Chinese tyre import share rises above 50% in declining European market
China accounted for more than half of all passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres entering the European Union and the United Kingdom for the first time during the first eight months of 2020. Comparatively, the then 28 EU nations imported 105 million passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres from outside the region in the same period of 2019.* The major impact on tyre demand of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as varying degrees of disrupted production, led to the EU-27 and UK together importing 21 million fewer tyres in the corresponding period of 2020, a reduction of 20 per cent. The Eurostat and HMRC data was compiled by leading data analyst Astutus Research.
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MIRA invests in UK’s first large battery ‘shaker’
Horiba Mira has invested £1.5 million in a new Large Climatic Vibration Laboratory and Battery Abuse Facility in response to” soaring demand” from the UK automotive industry for advanced battery safety testing.
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Winntec adds 5 products to its lifting equipment range
Netherlands based Winntec recently added five new products to their already extensive range – The Winntec 420333 Jack, 420222 Jack and 20T and 30T industrial presses along with the Winntec M411355 Motionline lightweight jack.
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Mahle offers Mercedes-Benz encoded OBD access
Mahle and Daimler AG have settled an encoded OBD access deal for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. As a result, users of the MAHLE TechPRO or Brain Bee Connex diagnostic tools can now retrieve vehicle data via the Cyber Security feature. Security certificates are obtained by accessing the Daimler portal with an annual subscription from Mahle Or Brain Bee. As a special promotion, Mahle is offering holders of an active license free access until the end of the year.
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E-Cube UK roll-out scheduled for Q1 2021
With mobile tyre fitment take-up increasing since the pandemic, E-Cube equipment is aiming to become an “essential part of a tyre retailers services in the UK and Europe”. However, while things have been developing positively with the E-Cube in general, the coronavirus pandemic has is said to have “temporarily delayed” manufacturer TMG’s intention to fully launch E-Cube into the UK tyre market. Nevertheless, the final preparations regarding the distribution and servicing of the unit are being made now with a view to an early 2021 launch.
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Kumho tyres OE for Škoda Octavia
Kumho Tire is now supplying original equipment tyres for the Škoda Octavia. Effective immediately, the Octavia wears the Kumho Ecsta PS71 in size 205/20 R16 92V.
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Liqui Moly and “cult gearhead” Edd China launch video series
An international TV legend in the automotive sector is convinced of Liqui Moly’s quality and now shares his knowledge in short social media clips: Edd China – TV presenter, inventor, gearhead and cult figure. Many people are familiar with Edd China from the TV series “Wheeler Dealers”, broadcast on the Discovery Channel. Here he repaired, improved and restored old cars to a fixed budget. But he is also world famous for his YouTube videos. In these, Edd not only demonstrates his technical know-how and craftsmanship, but also embarks on unusual and entertaining projects, such as the “world’s fastest sofa”.
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Comparative test slams budget all-season tyres
All-season tyres are growing in popularity, and suppliers of budget brands from the Far East account for a good share of sales within this segment. This trend has led some to ask whether budget all-season tyres are a good choice for motoring throughout the entire year.
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Pro-Align: Quick Check Drive is ‘a wheel servicing revolution’
The development of modern car technology has accelerated as fast as ever before and manufacturers producing the systems that allow workshops to service these vehicles effectively have also developed at a fast rate. In some cases, the development has been a technological necessity needed to keep pace with vehicle development, but in other cases, the development is driven by the vision to provide a better, more efficient servicing solution.
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Are Eurorepar Reliance tyres made by Hankook?
Following the announcement that PSA UK has added Reliance tyres to its British Eurorepar offer. The next question is, who makes the Reliance tyre brand? The good news is that colleagues at our German sister publication (Neue Reifenzeitung, which you can read online at reifenpresse.de) looked into this at the end of 2019 and found strong evidence that the tyres are made by Hankook.
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Bridgestone launches Battlax Sport Touring T32 motorcycle tyres
Bridgestone has launched its new Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre. The tyre represents improved wet performance over the T31, containing Bridgestone’s Pulse Groove Pattern Technology. The T32 has a 13 per cent bigger contact patch than its predecessor, which supports handling improvements. The tyre has also reduced wet braking distance by seven per cent. Enhancing the tyre’s size line-up, Bridgestone is launching a version of the tyre dedicated to middleweight and heavy motorcycles. The Battlax Sport Touring T32GT increases wear life by 10 per cent over its predecessor. Bridgestone calls the T32 range a “new benchmark” for the touring segment. Nico Thuy, head of motorcycle at Bridgestone EMIA, adds: “We wanted to give riders more control and confidence in the wet and this tyre delivers exactly that.” The full sport touring line-up of sizes will be available on the market in early 2021.
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Hella establishes Global Software House
Hella might be best known for its bulbs and ADAS, but the international automotive has announced that it expanding its global software competencies with a new Global Software House. Hella currently employs around 2,000 software experts worldwide, particularly in the field of embedded software in functional development for radar sensors, battery and steering electronics and lighting control, for example.
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EV growth demands alternative tyre servicing solution
While sales of eco-friendly electric and hybrid cars have been slowly accelerating for a number of years, figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that for the first time ever, sales of new electric and hybrid cars recently overtook that of diesels for the first time ever. Although we’re probably still some time away from the real tipping point of mass adoption of electric vehicles in the UK, workshops are being advised that they need to prepare for this now, as they will only see more and more EVs and hybrids coming through their doors.
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Some all-season tyres are ‘astonishing quality’ – Sportauto test
The improvement in the quality of all-season tyres has supported their sustained growth in Europe. While the latest test by the DACH region’s leading auto clubs continued to characterise the product as an unrecommended compromise, German magazine ratings this year have been much less snooty about the segment. Joining the UK’s leading consumer testers in praising the latest generation of year-round fitments, was AutoBild, among the industry’s most coveted ratings, while the most recent Sportauto test gave six out of the seven candidates “good” or even “very good” overall grades. The test acknowledges the advantages of seasonal rubber via two Bridgestone control tyres, the Turanza T005 summer tyre and the Blizzak LM005, but also points out the “amazing qualities” of the seven test subjects on cold-wet and cold-dry roads. The seven all-season tyres were tested in size 225/45 R18 on a BMW 330i.
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PSA UK adds Reliance tyres to Eurorepar
Groupe PSA UK has added the Reliance tyre brand to its Eurorepar programme. As a result, Eurorepar Reliance-branded tyres will be available across Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën and DS Automobiles retailers in 23 popular sizes, with more due to join the range next year. The tyres are available in sizes ranging from 14 to 17-inches, with prices starting from just £29.46 for the 155/65 R14 75T.
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