Record number of UK car buyers go ultra-low on emissions
A record number of UK car buyers are opting to reduce their fuel bills by choosing ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), according to research by Go Ultra Low. The latest registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that more than 41 per cent of all alternatively-fuelled cars registered in the first quarter of 2015 qualified for the governments plug-in car grant, up from 13 per cent over the same period in 2014.
Continue ReadingMichelin solutions launches ‘Effitires with fuel commitment’
Michelin solutions used the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015 to launch what it calls “a new pan-European value-creation offer for road transport fleets”. In other words, this means the firm is offering price per kilometre (PPK) tyre management contracts with a contractual fuel saving commitment, for the first time. Michelin solutions calls this – ‘Effitires with fuel commitment’ and it is designed to make both hauliers’ and own-account operators’ fleets more efficient by combining outsourced tyre procurement and expert tyre management with a commitment to saving fuel.
Continue ReadingNFDA gives advice on tax disc rule changes
Following news that thousands of drivers have had their cars clamped and received fines of hundreds of pounds after being caught out by the change in tax disc rules, the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, is issuing advice on the new taxation procedures.
Continue ReadingAA launches ‘Motorists’ Manifesto’
UK voters with cars and other vehicles pay more in fuel duty (£26.9bn) alone than UK firms and companies pay in business rates (£26.8bn) and the equivalent of 97.5 per cent of what is received through council tax (£27.5bn). Other motoring taxes raise another £6.1bn in vehicle excise duties, and a further £25bn from VAT […]
Continue ReadingNominations open for IMI Outstanding Achievers Awards
Nominations for the 2015 IMI Outstanding Achievers Awards are now open. The Outstanding Achievers Awards celebrate the achievements of IMI learners, accredited individuals and automotive professionals within the UK retail motor industry. This years event will be held at Silverstone race circuit in the world famous wing facility on the 22nd October, and will be attended by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
Continue ReadingVicars just divine for used car buyers
When asked what profession a used car buyer would most trust buying from when looking for a used car in the private market, one in four buyers said they would most trust a vicar, reveals the latest survey from vehicle information experts, HPI. Surprisingly, only 19 per cent voted a motor mechanic the most trustworthy person to buy a used car from, however, this was the second most trusted profession. Doctors and medical professionals came in third at 15 per cent, with teachers scoring 12 per cent. Bottom of the table were builders (1 per cent), IT professionals (2 per cent) and surprisingly, members of the armed forces scored just 4 per cent, along with admin staff and secretaries. Interestingly lawyers, accountants and sales professionals all scored 6 per cent.
Continue Reading“Electric service” from Autoparts UK
Customers of Autoparts UK will have their parts orders delivered rapidly by a brand-new fleet of unique Renault Twizy electric cars. The 12-branch motor factor has invested in the new environmentally-friendly vehicles as part of a drive to reduce its carbon footprint. The cars will mainly operate from the company’s branches in Glasgow & Dundee, delivering a rapid deployment of parts under its exclusive brands including Padtech brake pads, Disctech discs and Ultratech oils. The Renault Twizy is a twin-seater car that is powered by a 17bhp electric motor. Its battery can be recharged by plugging into any 220V power source.
Continue ReadingExol reaches final of two Express & Star awards
Exol Lubricants has been nominated for two awards at the Express & Star Business Awards 2015. Following on from last year’s victory as manufacturing champion at the same awards, Exol is a finalist in the category of the Export Award and headline award of Business of the Year. The Express & Star Business Awards presentation evening takes place at Wolverhampton Racecourse on June 11. According to the newspaper, more applicants than ever before entered the awards with 33 companies going through to the final. Exol will now undergo a rigorous assessment including a series of site visits, as part of the judging process.
Continue ReadingUK car registrations rise 6.8% in March, European total up 10.6%
Demand for new passenger cars in the European Union rose 10.6 per cent year-on-year in March 2015, with the ACEA, or European Automobile Manufacturers Association, reporting a total of 1,604,107 cars registered. This is the 19th consecutive month of growth, and it is a trend fuelled by all major markets – particularly Spain, where new passenger car registrations jumped 40.5 per cent to 112,299 units. Italy also enjoyed double-digit growth and recorded 161,303 new passenger car registrations in March, 15.1 per cent more than a year earlier. The greatest number of new registrations during the month took place in the UK, where 492,774 new passenger cars were registered, a 6.8 per cent increase on March 2014.
Continue ReadingEuropean truck tyre manufacturers losing ground to imports, says ETRMA
The association representing tyre manufacturers in Europe says its members experienced “mixed results” in the region’s replacement market during the first quarter of 2015. While companies belonging to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association sold more passenger car tyres (up 1.9 per cent to 52,120,000 units) and motorcycle tyres (up 6.6 per cent to 3,297,000 units) in the first quarter of 2015 than a year earlier, both truck and agricultural tyre sales were down compared with the corresponding period in 2014; ETRMA members’ truck tyre sales decreased 0.74 per cent to 2,158,000 units and agricultural tyre sales dropped 12.8 per cent to 436,000 units.
Continue ReadingProtyre deploys SCV database
Protyre, the retail division of Micheldever Tyre Services, has taken on a Single Customer View (SCV) database developed by the Purple Agency (part of Adare). Micheldever Group purportedly sells 6 million tyres a year, roughly 20 per cent of the total UK market. According to the company, the new database will allow the company to map out a customer communications strategy that routes campaigns via the most efficient channel across email, direct mail and in store. Driving deeper data insights, the new system will also help them deliver an even better experience for their customers, helping them keep their cars safe and legal whilst reducing their motoring costs by keeping them up to speed with the latest deals and offers.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster piloting new van and truck maintenance services
Yesterday ATS Euromaster announced that it is offering a range of service, maintenance and repair (SMR) facilities for trucks and trailers, designed to make it easy for fleets to get rapid access to expert care for larger commercial vehicles. Six ATS Euromaster centres have been selected to take part in the pilot scheme, in Birmingham, Avonmouth, Liverpool, Rugby, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester. In addition to offering tyres for trucks and trailers, these centres are now fit replacement air cables, electrical coils and suzie lines – with work carried out either in centre, on-site or at the roadside. They are also offering replacement batteries with two year unlimited mileage guarantees, plus a rapid response service for jumpstarting trucks in need of urgent assistance.
Continue ReadingIMI announces launch of free vehicle diagnostics eLearning resources
IMI has launched a series of online vehicle diagnostics training modules, funded by digital solutions charity Jisc. The resources will be free to access through the IMIs eLearning platform, acquired in 2014 by the IMI. They are aimed at individuals with a background in car maintenance and level 3 qualifications, providing technicians with an opportunity to brush up their diagnostic skills and learn new ones. Modules will be made available to IMI Members first before becoming accessible to the wider industry.
Continue ReadingCV fleet operators ‘missing out on £2.6bn fuel savings’
New research from Go Ultra Low has shown that commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers are missing out on a share of more than £2.6 billion potential fuel savings, accessible by opting for an ultra-low emission van.
Continue ReadingLancaster Insurance sets new MG parade world record
Lancaster Insurance has become an official Guinness World Records title holder for the largest parade of MGs. The parade took place on Saturday, 11 April at Rockingham Circuit in Corby, Northamptonshire, where 144 MG owners and lovers united to take part in a world first.
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