News
MOL and Total extend their fuel cards acceptance network in Europe
MOL and Total have signed an agreement in Budapest to provide for acceptance of MOL Group Cards by Total in its network of stations in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Germany. Total fuel cards will also be accepted in MOL’s and Slovnaft’s network of stations in Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Kumho confirms interim as permanent CEO, announces loss
Kumho Tire has appointed its interim CEO as the new permanent CEO following reports it was struggling to find a suitable candidate. South Korean media sources report that the Board approved the appointment of vice president Jeon Dae-Jin (60) yesterday. Kumho also reported a net loss for the fourth consecutive year in its annual financial report.
Jun Ro Song appointed Kumho Tire Europe president
Jun Ro Song was appointed president of Kumho Tire Europe on 1 January, 2019. He succeeds Kyungtai Ju, who has returned to Korea. The 53-year-old has held numerous positions with the Korean tyre manufacturer for almost 30 years.
Goodyear to expand Slovenia manufacturing facility
Goodyear announced that it will expand its manufacturing facility in Slovenia to meet the growing demand for premium tyres in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The plant, in Kranj, will be expanded to house new tyre building machinery intended to increase its capacity by a quarter, creating more than 150 new jobs, and reaching full capacity by 2021.
SMPE appoints new marketing and communications manager
Leading automotive parts manufacturer and supplier Standard Motor Products Europe (SMPE), has strengthened its team with the appointment of Will Fry as marketing and communications manager.
Nokian named as a sustainable company in RobecoSAM Yearbook
Nokian Tyres has received the Silver Class distinction in the RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook 2019. RobecoSAM is an expert on sustainability whose annual assessment is considered to be a particularly reliable and comprehensive report of how sustainability is implemented in companies around the world.
IGA provides ‘making tax digital’ guidance to independents
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) will ensure that independent garages are able to comply with the new Making Tax Digital for VAT legislation by publishing a self-help ‘Garage Guide to Making Tax Digital for VAT’ handbook.
Engineers working on £120 million Fort William alloy wheel factory
On 5 February plans to make Fort William a UK alloy wheel centre of excellence reached another milestone as ground engineers moved onto the site earmarked for Liberty’s flagship factory. According to the company, the technical team moved in with their rigs and excavators for six weeks of in-depth ground investigations which will provide vital information for the design of foundations for the planned plant that is intended to manufacture wheels for at least a fifth of all UK-made cars from 2022 onwards.
MPs announce safety inquiry at Westminster Professional Recovery Operators Federation launch
The recovery industry has joined together to form the Professional Recovery Operators Federation (PROF), which was launched at an event in the Houses of Parliament on 12 February. PROF focusses on representing the interests of professional recovery operators in Westminster.
Goodyear certified ‘Top Employer UK’ for the sixth time
Goodyear has been recognized by the Top Employers Institute as a ‘Top Employer’ in the United Kingdom for the sixth time. This certification is granted on a yearly basis by the independent organisation Top Employers Institute to companies that dedicate themselves to providing the very best working environment for employees through their progressive ‘people-first’ HR practices.
Michelin’s growing speciality tyres business helps manufacturer register positive 2018 result
Michelin sales rose by 0.3 per cent in 2018 to more than 22 billion euros, while operating income increased by 1.2 per cent.
Falken Motorsports concludes 2019 shakedown ahead of Nürburgring return
Falken Motorsports has completed a shakedown of its 2019 race cars at Portugal’s Autodromo Internacional Algarve ahead of the 2019 VLN Endurance Championship, which begins on 23 March 2019. This season the team will introduce the new 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R, with the test marking the first running for the new chassis as well as the new larger 300/680R18 Falken tyres fitted to the front axle to provide additional grip. The rear axle is fitted with 310/710R18 tyres, which are the same as the team’s previous model.
Conti offers free AllSeasonContact demonstrations at Mercedes-Benz World
Continental is offering drivers free all-season tyre demonstrations this February half term. The German tyre manufacturer will offer the free demonstrations at Mercedes-Benz World as Partner in Excellence, highlighting its award-winning range across each season and weather eventuality. Tests will also mark the first time its AllSeasonContact has been available for consumer experiences within the UK.
Tyre Recovery Association announces details for 2019 Recycling Forum Day
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has announced its Recycling Day Forum will be held on 18 June 2019 at the Ardencote Manor Hotel, Warwick. The theme for this year’s event is ‘2020 and Beyond’ with guests from Europe and from the UK discussing the direction of tyre recycling in the future.
80% of UK motorists ‘would support’ older driver annual checks after Prince Philip crash
The UK’s biggest online garage and car repair marketplace has revealed that more than four fifths (83 per cent) of British drivers believe there should be annual safety checks for older drivers in the UK, following Prince Philip’s car accident last month.