that many are unaware of specific driving laws in Europe.
Unforeseen consequences of new legislation could hit battery distributors
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has noted the possibility of new legislation having knock-on consequences affecting the battery distribution chain. The proposed Offensive Weapons Bill would currently require those selling batteries or other corrosive materials online or delivering these products to residential addresses to ensure the buyer is over the age of 18.
Electric cars: Charge points could be requirement in new build homes
New homes in suburban England would need to be fitted with electric car charging points under a government proposal to cut emissions. Ministers also want new street lights to come with charge points wherever there’s on-street parking. Details of a sales ban on new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040 are also expected to be set out.
Automechanika Birmingham 2018 provides broad platform for parts, aftermarket, garage sectors
The UK’s leading exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and vehicle production industry, Automechanika Birmingham, welcomed 10,200 industry personnel to its 2018 event. Featuring 500 exhibitors from 26 countries in 9,400sqm of floor space, the organiser stated that more than 120 companies exhibited for the first time, including: AA Garage Guide, Snap-On, Ceramex, GSF Car Parts and Wurth Electronics. Tyres & Accessories joined the National Tyre Distributors Association in representing the UK tyre industry at what was a lively event for the automotive sector, with an emphasis on visitor interaction – a fact underlined by the three in-hall dedicated presentation spaces, in which speakers addressed major issues currently affecting the sector.
Michelin Training Centre, MWheels collaborating to improve CV wheel safety education
MWheels’ technical experts and Michelin Training Centre are working together to further improve overall knowledge of commercial vehicle wheel safety throughout the industry. Based predominantly around hands-on workshop participation alongside traditional seminar lessons, the companies aim to provide in-depth knowledge of the wheel itself, fitting and general maintenance, wheel security, and an understanding of affiliated parts such as axles, nuts and threads.
UK Government ‘has failed to stop the hand car wash epidemic’ – Car Wash Association
There are now an estimated twelve to fifteen thousand hand car washes in the UK. The Car Wash Association states that more than ninety per cent are unregulated. “It is extraordinary that we are virtually the only EU country where illegal hand car washing has proliferated over the last ten years to the extent seen across the UK. This must result from the failure of key agencies to enforce their own regulations”, said Car Wash Association chairman, Brian Madderson, giving evidence in Parliament recently.
Call to bring forward UK total ban on petrol and diesel cars
The UK is committed to a total ban on the sale of all petrol and diesel cars by 2040, but, in its annual progress report to Parliament, the Committee on Climate Change has suggested that this is too late and should be imposed a decade earlier, in 2030.
Motorcyclists unaware of new battery rules
New motorbike battery laws, effective 1 July, see the most common type of motorbike battery, a ‘dry battery’, become illegal to buy or sell unless customers have a valid Explosives Precursors and Poisons (EPP) licence. The licence costs £39.50.
VW diesel scandal – Audi manager under arrest
Investigators in the VW diesel scandal have taken a high-level manager into custody. Audi boss Rupert Stadler was detained on Monday due to the danger of evidence being suppressed. Stadler’s position at the top of the senior VW subsidiary and thus also on the VW Board, will be taken temporarily by the Dutchman Bram Schot, provided this is approved by the Audi board of trustees. The German press agency has discovered this through trusted informants. The 56 year old has been sales director at Audi for about nine months.
US tyre cord makers could close due to steel tariffs
In mid-June US president Donald Trump announced plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on US$50 billion worth of Chinese goods. However, the above round of tariffs was actually an additional wave that followed as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing trade war with China. Steel is at the centre of this dispute, with President Trump suggesting that China is dumping steel in America. But now US tyre cord makers could close due to steel tariffs.
WLTP impacting tyre markets
Introduction of the new vehicle emissions and fuel consumption test protocol, the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is already having an impact on what wheels and tyres are available in the market. Of course, the size of vehicle wheels and consequently tyres is hugely influential in vehicle carbon dioxide (CO2) and fuel consumption (miles per gallon – MPG) performance and in recent years there has been a trend by motor manufacturers to fit larger wheels to vehicles, including even larger rim sizes as options.
Continue Reading