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Anti-dumping – EC to investigate Chinese tyre imports to Europe
The European Commission has issued notice that it will initiate an anti-dumping proceeding focusing on imports of truck and bus tyres originating in the People’s Republic of China. The Commission is taking this course of action as a result of a complaint received on 30 June by the “coalition against unfair tyres imports,” a group representing the interests of manufacturers who account for more than 45 per cent of all new and retreaded truck and bus tyre production in the European Union.
NBRA backs ICO’s on-going search warrants
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) stated that it is “pleased” that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has carried out further search warrants at properties in Manchester and Cheshire, as part of an ongoing investigation. The search warrant is part of an ongoing investigation by the ICO relating to nuisance calls that encourage people to make personal injury claims about road traffic accidents being linked to the theft of data from car body repair centres.
VAT irregularities: Italian internet tyre retailer under investigation
According to information from our colleagues at PneusNews, Italian authorities are taking a closer look at online tyre retailer Euroimport Srl following allegations that VAT irregularities are enabling the company to offer tyres on its www.euroimportpneumatici.com platform at much lower prices than those of its competitors.
RMI Bodyshops investigates ‘potentially serious breaches of confidentiality’
For several months, RMI Bodyshops (NAB & VBRA) has been undertaking an investigation into a potentially serious breach of repairer management systems confidentiality and the apparent release of personal data to third party legal firms and accident management companies.
Aeolus Tyre fined for falsifying 2011, 2012 financials
In a Chinese-language statement submitted to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 9 January, Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd reports that the Henan office of the China Securities Regulatory Commission has fined the company for falsifying its financial results for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.
Mechanic swapped car parts
Alexander Keating, 23, of Widnes, stole a gearshift knob, steering wheel, brake callipers and other parts from a brand-new Audi A3 that he had hired and swapped them with the same component parts from his ageing S3. He has been fined £2,000 and sentenced to complete 200 hours of community service for the crime.
Pirelli to appeal EC cable cartel fine
Pirelli & C. S.p.A states that it will appeal the European Commission’s decision regarding cable cartel activity. While the Commission does not directly name Pirelli as a participant in an alleged cartel in the underground and submarine power cable market, it deems the Italian company “jointly and severally liable” as Pirelli owned alleged cartel protagonist Prysmian Cables and Systems (formerly Pirelli’s Cables and Systems division) until 2005, and therefore “exercised a decisive influence” over the business for the first six years of the decade-long cartel. The European Commission has imposed a shared fine of €67.31 million on Pirelli and Prysmian.
Police target battery thieves
British Transport Police installed a dedicated team of investigators with analytical and research support and all available specialist assets as required in what was named ‘Operation Amelia’. Lead acid battery theft has been going on for years as thieves seek to profit from the value of lead contained within the batteries.
Arrest made in connection with Yorkshire tyre fire
North Yorkshire Police confirm that a 51-year old man has been arrested as part of the investigation into the fire that began at Newgen Recycling in Sherburn-in-Elmet on 16 January. Police describe the man as ‘local’ and say he has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
PRA calls for OFT fuel investigation to re-open
“As Australia’s largest supermarkets cease making fuel offers after a watchdog deems that offering customers discounted petrol is a threat to competition, it is imperative that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) re-open their investigation into the UK fuel market” said Brian Madderson, Petrol Retailers’ Association Chairman.
Italian brothers arrested for tyre-related tax evasion
In Italy, the Guardia di Finanza (Fiscal Police) have arrested two brothers who are active within the tyre industry for tax evasion of more than €30 million; the two men allegedly falsified invoices in order to fraudulently represent the amount of tax, VAT and customs duties they were required to pay. According to PneusNews.it, our sister publication in Italy, one of the brothers, Vincenzo Tufano is in prison while Giovanni Tufano is under house arrest.
Exol joins VLS to promote ‘transparency’ in UK lubricants market
The UK’s largest independent lubricants company has joined the independent Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) organisation. Exol Lubricants said the move underlined its commitment to bringing greater transparency to the lubricants market. CEO Darren Frogson commented: “joining VLS is a strong signal that we want an industry that is professional, accurate and can be relied upon at every juncture.”
Pirelli fined for Carlisle injury
More than a year and a half after the event took place, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court has heard the case of a worker injury at the nearby Pirelli plant. The case was brought to court by the Health and Safety Executive, which prosecuted Pirelli Tyres Ltd after an investigation found that the safety procedures for carrying out maintenance work on the machine were poor.
More write-offs than ever on UK roads
Thousands of motorists are driving potentially dangerous cars as the number of vehicles on the road that have previously been written off increases. The National Association of Bodyshops (NAB) has previously called on the Competition Commission to review their position on write-offs during an investigation into the private motor insurance market.
However the Competition Commission say that they have no plans to review this further stating that despite the evidence they received during the investigation, they judged that write-offs were an issue relating to the supply of used cars and not related to the provision of Private Motor Insurance and related goods and services.