‘Stuck in a dangerous rut’ – IAM RoadSmart on UK drink-drive fatalities trend
The number of drink-driving fatalities in the UK declined to an estimated 260 in 2023, a decline of 14 per cent from 2022. However, long-term trends in the data on road casualties involving illegal alcohol levels suggest that progress on this issue has stalled, with a 7 per cent increase since 2013.
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Tyron Runflat marks 21-year Hometyre partnership
Tyron Runflat and mobile tyre fitting network Hometyre are celebrating 21 years of partnership. The manufacturer of the innovative Tyron Multi-Band tyre safety solution, Tyron Runflat works extensively within the defence, emergency services, commercial, leisure and civilian vehicle industries around the world. The Multi-Band keeps the tyre attached to the wheel in the event of a blowout or puncture, helping drivers to reach safety. This ability is even more important in remote areas and four-lane motorways with limited safety areas. Hometyre is the dominant leader of Tyron’s mobile fitting network in the UK, installing hundreds of Tyron’s life-saving bands each year.
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Aligning brand values with sport – BKT Europe MD talks sporting sponsorship strategy
Following the recent renewal of its sponsorship deal with La Liga, off-highway tyre specialist BKT has explained the strategy behind its sporting sponsorships, which have grown quickly over the past decade, especially in Europe, where the Indian manufacturer is using sporting arenas to extend its brand reach. Lucia Salmaso, managing director of BKT Europe, says sport is more than a communication tool for BKT, considering it a core part of its identity. The company sees sport, particularly football, as a universal language that fosters unity, respect, teamwork, and perseverance. BKT says it embraces these values both in its corporate culture and its strategic direction.
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Sprint Cup heads to Magny-Cours for penultimate round of the season
Pirelli heads to Magny-Cours for the penultimate round of the GT World Challenge Europe this weekend, where the tyre supplier will fit its P Zero DHG tyres on the expected 40-car grid – a record high for the series at the French circuit. The championship remains open, and the final verdict will be delivered at the season finale in Valencia this September. The circuit itself stands as one of the most technical and demanding of the season, featuring 17 corners (nine right-handers) across its 4.411-kilometre layout. Its combination of high-speed straights, sweeping bends, and tight chicanes places relentless demands on tyre performance.
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Yokohama launches first Advan UHP winter tyre in UK
Despite being one of the UK’s warmest spring and summer periods on record, it won’t be long before motorists’ thoughts soon turn towards the colder months. Indeed, many drivers will be striving for outstanding levels of performance no matter what road conditions are thrown at them. Furthermore, for hard pressed businesses reliant on their mobility, it’s essential their fleet of vehicles, including vans and cars, are properly equipped in preparation for even the worst winter storms. Therefore, Yokohama’s impressive range of winter and all-season tyres, available for high performance sports cars through to light commercial vehicles, are proving to be the product of choice for a growing number of motorists across the UK faced with adverse, and changeable, driving conditions.
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Specialist electric vehicle tyres give Hankook range a cold weather edge
Taking into account its newest iON winter and all-season electric vehicle tyres, it could be said that Hankook can offer the most complete range of tyres applicable to cold weather driving in the world. Its comprehensive current range of winter car tyres comprises the Winter i*cept evo 3, Winter i*cept evo 3 X, Winter i*cept RS3 for cars and SUVs and the iON i*cept, specifically designed for EVs. Meanwhile, Hankook also offers a full range of all-season tyres, led by the Kinergy 4S2, Kinergy 4S2 X for cars and SUVs and the iON FlexClimate for EVs.
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Bill Eager appointed S&P Global Mobility president
S&P Global has appointed Bill Eager, chief executive officer of CARFAX, as president of S&P Global Mobility, effective 15 August, 2025. Eager is also CEO designate of the standalone public company that will be formed after the planned separation of Mobility. Eager succeeds Edouard Tavernier, who will remain with the company as a strategic advisor until 30 September, 2025, supporting a smooth transition.
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SMMT interviews Michelin Tyre’s B2B sales director Andrew French
Michelin Tyre B2B sales director Andrew French has addressed the current road transport sector megatrends in an interview for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ newsletter and website. French outlined the significant challenges and developments facing the sector, beginning with the urgent need to decarbonise fleets. While adoption of alternative fuel vehicles is increasing, infrastructure limitations and the high cost of electric trucks remain major hurdles. French said that Michelin supports all driveline technologies by focusing on tyre performance, safety, and improving efficiency for internal combustion engines and range for electric vehicles.
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US vehicle protection brand launches in UK
American premium vehicle protection products manufacturer, WeatherTech has launched in the UK with WeatherTech UK. The brand will be managed and distributed exclusively by established British automotive performance retailer, Nemesis UK Performance. WeatherTech UK’s website is now live, allowing customers to easily explore and purchase the growing range of WeatherTech’s products. These include laser-measured floor liners, boot liners, mud flaps, sunshades.
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‘Legendary’ local mechanic joins Cully Tyres
Cully Tyres & Autocare has appointed a “local legend” and one of Mid-Devon’s most respected mechanics, Darren Holme. A familiar face in automotive retail across Cullompton, Holme joined the First Stop partner after managing a nearby workshop along Exeter Road for the past 16 years. Cully Tyres heralded his arrival as another landmark moment. The business is enjoying a prolonged period of profitability period since new owners took over in May 2022, and has invested £100,000 in refurbishments, new diagnostic equipment, and a vastly expanded service offering, including electric and hybrid vehicle support, over the past two years.
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Are market dynamics offsetting tariff impact?
As the U.S. economy moves forward with robust GDP growth, questions arise about the true impact of the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs on global trade and the tyre business in particular. While an apparent rebound from the contraction in the first quarter of 2025 potentially signals resilience, particularly in consumer spending, the tyre industry offers a sharper lens through which to examine these policies. Are tariffs achieving their intended effects, or are market dynamics – such as strategic price adjustments by tyremakers – blunting their impact? Insights from industry leaders and financial reports reveal a complex interplay, suggesting that businesses are adapting in ways that could reshape the tariff narrative.
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T&A interviews Point S International CEO Fabien Bouquet
In an ever-evolving automotive aftermarket, the tyre retail industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Tyres & Accessories recently sat down with Fabien Bouquet, CEO of Point S International, to reflect on the past two decades of market transformation. From shifting profit models to the complexities of stock management and the impact of global trade dynamics, Bouquet offers a compelling perspective on how independent tyre dealers can navigate this changing landscape. The focus is clear: adapting to a tyres-and-autocentre approach, leveraging scale, and embracing digital tools are critical for sustaining profitability and growth in today’s competitive market.
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EU-US tariff agreement ‘an important step’ in de-escalation as ACEA awaits deal details
Following the announcement of a new trade agreement between the USA and European Union, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said it was generally supportive of a de-escalation in trade tensions, but also awaiting the details for further comment. Sigrid de Vries, director general of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), stated: “The agreement takes an important step towards easing the intense uncertainty surrounding transatlantic trade relations in recent months, and ACEA welcomes this development in principle. Nevertheless, the US will retain higher tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts, and this will continue to have a negative impact not just for industry in the EU but also in the US.”
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Le Mans: Spectacular, a spectacle and a long-lens into the future of Michelin’s motorsport and production car tyres
Following our online previews and publication in the July edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine, here is the our complete coverage of last months 24 Hours of Le Mans, featuring interviews with Mathieu Bonardel, director of Michelin Motorsport and Serge Lafon, Michelin’s president of business line automotive OE. The famed Le Mans endurance race sees dozens of cars across three categories race at speeds of up to 330 km/h non-stop for a whole day in-front of a live audience numbering around 300,000. Its spectacular, yes. But it is more than just a spectacle. Michelin’s motorsport endeavours – embodied by its unparalleled history of supporting victory at Le Mans – exemplify the so-called racetrack-to-road philosophy. However, in addition to outright performance gains – which are clearly the foundation of Michelin’s work in top-flight racing series and events like Le Mans – Michelin is also working to develop road-orientated sustainability benefits at the same time.
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European commercial vehicle registrations double-digits down in 1H 2025
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has revealed the very challenging conditions of 2025’s commercial vehicle market, with light and heavy registrations double-digits down on 2024. The current year has been marked by significant registration declines in key markets, though there has been positive movement towards the electrification of the park, with the electrically-chargeable share increasing. However, the ACEA adds that even in this segment, the growth trajectory is still not fast enough as market uptake continues to be stymied by the near absence of essential enabling conditions. (ACEA data is aggregated from data provided by national automobile associations, ACEA members and S&P Global Mobility.)
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