Legislation
Why tyre servicers need to address ADAS – Hella Gutmann Solutions
Technological tipping points are not always easy to identify, and the pace of change in the automotive industry can make it a challenge for garages not affiliated with new car dealerships to stay on top of new carfeatures as they begin to require repair. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are emblematic of this, and considering their centrality to the safe operation of many new cars, the stakes have also risen. Tyres & Accessories visited Hella Gutmann Solutions’ facilities in and around Ihringen, Germany to see how the supplier of diagnostic and camera and sensor recalibration solutions is responding to garages’ increasing need for new equipment, technician training, and data, to address the rise of ADAS.
EU publishes definitive anti-subsidy and updated anti-dumping rates
The European Union has published its definitive decision relating to anti-subsidy duties imposed on Chinese-produced truck tyres imported into the continent. This follows the EU’s final decision on anti-dumping duties, which was released on 18 October 2018. In short, the latest document (which runs to well over 120 pages) demonstrates how large subsidies have supported some Chinese tyre makers. However, it doesn’t mean the overall per tyre rate importers have to pay will change.
ETRMA study: Rescaling of tyre label would be premature
The Market Surveillance Action on Tyres 2015 (MSTyr15) project may claim success in its aim of ensuring the enforcement of tyre labelling regulations, yet enforcement is only effective if end consumers actually consider label results when buying tyres. A report funded by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) suggests they aren’t, and the association wants this considered during the European Commission’s current review of tyre label regulation (1222/2009).
PRA, CWA urge crackdown on tax evasion in the hidden economy
In their joint budget submission, the PRA and CWA have highlighted concerns that the hand car wash sector should be paying up to £1.45 billion per year in tax, and this is not being collected by HMRC.
EU rejects claims Pirelli isn’t related to CNRC and Aeolus
Having published its definitive decision on Chinese-produced truck tyre dumping, the European Union has also rejected claims that Pirelli is not related to either China National Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd (CNRC, which is owned by ChemChina) or Aeolus. Therefore, any tyres made by any of the related companies in China have to be subject to comparable import tariffs.
ETRMA: Science & evidence-based choices essential to achieve legislative targets
The subject of tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) was also broached at the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association’s (ETRMA) Board of Directors meeting. The Board stressed the importance of political debate – both on this issue and about the wider topic of sustainable mobility – adopting a strong scientific approach, based on facts and solid knowledge. Franco Annunziato, president of the ETRMA, called attention to the “value of having law-making, guided by robust science and based on evidences, as the only way to achieve the legislators’ targets.”
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres marks two years without a RIDDOR accident
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (DAT) reports the world’s only specialist producer of aircraft tyres has achieved two years of continuous operation at its Birmingham, UK, plant without a reportable accident. “This is a fantastic result and one which we believe to be unique in the current UK tyre industry and amongst the best for this region” claimed Gordon Roper, Chief Executive Officer.
TyreSafe laments illegal tyre figures, promotes tyre safety month
Commenting on road safety statistics showing that tyres cause more than 1000 casualties and 183 deaths a year, TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson lamented the reality that the figures have not gone down during the NTDA Tyre Industry Conference.
PCL reminds drivers about correctly inflated tyres
Pneumatic Components (PCL), the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of pneumatic and tyre inflation systems, is reminding drivers of the importance of having correctly inflated tyres this Tyre Safety Month (October).
Worn tyres worse than ever
Pictures of de-mounted tyres removed from cars at Micheldever retail businesses look more like scrap than tyres taken of road-going vehicles two weeks ago. And this has made some company representatives suggest that the problem of illegal wear is worse than ever.
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.
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.
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