Nokian experiencing increased demand, especially in Russia
Following the company’s recent pre-announcement of fiscal results, financial analysts have characterised them as proving “demand has continued to grow in all Nokian's key markets. According to an investor’s note published by Deutsche Bank, this is said to be especially in Russia, where foreign car sales are expected to grow by about a third in 2011 - 2012. Nokian said its sales will reach 278 million euros, with pre-tax profits (EBIT) of some 65 – 70 million euros in the first quarter of 2011. According to Deutsche Bank, the upper end of the EBIT-range was “56 per cent ahead of Reuters’ consensus estimate before the announcement.” Nokian’s management also upgraded its full year 2011 guidance: “In 2011, the company is positioned to provide strong sales growth and to improve operating profit clearly compared to 2010.” Previously the company had said: “In 2011, the company is positioned to provide strong sales growth and to improve operating profit compared to 2010.”
Continue ReadingBreast Cancer Care ambassador Denise Lewis thanks HiQ
Olympic legend Denise Lewis met today with HiQ in her role as an Ambassador for Breast Cancer Care, Lewis extended thanks to HiQ and all its staff for their support. HiQ has supported Breast Cancer Care since 2009 in its first charity partnership and says it is on track to meet its fundraising target of £100,000 this year. HiQ says its staff have embraced the chance to don pink wigs and fundraise to help people affected by breast cancer. The money will be used to ensure Breast Cancer Care’s information and support services remain free to anyone who needs them.
Continue ReadingPrice rises are affecting auto parts too
After months and months of price increases from tyre manufacturers, owing to the fact that demand for raw materials such as natural rubber has gone through the roof, it is now clear that the same pressures are affecting those purchase automotive parts too. Asking the question, what is driving current price increases? Dave Cheetham, exhaust maker Klarius Group’s chief financial officer, has warned that further price rises are inevitable in the aftermarket auto parts supply chain as well.
Continue ReadingWolfrace announces first 2011 addition to Eurosport wheel portfolio
Wolfrace has announced the release of Nitework alloy wheels for small and compact vehicles, a range the company says is to be the first of several new styles to be launched in the Wolfrace Eurosport portfolio. The company celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2011, and says that the Nitework is to continue in the footsteps of previous Wolfrace products, which have aimed to provide highly desirable designs, such as the original Slot Mag, the Voodoo and the Matrix.
Continue ReadingIs the government doing enough to halt fitment of defective wheels?
The issue of safety checks on commercial vehicle wheels achieved government attention at the end of March, as the Labour member of parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Paul Goggins sought to raise the concerns of his constituent John Ellis, managing director of Motor Wheel Service (which is keen to raise the profile of this safety issue), with the Department for Transport (DfT). On 29 March, Goggins formalised the discussions in a Private Members’ Debate at Westminster Hall in conversation with the Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, Mike Penning, who is the current government minister for roads. MWS estimates that over 10,000 second hand and take-off wheels entered the market in 2009, of which the large majority were sold by companies who do not possess the technical abilities or examination procedures to ascertain the history and fatigue of a wheel.
Continue ReadingTaking the initiative
Recent months have seen a flurry of activity in the road safety and legislative lobbying arenas. During March and April this culminated in the surreal combination of blimping, debating, campaigning and contesting – all focusing in on improving road safety in general and tyre and wheel integrity in particular.
Continue ReadingAutopromotec 2011: Organisers expect ‘excellent attendance by foreign exhibitors’
Just six months before the next edition Autopromotec, which will be held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre from 25 - 29 May 2011, the organisers are saying that the numbers of foreign exhibitors and buyer/dealer delegations confirmed so far are a “clear sign that the Bologna event is in pretty good health.” To date, the number of exhibitors confirmed for Autopromotec 2011 remains at the record level seen at the last show in 2009, with an outstanding 35 per cent of foreign companies to highlight the increasing internationalisation aspect of the event. The increase in exhibition space seems to demonstrate that those who were there last time will be back. Only this time they are said to be booking larger spaces to increase their visibility in the professional automotive aftermarket sector. Indicators of this type, in a period which cannot be referred to as one of economic stability, are seen as ways the organisation committee has channelled efforts in the right direction.
Continue ReadingSuccessful service pilot programme leads to national rollout
The success of Vauxhall MasterFit's online service booking pilot programme in 2010 has led to its introduction across the national network, according to an article on the headline.auto website. Of those retailers involved in the pilot, many reported 70 per cent of those using the online booking system were new customers whose vehicles they were servicing for the first time.
Continue ReadingBSM Technologies and EMS Technologies to distribute in Latin America
BSM Technologies Inc., a leading provider of remote monitoring, fleet management, fleet diagnostics and automated vehicle security systems, and EMS Global Tracking, part of the Global Resource Management business of EMS Technologies, Inc. said (on 3 April) that they are extending their existing reseller agreement to distribute BSM’s SecTrack products and services to Latin America.
Continue ReadingAutologic: Automechanika Middle East ‘perfect platform for diagnostics’
Autologic Diagnostics Ltd will showcase its Autologic diagnostic tool at Automechanika Middle East 2011 in June. Offering an all-encompassing approach to vehicle diagnostics, the software allows for garages to operate independently with success. The UK-based manufacturer has announced it will participate at Automechanika Middle East for the first time in 2011. According to the company, the firm’s participation is in order to increase market awareness of the brand in the GCC region and to introduce their innovative products and services to this fast emerging market.
Continue ReadingSale of Goodyear Latin America agri tyre business completed
The sale of Goodyear’s Latin America agricultural tyre business to Titan Tire was completed on April 1. Goodyear reports completing the sale for approximately US$99 million, subject to post-closing conditions and adjustments. The transaction includes the company’s Sao Paulo manufacturing plant, property, equipment and inventories and a licensing agreement that will allow Titan to sell Goodyear-brand agricultural tyres in Latin America and North America.
Continue ReadingTouchRemote launched
It might not be regarded as diagnostics per se, but Pro-Align recently announced the launch of ‘TouchRemote’, an iPhone App’ which gives users full wireless remote operation of Hunter WinAlign alignment systems. For maximum workshop flexibility, users can monitor live vehicle measurements, control WinAlign software features and view vehicle specific adjustment illustrations and digital images directly on their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Continue ReadingPirelli launches “eco-friendly” Cinturato P1 for small-medium segment
Pirelli has consolidated the “green” side of its range of tyres with the launch of the company’s new Cinturato P1 tyre, designed for small to medium-sized vehicles. The tyre was launched at an event in Fasano, near Brindisi in the picturesque environs of south-east Italy. Tyres & Accessories travelled to the launch to test-drive the tyre at its world premiere by the European media in Puglia, on a route winding through olive tree plantations, beautiful villages punctuated by old agricultural storehouse (or trulli) and the Adriatic coast. The P1 provides strikingly quiet running, with a reduction of around 30 per cent – or one decibel – on the tyre’s predecessor, the Cinturato P4, while improving rolling resistance was also an important factor in the tyre’s development, with reductions of up to 25 per cent quoted by the company. It has not escaped the attentions of Pirelli that both characteristics will be two of the three featured ratings on the EU’s mandatory tyre label, coming into force in 2012.
Continue ReadingDiagnostics: New aligning systems and software enhance capabilities
When talking of diagnostic equipment, many immediately think of engine analysers, hand-held electronic devices, but very few put wheel aligners or specialist balancers in that category. However, wheel service equipment specialist Pro-Align is keen to promote its comprehensive range of equipment designed to help workshops diagnose and solve many wheel and tyre related problems such as uneven tyre wear, difficult wheel vibration issues, vehicle pull or crooked steering wheels.
Continue ReadingNR Evans extend Bridgestone tyre supply agreement
Bridgestone UK Ltd has announced that it has extended its tyre supply agreement with NR Evans, based at Cross Hands. NR Evans Distribution is one of the biggest temperature controlled distribution companies in the UK, operating over 300 commercial vehicles and trailers from eight depots across the UK. They deliver over £500 million of chilled products every year.
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