White vans still popular across the country
Whatever their impact on recent political manoeuvring, white vans are more popular than ever. Indeed 57 per cent of van drivers choose the colour white, according to the latest data published by Direct Line for Business following a government Freedom of Information request (FoI). According to the data, the number of Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) on our roads has increased by over 700,000 (26 per cent) since 2003 to 3.35 million. There are also more vans on our roads than ever before, with the number of registered LGVs in Britain increasing by over 700,000 (26 per cent) since 2003 to 3.3 million in 2013.
Continue ReadingAndrew Page experienced ‘double digit growth’ in 2014
Leading autoparts and workshop equipment distributor, Andrew Page, is reporting a strong close to 2014 with high hopes continuing into 2015. “In the past six months we have seen double digit growth in group sales which is remarkable,” said Simon Mullin, sales & marketing director of Andrew Page, adding: “We achieved record sales for Garage […]
Continue ReadingTyre labelling ‘debacle’; ‘4-6.5m part worn tyre sales’
RH Claydon’s John Parker gave his first Tyre Wholesalers Group speech as chairman at the group’s annual lunch in November. Parker covered the current state of the market, before summing up current views on part worn tyres and tyre labelling, the latter of which he labelled a “debacle”. Attending the event, Tyres & Accessories reports the contents of Parker’s speech below. Parker contextualised what he had to say with current UK market figures. Saying that the consumer tyre replacement market has “stabilised at about 34m units give or take”, he reserved judgement on whether this represented a corner starting to be turned, while noting that this did not take into account part worn sales.
Continue ReadingEverything pointed to UK tyre market growth in 2014, but…
Without being too dramatic, 2014 was a bit of a disappointment. All the macroeconomic and sector-specific indicators seemed to point to 2014 being the year when the tide turned and when sell-out replacement tyre volumes finally started growing again. And yet the market looks like it is going to be down again when the full-year 2014 figures come in. Despite being a fully mature market, the UK car tyre replacement sector has basically been on varying degrees of a downer for the last six years. Things are not as bad as they were, but they certainly aren’t showing the signs of slow, stable growth they once were. With all this in mind, Tyres & Accessories spoke with GfK automotive account director Kevin Glynn in order to get a handle on what happened this year and what we can expect in 2015.
Continue ReadingNorthern Ireland NFDA members meet in Belfast
The National Franchised Dealers Association is holding its annual meeting and dinner for Northern Ireland members today in Belfast. The association, which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, will discuss and analyse the new and used car market both in the UK and Northern Ireland. The meeting will also include a […]
Continue ReadingJohn McNaught launches JCM UK, focusing on recruitment and management services
Following his retirement from Bridgestone, ex-Northern European region managing director, John McNaught has founded JCM UK – a new venture focusing on recruitment and management services in the tyre and related industries. According to McNaught, after decades of working 60 – 80-hour weeks, he is simultaneously looking to take the opportunity to cut-back, but also […]
Continue Reading‘Record numbers’ sign up to IAAF conference
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has unveiled its speaker line-up for its 2014 Annual Conference and hailed ‘record numbers’, with 100 aftermarket personnel already expected to attend. The conference ‘Change, challenge opportunity – gearing up for the future’ sponsored by Autoparts UK will address the major issues from both UK and Europe, highlight the key changes from both a technical and a market perspective and, consider what opportunities there are for the future.
Continue ReadingSMMT celebrates scheme to up-skill young people
Yesterday (25 November) UK automotive industry representatives celebrated the achievements of more than 70 young people in the third iteration of an initiative to enhance skills in the automotive sector. The ‘Working Assets’ initiative, funded through SMMT’s Charitable Trust and delivered by the Foyer Federation, offers young people who have experienced disadvantage an exciting opportunity to develop their skills in one of the UK’s most vibrant industrial sectors.
Continue ReadingGiti lauds GT Radial network’s ‘exceptional’ Tyre Safety Month support
Giti Tire has thanked the GT Radial Performance Centres (GTPCs) for their support of October’s TyreSafe Tyre Safety Month. The company said that many sites in the network of retailers had undertaken an “exceptional level of activities”. Exemplifying this were Westgate Tyres in Morecambe and Ackworth Autoserv in Pontefract, which both held ladies’ safety days, […]
Continue ReadingBlackcircles on expansion, investment and going international
When Blackcircles.com appointed two new directors in early November, it was about more than simply expanding the range of experience available to the firm. It was also about driving the company’s international expansion plans forward. Tyres & Accessories recently caught up with founder and managing director Mike Welch in Edinburgh and found out more about […]
Continue ReadingMichelin tyres win first 18-inch victory in single seater Formula E series
Michelin is claiming motor racing history after securing the first victory for an 18-inch tyre in an FIA single-seater championship during the latest round of the Formula E championship, the Malaysia cauldron. Michelin FIA Formula E programme manager Serge GRISIN explained: “We spent much of the morning keeping an eye on the sky because there […]
Continue ReadingCrowdfunding drives MOT/repair startup forwards
Dipstix, an MOT, servicing and vehicle repair comparison website, based in Liverpool has reached its investment target of £300,000, enabling the business to grow into a national brand. Founded by the former UK sales director of Just-Eat, David Cederholm, Dipstix was launched in 2013. David Cederholm, managing director of Dipstix, said: “We’re delighted with the […]
Continue ReadingSMMT: UK truck manufacturing improving
UK truck and bus manufacturing sector could be on the up, with the industry showing signs of improvement, according to the latest detail published by automotive industry association SMMT. Indeed the latest data suggest that October saw the smallest monthly fall since June 2013.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster service ‘key’ to Gwynedd Shipping Group
ATS Euromaster’s service is “key” to a UK-based haulier renewing its contract with the company for the 17th consecutive year. The Gwynedd Shipping Group, which offers a range of haulage services including services to Ireland and specialist domestic steel delivery, runs its fleet of 80 trucks and 600 trailers, seven days a week, double-shifting the vehicles. The company therefore needs a service provider and tyre policy which can manage this high utilisation.
Continue ReadingFalken says Euroall AS200 a ‘sensible’ UK alternative to ‘pricey’ winter tyres
Sumitomo global brand Falken is recommending its Euroall AS200 all-season tyre to UK drivers reticent to invest in specialist winter products. While the manufacturer noted the widely accepted safety benefits full winter tyres can offer UK drivers, a recent Falken survey of 2,674 people suggested that motorists are reluctant to commit to the perceived high […]
Continue Reading