Government fund designed to support UK automotive suppliers
A new £24 million government fund is intended to give UK-based automotive suppliers a boost. Announced today by Business Minister Michael Fallon at the Automotive Council’s Meet the Buyer event at ExCeL London, the Tooling Funding Programme will help component manufacturers design, develop and manufacture new tooling where they would otherwise fail to acquire funds.
Continue ReadingStapleton’s launches Gripmax exclusive 4×4 brand
Stapleton’s is launching a new exclusive brand into the market. Gripmax, which is squarely aimed at the 4x4 tyres comes as a response to demand from the company’s retail customers. According to the company, the competitively priced Gripmax 4x4 line-up will feature sizes previously only available through premium brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, and Pirelli.
Continue ReadingMay motorcycle sales show year-on-year rise
May UK motorcycle sales figures show that there were 10,509 more machines registered than in May 2013 with sales reflecting new confidence in the market and economy.
Continue ReadingIAAF calls for suppliers to share parts data access experience in EC survey
The IAAF is asking suppliers and motor factors to give their views and experiences on accessing vehicle assemblers’ parts data. Research group Ricardo has issued its questionnaire for parts suppliers and wholesalers, having been appointed by the European Commission to collect and assess market experience in obtaining repair & maintenance information data for repairing and servicing vehicles.
Continue ReadingTyre campaigner announced for Brityrex 2014 TyreTalk seminars
Frances Molloy, a prominent tyre legislation campaigner, has been announced as a speaker at October’s Brityrex International’s TyreTalk seminars. Molloy, who is chief executive of Health@Work and chair of Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, has been lobbying the UK government to change the law on the sale and fitting of overage tyres following the death of her 18-year old son alongside the driver and another passenger in an accident caused by the blowout of a second-hand 19.5-year old tyre.
Continue ReadingAddison Lee taxi fleet implements full Michelin tyre policy
London’s largest private minicab firm will fit Michelin tyres to its entire fleet following a three-month test on eight of its vehicles. Addison Lee previously used mid-range tyres on its 4,700 vehicles, which include such models as the Ford Galaxy and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Fleet Manager Rob Daniels explained that the longevity of Michelin-brand tyres had convinced him to make the change.
Continue ReadingThe Parts Alliance acquires Bromsgrove Motor Factors
The Parts Alliance business group has completed its acquisition of the Worcestershire-based Bromsgrove Motor Factors (BMF). It follows the acquisition of The Parts Alliance by HgCapital, the investment company with a £2 billion automotive fund. The Parts Alliance’s new chief executive Peter Sephton said he was excited to be welcoming new colleagues from BMF to the HgCapital backed Parts Alliance group ‘family’.
Continue ReadingDickies sponsors Motorsport Rescue Unit
Workwear brand Dickies has donated essential clothing to the Raf Rescue Unit, a motorsport rescue charity. Raf Rescue was founded in 1982 and attends major UK motorsport events like the Pageant of Power and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Continue ReadingLearner drivers to pay less for theory tests
UK Transport minister Stephen Hammond has announced a reduction of 25 per cent to the cost of the driving theory test. The Government is presenting this measure as part of a package designed to reduce the cost of motoring, predicting that learner drivers will reduce expenditure by more than £100m over the next nine years.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster quality certification renewed
ATS Euromaster’s ISO 9001:2008 quality certificate has been renewed following an independent audit. Retaining the global benchmark status was described as crucial by ATS Euromaster, as many of the largest public sector and private sector fleets view ISO 9001: 2008 as an essential status for suppliers to hold.
Continue ReadingPotholes the number one cause of sidewall damage, says Kwik Fit
Motorists in England will be pleased to hear the Government has allocated £168 million to repair pothole damage. Based on a cost of £53 for each temporary pothole repair, the money given to 148 councils will be used to fix around three million potholes. Councils that “demonstrate best practice in highways maintenance” will receive extra.
Continue ReadingPirelli to exhibit at Brityrex 2014
Pirelli has become the first premium brand tyre manufacturer to confirm that it will exhibit at Brityrex International. Pirelli’s direct involvement represents a something of a coup for the British tyre market show, taking place at EventCity, Manchester on 7-9 October. While the show was able to attract Michelin Training Centre in 2012 – a returning exhibitor in 2014 – this year’s Brityrex is increasing its profile with both major and second-tier tyre brands, a fact that organiser SingEx-ECI expects will increase its appeal.
Continue ReadingAutoparts World Cup promotion
World Cup fever has arrived at Autoparts UK. The motor factor group has just launched a ‘World Cup-themed’ summer promotion that gives customers the chance to earn SportsDirect.com and Matco tools vouchers. During the World Cup promotion, customers can earn a £5 voucher with every order over £99, a £10 voucher with any order exceeding £129, a £20 voucher with any order over £155 and a free international football shirt of their choice when they spend more than £349.
Continue ReadingPoint S launches new web site
Point S has unveiled a brand new web site (point-s.co.uk) which offers additional benefits to members and is designed to make it quicker and easier for motorists to book a tyre change online. Developed in response to members’ feedback about the previous version, the new Point S website is designed to offer a simpler, more user-friendly layout. It will also harness the power of social media, with links to the Point S Twitter feed and Facebook page, ensuring that member businesses are promoted to the widest possible audience.
Continue ReadingMicheldever shortlisted for national customer experience award
Micheldever Tyre’s retail division Protyre, has been shortlisted as a finalist in UK Customer Experience Awards 2014. Now if their fifth year, the awards celebrate and reward excellence in customer experience and support organisations and businesses that wish to promote an exceptional customer experience. Protyre is the fifth largest tyre retailer in the UK.
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