Euro Car Parts Launches Aftermarket Training Academy
Euro Car Parts has launched what it claims is the first aftermarket training academy of its kind to deliver Government-approved training to its sales team trainees. The new training centre, Euro Academy, has been established to ensure Euro Car Parts’ specialised sales teams continue to have the most comprehensive knowledge bank throughout the industry. The academy’s first 32 young people will begin the three-year Level 3 NVQ Apprenticeship in Parts Operations, which gives 16 to 24 year olds the opportunity to develop their knowledge to the most advanced levels in the UK aftermarket. The apprenticeship will be awarded by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which is the leading awarding body for vocational qualifications in the automotive sector and the industry’s professional association.
Continue ReadingZetsche to head Mercedes and DaimlerChrysler
Dieter Zetsche, the Chrysler group CEO who was set to take over the running of DaimlerChrysler on 1 January 2006, will now also take over at struggling Mercedes Car Group on 1 September, DaimlerChrysler has announced. Current Mercedes chief Eckhard Cordes, who was passed over in the race for the group chief executive job, is leaving the worlds fifth-biggest carmaker at the end of August at his own request, the Stuttgart-based company said in a statement, the Reuters news agency has reported. Under the accelerated switchover, Daimler said Chrysler group COO Tom LaSorda will become up to CEO on 1 September, four months earlier than first planned. The fact that Zetsche might take over at Mercedes had been well documented in the German media, but may last far longer than the time it would take simply to find a permanent replacement for Cordes.
Continue ReadingSTS Appoints Fast Fit Manager
STS has appointed Keith Smith as its new centre manager at its Rainham based fast fit outlet. The new recruit joins STS Man on Wheels from his previous position at Hi-Q Tyre Service, where he was a technician for six years. Mr Smith will be reporting to Stapleton’s regional manager Guy Wheeler, and will also manage 13 other members of staff.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Buys Goodyear’s Rubber Plant
Bridgestone has completed the acquisition of Goodyear’s stake in the Indonesian based Sumatra Plantation for $62 million. Goodyear said the decision to sell its 95 per cent stake is consistent with its strategy to focus on core business activities. This transaction is not expected to “significantly impact” the companys ability to acquire natural rubber for its operations, says the manufacturer.
Continue ReadingDrive Home Safely Campaign
Goodyear has teamed up with a number of motoring organisations to launch its ‘Drive Home Safely’ initiative. Together the group has arranged a dedicated website and road show to reduce motorists’ fears of coping with difficult driving situations. Situations such as being followed, breaking down on the motorway alone at night, or having items stolen from their car are those being addressed by the campaign. In London during the first six months of 2005, there were almost 1,000 reported incidents of theft from, or damage to, vehicles according to the Metropolitan Police Service crime statistics. The manufacturer intends the official website, www.drivehomesafely.co.uk, to act as a one-stop source of information for anyone affected by road security issues.
Continue ReadingNTDA Stages HSE Talk-ins
The NTDA is to run a nationwide series of health and safety “talk-ins” designed to help members get up to speed on new recommendations and legislation affecting tyre retails premises.Supported by the Health and Safety executive and local authorities, the meetings will feature presentations from local inspectors on what to expect when premises are visited by HSE inspectors, as well as detailed information on the new recommendations on manual handling.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres Increases Share Capital
Nokian Tyres has registered an increase in share capital. A total of 229,500 Nokian Tyres plcs shares have been subscribed with the 2001A option rights, 68,200 with the 2001B option rights and 373,210 with the 2001C option rights. These option rights are attached to the Nokian Tyres plcs Option Program of 2001.
Continue ReadingDunlop Race Academy 2
The final three contestants of the Dunlop Race Academy 2 will go head to head at Silverstone on 24th August for the chance to compete in the Dunlop Driver’s Cup; the final round in the highly competitive Ginetta Championship where they will share the track with experienced racers. Alec Berry from County Durham, Simon Shaw from Warrington and Luke Debono-Wilson from Essex, who will represent the North East, North West and South East were chosen from over 8,000 entrants. Seven regional winners competed at Donington race track to make this final three and were scored by the Dunlop Race Academy judges as they completed a full day of driver coaching and evaluation, fitness and media tests on the Donington Grand Prix circuit.
Continue Reading4×4 Market Shows No Sign of Tiring
According to Cooper Tires 4x4 tyre sales have increased by a staggering 151 per cent in the last five years. In 2004, there were 1.25 million 4x4 tyres sold throughout the UK, a jump from 825,000 in 2000. Factors such as 4x4 fashions and the increasing number of Chelsea tractors in town and city centers are thought to have influenced this growth. Other trends such as the replacement of standard manufacturer fitted wheels and tyres with larger sizes are also affecting the market.
Continue ReadingCooper Tyres Get A1 Test
The inaugural test session for the A1 GP Series has been hailed a success by the fifteen teams driving the cars, reports tyre sponsor Cooper. The teams, representing nations from across the globe, made their way around Northamptonshire’s national circuit over 600 times on Cooper rubber, racking up a total distance of 1,800 km.
Continue ReadingMarangoni Updates Winter Range
Marangoni Tyre has recently revised and updated its range of winter tyres. In the March issue of Tyres & Accessories, an article featured the companys latest offering, the Meteo HP; a T-, H- and V-rated winter tyre for rims up to 18” and aspect ratios as low as 40 series. The Meteo HP is designed to cater for the growing demand for high performance tyres that work well in winter conditions.
Continue ReadingWinter Tyres for Trucks
In the northern countries of mainland Europe, winter tyres for passenger cars are a fact of life – not only desirable, but in some states, compulsory. But what about trucks? After all, for most people, if the weather is bad then they can take a day off or stay at home, but if you are a trucker with a load of food, fast approaching its sell-by date, then this is not an option. Certainly there are plenty of trucks out there; one study revealed that almost half of Europe’s goods are transported by road and the number of lorries on the continent’s roads has tripled in the past 30 years. The study also predicts that, if things continue to go on as at present, then by 2010 the number of lorries on the roads of the 15 EU states (before the recent enlargement) will be 50 per cent higher than it was in 1998.
Continue ReadingPirelli Wins German Army Tender
Pirelli has won the contract to supply tyres to the German Federal Ministry of Defence armoured vehicles and trucks. Pirelli will specifically be providing the PS22 Pista tyres, sized 14.00R20 for armoured vehicles and FR25 12.00R20 for trucks. Pirelli competed against other well-known companies before being selected for the tender. According to the company the tyres were selected due to their good traction in all conditions and for being able to keep going for up to 100 km after a puncture or blow out thanks to a run-flat device fitted inside of the tyre. As far as the truck tyres are concerned, determining factors are said to be the high mileage as well as the strong wet handling.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Backs G4 Challenge
Goodyear has renewed its contract as the official tyre supplier to the Land Rover G4 Challenge. Commencing in Bangkok on 23rd April 2006, the Land Rover G4 Challenge will travel through Thailand, Laos and Brazil before finishing in Bolivia on 20th May 2006. Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyres will be fitted to all the Land Rover G4 Challenge vehicles including the new Range Rover Sport and Discovery 3 as well as the Freelander, Range Rover and Defender. The Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyre displayed outstanding performance on the inaugural Land Rover G4 Challenge in 2003 said Matthew Taylor, Land Rover, managing director, we are delighted to have Goodyears expertise to assist competitors as they 4x4 drive their way through some of the worlds most exciting terrain.
Continue ReadingNew Audit Excellence Award
The TRA has announced the introduction of an Audit Excellence Award to recognise its members’ independently regulated standards. This first year’s award will be presented at the Rubber Industry Dinner on 14 October 2005. “Using a TRA member means that the end of life tyres collected from any designated premises by one of our members are subject to very stringent checks, on licence compliance, full traceability and other general aspects of best practice,” maintains the TRA. The ‘TRA Audit Excellence Award’ will be decided by an independent audit team, Excelar Ltd, and presented to the member that has made the greatest efforts in the past year.
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