More Contracts for Kwik-Fit Fleet
Kwik-Fit Fleet picked up a couple of new contracts recently. The first of these is a three-year deal with HSBC Vehicle Finance, under which Kwik-Fit Fleet is named as preferred supplier of fast-fit services to its fleet of 90,000 vehicles. Mike Wise, Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director, said: More and more contract hire and leasing companies are looking to consolidate their purchasing power to keep costs down and cement service standards for drivers. Peter Hollinshead, head of HSBC Vehicle Finance, agreed, saying: We task ourselves with maximising our purchasing power, improving service levels and making efficiency savings, which we can pass on to our customers. This agreement with Kwik-Fit Fleet will help us achieve these objectives.
Continue ReadingKayaba Shocks OE on Impreza
Kayaba has landed another OE shock absorber contract, this time with Subaru for the latest generation Impreza. KYB branded shock absorbers and struts will be fitted on all Impreza models, including the high performance WRX STi. Mr. Hajime Sato, MD of Kayaba Europe, said: Supplying such an innovative manufacturer as Subaru is great for the Kayaba brand. Our advanced technological developments in both OE and aftermarket components mean that we can meet the needs of both the vehicle manufacturer and the motorists. Kayaba claims to be the worlds largest producer of shock absorbers, with one in four of the worlds cars and light commercial vehicles fitted with Kayaba shock absorbers as original equipment.
Continue ReadingGizmo Aids Commercial Tyre Fitters
MWS Aftermarket Division has developed an easy to use calculator, nicknamed the Gizmo to help UK tyre fitters identify commercial vehicle wheels and what they need to order to ensure correct fitting from the thousands of different types of wheel available. The 16cm diameter disc allows users to dial in the tyre specification and type of mounting or construction, then simply read off the wheel type. The Gizmo identifies the 27 most popular commercial vehicle steel wheel types and tyre sizes, including their fitting and centring systems.
Continue ReadingNokian Tyres Introduces Runflat Winter Tyres
Nokian Tyres is improving the safety and comfort of driving by introducing the runflat property to its most important winter tyre models. If a flat occurs, the driver can drive on runflat tyres for about 100 km to reach a tyre store or service station where a new tyre can be fitted. The runflat property allows drivers to avoid danger and difficult tyre changes amid busy traffic. Use of runflat tyres in increasing at a very quick rate. Although runflat products held only a small share of the European tyre market in 2004 (about 0.25%), sales saw a threefold increase over the previous year. Half of the runflat products sold were winter tyres. This year sales are expected to increase even more.
Continue ReadingFIA Publishes Charges Against Michelin’s F1 Teams
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has published charges against the seven Michelin supplied teams that declined to take part in Sunday’s disastrous US Grand Prix. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said teams had “committed one or more acts prejudicial to the interests of a competition and the interests of motor sport in general.” Specific charges alleged that teams failed to ensure that they had a supply of suitable tyres for the race. Perhaps most controversially, the teams were also accused of making a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race”.
Continue ReadingP2 Technology Unveiled
Triple P, accessory supplier, has launched Tenneco Automotive’s DNX performance exhausts range, as part of the continued rollout of the brand in the UK aftermarket. The range features universal and direct fit mufflers and tips. The exhausts are specifically designed to lower backpressure and increase horsepower and torque, explains the company. The products utilise ‘P2’ technology something the automotive industry has never seen before claims Triple P. P2 technology is a highly polished stainless steel ensuring maximum durability and, duel-perforated partitions for unique tuner sound and performance says the supplier.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Key Account Manager
Maxxis International UK plc has appointed Neil Gooch as Key Account Manager. With 20 years experience in the field, his main responsibilities will be to develop sales in the high-speed trailer, ATV, turf, and small implement tyre markets. Speaking about his new post Neil said: This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Maxxis stands for quality and innovation. I’m thrilled to be a part of its continual development.
Continue ReadingFormula One Autocentres Opts for MAM Software
MAM Software has announced that it has completed the successful installation and commissioning of a new Autopart business management system at independent tyre retail chain Formula One Autocentres. The new system is now fully operational and is being productively used in all 37 Formula One stores across the South, South East and the Midlands. The installation of this new Autopart software has given Formula One Autocentres a fully integrated system capable of supporting their fast-fit, servicing and MoT business. The system links over 100 users with a central database at the companys head office in Stevenage. Using dedicated communication technology developed by MAM, it enables Formula One to maintain data centrally and pool statistics from each of its 37 branches. It also provides the ability to transfer stock between branches whenever required.
Continue ReadingMichelin Tops Up UK Pension Fund
A report in the Daily Telegraph revealed that Michelin is making two emergency payments, together worth nearly £60 million to plug a £286 million black hole in its UK pension scheme. According to the report, Michelin employs 3,500 in the UK and its final salary pension scheme has 5,500 active members, 9,500 pensioners and 11,000 deferred members. The final salary scheme was closed to new members last September and employee contributions rose to 5.25 per cent (from 3.25 per cent) in April. Michelins contribution is 13 per cent of salary.
Continue ReadingGT Batteries Available Same Day
Group Tyre (UK) Ltd. is now offering an up-to-three-times-daily delivery service for its GT Ultra Start range of batteries. Chairman John Church said: Our research has shown that even franchised dealer networks frequently cannot supply from stock, leaving customers frustrated and having to search for a stockist. At Group Tyre, we provide the answer, with our GT Ultra Start branded batteries available ex-stock on a same-day basis.
Continue ReadingAutomotive Hazardous Waste Service Launched
A service to help garages, workshops and automotive centres deal with the disposal of hazardous waste in line with the new July waste regulations has been introduced by waste disposal specialists, the OSS Group. The HazTech package provides a guaranteed scheduled collection for all hazardous wastes including oil, filters, batteries, solvents, brake fluid and aerosols. Under the service guarantee late collections will mean customers get the next collection free. Costs are based on a set pick-up price after which customers are only charged for the actual number of waste containers emptied at the time of collection. Containers that comply with regulations for each waste type are supplied on a weekly rental basis and the frequency of the collections depends on individual customer needs.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Wants F1 Tyre Contract
Bridgestone has put itself forward to be the sole F1 tyre supplier if Max Mosleys 2008 regulations come into place. “We want to showcase our technology,” said the manufacturer’s technical manager Hisao Suganuma, “even with a one make situation. We want to be in Formula One.” FIA president, Mosley, claims that imposing a single slick tyre would improve safety and reduce the need to test. It will also ensure that no team is affected by being “contracted to the wrong supplier”, an FIA dossier read.
Continue ReadingFederal Launches “Federal Motorsport”
Federal Corporation held its annual shareholder meeting in Chungli, Taiwan last week announcing the launch of “Federal Motorsport.” The manufacturer’s new tyre lines, are a result of “years of intense research and testing by Federal Technical Center (FTC),” said Jamie Ma, president of Federal Tire. Two distinct series’ will make up Federal Motorsport – the street-legal 595 Competition Series and the exclusive, limited production FZ Combat Series for professional circuit use.
Continue ReadingFirst Stop Dealer Says Thanks
First Stop dealership Wilson’s Tyres and Exhaust Centre has found a novel way to say thanks to its customers for their support through the year, with a golf day at a course in Cambridgeshire. “This is the seventh year running we have held the golf day,” said Nigel Wilson, manager of the outlet in Eaton Socon, “and it’s getting more and more popular each year.” “It’s always a fun and relaxing day, and a great way for us to get to know our regular customers better,” added Mr Wilson.
Continue ReadingBFGoodrich to Compete in World Rally Championship
The 2006 World Rally Championship will not be a battle between Pirelli and Michelin, but BFGoodrich and Pirelli. The French manufacturer has decided to substitute Michelin name for the brand that uses to compete in the Rally Raid World Cup.
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