Tag: Brexit
2018 IAAF conference warns aftermarket of ‘profound transformation’
The IAAF Annual Conference, sponsored by Impression Communications, addressed some of the ongoing issues that loom large and threaten to impact the aftermarket in 2019 and beyond, including the future UK-EU relationship, the danger of counterfeit goods, fast evolving technology and vital legislation to access in-vehicle data, as it hosted one of the largest conferences to date.
Automotive businesses fear Brexit future
Three quarters of UK automotive businesses fear a ‘no-deal’ Brexit will threaten their future viability, according to a new member survey announced by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Dmack to take ‘full control’ of tyre production in Marangoni Rovereto deal
Global motorsport tyre brand Dmack has announced that it will “open its own tyre manufacturing facility” in Italy, following a deal to use part of Marangoni’s Rovereto plant in northern Italy. The Carlisle-based brand said it would be “capable of producing up to 250,000 tyres per year” at Rovereto, with the “flexibility to tailor short production runs for very specific applications and to meet demands for control tyre championships.” The company adds that it wants to transfer its technical capability into racing by producing world-class products for the circuit racing and track markets. Most famous for supplying tyres to the FIA World Rally Championship since 2011, Dmack tyres were previously produced by Chinese manufacturer, Shandong Yongtai, which recently went into administration, before shifting to Cooper Tires’ UK factory in Melksham, which itself is set to reduce production by a half when it halts production of road-going light vehicle tyres next year.
DfT ‘intends’ to retain EU tyre labelling regulation post-Brexit
The Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) has announced that it understands the Department for Transport (DfT) intends to retain alignment with future evolutions of the EU tyre labelling regulations in the UK, at least as far as the label itself is concerned. The rationale is to ensure a smoothly working market for tyres, the TIF adds.
Dundee closure ‘supports Michelin’s intent to accelerate cost savings’ – analyst report
An analyst report published by Jefferies International Limited has stated that the closure of Michelin’s Dundee plant “supports [the company’s] intent to accelerate cost savings during 2019-20.” Presenting its nine-month 2018 results in October, Michelin warned that demand had deflated in the car and truck markets and it was revising down its guidance; subsequently Michelin shares fell to a seven-year low.
Michelin closing Dundee tyre factory
Two months after the tyre manufacturer began a restructuring programme at its factory in Dundee, Michelin is set to close the plant at the cost of about 850 jobs. Michelin, which has run the Dundee site since 1971, says it plans to leave the city by 2020.
SMMT reveals Brexit contingency package
Bracing itself for a no-deal Brexit, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) launched a new Brexit Readiness Programme to help the industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs in the automotive supply chain, prepare for the UK leaving the EU on 10 October.
Warning for UK drivers in the EU post-Brexit
Licence Bureau, which carries out driving licence checks, has warned UK drivers that their driving licences may not be valid in the European Union (EU) in the event of the nation exiting with no withdrawal agreement in place.
NFDA responds to government ‘no-deal Brexit’ notices
The UK government has published 25 technical notices setting out what it is doing to prepare for no-deal Brexit and to guide businesses and individuals. In total, 84 notices are expected to be released over the upcoming weeks. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said a deal is the most likely outcome, but the UK “must be ready to consider the alternative.”
Stability & margins: Deldo positive about 2018
When we spoke to Deldo’s Tom van Dyck a year ago, the tyre industry was wrestling steeply rising raw material costs. Having passed these increases on to their customers, budget tyre manufacturers were cutting production to compensate for a sharp drop in orders. Within this market environment, Deldo was manoeuvring to minimise impact upon its […]
Avoid using British parts European businesses advised
European governments are advising businesses not to use British parts in goods for export ahead of Brexit, Sky News has established.
British car manufacturing in decline, based on sustained domestic demand fall
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has announced a -4.4 per cent decline in British car manufacturing, as production for the home market fell by double figures. Exports declined in the month too, but only by -0.8 per cent, with 117,139 vehicles shipped overseas, accounting for more than 80 per cent of output.
UK-EU transition deal ‘crucial’ for automotive industry – NFDA
The NFDA has welcomed the latest transition period agreement between the UK and European Union.
NMDA expects ‘challenging’ year for bike sales
The National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK, is expecting 2018 to be a challenging year for the motorcycle industry. The association has carried out extensive economic research in order to estimate the size of the foreseeable market for this year, taking into account the strong global economy which has a predicted growth of 3.9 per cent in 2018, and the sterling which is back to its pre-Brexit strength of $1.40.
2018 has been ‘Up in the air’
When it comes to reviewing 2018, two words sum up the kinds of talking points virtually everyone has touched on this year: tariffs and Brexit. Indeed it has to be said that 2018’s two meta-themes are not entirely separate from one another. Nevertheless, both have this in common. For most of the last twelve months details of both subjects have been “up in the air”, leaving the rest of us to forecast (which often means speculate) exactly what is going on. See page 32 for further analysis of what has been going on this year as well as coverage of a couple of stories that are emblematic of these themes.
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