Aftermarket: Latest news and analysis articles
Latest insights
Research snapshot – Cleaner, connected, ‘breathing’ tyres
30 April 2018 | Matthew Beecham
The tyre is a highly complex product packed with advanced material engineering. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of research snapshots, this one focuses on some recent advances in the tyres arena.
Re-imagining the gas station and battery charge times - COMMENT
6 December 2017 | Dave Leggett
Fully electric vehicles come with a number of challenges, of course.
ANALYSIS - what the future holds for Chevrolet cars
13 July 2017 | Glenn Brooks
Following a major expansion in the 2000s, Chevrolet is now shrinking. Fast. GM has pulled its largest brand from all European markets (though the Corvette and Camaro remain available), and a withdrawal from India and South Africa has now begun too. Meanwhile, in the US, China and South Korea, sales of Chevy car models are falling, leaving Brazil as the world's only large market where things are improving.
THE WEEK THAT WAS - aftermarket player and new product
27 May 2016 | Graeme Roberts
Matthew Beecham's Q&A with Dayco, which develops and manufactures engine products and drive systems, including timing belts, chain kits, belts and pulleys for the OE and aftermarket attracted a lot of eyes this week. He caught up with Steve Carolan, national sales manager, Dayco Aftermarket UK to learn how its business is taking shape. New Jaguars always attract interest, and especially so when it's the brand's first foray into territory previously the domain of sibling brand Range Rover. Cue sibling war or complementary co-existence? And can it see off Porsche?
Latest interviews
KYB is riding high on active suspension technologies
23 May 2018 | Matthew Beecham
Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with Tier 1 component suppliers, we spoke to Mike Howarth, Vice President, KYB Europe about recent damper innovations, active suspension systems and the European market for shock absorbers.
Yokohama expands European customer base
23 May 2018 | Matthew Beecham
Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tyre makers, we spoke to Tetsuo Ikegami, Manager, Yokohama Rubber about the trends in the European tyre market, new products and smart tyres. A spokesman for Yokohama also contributed to this Q&A.
Latest news
Dunlop Tech and Sumitomo Rubber open European development centre
12 July 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Sumitomo Rubber Europe and Dunlop Tech have opened a European Development Centre in Germany.
Continental acquires Czech tyre assembly machines supplier VUK
11 July 2018 | Dave Leggett
Continental has taken over the Czech machine tool manufacturer VUK.
Tesla in mobile service van dispute with Norway
9 July 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Tesla is in dispute with the normally electric car-friendly Norwegian government over setting up a mobile service van operation.
18 June 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Goodyear Tire & Rubber said Laura Thompson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, would retire in the first quarter of 2019 after 35 years of service.
Volvo US expands 'connected car' to roadside assist
5 June 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Volvo Car USA has introduced a new generation of roadside assistance technology it claims will "dramatically improve response time".
Hyundai cancels Mobis-Glovis restructuring plan
23 May 2018 | Staff reporter
Hyundai Motor made a major U-turn on its publicly announced restructuring plan this week after seeing the market's reaction to its plans and after consulting with major shareholders.
Mercedes retrofit teaches old(er) cars new tricks
23 May 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Owners of older Mercedes-Benz models can now access a range of digital services through the Mercedes me Adapter app, on either a smartphone or online, thanks to an adapter offered through dealers. In the UK, for a limited time, both the adapter – and the cost of fitting it – are free.
Ford UK establishes new trade parts operation targeting independents
4 April 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Ford's UK unit is set to launch Parts Plus, a direct sales channel for trade parts.
Kumho Tire unions support Chinese takeover
3 April 2018 | Staff reporter
Kumho Tire's trade union workers have agreed to support creditor plans to sell South Korea's second largest tyre manufacturer to China's Qingdao Doublestar Company.
Tire Bank interested in bid for Kumho Tire
27 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Tire Bank, a South Korean maker of tyres, has announced that it is planning to bid for the assets of bankrupt Kumho Tire - though doubts are emerging over whether it has the resources to do so.
Alibaba and Ford combine for 'vending machine' enabled test-drives
26 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Alibaba-owned Tmall has unveiled what it says is China’s first 'auto vending machine', partnering with Ford for what is described as the first phase of a larger push to upgrade the test-drive experience for Chinese consumers
BMW HQ raided by prosecutors in emissions probe
20 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
BMW’s Munich headquarters were raided today (Tuesday, March 20) by German prosecutors investigating the possible use of illegal emissions control software.
Kumho union protests sale to Chinese firm
7 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
The Korea Development Bank's (KDP) decision to sell the assets of Kumho Tire to Chinese tyremaker Double Star continues to meet opposition from the labour union of Kumho Tire, which will stage a partial strike this week. A bigger general strike could follow next week, the union says.
PSA and BMW combine on French EV charging network
6 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Groupe PSA and Digital Charging Solutions (DCS), a subsidiary of the BMW Group and operator of the ChargeNow service, have signed a partnership to provide Peugeot and Citroën customers with access to the largest network of electric charging stations in France.
GENEVA SHOW - Goodyear shows 'intelligent tyre'
6 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Goodyear has showcased what it describes as an intelligent tyre prototype - a complete tyre information system that includes a tyre, sensors and cloud-based algorithms that all work together 'to communicate in real-time with fleet operators via a mobile app'.
EVgo announces 'simplified and lowered pricing' for fast charging
2 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
EVgo, a major US network of public electric vehicle (EV) DC Fast charging stations, has announced simplified and lowered pricing that goes into effect immediately.
US court confirms TK Holdings Ch 11 reorganisation
22 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
Takata Corporation has announced that the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed the 'Fifth Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganisation' filed by TK Holdings (TKH), Inc., Takata’s main US subsidiary.
Denso fined by EU over anti-competitive practices
21 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
The European Commission has imposed fines on component suppliers that infringed EU competition law in connection with past sales of automotive spark plugs.
Mark Fields joins HCV aftermarket firm's board
19 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
FleetPride, described as the US's 'largest independent distributor of aftermarket heavy-duty truck and trailer parts', has announced the appointment of former Ford President and CEO Mark Fields to its Board of Directors.
Freudenberg acquisition to boost floor mat business
7 February 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Freudenberg's German Japan Vilene Company will buy Hanns Glass to boost its floor mats business.
