German tyre maker and automotive systems supplier Continental reports that it has “averted” a cyberattack on company IT systems. Continental says attackers “infiltrated parts” of its IT systems earlier this month but managed to avert the attack after detecting it. According to media reports, the attackers neither encrypted data nor demanded a ransom.
After a break due to the pandemic, the Rema Tip Top Academy resumed training operations for users of Rema Tip Top repair systems in March 2022. In the course of the re-start, the classroom training programme was expanded to include webinars. In short, Rema Tip Top has taken a step towards the virtualisation of its course, with “a smart software solution and state-of-the-art video technology.”
On the one hand, most sources agree that online tyre demand is booming as a result of the pandemic and its related lockdowns. However, on the other hand, such rapid growth has also led to increased competition online. One way of finding which tyre firms are getting ahead in the online space is to consider the race for pole-position in Google search results. Since Google is the by far the biggest search engine online holding a dominant 92.47 per cent global market share as of June 2021 (87.7 per cent in the UK specifically), getting your brand ahead of the competition in search results makes a big difference. And paid search advertising, known as pay-per-click (PPC) – is one way to do that. In order to get a handle on the tyre retail sector’s virtual performance in 2021, Tyres & Accessories worked with SEO marketing specialists Evolved who analysed the organic search and PPC performance of the top 23 UK-based etailers and concluded that online specialist Blackcircles is taking ground from bricks and mortar market leader Kwik Fit, amongst other things.
Last year GfK analysts reported that online tyre buying has increased as a consequence of recent lockdowns. Based on the same sources, it has been further predicted that more tyres will be sold online and that the budget tyre sector will benefit the most from the prevailing conditions. In addition, Statista research into online shopping behaviour in the UK shows that British buying habits have changed as a consequence of the pandemic. By February 2021, approximately 75 per cent of UK shoppers said that they have been shopping more online. And a report published in May 2021 found that over 93 per cent of consumers had made a purchase online in the last 30 days. So, we know it is growing in popularity, but is buying tyres online a good idea? Since offline shopping has decreased over the course of time, and as more and more people are turning towards online shopping, Tyres & Accessories took note when retailer Dartford Tyres shares its reasons in favour of buying tyres online.
Exide Technologies has released a new battery finder tool to help guide mechanics through the replacement process. The battery finder focuses on European parc vehicles including hybrid and electric cars as well as light commercial vehicles.
Motorsport Network, which runs the Autosport International Show has introduced the Autosport International (ASI) Connect, a digital networking event for the motorsport industry. ASI Connect will take place on 10-11 March 2021. While the online-only event is designed to “harbour the spirit of Autosport International, delivered in a digital format”, Tyres & Accessories understands that it is not a replacement for the show but rather an addition to the ASI portfolio. An announcement on the scheduling of the main show is expected in the coming weeks.
No-one envisioned just how many challenges the tyre market would have to face this year. As has generally been the case, the trade rose to the occasion by repeatedly pivoting to adjust to mid-pandemic customer demands and government requirements. At the bricks and mortar end of the business this has meant ensuring premises are Covid-secure and there are continuing supplies of PPE – as well as maintaining high standards of tyre service and supply. However, this year has also significantly closed the gap between exclusively conventional bricks and mortar tyre retail businesses and pure play tyre e-tailers, with consumers increasingly planning tyre purchases and looking for contactless servicing options online.
The development of modern car technology has accelerated as fast as ever before and manufacturers producing the systems that allow workshops to service these vehicles effectively have also developed at a fast rate. In some cases, the development has been a technological necessity needed to keep pace with vehicle development, but in other cases, the development is driven by the vision to provide a better, more efficient servicing solution.
This year’s TyreSafe Briefing will take place on Thursday 17 September at 14:00. The difference? This year we will witness the event’s full online premiere.
The Motor Ombudsman has upgraded its online Knowledge Base with the introduction of a new category on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It has been designed to help consumers answer frequently asked queries on car ownership, vehicle maintenance and dispute resolution, following the latest government measures which have recently been implemented in the UK.
Lydia Limited, the company behind tyre price comparison site Motokiki, called in the administrators on 24 October 2019. Simon Girling and Chris Marsden of BDO LLP were appointed Joint Administrators on the same day. Tyres & Accessories understands that the administrators are seeking to sell the technology assets of the company and is seeking offers before a Friday 15 November 2019 deadline.
Hella has launched a battery finder tool to easily source a replacement battery. The free tool can be accessed at: http://hellabatteryfinder.com where users can search for a battery using the registration number, vehicle model details or VIN number and can be used for motorcycles, cars and light commercial vehicles.
We are all familiar with the likes of MoneySuperMarket, CompareTheMarket and Confused.com. Beginning with financial and insurance products, these sites set out to give consumers more choice and the ability to compare the prices. Owing to the fact that tyres are arguably more complex, the tyre industry has moved a bit slower when it comes to comparison. During the last year or so, however, tyre comparison has come of age. So, who are the main players, what are the differences and where did tyre comparison all begin?
Starter is launching what it describes as “the first price comparison platform for global use” in the automotive vehicle and parts marketplace. Offering a wide product catalogue with more than 5 million parts, it is said to be the largest and most comprehensive website to unite consumers and businesses via a global marketplace.
Nexen Tire has formed a strategic partnership with Plug and Play, the world’s largest corporate innovation platform and startup accelerator. Plug and Play was an early investor in Silicon Valley’s most renowned firms including PayPal, Lending Club, Dropbox and SoundHound. In doing so Nexen has highlighted its view of the importance of start-up thinking, future mobility, open-R&D and the Internet of Things (IoT) – all trends that the wider tyre industry is predicted to become increasingly involved in over time.
Rema Tip Top
Kaboompics
Andrea Piacquadio
Exide Technologies
Autosport International
Pro Align
TyreSafe