Out of sight, out of mind. Research carried out on behalf of Kwik-Fit shows 73 per cent of motorists don’t regularly check their brakes for wear. This high level of neglect is a stark contrast to the attention that owners pay to their car’s appearance – 65 per cent of motorists carry out car care activities such as washing or vacuuming at least once a month.
The Road Haulage Association's latest weekly fuel price survey – the most reliable guide to what hauliers actually pay for diesel deliveries to their depots – shows a national average price of 116.33 pence before VAT (139.60 after VAT).
Automotive business group, The Parts Alliance used the event of National Apprentice Week (6-13 February) to call for the UK automotive aftermarket to increase its support of training and apprenticeships. “The best investment our industry can commit to, alongside the best equipment, is training,” said Mike Smallbone, The Parts Alliance, garage programme manager.
The government is aiming to lead garages to make improvements in customer service in “a package of transparency and value-for-money measures” unveiled today by transport secretary Justine Greening. According to a statement released by the department, an evaluation of existing MOT test standards and frequency took account of the views and evidence offered by a wide range of organisations.
During recent agricultural trade shows – Agritechnica in Germany and SIMA in France – Trelleborg Wheel Systems asked more than 300 agricultural sector opinion leaders what issues they viewed as key to agriculture and important in future tyre development. The Swedish firm reports that 72 per cent of those surveyed stated they considered sustainability a key issue. When it came to tyre design, 84 per cent thought lowering environmental impact should be taken into consideration in future agriculture tyre designs while 73 per cent said they believe a tyre that reduced environmental impact could actually improve farm productivity and efficiency.
Only last week Continental announced plans to run a joint venture operation with Korea’s SK Innovation to develop, manufacture and market lithium ion batteries systems for electric vehicles; now the German company has released a few figures outlining why it sees so much potential in the electric vehicle market. As long as the price is right.
It is nice to see that promises of better motoring are amongst the New Year’s resolutions recently made (and possibly already neglected). Fast fitter HiQ questioned 500 drivers about what they intend to change in 2012, and many indicated that an improvement in highway manners is on the cards.
Roadside service provider Mondial Assistance shares that cost is a major factor putting UK motorists off purchasing winter tyres. In a recent 200-person survey it conducted, just under two thirds of respondents said they do not intend to fit winter tyres to their vehicles; from this group, 46 per cent said they won’t fit winter tyres as they cost too much money.
HiQ Openshaw has announced the recruitment of a new mechanic; while this may not be the day’s biggest news story, its relevance becomes clearer when we consider that the east-Manchester branch is the first of the network’s 150 centres to recruit a woman in that position. The centre took on Dominyka Kasponyte after she approached the garage looking to further her early career working as an apprentice mechanic. Kasponyte, from Gorton, joins a team of nine men at the centre bringing with her various training qualifications including an NVQ and a national diploma. HiQ says she joins “a growing group of women who have taken on roles from centre management to directorship across the network.”
According to a UK-based vehicle hire website, 14.6 per cent of British motorists admit retaining the tyres on their cars until they fail the MoT or are flagged as illegal during vehicle servicing. The website, VanRental.co.uk, did not specify the size or makeup of the survey group, however founder Roland Head states the results “highlight the casual attitude taken by many motorists towards tyre safety.”
According to Johnson Controls, an estimated 70 per cent of all new vehicles manufactured by 2015 will feature Start-Stop technology. Yet Joacim Adlerborn, the company’s training and technical services manager, opines that the majority of independent workshops still feel ill-equipped to service these vehicles.
Following the announcement of the government’s Autumn budget statement, which included the news that the planned 3p rise in fuel duty in January is to be cancelled, Bridgestone has been the first to publically respond to what this means for motorists. In addition to the fuel duty increase cancellation, there will a 1 per cent cap on public sector pay rises for two years after the end of current freeze next year. Borrowing is £112 billion more over the next four years than previous forecasts, but debt interest payments are £22 billion less than expected.
Lanxess-owned company Rhein Chemie reports that Norman Cameron of Rhein Chemie Argentina will transfer to Hong Kong to head up the company’s newly set up APAC Tire Task Force from January 2012. The purpose of this Asia Pacific Tire Task Force is, says Rhein Chemie, to “actively survey the requirements of all tyre plants, developing tailor-made products for all customers.” The chemical company says Cameron brings particular experience in release agents and bladders to his new position.
Goodyear is hosting a web tv show at 15:00 (BST) today. In the webcast Quentin Willson will share his safe winter driving knowledge with Goodyear Dunlop PR support manager Kate Rock. The show is based on a OnePoll survey of 4,000 motorists, which revealed motorists’ phobia of driving in winter conditions. It also showed that less than one in five drivers have ever purchased winter tyres. To view the webcast, go to http://77.237.250.82/~tyrepress/live.html. You can also submit a question to Willson and Rock now.
The tyre trade has suggested that, while there is still plenty of scepticism over the commercial draw of fuel efficient tyres, consumers will pay more for a tyre that increases fuel efficiency. Visitors to tyrepress.com expressed their opinions on the issue during last month’s Question of the Month, with 59.43 per cent of voters suggesting that consumers would shell out for tyres that make their fuel go further. To vote in the new Question of the Month – Is the market ready for tyre labelling? – go to the tyrepress.com homepage.
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