Euro Car Parts Buys LSUK
Euro Car Parts has acquired the businesses of Pinco 1555 Ltd, otherwise known as LSUK. Euro Car Parts will take over all 53 LSUK Branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind. Chairman, Sukhpal Singh commented on the acquisition: Euro Car Parts has proved its ability to grow organically in difficult times. The purchase of LSUK will further accelerate our expansion and support our quest to provide the ultimate in quality and service to the automotive aftermarket. He added: Previous acquisitions by Euro Car Parts have shown our willingness to invest in the staff and fabric of companies, so as to bring them up to the same market-leading standards that have gained Euro Car Parts many awards for customer service throughout the industry.
Continue ReadingTennis Programme Not Just for Brand Awareness, says Apollo
In light of accusations that its programme to nurture up and coming tennis talent is little more than another means by which to promote brand awareness, Apollo Tyres has reiterated that its ‘Apollo Tyres Mission 2018’ scheme is a “programme to identify, nurture and create world-class tennis players in India who will challenge, perform and win on the world stage, with at least one becoming a Singles Grand Slam champion by the year 2018.” The All India Tennis Association (AITA), however, views the Apollo programme differently. According to AITA secretary Anil Khanna, the company is doing little in the name of tennis development and is instead using the programme as an opportunity to promote its own brand. In a letter to Apollo Tyres the AITA asked the company to be “transparent” and reveal how much it has to date spent on Apollo Tyres Mission 2018, a scheme the tyre maker claims to have earmarked Rs 1 billion (£11.6 million) for. Apollo says it is unable to provide details of any money so far spent.
Continue ReadingRema Tip Top Offers Mounting Solutions for Run-Flats
Rema Tip Top offers a range of workshop equipment for run-flat tyres that covers every need, from entry-level products to high-end solutions. The Butler Topline tyre changer is a superb introductory machine, says Rema Tip Top, and represents an intelligent evolution of the award winning Airdraulic and Aircombi tyre changers. One of the new standard features on the Butler Topline is the Safety Belt, which was developed to reduce mounting stress particularly whilst fitting low profile, UHP and self supporting tyres, thus preventing damage to any part of the tyre or rim.
Continue ReadingPirelli Announces Further Investment in Romania
Pirellis sees its new industrial centre in Romania’s automotive sector as strategic for the companys future growth in the emerging East European markets. The company’s position in Romania is now set to grow further in coming years following the announcement of new investments to the value of 250 million euros. The chairman of Pirelli & C. SpA, Marco Tronchetti Provera, made the announcement to Romanian Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, during a meeting held in Bucharest on September 29, at which the Groups activities in the country were discussed.
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Virtual Margins in the online tyre business
In recent years the online tyre market has swollen in size (as observed in other retailer sectors). Whilst the proportion of the total market controlled by this sector remains limited, the fact that the number of different e-tail platforms is continually proliferating means online sales could already account for as much as 3 per cent of the European replacement market. With this in mind, knowing more about how these businesses operate is of interest to everyone in the tyre trade. The latest insight is that the average tyre offered for sale online costs consumers around £69.14, meaning the myth that ‘virtual’ margins are too thin to make business sense could be evaporating. However, the most commonly offered tyre online is characterised as a mid-range brand costing around £60. It seems making money online is all a question of business model.
Continue ReadingTonal Enrichment from Quicksilver
When the new Jaguar XKR-S hit the streets of Europe, it will be a very rare beast indeed. Only 200 of this exclusive model are being built, 50 of which will be sold in the UK. The XKR-S is powered by Jaguar’s acclaimed 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine - tuned to develop 416 Bhp and a peak torque of 560Nm - XKR-S has been developed for the true Jaguar enthusiast. An exhaust system for this formidable motor can be supplied by Quicksilver: The new catalyst-back ‘Sports’ exhaust system, designed to give this cat a roar – when desired.
Continue ReadingNissan to Recall Defective Wheel Nut Vehicles
In the US Nissan has issued a recall of up to 3.4 million Altima cars due to a potentially dangerous wheel problem. This issue affects the 2009 model – why wait until next year to own a defective vehicle when you can have one right now? – fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, although the problem is reportedly restricted to those cars built at the company’s Canton, Mississippi factory between July 24 and August 14. The wheel nuts apparently become loose of their own volition, a ‘standard feature’ Nissan rightly believes is not very helpful. Altima owners in the US can telephone Nissan on 800-647-7261 for further information.
Continue ReadingNokian Introduces HT SUV Tyre for Urban 4x4s
Nokian’s product range has grown with the addition of the Nokian HT SUV, a summer tyre intended for urban use 4x4 vehicles. The HT SUV is, says the manufacturer, most at home on asphalt roads, however it is said to also function excellently off on “twisty small roads” and “tracks that are covered in sand and gravel and difficult to drive on.” The T and H speed rated range will be available in a wide range of sizes covering all popular 4x4s sold in Europe, with sales starting in the spring of 2009.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein/Sibur Merger in Trouble
The proposed merger of Russian tyre manufacturing giants Amtel-Vredestein and Sibur Russian Tyres looks to be faltering after reports from news agencies Interfax and Reuters suggested Sibur had walked away from the deal. The plan had been to merge the two companies in order to make a $2 billion a year tyre firm with 30 per cent domestic market share and access to the European markets through Vredestein. Reuters quoted an unnamed source as saying: “As far as I understand Sibur decided not to move forward with the initial agreement.” Sibur Russian Tyres representatives could not be reached for commented. However, Amtel-Vredestein’s press department in Russia told Tyres & Accessories that Amtel had not walked away from the deal. “It is an ongoing work in progress,” they explained.
Continue ReadingMajorlift Puts £100,000 into Improving Quality
Majorlift installed three machining centres during the summer break. According to the company, the machining centres (one Cincinnati, one Colchester and an EMI-MEC Batchmatic) demonstrate the latest progress in its “continuing quest for ever improving quality and delivery times.” Managing Director Bob Sims said: “We are delighted with our new machining centres. Inevitably we went through an operating learning curve during the summer, but their improved output and precision is already benefiting our customers with MOT Scissor Beams being quoted for delivery within 5 working days and our pit jacks from between 5 and 10 working days. Our market leading 5 year warranty continues to apply.”
Continue ReadingContinental Industrial Tyres Warns Against Wrong Fitments
Speaking at the Fork Lift Truck Association’s (FLTA) Safety Conference on 25 September, Continental Industrial tyres warned against incorrect fitments and poor maintenance of tyres on industrial vehicles. Industrial vehicles have evolved over the past 20 years, becoming faster, more powerful and being worked harder than ever before. These advancements mean that higher demands are being put on the vehicles only contact with the road, making good tyre selection all the more important. Gary Banks from Continental Industrial tyres explained why: “Tyres are an essential part of the forklift truck and if the wrong tyres are fitted or the tyres are not maintained properly then this can have serious consequences both on running costs and fleet safety…It is important that the right choice is made when fitting Industrial tyres to your forklifts, especially when lifting heavy loads and when loads have to be raised to a great height.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster Targets Increased Agricultural Tyre Market Share
Nationwide tyre service provider ATS Euromaster is placing a renewed emphasis on expanding its market share in the agricultural tyre sector, following the appointment of Chris Dolman, to the new position of Category Marketing Executive. The appointment is the first time ATS Euromaster has appointed a Marketing Executive with a specific agricultural remit. ATS Euromaster currently supplies tyres to approximately 15 per cent of this specialist market, supporting farm-based vehicles ranging from wheelbarrows and quad bikes through to combine harvesters and tractors, not to mention cars, vans and larger commercial vehicles often used on farms.
Continue ReadingScorpion Exhausts – The Balance Of Power
When Scorpion brought the first T304 stainless steel performance exhaust system to the market back in 1992, it caused a stir, to say the least. From this solid start the company has rapidly grown to become one of the world’s largest exhaust manufacturers, with distributors in every continent and products available in over 30 countries. Scorpion has achieved this by working closely with some of the most respected names in the industry, including Citroen and Peugeot Motorsport, Subaru, Toyota and Prodrive. The company also closely values its ties with smaller tuning concerns and independent retailers as an invaluable source of technical feedback and market information. Over 95 per cent of all production is still handled in the UK, much of it by precision hand fabrication.
Continue ReadingPossible Site for New Ceat Plant Named
According to an unnamed government official, India’s Ceat Ltd is considering the northeastern state of Gujarat as the location for its new LCV and truck radial facility. The Thaindian news reports the source as saying the company will invest RS 5 billion (£57.76 million) in building the facility, however Ceat has not confirmed any such detail.
Continue ReadingConti Winter Tyres Well-Rated in Tests
Continental reports that its tyres have faired very well in a number of winter tests. Specifically, experts from the Germany’s ADAC automotive association, from the Stiftung Warentest consumer reporting institute, from the ÖAMTC (the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), from the TCS (the Swiss Touring Club) and from two of Germany’s leading motoring magazines, “AutoBild” and “auto motor und sport” compared the ContiWinter-Contact TS 800, TS 810 and TS 830 against over sixty competitive tyres. The result of this host of tests, reports Conti, was glowing: All Continental products received the highest ratings assigned – “highly recommended”, “exemplary” or “good”. Furthermore, each of the test committees emphasised Continental’s position with regard to safety-relevant criteria and performance on wet roads.
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