The arrival of Mullins European Tyres in Margot Street, Newmarket heralds a strong future and healthy growth for the Continental Tyre brand in New Zealand. With more and more worldwide manufacturers fitting German engineered Continental as their OEM brand of choice, the directors of Mullins Tyres, Niall Dow and Alary Brydone-Dow decided to open a brand new concept store in Newmarket that mirrors those retail outlets found in Australia and Europe. Under direction from Australasian Continental Tyre distributor, Tyres 4 U, a derelict building was dramatically transformed with the exterior and interior painted in the Continental colours of gold and black, innovative recycled rubber flooring, a modern interior fit out with customer service desks rather than traditional counters finished off with a stylish and comfortable display and reception area. The gestation of the concept store took some time as the building in Margot Street was dramatically renovated and then refurbished to meet exacting brand standards. You cannot miss the distinctive and brightly coloured concept store, where customers can drive up to the reception door and relax inside with a complimentary espresso coffee and reading material, while their vehicle is being looked after by professional tyre technicians. It’s a reflection of the service now demanded by discerning customers who drive cars, light commercials and SUVS that are fitted with Continental tyres, which includes brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Porsche, Saab, Smart, Volvo and VW. The team of technicians at Mullins European Tyres enjoy a well lit and spacious workshop with all the modern equipment demanded by their client’s vehicles. Thanks to the installation of a Corghi Artiglio 50 tyre changer, they can tackle all types of low profile and run-flat tyres up to 30 inches in diameter. The Corghi Artiglio 50 handles expensive alloys and low profile tyres with kid gloves – no tyre levers are required, so no scratches and marks on the rims and it’s 50% faster than ordinary tyre changers which makes life easier for the Mullins team. “In the last trading week before Christmas, we replaced 20 run-flat Continental tyres alone, in addition to our normal sales of low profile high performance tyres,” said store manager Brian Morgan. “So far the largest tyre we changed using the Corghi Artiglio 50 unit was a 26 inch tyre off a Hummer SUV, and replacing 22 inch tyres is not an uncommon occurrence. With Continental tyres being fitted as Original Equipment to one in four new European cars, and with an increasing number sold in New Zealand, Continental Tyre dealers are in hot demand, a trend which will continue to grow. Mullin’s European Tyres opened for business shortly before Christmas and already their concept store has already been well patronised by the numerous local prestige car dealers and private customers who live nearby.