UK News
Trico signs distribution deal with Optimal UK
Trico has signed a distribution agreement with Optimal UK. The wiper blade company will supply the Exact Fit, Flex, Neoform and TX ranges to Optimal’s network. The original equipment (OE) manufacturer and supplier states that Optimal UK’s commitment to delivering premium quality products with fast and efficient customer service is “a perfect match for the Trico ethos.”
Bond International to supply tyres to ClickMechanic network
Online car repair marketplace, ClickMechanic.com has added tyre replacements to its service offering, partnering with wholesaler Bond International. The website states that the new addition will enable both existing mechanics as well as new tyre specialists to register their services on the site. Bond will supply tyres to the site’s network at what ClickMechanic describes as “an extremely competitive trade price,” based on high volumes promised by the site.
Biggest, smallest new car discounts revealed for first half of 2019
The brands offering the biggest and smallest new car discounts have been revealed in market intelligence from consumer champion What Car?’s New Car Buying platform. Citroën topped the table, while Dacia offered buyers the lowest price reductions in the first six months of 2019.
PRA highlights increase in forecourt crime in meeting with police chief
“The PRA is pleased to see that forecourt crime is now back on the police’s agenda, following a productive meeting with chief constable Simon Cole of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).
MPs call for ban of hands-free mobile phone use behind the wheel
A group of MPs is calling for drivers to be banned from using hands-free mobile phones in England and Wales. While it has been illegal to use a handheld phone at the wheel since 2003, using a hands-free device creates “the same risks of collision”, the Commons Transport Select Committee has warned.
Alliance Automotive UK acquires ASMF
Alliance Automotive UK, the parent company of GroupAuto and UAN buying groups has acquired the seven-branch Autostores Motor Factors chain (ASMF). Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Originally known as Sureparts and Panels & Paints, ASMF was a member of the PDP Group and PDP chairman Alistair Whatmore was managing director.
Dave Plummer to lead Dunlop UK and Ireland Motorcycle division
Goodyear Dunlop has appointed Dave Plummer as sales and marketing manager motorcycle UK and Ireland, which means Plummer will lead the Dunlop Motorcycle division in the UK and Ireland.
Falken backing 18 football clubs in 7 countries
During the 2019-2020 season Falken is on the books at 18 clubs in Germany, England, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and - for the first time - Belgium.
HGV market up almost 50% in Q2 2019
Good news from the UK heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market: New registrations were 46.3 per cent higher year-on-year in the second quarter of 2019, with 15,605 units registered. These figures, released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) yesterday, include a number of large orders ahead of the mandatory fitment of Smart Tachographs; these further boosted registrations following a strong first quarter of the year.
Denso Club offers journey of a lifetime
Denso is rewarding its hard-working distributors by creating the Denso Club, an initiative that offers customers the opportunity to win trips to either Denso’s global headquarters in Japan or diesel factory in Budapest
“Relay” on Klarius for replacement Citroën Van DPFs
Klarius’ latest new-to-range parts release includes new exhausts, catalytic converters (CATs) and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) in range for popular applications such as the Citroën Relay van. 49 additional parts are now available with the same next morning UK delivery, two-year standard warranty and Fit First Time guarantee offered with the entire Klarius range.
VW and Daimler back heycar used car online marketplace
A new online marketplace for used cars launches in the UK today (15 August). heycar.co.uk is on a mission to bring greater trust and transparency to one of the UK economy’s largest retail sectors. The brand will do this by creating a superior user experience for consumers and dealers, launching with an inventory of over 100,000 listed vehicles from nearly 50 brands across 1,400 dealerships.
Used car market declines as consumers delay purchases
“The decline of -2.8 per cent in used car transactions in the second quarter of 2019 was anticipated due to a number of factors that affected the sector over the past months, but the market remains at high levels”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK commenting on the latest SMMT used car figures.
Fire destroys Kwik Fit centre in London
London Fire Brigade (LFB) reports that a “single storey warehouse was destroyed” during a blaze at a Kwik Fit outlet in London. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters from the East Ham, Ilford, Stratford, Plaistow, Leytonstone, Barking and Poplar fire stations were called out on Tuesday evening. Firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control, their job made more difficult by gas cylinders that exploded due to the heat.
Football: Automotive media emerges victorious against Trico
Members of the automotive media – including players from Tyrepress.com – have won the Trico Cup for the first time after a magnificent 4-3 comeback against Trico.