UK News
Britain’s biggest new car discounts revealed ahead of March plate change
Britain’s biggest new car discounters have been revealed ahead of the introduction of the new ‘20’ registration plate on 1 March, with Citroën dealers offering the biggest cash discounts on average, but with the Fiat Tipo attracting the biggest individual percentage discount, with close to 30 per cent available off its RRP. Research by What Car? – which guarantees shoppers on its website at least these savings – found Citroën dealers are slashing prices by an average of 16.44 per cent, meaning buyers save an average of £4431 on a new Citroën.
PRA urges Chancellor to cut road fuel tax by 2ppl
The PRA has written to Sajid Javid MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a case for cutting road fuel duty by 2 pence per litre in the first Budget of the new Government.
Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man dealers join Michelin Quality Centres
Michelin’s accredited dealer network continues to grow, with new Michelin Quality Centres (MQC) – the new name for members of the Michelin Auto Professional programme – appointed in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Auction demand expected to remain strong in February
“A majority of respondents to this month’s survey have indicated that they expect auction volumes to stabilise in February following an increase in supply during January,” said Louise Wallis, head of the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), commenting on the latest figures from NAMA’s market attitude survey.
Goodyear the top-selling premium tyre on Delticom’s sites
Delticom has named the top-selling tyres sold on its sites, according to a number of different criteria. The rankings are based on Europe-wide sales from Delticom's online B2B shops, such as Yourtyres.co.uk in the UK – across all brands and categories.
£7 million fraud suit brought against Vaculug’s former owners
Grantham Capital Ltd, which bought well-known independent retreader Vaculug Traction Tyres 18 months ago, filed a £7.2 million fraud action against Vaculug’s former owners on 16 January 2020.
Oil grade picture getting increasingly complicated
The headaches surrounding oil grades are set to increase for automotive professionals over the coming years, a leading lubricant expert has warned. The number of different engine oils on the market has soared in the last decade - whereas once most cars required a basic 15W-40 viscosity oil or a 10W-40, there is now a much wider range available depending on OEM and vehicle.
Tyre recovery prices could double
Tighter waste recovery practices in India will drive “a big increase in recovery costs across Europe and beyond”, according to industry body the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). Together with similar moves in some other SE Asian countries, the TRA warns vehicle dismantlers and tyre retailers that disposal costs could “as much as double” in the coming weeks and months.
Spotlight on OSRAM as it picks up Auto Express win
Night Breaker Laser, the next generation of automotive upgrade halogen bulbs from OSRAM, have outshone competition by being named the Auto Express Best Buy Car Headlamp Bulb 2019. Key features include the bulb’s laser ablation technology and the highly engineered filament. They enable the bulb to shine up to 150 per cent brighter, while providing a beam of up to 150 metres and 20 per cent whiter light compared to the minimum legal standard.
Pirelli schedules first P Zero Experience supercar track day for June
Pirelli has announced that its new P Zero Experience supercar track day, run in association with Salon Privé, will take place between 2 and 3 June 2020 in the UK. The event features driving, premium hospitality and of course and exquisite cars. Initially launched in France 10 years ago, the events now take place at Italy’s famous Mugello circuit, the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi and the famous Hockenheimring in Germany. This year the home of British motorsport, Silverstone, joins the line-up.
Goodyear: New EfficientGrip Performance 2 tyre offers 20% more mileage than Michelin
Goodyear has launched the EfficientGrip Performance 2. According to the company, the new tyre can achieve 50 per cent higher mileage than its predecessor and 20 per cent better mileage than Michelin. The claims are based on tests conducted by TÜV SÜD, which also found that the EfficientGrip Performance 2 had the shortest braking distances on wet and dry roads compared to leading competitors.
Melett grows partnership with Universal Turbos
Melett, the leading UK supplier of precision engineered turbochargers and parts, has expanded its partnership with specialist turbo repairer Universal Turbos. Universal Turbos, based in Hampshire, supply workshops in automotive, motorcycle, marine, off-highway and agricultural sectors, offering a complete turbo repair and replacement service.
Michelin grows tyre contract with Huntapac Produce
Michelin has renewed a five-year tyre contract with one of the largest vegetable and salad producers in the UK. Preston-based Huntapac Produce signed the Effitires agreement following a competitive tender which pitched the manufacturer against rival brands. Michelin will continue to fit X Multi regional tyres across the firm’s fleet of more than 190 commercial vehicle assets, which includes 64 trucks, 62 refrigerated trailers, 55 bulk tipping trailers, three curtainsiders and two low loaders.
MotorEasy acquires Motokiki tyre price comparison site
Motoring services website, MotorEasy has acquired tyre price comparison site Motokiki. The acquisition represents the latest addition to MotorEasy’s portfolio of motoring products, which includes insurances, fixed-price repairs, MOTs and servicing, and car leasing. Motokiki was launched in quarter four of 2018, backed by £3 million of equity investment from Maven Capital Partners and the Development Bank of Wales. It entered administration just under a year later, following the resignation of co-founder and CEO Debra Williams. MotorEasy’s announcement claims that Motokiki is “the only independent tyre comparison website”, but a recent Tyrepress survey of the UK market found eight current tyre comparison websites with a variety of approaches, including the independent user review site TyreReviews.co.uk, and Tyrepress’s sister site WhatTyre.com, which uses professional tyre reviews and experienced editors to rank tyres with its Tyrescore system.
Northern Irish MOT lifts different to UK models
In addition to the news that the Maha Duo+1 scissor lift if the model behind the Northern Ireland MOT crisis, GEA chief executive Julian Woods has pointed out that these Irish lifts are different to UK equivalents: “Vehicle lifts used for performing MOT tests in Ireland are of a different design/specification to those required in the UK MOT market and as such we cannot compare the situations.”