Motorcycle Registrations Falling
New motorcycle registration figures released by the MCI, show falling numbers across the board. In the first nine months of the year, 29 per cent less scooters and 10 per cent fewer motorcycles and mopeds were registered than during the same period in 2003. In total the year-to-date figures show a 17 per cent drop. When the month of September is examined in isolation, the opposite is true. Last month there were roughly 500 more motorocycle, moped and scooter registrations than in Septmeber 2003. This represents a nine per cent increase in scooter registrations, a five per cent increase motorbike and moped registrations and seven per cent total rise in registrations.
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Announces Senior Management Changes
Hayes Lemmerz has announced that company vice president, James Stegemiller has decided to retire.
Continue ReadingWDS Portfolio Grows
Wholesale warehouse distributor, WDS, has added XL and Kilen to its portfolio of aftermarket brands. The trading division of FPS was launched just over a year ago to support FPS’ same-day distress purchase delivery service by offering an overnight stock order service to independent motor factors.
Continue ReadingFalken to Phase-Out Ohtsu
Falken Tire Corp is to discontinue the marketing and distribution the Ohtsu medium truck tyre. The move will become effective from 1 January 2005.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Exhibits in Italy
Bridgestone has made a momentous move by becoming an exhibitor at the Ferrari Museum. The manufacturer’s tyres, which fit both Ferrari’s sports cars and Formula One tracing teams, are now be on display in the Italian city of Maranello. The Potenza RE050 Scuderia tyre developed for the Enzo Ferrari will be exhibited at the museum along with one of the very tyres that Michael Schumacher used in the F1 Japan Grand Prix in 2003. The tyres will be on display until 24 August 2007 for some 200,000 people that visit the museum annually.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Gets a Gold Star
Goodyear has received an award at the American Point-of-Purchase Show for the “creative merchandising and selling tools” that it used to support its line of Assurance tyres. The show focuses on the best in-store marketing ideas used and three of Goodyear’s Assurance items were honoured with awards.
Continue ReadingNew Tyre for 2005 BTCC
Dunlop has launched a new tyre for the BTCC in 2005. The tyre will be made from the same compound and in the same size as those currently in use but will feature a stronger construction.
Continue ReadingTyre Manufacturers Form New Federation
The BRMA and ITMA have joined together to set up a new federal body to represent the interests of both associations’ tyre manufacturing members. The new Tyre Industry Federation will come into force as of 1 January 2005 and will take the form of a limited company. The BRMA are describing the union as “formalising the already close working relationship that already exists between them.”
Continue ReadingTRA Elects Officers
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has elected its first officers at a meeting held on 1 October. Born out of the TIC’s Responsible Recyclers Scheme the TRA was originally formed in July. Roger Hicks, MD Charles Lawrence International was chosen to take the role of president and Tony Allen, MD Environmental Tyre Disposal will become the associations vice president and treasurer. Both will serve in office for a period of two years. Tony Allen commented: “ There is a strong sense of purpose amongst us all and we must use this to develop policies and positions which will carry us into the long term.”
Continue ReadingAA Calls Time on Mobile Tyre Fitting Service
The AA has announced that it intends to close AA Tyre Fit, which currently provides a national mobile tyre fitting through a fleet of 130 vehicles, and its Vehicle Inspections business, currently offering inspections on used cars for consumers. According to the company, both businesses have been operating at a loss.
Continue ReadingAnsell and Goodyear Partnership to Continue
Dr Ed Tweddell, director of Goodyear joint venture partner, Ansell, has stated that his company expects to continue to be involved in its South Pacific Tyres partnership with Goodyear.
Continue ReadingWomen Rewarded in Transport Awards
Iveco’s third annual Women in Transport Awards has recognised the achievements of three women working in the UK road transport industry.
Continue ReadingTyre TV Documentary
British television viewers are in for a tyre lesson next week, as Granada’s ‘Men and Motors’ will be broadcasting a documentary called Life of Tyres. The programme will trace the history of tyre development from John Boyd Dunlop’s initial pneumatic tyre to today’s latest technical advances.
Continue ReadingHi-Q Trains Flat Out
Tyres fitters at Hi-Q branches up and down the country have completed the training necessary to fit run flat technology, the company has announced. Hi-Qs operations manager Mike Garwood said run flats should only fitted by highly trained staff, adding: “Theyre radically different from conventional tyres. Run flats are designed by experts: they must be installed by experts. Hi-Q is the only nationwide network to have been trained by Goodyear and Dunlop. We have the equipment and trained personnel to do the job safely and competently.” Goodyear Dunlop spokesperson James Bailey said his company had worked closely with Hi-Q to develop a training programme that made sure staff who fitted its safety tyres were qualified experts. “Courses within the industry are rarely as rigorous as this: passing it should give motorists peace of mind that our tyres are being fitted properly and safely. Although run flats must be fitted by experts, theyre not just for specialists. These tyres can be fitted to almost any wheel rim, and their popularity is growing at such a rate that theyre quickly becoming standard for any motorist who refuses to compromise on safety.”
Continue ReadingMotor World at the Aftermarket Show
Motor World has confirmed that it will join other exhibitors at next year’s Aftermarket Show. The company’s attendance guarantees the presence of a product range including car parts and accessories for the performance car markets, audio, in-car vision, navigation, styling, alloys and tyres.
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