Grouptyre takes on CAM’s OTC
Grouptyre is introducing the Online Tyre Catalogue (OTC) from CAM Systems to enhance its product data and stock management function and help deliver additional accuracy to its sales processes for the benefit of its many customers nationally.
Continue ReadingRAC offering universal spare wheel with Dynomec and ATSE
Following a rise in the number of manufacturers that fit emergency tyre inflation kits instead of spare wheels, the RAC has introduced a universal spare wheel to handle call outs for unfixable punctures.
Continue ReadingManagers locked out in Apollo/Cooper protest
Resistance to the acquisition of Cooper Tire and Rubber by Apollo Tyres continues unabated, with workers at the Cooper Chengshan joint venture factory in China's Shandong province locking out their US managers in protest against the deal. Workers say that the takeover will put their jobs at risk and, according to Yue Chunxue, director of the labour union at the plant, foreign managers could face the risk of "bodily injuries". He added: "unless the deal is cancelled, we will continue to boycott it until the very end. A three-month strike ended on August 17th but the union is continuing to boycott work on Cooper-branded products.
Continue ReadingNew wheel from Alcoa
Alcoa has expanded its medium duty portfolio with a new wheel size: 19.5 x 6.75. Alcoa already offers the 17.5 x 6.75 wheel for medium duty trucks. It is available in two finishes; Brushed and Dura-Bright. The new wheel has the following specification:
Continue ReadingProtyre Formula Renault ‘Autumn Cup’ announced
Grovewood Sport and the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) have revealed plans for a four round Protyre Formula Renault Championship ‘Autumn Cup' which will take place at Rockingham International Super Sports Car Circuit over the weekend 16th/17th November.
Continue ReadingFinalists chosen in Miss Yokohama contest
The Miss Yokohama beauty pageant has a long tradition in the Swiss automotive industry and 2013 marks the 12th year of the contest. The winner not only spends a year as brand ambassador for the tyre brand, attending various functions and trade shows, but also wins a car and other prizes, such as a photoshoot.
Continue ReadingStrong export growth at Jiangxi Blackcat
Jiangxi Black Cat Carbon Black (Black Cat Inc.) reports that exports are growing fast after the firm redoubled efforts to improve “product quality, technology innovation” as well as expanding cooperation with certain leading international companies such as Bridgestone and Michelin.
Continue ReadingBosch celebrates 10 years and 99.5% car service satisfaction
The Bosch Car Service network is celebrating a decade of existing and scoring 99.5 per cent customer satisfaction for its car servicing and repairs. Originally launched in 2003, the network of independent garages has gone from strength to strength. The latest independent customer satisfaction survey results show that an amazing 99.5 per cent of Bosch Car Service customers would use the network again, based on their overall experience. The scheme was also the first car repair code to achieve key accreditation, helping ensure that customers get a fair deal - first with the Office of Fair Trading and more recently with the Trading Standards Institute.
Continue ReadingMytyres.co.uk conducting labelling research too
Just a day after we announced the first early details of the NTDA’s national tyre labelling survey, it has now emerged that mytyres.co.uk is also managing a survey on a very similar subject. Writing in a customer email dated 2 September 2013, mytyres.co.uk explained the background to tyre labelling before going on to explain that company is interested in learning more about what consumers themselves think of labelling.
Continue ReadingContinental places 750 million euro bond
Continental AG has placed a 750 million euro Eurobond with institutional and retail investors. According to the company, the aim of the move is to reduce the firm’s interest costs. The bond issued by Continental under its Debt Issuance Program established in May has a term of seven years and an interest rate of 3.125 per cent per annum. Interest will be payable annually in arrears. The issue price is 99.228 per cent.
Continue ReadingNTDA survey: Labels trumped by price concerns
Almost a year after point of sale tyre labelling became mandatory in Europe, the NTDA has revealed that it plans to release the details of a survey into attitudes towards labelling at the association’s annual dinner in October. Almost 12 months since the labelling of tyres at the point of sale became mandatory across the EU and the UK, the NTDA wondered what effect, if any, it has had on the way tyres are sold – have customers become better informed and more knowledgeable? Are they aware of the introduction of the label? Do they appreciate the information on it? And how important is this relative to price?
Continue ReadingUK diesel prices 4th highest in the world
The weekly e-bulletin from the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation quotes a worldwide cost survey commissioned by This is Money from Looking4Parking.com which says that British motorists are being hit with the world's fourth most expensive diesel prices.
Continue ReadingSharp growth in Trust My Garage membership
Trust My Garage (TMG) has experienced a boom in membership since the announcement that the scheme has applied to become a Government backed TSI code. Following the announcement at the Trading Standards conference in June the number of independent garages wishing to become a TMG member has increased by an unprecedented 20 per cent.
Continue ReadingWin a Citroen DS3 in Primewell competition
Stapleton's (Tyre Services) Ltd has teamed up with Giti Tire to launch a consumer competition featuring the exclusive Giti brand Primewell. Any customer who buys a pair of Primewell tyres from a participating key dealer and answers a tyre safety question will be entered into a prize draw to win a new Citroen DS3 Sport, fitted with Primewell Sport 910 tyres.
Continue ReadingBridgestone OE on Ferrari F12berlinetta
Bridgestone has developed a new super sports car tyre, the Potenza S007, as original equipment for the 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta. The tyre size is 255/35 ZR 20 and the S007 will be fitted on the F12berlinetta in conventional and Run-Flat Technology tyres.
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