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Kumho exclusive OE tyre partner for Kia Seltos
The Kia range recently grew with the arrival of the Seltos. The compact SUV officially debuted in India on 20 June, and in addition to spearheading Kia’s planned growth in that market, Seltos models will be exported around the world. The Seltos is heading our away soon and will reach Europe from September. It will be wearing Kumho tyres when it arrives in showrooms.
Ronal gains Hyundai Motor Group supplier award
Alloy wheel manufacturer the Ronal Group has become the first European supplier to be admitted to the Hyundai Motor Group’s ‘5 Star Circle’. It received this award, bestowed only upon the vehicle manufacturer’s top suppliers, at the Kia Motors plant in Žilina, Slovakia on 16 April. The Ronal factory in Jelcz, Poland also gained a Quality Award.
Hyundai, Kia invest 80M euros in Rimac, establish technology partnership
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation have jointly invested 80M Euros in Rimac Automobili (Rimac) – the Croatian high-performance electric vehicle technology and sportscar company. The companies have announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on the development of two high-performance electric vehicles by 2020.
UK now biggest EU market for Korean car brands – SMMT
The growing strength of the automotive relationship between the UK and South Korea has been highlighted today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) during its trade mission to the country.
Korean OEMs switching to European tyre brands
Sales of imported tyres in Korea increased by more than 40 per cent in the January to April period when compared with 2016 figures, according to the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association (KOTMA).
If this pace continues, imported tyres will set a record high this year. According to KOTMA, this is largely due to Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors introducing imported tyres on their models, media said.
Grouptyre distributed brands expanding 4×4 fitments as segment interest grows
With the number of new car registrations increasing and SUVs leading the way in new car sales, the desire for owning a 4×4/SUV has led to a surge in demand for tyres in this lucrative market, distributor Grouptyre confirms. SMMT figures for August 2016 bear this out – numbers seven to 10 on the bestselling new cars table are all crossover SUVs. With greater popularity, opportunity follows for tyre manufacturers, and the wholesaler states that its suppliers are continuing to develop product ranges to meet the demands of vehicle manufacturers and their expanding range of vehicles. All the evidence points to continuing growth for 4×4 tyre sales following on from 2015’s double-digit increases, as revealed in our March issue by market research specialists GfK Automotive.
NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey results
This year’s National Franchised Dealers Association Summer 2016 survey, published today, had 1,746 respondents from a total participating dealer network of 4,090, which equates to a response rate of 43 per cent. This is the highest return ever, surpassing last winter’s high of 39 per cent. There were 28 franchise networks in the survey which represent a range of dealer sizes and ownership type from across the UK.
Kumho introduces new products, diesel optimisation project
Kumho made Reifen 2016 the occasion of its new UHP winter tyre’s world premiere, in addition to displaying its role in a project to optimise the fuel efficiency of existing diesel technology. The company’s 300sqm stand in Hall 3 also featured the company’s current portfolio of products for a wide variety of tyre segments, including electric and hybrid vehicles.
IAAF: Kia guilty verdict a major victory for aftermarket’
Now the Supreme Court of Stockholm has dismissed Kia’s petition to appeal against conviction in December 2012 for breach of competition in the Swedish market on its 7 year new car warranty, the IAAF is suggesting the verdict is “a major victory for the aftermarket”.
Under the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010, manufacturers have a duty to honour the vehicle’s warranty when it is serviced outside of the dealership, and non-OE parts being fitted onto a vehicle is an insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid.
New GT Radial Savero SUV targets growing compact, medium sized market
Giti Tire has launched its latest product, the GT Radial Savero SUV, which arrives in Europe to meet the growing demand in the SUV and CUV segments. The tyre was launched at an event in Barcelona, demonstrating the product’s suitability for fitment on a wide range of vehicles at the compact to medium end of the market.
Solid Auto UK adds to filter range
Solid Auto UK has added a number of new air, oil and fuel filters to its expanding filters range for Japanese and Korean vehicles. In total, nine new filters have been launched covering 54 vehicle applications.
Kia Motors exports from Korea to pass 15 million vehicles in June
Kia Motors has announced that it expects to reach the 15 millionth cumulative export (from South Korea factories) milestone later this month. This landmark achievement comes 40 years after its very first export shipment of ten units of the Brisa pickup truck to Qatar in 1975.
Guy Jones appointed Bridgestone North region business development manager
Bridgestone has boosted its North region senior management team with the addition of a new business development role. Guy Jones, formerly of Land Rover and Kia, brings a wealth of automotive experience to the new Bridgestone management team, which has been revamped considerably in the last few months.
Extended warranties – how good are they?
Mitsubishi, Renault, Subaru, Hyundai and Kia now offer warranties ranging from four to seven years from the initial purchase date, but a closer examination of the small print reveals major discrepancies between the advertised cover and the time elapsed.