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RepairifyGarage Hive launches ‘Garage Industry Trends’ website
Garage Hive has launched a new data website called Garage Industry Trends. The garage management system’s managing director Ray Dilsons introduced the new site during his keynote address to a group of 230 customer and industry delegates attending The Blend 2022 conference at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on 17 September. The new service uses aggregated data from Garage Hive customers that have opted in to create key performance metrics in real-time. Garage Hive says more than 80 customers signed up to share anonymised data during the conference and in the subsequent week.
China’s tyre export growth slowed in August
Qingdao PortOn 18 September, China Customs announced national export data for August. During the month, China exported 48.23 million sets of new pneumatic rubber tyres, down 8.9 per cent year-on-year. The weight of these tyres was 650,000 tons, an increase of 2.7 per cent. The export value reached 11.4 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion pounds, 1.6 billion euros), an increase of 15.3 per cent.
Register restricted access to VM data with new UK AFCAR form
AFCARIndependent garages can now register any restrictions they face on access to vehicle manufacturer repair and maintenance information with a new form produced by UK AFCAR.
UK AFCAR is working to ensure the rights of the independent aftermarket are upheld in the post-Brexit era; specifically to enable all multi-brand operators to be able to access technical information, supply spare parts of matching quality to original equipment (OE) parts, and perform service, maintenance and repair (SMR) – with which to provide vehicle owners with a choice of the supply of repair and maintenance services as part of an open, competitive, and transparent marketplace.
No fleet MOT peak in September – epyx
epyxWhile DVSA data suggests there will be another Autumn/Winter MOT demand peak this year following last years extension related mini-boom, the fleet sector was not part of it in September 2021. According to fleet system provider epyx, there was no substantial jump in the number of fleet MOT tests undertaken during September, despite warnings that deferrals made during the pandemic could lead to massive demand.
Data quality of ‘strategic significance’ for brake maker TMD Friction
TecAllianceSuch is brake manufacturer TMD Friction’s emphasis on the strategic significance of its data quality, for more than over 10 years it has taked a specialised data team to continuously improving product and catalogue data. To this end, TecAlliance supports TMD Friction in ensuring that optimal product and catalogue data is available at points of service worldwide, supporting sustainable business success. As a founding member and shareholder of TecAlliance, TMD Friction relies on the know-how and support of TecAlliance teams worldwide for optimal data management.
Bridgestone/Webfleet develop integrated TPMS
BridgestoneBridgestone has announced that it has developed an integrated TPMS system for its Webfleet predictive tyre maintenance and fleet management system. Designed for heavy commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, Webfleet TPMS “utilises sensors that continuously monitor tyre pressure levels and tyre temperature”.
ETRMA calls for EC to publish legislative proposal on in-vehicle data access
Pixabay; PexelsThe European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) recently participated in the European Commission (EC) “access to in-vehicle data” workshop. Thanking the EC for the chance to contribute to such a strategic topic for the automotive industry, the ETRMA called on the EC to publish “an ambitious legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data” in the first quarter of 2022.
Brembo invests in software, data and AI centre in Silicon Valley
BMB-Consult GmbHBrake manufacturer Brembo is opening a “Brembo Inspiration Lab” in California’s Silicon Valley (USA) to strengthen the company’s “expertise in software development, data science and artificial intelligence.” The Brembo Inspiration Lab is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2021. No details of the associated investment have yet been released.
Data-driven road safety: Michelin teams up with Arity
Michelin is partnering with Arity, a mobility and data analytics company founded by American insurance company The Allstate Corporation, to develop data-powered solutions for transportation departments and city authorities, with the aim of improving road safety across the USA. This partnership will combine the expertise of Michelin Driving Data to Intelligence (DDI), who are the Michelin Group’s in-house data analysis boffins, with Arity’s database. This database, which contains nearly 100 million consumer connections, is said to be the largest repository of driving behaviour data in the world.
Autodata targets Romania
AutodataAutodata has launched a version of its e-commerce website in the Romanian language. Autodata is an e-commerce technical solution for body shops around the world. In addition to the platform, it is also available as an API, and provides comprehensive Original Equipment (OE) sourced technical information for the service, maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of 90 per cent of vehicles on the road in Romania.
Bridgestone shows “Virtual City” at CES
Bridgestone’s CES 2021 exhibit presents a fittingly virtual exhibit this year. During the tech-focused US Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which has been held virtually this year from 11-14 January 2021, Bridgestone is presenting its Bridgestone World interactive virtual city will allow users to explore the company’s advanced solutions and data-driven mobility services. Live and on-demand showcases will examine how the company is using smart tyre technology, advanced data analytics and new business models to put tyres at the centre of a more sustainable mobility system.
TecAlliance enables IDP for realtime TecDoc updates
TecAllianceTecAlliance has added Instant Data Processing (IDP) in order to update TecDoc data in real time. According to the company, this increases flexibility and shortens the time to market for data suppliers and receivers. TecAlliance says IDP will be available “early in 2021”.
Government accelerates pothole mapping project
The UK government has launched an audit into the mapping of potholes in England. Aided by data from on-road businesses such as Uber, Deliveroo and Tesco in addition to local highway authorities and highway data and mapping company Gaist, the Department for Transport will identify ‘pothole hot-spots’. The scheme intends to better target road improvements as people return to work and school. According to the most recent research published by Kwik-Fit on the subject, potholes caused £1.25 billion of damage to vehicles in 2019, with the average bill for affected motorists £115. Potholes damage most frequently afflicts tyres, wheels, suspension, and steering.
How Pro Align is helping garages revive margins post-lockdown
Pro-AlignRoughly 18 months after Clive Seabrook joined Pro-Align, Tyres & Accessories caught up with the relatively new CEO in order to find out more about how the right equipment and services can add value to garage businesses, especially in the post-lockdown environment.
Challenging times need innovative solutions, so Pro Align responded to the pressures brought about by lockdown by seeing by choosing not to approach the circumstances as a commercial opportunity, but rather by responding to the customer instead:
