Switch to Michelin good for tyre bill, says MCL Logistics
General and specialist haulier MCL Logistics has more than doubled the size of its fleet in the last few years, and reports on its reasons for switching to a Michelin tyre supply agreement. It signed up to a 100 per cent Michelin policy after “being persuaded to switch by the Michelin tyres’ impressive on-road performance” and by the “manufacturer’s “highly proactive” support network.
Continue ReadingAnalysis shows car repairs can cost 30 per cent more, depending on location
A new infographic from vehicle repair and maintenance website Who Can Fix My Car reveals the price of car repair costs all over the UK, showing London to be the most expensive at £233. The firm, which analysed repair and maintenance data from their customers, reveals that the average cost of car repair in the UK is £220.
Continue Reading‘Braking Bad’ study addresses road safety concerns
More than seven in ten Brits admit their own poor driving adds to road rage as driver error remains the greatest cause of accidents, according to research carried out for Continental Tyres. The study reveals that over 25 million motorists apply double-standards and get sufficiently wound up by the slack habits of others, resulting in them reacting angrily and even driving more aggressively.
Continue ReadingMike Welch on Michelin takeover, Blackcircles’ growth and expectations
With Michelin buying a stake in Allopneus as well as the complete Blackcircles business in the Spring; and with Apollo purchasing Reifen.com in November, it is fair to say we witnessed a trend towards manufacturer investment in online tyre businesses this year. Dig a little deeper and we are beginning to learn more about how tyre manufacturers are approaching this unavoidably important strategic area. With 2015 being something of a landmark year in this respect, Tyres & Accessories met with Blackcircles founder and managing director Mike Welch in Edinburgh to find out more.
Continue ReadingTough market, but sales still growing
Maxxis UK managing director offers 2015 market insights, looks forward to 2016 “For retailers it is about selling something,” Maxxis UK managing director Derek McMartin told Tyres & Accessories during an interview in October. But what? The point is that, in the present market situation we are all currently experiencing, dealers are forever in a […]
Continue ReadingDon’t risk one for the road in December
An estimated 10 million British motorists drink and drive. In December, when alcohol consumption soars by 40 per cent in the UK, 7.8 per cent more people are arrested on drink driving charges than any other month of the year. These shocking figures show just how many of us are risking our lives – and our personal record – by getting behind the wheel after one too many drinks during the festive season. Driving above the legal limit has severe – not to mention, costly - repercussions, yet it seems in the haze of Christmas merriment, many motorists are risking it all to get home.
Continue Reading200th branch for Euro Car Parts
Car parts distributor Euro Car Parts (ECP) has opened its 200th branch, as it continues to fulfil its rapid expansion plans. The new branch - Manchester (Moss Lane) - is one of ECP’s new generation hubs. Providing approximately 180 deliveries per day to Whitefield, Bury, Radcliffe, Swinton and Cheetham Hill, the hub will initially be occupied by 38 staff, increasing to 50 within one year. Totalling 60,000 sq ft (5,574 sq m) over three floors, the Manchester hub will take ECP’s total property portfolio to over 5,250,000 sq ft (487,725 sq m).
Continue ReadingGrouptyre promotes Paul Hollows to commercial director
Grouptyre, has appointed Paul Hollows as its new commercial director. Hollows, who has been with the company for almost 16 years, has been promoted to the role from sales director, which sees him assuming responsibility for implementing Grouptyre’s business development strategy. Hollows joined Grouptyre in its infancy in 2000, and was appointed sales director for the company in 2008.
Continue ReadingPirelli Carlisle not flooded, but firm helping locals during floods
With record amounts of rain falling over the weekend of 5 and 6 December and floods across the Lake District and Cumbria, Pirelli has confirmed that its Carlisle factory has not been flooded, however local disruption has been caused by flooding on many surrounding roads.
Continue ReadingVertu buys AceParts for £2.2 million
Vertu has entered into the online parts sales sector with the acquisition of AceParts; an online vehicle parts business based in Sittingbourne, Kent. The company sells through its own website AceParts and also through Amazon and eBay, using Royal Mail second class post for deliveries throughout the UK.
Continue Reading2015 a winning year for Kirkby Tyres
Established in in 1958, Kirkby Tyres Ltd is amongst an elite list of leading tyre wholesalers operating in the UK and Ireland. And while the Liverpool-based family company has been around for some time, in recent years the company has demonstrated impressive and consistent growth. 2015 was no different and culminated with the firm winning “Truck and Agricultural Tyre Supplier of the Year” at the 2015 NTDA Tyre Industry Awards. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Kirkby Tyres marketing manager Adam Bromilow to find out more.
Continue ReadingFleet Tyre Network signs Europcar deal
Fleet Tyre Network (FTN), which offers replacement tyre services to fleets through independents, has been selected as the primary tyre provider for Europcar. The latest news follows FTN’s selection as one of three tyre suppliers to Leaseplan UK, part the biggest fleet company in the world.
Continue ReadingCV sales also recover in November
SMMT figures reveal that that it was a similar story of recovery for commercial vehicles, as registrations of commercial vehicles rose 13.9 per cent in November to 33,303 units. As with cars, this sales growth followed a dip in October. Van registrations posted a 9.6 per cent rise in the month, continuing the general trend seen over the past few years with businesses having grown in confidence and online deliveries surging in popularity.
Continue ReadingVW Group sales down 20 per cent
While November saw a rise in car sales, SMMT figures show that it was far from a good month for the VW Group in the UK: Volkswagen sales in Britain tumbled in November with new car registrations of VW-branded models falling 20 per cent year-on-year in the wake of the diesel emissions rigging scandal.
Continue ReadingNovember car sales buoyant after October dip
Following October’s decline – the first in 44 months – registrations of new cars in the UK returned to growth in November, according to the latest figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 178,876 cars were registered in the month, an increase of 3.8 per cent over November 2014, while the overall market in the first 11 months of 2015 has seen 6.2 per cent growth to 2,453,426 units.
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