Used car market ends 2019 with increase in Q4
The used car market saw a growth of 2.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2019 with 1,804,343 transactions. Overall in 2019, the used car market finished almost on par with the previous year with a marginal decline of -0.1 per cent and a total of 7,935,105 sales. Used petrol declined by -0.3 per cent, diesel -0.6 per cent, while combined alternative fuel vehicles grew by 23.4 per cent. Transactions of Euro 6 diesel models were up 32.5 per cent.
Continue ReadingPotential “charging crisis” for remarketing companies, says VRA
A potential “charging crisis” could soon emerge among vehicle remarketing companies as electric vehicles start to make their way onto the used market in larger numbers, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association.
Continue ReadingCWA welcomes proposals for hand car wash licensing scheme
Tomorrow, Matthew Taylor, the interim director of the Office for Labour Market Enforcement (OLME) will call for tighter regulations on the UK’s hand car washes, by introducing a national licensing scheme in order to combat the prevalence of human trafficking, poor working conditions and environmental concerns, amongst other issues.
Continue ReadingConfirmed UK-EU trade barriers ‘worrying for UK auto industry’, says GlobalData
Government cabinet minister Michael Gove has confirmed that trade barriers will be imposed between the UK and the EU post-Brexit, warning businesses to prepare for “significant change.”
Continue ReadingJanuary sees ‘good’ growth in motorcycle registrations
“With motorcycle registrations improving by 2.8 per cent on the previous January, the start of the new year is heading in the right direction,” said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
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Autoinform LIVE 2020 tickets on sale now
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) has announced that tickets are now on sale for the first of two Autoinform Live events for 2020, to be held once again at the fantastic GTG Academy in Wolverhampton on Saturday 25 April.
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Klarius’ community programme 2020 ‘building on good work’
In September 2018, the then new Klarius CEO Mark Brickhill established a Works Council, one of a number of initiatives to improve employee engagement and feedback within the company and externally with the local community. The Works Council members chose Dougie Mac (Douglas Macmillan Hospice) to be the Charity of the Year for 2019, and have again for 2020.
Continue ReadingCeat begins production at newest plant
Commercial production at Ceat Ltd.’s new production facility near Chennai, India began yesterday, reports the tyre maker. Ceat says production capacity at the plant in Sriperumbudur Taluka will now be “ramped up progressively in a phased manner” up to a daily capacity of 28,500 car tyres and 2,500 motorcycle tyres.
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Vegan material reduces CO2 during tyre production
Speciality chemicals company Lanxess has added a plant-based raw material variant to the Aktiplast PP product range produced by its Rhein Chemie business unit. These processing promoters for polymer blends are used in the production of tyres and a wide range of technical rubber articles. Aktiplast PP-veg, which is based on renewable raw materials, was developed specifically in response to a customer requirement from Asia. An international tyre manufacturer based in Europe has also expressed “great interest” in the material, Lanxess adds.
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Kumho Tire appoints Keon Park its UK managing director
Keon Park is the new managing director at Kumho Tyre UK. He succeeds Myong Joong (Tino) Choi, who returns to Kumho’s headquarters in Korea after heading up the UK operation for the past five years.
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Zeetex yes, Pirelli no – Auto Bild announces finalists for 2020 summer tyre test
As in previous years, Auto Bild’s 2020 summer tyre test has begun with a preliminary round in which the distance taken to stop in wet and dry conditions determines which tyres progress to the second, more extensive round of testing, and which don’t. The results of this first round are now available, and there’s one or two surprises to be seen.
Continue ReadingBritain’s biggest new car discounts revealed ahead of March plate change
Britain’s biggest new car discounters have been revealed ahead of the introduction of the new ‘20’ registration plate on 1 March, with Citroën dealers offering the biggest cash discounts on average, but with the Fiat Tipo attracting the biggest individual percentage discount, with close to 30 per cent available off its RRP. Research by What Car? – which guarantees shoppers on its website at least these savings – found Citroën dealers are slashing prices by an average of 16.44 per cent, meaning buyers save an average of £4431 on a new Citroën.
Continue ReadingPRA urges Chancellor to cut road fuel tax by 2ppl
The PRA has written to Sajid Javid MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a case for cutting road fuel duty by 2 pence per litre in the first Budget of the new Government.
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Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man dealers join Michelin Quality Centres
Michelin’s accredited dealer network continues to grow, with new Michelin Quality Centres (MQC) – the new name for members of the Michelin Auto Professional programme – appointed in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
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Auction demand expected to remain strong in February
“A majority of respondents to this month’s survey have indicated that they expect auction volumes to stabilise in February following an increase in supply during January,” said Louise Wallis, head of the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), commenting on the latest figures from NAMA’s market attitude survey.
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