UK News
IGA publishes 2019 Garage Work Provider Report
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has published its latest report into consumer-facing websites that provide work to independent garages.
April motorcycle sales up 7.3 per cent year-on-year
“The motorcycle market continued its upward trend in April, with sales up 7.3 per cent ahead of the same period last year and up 9.4 per cent year-to-date”, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK. The figures were released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association
UK’s most and least reliable used cars?
What Car? Has revealed what it believes are the UK’s most and least reliable used cars have been revealed, with the Toyota Yaris named as the country’s best second-hand purchase.
Vaculug promotes VMS Mobile at CV Show
With the UK commercial vehicle and fleet business congregating in Birmingham for the Commercial Vehicle Show at the start of May, Vaculug took the opportunity to demonstrate the latest addition to its bespoke fleet tyre management system called VMS - VMS Mobile. For the company, which is now the only non-new-tyre manufacture-owned retreader in the UK, fleet growth and retreading business growth go hand in hand. And that’s why having the right fleet tyre management system in place has become more important than ever.
Jelf signs NTDA agreement
Well-known industry insurance company Jelf reports that it has designed specific insurance programmes for the tyre sector in collaboration with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). According to Jelf, the insurance market for the tyre industry is diminishing quickly with only a small number of motor trader insurers willing to write insurance policies.
Stapleton’s joins ITMA
Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Ltd has joined the International Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). According to the association, Stapleton’s joins ITMA “following the recent addition of an Asian tyre brand to its portfolio”. ITMA now has 23 members, nine of which appear in Tyres & Accessories’ top 20 leading tyre manufacturers ranking.
Michelin buys Masternaut
Michelin has agreed to buy the entire share capital of Masternaut, one of the largest European telematics providers, for an undisclosed amount. While not price details have been released, according to the company, the transaction has been made on the basis of eight-times 2018 EBITDA before synergies. Masternaut will continue to operate under its own brand as a fully-owned subsidiary within Michelin, and the transaction is expected to close within the next sixty days.
Three chances left to join A1 members at Trico’s “Race to Spain” experience
Trico launched their newest promotion at the recent A1 spring trade show by presenting a delighted Samantha Gutteridge from Epic Accessories with her ticket to “Race to Spain”. With every visitor to the Trico stand being entered into a prize draw, Samantha and Paul from Epic were drawn at random to put them in “pole position”.
Workshop incentives to purchase Denso air conditioning compressors
Denso is offering workshops Love2Shop vouchers when they purchase a Denso air conditioning (A/C) compressor. The promotion will run throughout May, June and July. To redeem the £10 Love2Shop voucher, which can be used to purchase a host of products from outlets across the country, technicians need fill in an online form and upload the invoice at the company's website.
Speed limiters to increase demand for wheel alignment
Wheel alignment supplier Absolute Alignment anticipates increased demand for four wheel alignment services from 2022 onwards if speed limiters become compulsory on all new cars across Europe.
Vaculug appoints new OTR sales manager
Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader, has expanded its OTR sales team with the addition of Alan Robin to head up off–the–road tyres as OTR sales manager for the South of England.
McLaren makes 20,000th car
McLaren Automotive made its 20,000th hand-assembled car at its McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey. The 20,000th car built was a right-hand drive 600LT Spider in Chicane Grey from the brand’s Sports Series line-up. Launched only last summer as the next chapter in the McLaren ‘Longtail’ story, all production slots for the Coupe variant have already been filled. It has been fitted with Pirelli Trofeo R tyres.
Pirelli at Silverstone Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup round 2
Silverstone will host the 3 Hours of Silverstone this weekend, round two of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, exclusively supplied by Pirelli. This follows the opening round of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe, which took place 160km down the road at Brands Hatch last weekend. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo will feature too, and the entire grid will also run on Pirelli rubber.
Used car volumes expected to increase in May
The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) expects used car volumes to increase in May through dealer part-exchanges and corporate de-fleets, according to the latest figures from NAMA’s market attitude survey. As volumes increase, auction houses are expecting first time conversion rates to fall as buyers have more cars to choose from. This is normal for this time of year following the plate change, and suggests the market is following the usual trend as the supply of vehicles grows.
Denso invites Automechanika visitors to view e-Videns
In addition to its comprehensive range of original equipment (OE) parts across multiple product categories, Denso will present its unique e-Videns vehicle inspection tool, designed to assist workshops with customer relations and business efficiencies at Automechanika Birmingham.