Cars fail their MOT for any number of reasons, but recent research reveals that the most common cause of failure is something as simple as the condition of a car’s tyres. While the MOT tests for mechanical failures, the most frequent reasons for test failure are issues relating to safety rather than mechanical excellence.

Sub-standard tyres were to blame in 13 percent of the cases of a test certificate being refused. This is the biggest single cause of a test failure, and yet it is one of the simplest things to rectify. Simply by checking and replacing worn tyres before an MOT, motorists can save themselves time, money and inconvenience.

We British are a nation in love with our cars. There are more cars per head of population in Britain than in any of our European neighbours. Yet, it seems the spark of love is beginning to fade. According to a recent survey, carried out by pollsters GfK NOP, the honeymoon is over. They found that 30 percent of men and 20 percent of women now resent their cars.

This is the latest manifestation of the worsening economic situation. Increased fuel costs and road tax have caused many of us to fall out of love with our cars. However, even more of us (39 percent) are disquieted by the environmental damage caused by our vehicles. This has resulted in a growth in sales of smaller cars, and an increase in the popularity of environmentally friendly, and economical, tyres.

The state of the UK tyre market has forced Michelin to announce that it will close its Baldovie factory in Dundee for one week, starting on October 13. The company is also predicting similar closures during November and December. The Dundee facility currently produces 23,000 tyres a day, and the closure is aimed to combat the stockpiling of tyres in a slow market. Staff will still be paid, and the closures will be used for further staff-training.

Ian Peart, personnel manager at Baldovie, explained, “The global economy is beginning to have an impact on markets across Europe and North America, so we’re needing to make that adjustment in line with what’s happening. It’s not something that happens every year, it has happened in the lifespan of the factory - markets come and markets change over time and therefore the plant has to change its output. There are no concerns about the impact of this on the factory going forward.”

The British International Motorshow offered Italian tyre manufacturer Marangoni the opportunity to raise its profile in the UK. The brand aims, primarily, at the performance market, but the company feels that it also appeals on the grounds of all-round performance and value.

The record crowds at London’s Excel exhibition centre were impressed by the Progetto Marangoni Toyota Yaris, exhibited on the Santa Pod Raceway stand. Marangoni claims to have received “a huge number of requests for information on the Marangoni product, with visitors clamoring for information and the right Marangoni tyre choice for their cars”. The show helped to cement Marangoni’s growing reputation amongst knowledgeable motorists.

Following on from their London success, the company took its roadshow to Scotland, where the Marangoni Toyota Yaris featured at both the Ultimate Street Car Show and the Scottish Tuning Show. Marangoni received plaudits at both events and has certainly increased its profile as a result.

Derek Carruthers, global sales and marketing director at Marangoni, was extremely pleased with the campaign, saying, “With the British International Motorshow and Knockhill event coverage, together with our mainstream performance event programme through the summer, we have taken the Marangoni story direct to our potential customers. Not only are we successfully demonstrating our brand credentials to enthusiastic consumers but we are also directing them to our dealer network. Marangoni brand awareness and acceptance is growing rapidly and I am sure that our pro-active UK partners will maximize the sales and profit opportunities that our programmes are creating. Do watch out for further exposure before the end of the year and onward into 2009″.

In a recent test by German motoring magazine, Auto Bild, Hankook’s Optimo 4S tyre achieved top rating in the all-season tyre sector. According to the magazine the Hankook tyre delivered “top driving performance under any weather conditions”. The Optimo 4S has also been awarded the German Federal Environmental Agency’s Blue Angel mark on account of its low road and rolling noise and fuel efficiency.

According to the US magazine, Modern Tire Dealer, Hankook is the world’s seventh largest tyre manufacturer, as well as being the fastest growing tyre maker. The company has welcomed the German result as testament to the quality of its products.

In Auto Bild’s test the Optimo 4S had to compete against tyres from eight other manufacturers. Auto Bild’s editor stated that the tyre “outperforms in any kind of weather with dynamic handling quality on snow-covered roads as well as short braking distances on wet as well as dry courses”. Hankook’s tyre attained top marks in every part of the test, and was one of only two tyres to be awarded the status of “exemplary”.

Executive vice president and European COO of Hankook, Seung-Do Jin, commented on the result saying, “The Auto Bild test proves that, thanks to progressive material and manufacturing technologies, a modern, high-performance and well balanced all-season tyre such as the Optimo 4S occasionally can be a realistic alternative to changing summer and snow tyres. We are very happy about the excellent test results for our latest product, which emphasises the effort we put in combining our high degree of developmental competence with driving comfort, efficiency and safety at the utmost highest level of technology. We will continue to market top products throughout all segments for our demanding clientele”.

TyreSafe got tyre safety month off to an early start this week with a demonstration of the effects of driving on under-inflated tyres. The demonstration, held at the Millbrook test centre in Bedfordshire, highlighted the way in which low pressure tyres affect handling, fuel efficiency and temperature.

TyreSafe quoted Department of Transport statistics that reveal that, in 2007, 43 motoring fatalities were attributable to under-inflated tyres, and that deflated tyres contributed to a further 984 accidents. TyreSafe have also commissioned research, which reveals that over half of the motorists surveyed had not checked their tyre pressure in the last month.

Rob Beddis, chairman of TyreSafe, summarized the situation and pointed out how simple it would be to rectify the position, ?In 2007, nearly one life was lost every single week of the year as a result of a road traffic accident where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor. This tragic loss of life is unnecessary and could have been avoided by carrying out simple, regular checks on tyre pressure, tread depth and tyre condition. Under-inflated tyres can cause dramatic changes in the way a vehicle handles and corners, resulting in surprise and confusion for drivers which often results in accidents. Additionally, tyres wear out more quickly and fuel consumption increases adding further burden to motorists already struggling with high fuel prices. By raising awareness of these issues throughout Tyre Safety Month, we hope motorists will heed our warnings so we can minimise future accidents and avoid further loss of life?.

It seems that company-car drivers are the most casual in regard to this crucial area of road safety. Within that sector only 31 percent of motorists had checked their tyre pressure within the last month, compared to a figure of 50 percent amongst private car owners. It seems that female motorists are also culpable when it comes to checking their tyre pressure, only 38 percent claimed to do their own tyre checks.

Worryingly, the problem appears to be getting worse. Defective tyres now account for 14 percent of MOT failures, a rise of 3 percent in the last year. Beddis concluded, ?Our findings illustrate why nearly three accidents occur every day on the UK?s roads where tyres are a contributory factor. Checking tyre pressures is a simple maintenance activity that is free and takes only a few minutes to complete. If motorists are unsure how to check their pressures or do not know where to find the manufacturer?s recommended pressure they should visit one of the many tyre fitting centres across the UK that will be offering free tyre checks throughout Tyre Safety Month.?

Rumours that Michelin are set to purchase the tyre business of Continental AG, have been scotched by business analysts. Such an acquisition would give Michelin control over 40 percent of the European passenger-car market and 50 percent of the truck tyre market. This would be frowned upon by European authorities. These sentiments were echoed by a spokesperson for Michelin, who said, “If we were approached, we would look at the proposal but we believe that our position in North America and in Europe, given the antitrust regulation, makes it difficult for us to take the tyre division from Continental”.

October is tyre safety month, and this year the emphasis will be on the importance of driving with correctly inflated tyres. TyreSafe, previously the Tyre Industry Council, is encouraging all those in the tyre industry to play their part in highlighting the important connection between tyre pressure and safety. Throughout the month many garages will be offering free tyre checks.

This sounds like something of an April Fool’s story, but it’s true. An advertising company from California has cut grooves into the tarmac of a road near Lancaster, California, which then plays a tune when a car drives over it. Essentially, the road surface is now akin to an old-fashioned LP, and car tyres are performing the role of a record player’s stylus.
The tune that is played is the Cavalry Charge from Rossini’s William Tell Overture. All of which gives a new meaning to the term a classical track. Unfortunately, the stunt has not been welcomed by local residents who have demanded that the road be resurfaced to silence the sound of the Lone Ranger’s theme tune.

However, the experience has been captured on tape, and can still be heard on the BBC’s website.

This week-end’s Singapore Grand Prix will see another innovation from tyre suppliers Bridgestone. For the first time, Bridgestone’s racing tyres will be marked with reflective paint. The Singapore race is to be held at night, and Bridgestone believe that the reflective tyres will add to the spectacle and highlight which tyres each driver is using.