Autofirst Network has joined forces with the RAC in a bid to create the biggest independent garage network in the country.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) hosted an Electric Vehicle Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday ( 5 February).  The forum with cross-industry experts was designed to begin the process of agreeing appropriate Professional Standards dedicated to protecting technicians working on electric and hybrid vehicles.

TechMan has appointed  sector expert Andy Savva, a.k.a the Garage Inspector, as its Brand Ambassador.

Draper Tools is celebrating 100 years in business. Established in 1919 by Bert Draper, the business is still family owned and run today by the fourth generation of the Draper family.

Automechanika Birmingham is hosting an exhibitor day designed to ensure exhibiting companies leverage as much as possible out of the show and enhance visitor experience.

The Parts Alliance is running a new national garage promotion  through February and March. The ‘Original Experience’ will see The Parts Alliance collaborate with suppliers  Delphi, Comma, MANN-FILTER and NGK.

Increased demand and expanding range of part numbers has seen Apec Braking move to a bigger, brand new Distribution Centre near Filton, Bristol.

Businesses wanting to take part in Top Garage 2019 have until 23.59 on Friday 8 February  to take the round one quiz, or risk missing out on the competition this year.

Servicesure has announced a winner in its recent ‘trip of lifetime’ competition. Thomas Docking from Manchester won after entering via the Servicesure Facebook page.

Euro Car Parts is the latest huge name to lend its support to Top Technician and Top Garage 2019, becoming a sponsor for the two competitions.

Today (21 January) is 2019’s Blue Monday, which is said to be the most depressing day of the year, and Ben is using the occasion as a launch pad for  its new campaign that aims to support people struggling with loneliness.

This week the government has published its response to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee report ‘Electric vehicles: driving the transition’, and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), is supporting calls for further development of electric vehicle  skills to protect the safety of technicians.   The IMI has announced today (Monday 21 January) that they will be hosting an Electric Vehicle Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday 5  February at the Head Office in Hertfordshire. Attendees from across the industry will be working together to develop a Professional Standard that will safeguard the UK’s workforce of technicians by ensuring they are well trained and have the skills they need to repair electrified vehicles  safely.   Sales of electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles have seen a sharp increase of 21% since 2017 according to the latest figures from the SMMT. However, just 3.5% of the UK’s 188,500 vehicle technicians are currently qualified with the skills to service and repair the high voltage components of this technology.   Steve Nash, Chief Executive at the IMI, said: “The response to the BEIS Committee report is confirmation that government must work with businesses to help workers develop their skills when it comes to new vehicle technology. There must be more focus on the skills needed if the UK is to become a world-leader in the manufacturing and repairing of electrified vehicles.   Steve added: “By bringing together a committee of experts from across the motor industry to discuss, agree and develop electric vehicle professional standards, we can then provide the appropriate benchmarks and recognition for individuals to work towards, supported by the appropriate quality of training. In doing so we can create the expert, skilled workforce needed to support the next generation of vehicles.”   

Andy Savva, The Garage Inspector, has been announced as the Philips Automotive Lighting Brand Ambassador for the UK and Ireland.

This year, for the first time ever, Autoinform Live will be taking place in Ireland. Held at the J&S Training Centre in Co. Cork, 27-28 April 2019, the event will replicate the same format implemented at the Wolverhampton and Edinburgh shows, dividing the timetable into three modules which provide a mix of practical and theoretical sessions to suit all skill levels.

EVs and hybrids rose in popularity during 2018 in what was otherwise a very challenging market for new car sales, according to the latest figures released today (Monday 7 January) by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Techs wanting to take part in Top Technician 2019 have until 23.59 tomorrow (Friday 4 January) to take the round one quiz, or risk missing out on the competition this year.

Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia has resigned from his positions as a Director of LKQ Corporation and as Executive Chairman of Euro Car Parts in the United Kingdom, it has been confirmed today (Wednesday 2 January 2019).

Euro Car Parts announced today (Wednesday 2 January 2019) that Andy Hamilton has been appointed CEO of the ECP Group, effective immediately, replacing Martin Gray who has decided to leave the company to pursue other interests.

Rumours continue to swirl over the current status of the senior team at Euro Car Parts, following  the reported resignation of Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia and other senior management figures  from the company.

TechMan will be playing a major part in the Top Technician/Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019, as sponsor of the Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception.

With Christmas just around the corner, Ben is running a new campaign and has launched new resources on its website to support individuals to cope with anxiety during the festive season.

In Town Automotive – one of the largest independently owned vehicle servicing and repairs garages in Northampton – has rounded off 2018 in style, after taking home its second prestigious technology award of the year.

The Parts Alliance’s Winter Trade Show returned to Sandy Park recently and smashed all previous attendance records for the event

The NTDA is taking action against a number of UK tyre retailers who are falsely claiming to be members of the Association, are displaying the NTDA logo on their recovery vehicles, websites and marketing collateral, or who are advertising that repair work carried out at their tyre depots is carried out to “the NTDA standard”.

Single use glove specialist Unigloves has launched a new free glove sampling service.

Absolute Alignment  has launched a new consumer website to assist motorists in locating their local Absolute Alignment Approved Centres: www.absolutewheelalignment.co.uk

Automechanika Birmingham has announced that ‘Innovation’ will be the leading theme for the 2019 event, held at Birmingham NEC on 4 - 6 June 2019.

TRICO is teaming up with Top Technician and Top Garage 2019, becoming the latest sponsor to join up with the competitions.

MAFCO Autobar and TRICO have teamed up to deliver an early Christmas bonus to customers, with their “Cash In For Christmas” promotion. In the run up to Christmas, for every £100 spent with MAFCO Autobar on TRICO products, customers will receive a £10 voucher for their choice of either Amazon or Argos.

Ben has launched new web resources to help people cope with bullying in the workplace, just in time for National Anti-Bullying  Week, which is taking place this week (12-16 November).

Andrew Page and Castrol have entered into a partnership to supply the new Castrol GTX range, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018.

NGK and Seven-times British Pro Mod drag racing champion and race car builder Andy Robinson have teamed up to launch the MO70 project to transform a standard ride-on lawn mower in to a speed machine capable of reaching  more than 70mph.

Ben has announced the appointment of Steve Nash as Chair of its Board of Trustees.

Comline Auto Parts has received the accolade of ‘Best Stand’ at this year’s Auto Trade Expo Dublin.

Morris Lubricants has reached its 150th year,  and to celebrate the company  has joined forces with their customer and friend Alex Sharphouse to build a John Fowler, Talisman B6 Road Locomotive. The Talisman will be on show at the Classic Car Show taking place at NEC Birmingham from tomorrow (Thursday 9 November) until Sunday (11 November) 

The Servicesure garage network has hit its second major milestone in a matter of weeks with Birmingham-based Manor Motor Company becoming the 500th member.

Following the success of last years TRICO beer ‘Brew 17’ the windscreen wiper blade developer and supplier has launched another new beer, this time named ‘Brew 18’, to celebrate its 90th European anniversary.
 
With a generous amount being donated to the local Community Trust last year following TRICO’s sponsorship of Redditch United, Brew 18 is again exclusively on sale at the TRICO stadium, where once more, a percentage of the profits will go to the local charity.
 
The local Community Trust engages with the Redditch community to deliver  outcomes combating antisocial behavior and crime, working with underprivileged children, reducing health inequalities and providing education to help support employability.
 
Product and Brand Manager Sam Robinson said: “Brew 17 was extremely well received last year, so we decided to launch another new and exclusive beer to celebrate our 90th European anniversary and once again donate a percentage of the profits to the Community Trust.”
 
Sam added: “Look out for the many promotions/giveaways we will be running until the end of the year to get your hands on a bottle or gift pack.”
 

Snap-on has signed up with Top Technician and Top Garage 2019, becoming the first sponsor put its full support behind the  two competitions .

Top Garage is back for 2019, and is open for entries.

TV presenter and journalist Helen Fospero is to be the host at the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019, being held on Saturday 22 June 2019.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is to expand its MOT training offering by opening a new training centre in the South of England.

“It is vital that the government and the EU come together and agree that frictionless, tariff-free terms of trade are in the interests of the whole sector, in order for the retail motor industry to progress and thrive in a stable environment,” said RMI Chairman Peter Johnson, speaking at this year’s RMI Annual Dinner in London last night (11 October 2018).

Top Technician 2019 is back for 2019, and is open for entries.

The Parts Alliance has struck an exclusive automotive UK distribution agreement with Champion air compressors.

It may not have been the Ryder Cup, but competition was fierce when NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd held its 27th Northern Ireland annual golf day.

TRICO  provided almost 100 winners with prizes recently following a promotion it recently ran with A1 Motor Stores.
 
TRICO has been working with A1 members for nearly 10 years and its latest incentive, with a minimum £50 spend on its wiper blades, offered them the chance to win an Apple Watch, Amazon Echo or iPad, along with a selection of multi tools and wiper blades through a specially designed scratchcard.
 
David Hunt, manager of Specialised Motor Components, managed to scoop the Apple Watch. He said: “I was really surprised and pleased to win. It’s good to know that through such a great incentive, they appreciate our efforts  selling these quality products.”
 
Kilgetty Motor Factors’ (KMF) owner, Alan Holt, a long-standing TRICO customer said: “We were delighted to be one of the lucky ones that won an iPad and a couple of the multi tool sets, which will come in very useful in our store, so thank you TRICO!”
 
Shabbir Rajani from Hinckley Motor Spares won the Amazon Echo. He added: “It got the work place excited as we all took turns on a scratchcard. We are over the moon with our Amazon Echo, and we hope there are more promotions to come!”
 
Mark Doney from Mon and Border Motor Factors said:  “We are very pleased to have won an Amazon voucher, which will come in very useful.”
 
Senior Product and Brand Manager at TRICO, Sam Robinson, concluded: “We have been working with both A1 Motor Stores and the members for a long time and we really appreciate their support and feedback - so this is our way of giving something back - I hope the winners enjoy their prizes.”

New changes to the MOT testing rules mean that 65,000 MOT Testers must complete new annual training assessments to remain compliant.  In response, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), has launched updated Tester training which includes a free eLearning course enabling Testers to access the new assessment via their smart device and qualify them to test under the new EU directive.  

A new tongue-in-cheek multi-media campaign with an underlying serious message for ZF brand Lemförder, is about to go live across Europe. The campaign, which deals with the Germanic obsession with precision and perfection – underlines a very serious safety message.

The Race Group has announced that it has strengthened its partnership with Castrol with a new five-year contract, extending its supply of lubricants for automotive and heavy duty vehicle customers in the South of England.

Malvern-based Daniels Vehicle Services has become the 100th garage to join the Servicesure garage network in 2018.