Thieves target modern classic vehicles
The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) is urging classic vehicle owners to invest in security equipment as the crime trend of 2015 shows no sign of abating, particularly in South East England.
Continue ReadingFirenza‘s three SUV patterns
Singapore-based tyre brand Firenza offers three patterns for the growing SUV/4x4 sector in the UK and Europe. The Firenza AT-186 pattern includes a combination of large drainage slots complete with fine sipes to ensure a comfortable drive performance plus a high standard of off-road handling capabilities whilst special centre blocks and shoulder lugs significantly reduce noise frequency levels.
Continue ReadingEnjoy markets SUV selection
Enjoy Tyre reports that it offers UK and European customers a growing range of quality SUV/4x4 tyres from its two private brands – Routeway and Rotalla. The Routeway Suretrek RY88 SUV H/T pattern incorporates four directional grooves along with “solid steel sheet” construction, which is designed to improve handling in both wet and dry weather conditions. Also, Enjoy claims “ultra-low noise levels” and improved ride comfort have been achieved, while a large shoulder pattern design is said to “significantly increase braking levels and drainage capabilities”. The RY88 SUV H/T pattern is currently available in 25 sizes in 85, 80, 75, 70 and 65 series in T, H and V speed ratings in 15 up to 18 inch wheel diameters.
Continue ReadingJanuary UK car registrations the best since 2005
The UK new car market saw registrations climb 2.9 per cent year-on-year in January to reach an 11-year high of 169,678 units. By comparison January 2005 saw 181,474 new cars registered. Private and business buyers drove this growth with demand for new cars up by 8.2 per cent to 73,061 and 5.0 per cent to 6,716 units respectively, while the fleet sector declined slightly by 1.1 per cent to 89,901. The month marks the highest number of new cars registered to private buyers in January in 12 years.
Continue ReadingLCV registrations take a break from growth in January
After a record 2015, registrations of vans in the UK more or less levelled off in January with a 4.3 per cent fall in demand compared with the same month last year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 21,102 new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were registered in January, making it the first month of decline since July 2015.
Continue ReadingPACT renews agreement with Groupauto
PACT, the electronic trading initiative, has renewed its agreement with Groupauto’s G-Net electronic trading solution for a further four years, enabling approved suppliers and Group Auto Members to trade and communicate more effectively.
Continue ReadingIGA to introduce Diagnostic Specialist Award
The Independent Garage Association’s (IGA) Diagnostic Specialist Award has been developed to showcase the diagnostic abilities of independent garages to consumers and fleets through a robust technical assessment. The accreditation will recognise the diagnostic capability of an independent garage and verify that they have the ability to communicate with the latest technology in cars. The brand will, by its very nature, signpost independents to fleet operators and consumers who own and operate new cars.
Continue ReadingOver three-quarters of Brits ‘comfortable’ with driverless cars
Following uSwitch’s discovery that one in two adults do not trust driverless cars, a global survey from the world’s largest vehicle management group, LeasePlan, paints a different picture.
Continue ReadingPirelli employees raise money for hospital children’s ward
For the third year running, Pirelli supported the children’s ward at Queen’s Hospital in Burton. With the generosity of its employees, and the company itself, a total of £510 was raised to support the local hospital. The funds were used to purchase a selection of much needed toys for the wards and for those children to enjoy that unfortunately spent Christmas day in hospital.
Continue ReadingDelivery driver denies involvement in Pirelli tyre theft conspiracy
One of three men accused of stealing £102,000 worth of tyres from Pirelli’s Carlisle factory between August 2013 and May 2014 has appeared in Carlisle Crown Court this week to answer a charge of conspiracy to commit theft. Graham Wait, who denies any wrongdoing and says he was not involved in the conspiracy, has entered a not guilty plea.
Continue ReadingIAAF: Kia guilty verdict a major victory for aftermarket’
Now the Supreme Court of Stockholm has dismissed Kia’s petition to appeal against conviction in December 2012 for breach of competition in the Swedish market on its 7 year new car warranty, the IAAF is suggesting the verdict is “a major victory for the aftermarket”. Under the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010, manufacturers have a duty to honour the vehicle’s warranty when it is serviced outside of the dealership, and non-OE parts being fitted onto a vehicle is an insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid.
Continue ReadingTRA launches part worn tyre safety guidelines
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has published new part worn tyre safety guidelines designed to give consumers confidence “that the part worn tyres they are buying are safe and roadworthy, not dangerous and illegal”. According to the TRA, the new guidelines are being introduced to improve standards, share good practice and improve road safety across the UK and follow research suggesting 98 per cent of part worns sold don’t comply with current legislation.
Continue ReadingKings Road Tyres restructuring wholesale business
Kings Road Tyres (KRT), one of the longest-established UK tyre wholesalers, is restructuring its distribution network and has committed to a multi-million pound investment and modernisation programme to achieve this. However, this also means the eight existing KRT warehouses in the UK and Ireland will be progressively closed to coincide with the opening of new premises. This is expected to take place between the end of March and the end of August 2016.
Continue ReadingAutomotive industry offers orphan car recycling support
SMMT members have committed to helping thousands of consumers recycle their old vehicles with a free take-back service. Under the End of Life Vehicles Directive, when cars and vans up to 3.5-tonnes reach the end of their lives, they must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. However, while manufacturers provide this service free of charge, some motorists can face difficulties if the brand is no longer trading and has no parent company. When this happens, the car or van becomes what is known as an ‘orphan vehicle’.
Continue ReadingFord cutting 100s of jobs in the UK and Germany
Ford is aiming to saving US$200 million a year by reducing the number of sales marketing and administration jobs its supports in Europe. To achieve this Ford will offer a voluntary redundancy scheme to the 10,300 salaried workers it employs in Europe, according to Reuters. The deal is likely to include severance pay and early […]
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