According to research by online analysts Envisional, Michelin is now the most popular tyre brand online. Envisional has been conducting the brand ranking exercise since 2005, this year’s figures reveal that Pirelli has dropped furthest in the rankings, and that the gap between premium tyres and cheaper brands is widening.

Michelin’s strong performance is a continuation of their form that saw them top the league in 2007. Dunlop and Goodyear have also performed strongly, taking business from Pirelli and Bridgestone.

Ian Shircore, head of marketing at Envisional, commented on the results, “As the nature of online sentiment shifts, with an increasing amount of user-generated content appearing alongside the more traditional comment and reviews on media and commercial websites, the leading brands have done well to maintain their positive buzz”.

A recent survey would seem to be sending a powerful message to car manufacturers. It appears we are all getting heartily fed up with the plethora of gadgets and gizmos attached to our cars. The survey, of 726 UK motorists, showed that over 70 percent of respondents are being driven to distraction by motoring gadgets, and these motorists also feel that this unwanted technology also impacts on road safety.

According to the survey, over half of those questioned would prefer fewer “non-essential” features, which they feel cause confusion and distraction. At the top of the list of irritating, dangerous additions is the sat nav. 29 percent of motorists claimed this was the biggest distraction, particularly if armed with an authoritarian or over-enthusiastic voice. The sat nav was closely followed in-car entertainment systems such as iPods and CD players.

Over-complicated steering wheel controls and noisy parking sensors also attracted much opprobrium. Amongst non-driving distractions smoking is the most disliked.

Katie Armitage, speaking for the survey organizers, said, “Many modern cars are filled with gadgets and gizmos and for many drivers are seen as not only confusing to use but also a major cause of distraction for both themselves and other drivers. On the back of these findings we are urging manufacturers to ?Go back to Basics’ and to consider the safety of drivers and how they use the add-ons with the emphasis being placed on not losing concentration.”

Channel 5’s new series, Paul Merton in India, is being sponsored by Continental Tyres. The travel programme, which started on October 8th, follows on from Merton’s successful series on China. The show follows the same format with the wry comedian commenting on aspects of Indian culture as he explores the sub-continent.

Continental has worked with media agency PHWT to create sponsorship idents throughout the series. This takes the form of a Continental tyre rolling across the screen which leaves an orange trail across the screen. As the tyre moves on the orange line forms the outline of iconic landmarks.

Mick Stoves, PHWT Director, explained the concept, “Our challenge was to bring to life Continental’s brand attributes of being best in braking and tyre safety in an engaging way and to make the link between safe driving and travel. Our simple yet effective approach is one which we know works with busy consumers who may only be interested in tyres when they need to replace them”.

Continental’s Advertising Manager, Tim Bailey, said, “The new sponsorship idents from PHWT really accelerate our proposition of Continental Tyres being at the forefront of tyre safety, stopping and braking. They were created and produced in double quick time by the team and we are delighted with the results”.

Take a 200 mph super car and add a notoriously irresponsible, petrol-head journalist. Sounds like a recipe for disaster! In fact this combination has just triumphed in the MPG marathon - an event to promote careful, fuel-conscious driving.

The marathon, which we reported on last week, was won by motoring journalist Richard Hammond, driving a Corvette Z06. Hammond managed to complete the 411 mile course while achieving a combined mpg total of 30.96mpg. This represented a 61.26 percent improvement over the official combined mpg figure.

The events organizer, Ross Durkin, said “Driving economically is possible in whatever car you own - all it takes is consideration of prevailing road conditions and an educated approach to how you drive your car. The Corvette’s success proves that any driver can improve their fuel economy if they think in advance and anticipate road conditions”.

“Educated, considerate driving” - it must be a different Richard Hammond!

American Football returns to the UK this week-end with the San Diego Chargers taking on the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium. The match, which is becoming an annual fixture on the British sporting calendar, will be sponsored by American tyre company Bridgestone Firestone.

Bridgestone, which is the official tyre of the NFL, will provide LED boards, stadium signage and will also sponsor the pre-match build up on Sky Sports. John Baratta, president, Consumer Replacement Tire BFNT, explained the company’s involvement in the event, “As a global company, sponsoring the International Series game is a terrific opportunity for the Bridgestone brand to get high exposure here in the United States, in Europe and beyond. We’re thrilled that the Bridgestone NFL International Series has been such a success and is helping us reach football fans across the world with our message that for drivers who want to get the most out of their cars?it’s Bridgestone or nothing.”

The game will be shown live on BBC2 and Sky Sports, as well as being beamed to over 200 countries around the globe. It has captured the imagination of British sports fans, with the 55,000 tickets selling out immediately on release. Mark Waller, senior vice-president of marketing and sales at the NFL, said, “We are pleased to welcome Bridgestone back to the International Series. We continue to see tremendous excitement from our sponsors and fans who are clamouring for more football. We expect the atmosphere to be electric when the Saints and Chargers take the field.”

Last year’s game at Wembley, between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins, attracted a crowd of 81,176, and further matches are scheduled over the next three years.

Michelle Ulyatt, a motorist from Derby, has fallen victim to a new form of car crime. Ulyatt parked her L-Reg Ford Escort in Derby, when she returned to her vehicle later in the afternoon she found that her new tyres had been stolen and replaced with bald, old tyres.

A shocked Ulyatt said, “It was only when I was driving that I realised something was wrong, as I had problems with my steering. Because I had the car in the garage a few weeks ago to have the steering arm corrected, I thought it was going on the blink again. But my husband then said that my front tyres were bald and that’s when I realised what had caused the problems. The tyres were brand new in February and, at first, I did wonder if they were faulty but then I realised they were another make”.

Police have sought to reassure motorists that this incident does not represent a new trend in bizarre car crimes, but these are strange times, so who knows?

Suzuki dealers will be offering free tyre checks to motorists throughout the UK as part of the company’s support for Tyre Safety Month. Suzuki GB is the first car manufacturer to get behind the campaign, which will run until the end of October.

Denis Houston, director of Aftersales, commented on the company’s involvement, “As we approach the winter period, driving conditions on the road deteriorate, and therefore looking after your tyres becomes ever more important. Tyre Safety Month provides an ideal opportunity for us to reinforce the key message that tyres are a lifeline, and by undergoing a free safety check, this could make all the difference”.

Details of participating dealerships can be found on the company’s web-site - Suzuki.co.uk.

Tyre manufactures Michelin established a “Fill Up With Air” pit-stop at their Campbell Rd headquarters during the recent MPG Marathon. The aim of the marathon is to complete the 411 mile course using as little fuel as possible.

Michelin’s aim was to underline the fact that correctly inflated tyres contribute massively to fuel economy. The company entered two cars in the race, alongside 37 other cars and 9 vans. Their Peugeot 308, running on Michelin Energy Saver tyres, achieved fuel consumption figures of 78 miles per gallon - 12mpg better than the figure quoted in the car’s handbook.

Michelin also took the opportunity to launch its “Fill Up With Air” van, which will be used in its forthcoming tyre-pressure check campaign.

The National Tyre Distributors Association has been given a safety award by TyreSafe, in recognition of its contribution to raising public awareness of the importance of tyre safety. The award was presented at the recent British Tyre Manufacturer’s Association dinner in Solihull. The award was presented by TyreSafe chairman Rob Beddis, who stated, “The NTDA has made a significant contribution to raising awareness of the importance of tyre safety and are worthy recipients of the TyreSafe award. NTDA members have given their full support to Tyre Safety Month, and have also been rigorous in running their own tyre safety campaigns, notably the recent tyre ageing campaign held in conjunction with the RAC Foundation, which reached out to motorists via TV, radio and press to raise awareness of the dangers of driving on over-aged tyres”.

A spokesman for the NTDA voiced the association’s delight at receiving the award, “I’m delighted to receive the TyreSafe award on behalf of our members. The NTDA is fully committed to supporting the good work of TyreSafe in raising awareness of the dangers of defective tyres. NTDA members across the country are participating in Tyre Safety Month by offering free tyre safety checks and advice to local motorists.”

As part of the tyre industry’s commitment to the European Road Safety Charter, ETRMA has launched a pan-European initiative featuring an on-line quiz. Throughout October motorists will be asked the question, “Are you driving safely?” At present the quiz is only available in English, but it will soon be translated into other languages. The quiz went on-line on 6th October and can be found at www.metapoint.be/etrma-quiz.