Satisfaction with manufacturers low in NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey
The NFDA Winter 2016 Dealer Attitude Survey has been published, showing that dealer networks’ satisfaction with their associated manufacturer has reached its lowest average level for several years. “The relationship between car dealers and car manufacturers recorded an average score of 6.1 - 0.1 points lower than the summer 2015 survey. This is the lowest score recorded in the past 8 surveys, suggesting that a number of dealer networks are slightly less satisfied with their relationship with their manufacturer,” said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.
Continue ReadingCooper increases football alliance as Avon becomes Everton’s Official Tyre
Avon Tyres will become the Official Tyre of Everton Football Club in the Barclays Premier League 2016/17 season, with three other partnerships giving the brand exposure at every professional level of the sport in the UK. The brand joins its sister Cooper brand in football sponsorship, the latter having been the Official Tyre of Arsenal for the last two seasons.
Continue ReadingNokian: Several firms involved in tyre test manipulation
As well as admitting that its “practices concerning tyre tests have not always…been in line with the sustainable approach of Nokian Tyres” and that it has made “mistakes”, Nokian has now explicitly implicated other tyre manufacturers in tyre test rigging.
Continue ReadingStill room for car dealership haggling, argues NFDA
There remains room for “dealers in the showroom” believes Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), following Auto Trader’s latest market review. The review shows that British car buyers are turning their backs on haggling, with a sharp rise in the number of motorists paying the asking price or more for a new or used car last year.
Continue Reading£5.4 million funding for five-strong battery development consortium
A consortium, led by Thurso-based AGM Batteries, has been awarded funding towards a £5.4 million project to develop the next generation of battery packs for high performance, low carbon vehicles.
Continue ReadingGrowth in electric charging network
About 98 per cent of England’s motorway network is within 20 miles of an electric vehicle charge point, with 72 per cent of service stations now providing electric charging.
Continue ReadingCheck every used car’s history, says HPI
HPI is urging used car dealers to make vehicle history checks standard on all stock, regardless of the vehicle’s age, after a Trading Standards investigation led to a trader from Wales being successfully prosecuted for unwittingly selling on a car with outstanding finance against it. With as many as 1 in 4 cars hitting the HPI outstanding finance register, the risk to dealers of damaging their reputation and facing judicial punishment is painfully high.
Continue ReadingParts Alliance buys SAS Autoparts
The Parts Alliance has added SAS Autoparts to its group. SAS was founded in 1960 and has branches in Harrogate, Otley, Skipton, Bradford, Castleford and Northallerton.
Continue ReadingGuus Hiddink to appear with Yokohama at 2016 Geneva Motor Show
Yokohama Rubber has announced its exhibition activities for the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, with the manufacturer’s Chelsea FC sponsorship taking centre-stage. The BluEarth-A AE50 Chelsea FC Edition, which features the logo of the Barclays Premier League holders, will be presented with a personal appearance by current first-team manager, Guus Hiddink and Chelsea managing director Christian Purslow, who will conduct a Q&A session. In addition, the company’s Advan Sport V105 global flagship tyre will be featured.
Continue ReadingThe Tyre Equipment Company gearing up for CV Show
The Tyre Equipment Company is preparing to exhibit at the CV show for a second year running. The firm works with leading equipment manufacturers such as Vipal, Schrader, Gaither, Winntec, PCL, Universal Air Tools and Omega.
Continue ReadingElectrical appliance behind Goodyear Dunlop fire
Fire investigators from the West Midlands Fire Service have determined the cause of the blaze at Goodyear Dunlop’s UK headquarters on 18 February. It appears that the fire was caused by a “large electrical appliance”; the appliance has now been sent away for further testing.
Continue ReadingWhere’re 4×4/SUV tyres AT?
With Micheldever reporting that 2016 got off to a good start for the company, Tyres & Accessories met with wholesale director Alan Baldwin in order to find out more about the company’s 4x4/SUV tyre business, which was recently boosted by the launch of 4site4x4tyres.co.uk.
Continue ReadingRange Rover Sport replaces BMX X5 as UK’s most stolen and recovered vehicle
According to the latest figures from Tracker (part of the Tantalum Corporation), the highly desirable Range Rover Sport was the most stolen and recovered vehicle in 2015, knocking the BMW X5 off the number one spot which it has held for the last 6 years. Year-on-year Tracker saw a 12 per cent increase in the […]
Continue ReadingThe right supercar investment ‘could earn thousands’
The latest figures from cap, a leading provider of data and insight to the automotive industry, reveal that the supercar market could offer a sound return on investment if buyers choose the right make and model. Overall, supercar and some sports car used values have remained level in a depreciating marketplace, but some vehicles are enjoying strong appreciation.
Continue ReadingValeo named a UK Top Employer for third year running
Valeo UK has been certified as a Top Employer in United Kingdom for the third year in a row by the Top Employers Institute. Top Employers 2016 certification recognises organisations that demonstrate best practices in human resources, particularly in the areas of attracting and developing talent, compensation and benefits, and training and skills development.
Continue Reading