UNIPART has signed a distribution agreement with oil company Mobil to supply its Mobil 1 brand of engine oil.

THE THREAT OF 4-2-2 MOT testing has returned, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) has warned.

Belts and drive systems company Gates is stocking its shelves with OAPs to help mechanics deliver reliable repairs to accessory belt drives (to avoid any confusion, that means a choice of DriveAlign Overrunning Alternator Pulleys - aka OAPs - and not an army of geriatric workers!).

If you are a customer-focused independent garage owner then read on to see how service and repair network Autosafe has improved its range of member benefits in an attempt to get you on board.

rong>Cambridge Motorsport Parts has released a braking upgrade for the Honda Civic Type-R. The Hawk HPS (High Performance Steel) pads are intended for fast road use and aim to give impressive stopping power with great resistance to brake fade.

If you sell or install Yuasa batteries, you could win VIP pit lane passes and enjoy hospitality with Yuasa and Team Honda Racing at the finale of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday 10th October.

rong>Track day enthusiasts and professional motorsport drivers may be interested to learn that the Silkolene Powersport brand of products which has been manufactured in the UK for years, has been taken on by Fuchs Lubricants and re-branded as the Titan Race range.

UNIPART has become a member of the British Franchise Association (BFA) to demonstrate the strength of its Express Factors programme.

THE CONTACT details of all MOT test stations have been published on the internet as part of government plans to make information more accessible to the public.

TECHNICAL expert Frank Massey has joined forces with diagnostic tool manufacturer Autologic.

THE INSURANCE industry has launched an accreditation scheme for car alarm and security system installers.

THE MOT test is celebrating its 50th birthday with the announcement that failure rates have risen to a record 37%.

rong>The Revo Light from Tri-Sphere, the entry-level model of the Revo 180, is a short-wave infrared paint drying system that is super energy-efficient. It uses no gas and because sensors guide the drying process, significant savings are also made on electricity.

rong>For once, Aftermarket has found a product that even the manufacturer admits is not at the forefront of technology. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best and that’s what Laser Tools will be hoping for its latest brake bleeder.

Refinishing and consumables firm Farecla has published its latest catalogue, detailing its full product range together with additions from the Colad and Hamach brands.

Vehicle key programming specialists Hickleys, are holding evening events around the UK during August telling you everything you need to know about key programming, in order to add another string to your bow.

Three new items designed to make repair jobs quicker, easier and more cost-effective join the body shop range from 3M.

MOTOR Codes has claimed 93% of drivers would recommend one of its member garages to family and friends.

AVOIDABLE faults on fleet cars cause 15,000 days of downtime per year, according to RAC data.

Martin Brown has been appointed head of marketing at the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

COLCHESTER-based independent garage Shaikly Motor Company is urging other workshops to apply for the BSI Kitemark for Garage Services.

Lighting specialist Osram has unveiled its latest bulb in the form of the Xenarc Cool Blue Intense. The company hopes it will provide intensive illumination with cool design.

Spies Hecker has developed the Raderal Special Putty Set 2011 designed to cover welds, gaps and rivets on steel substrates.

Parts firm Febi has upgraded its offer to workshops with the ProKit package - an all-in-one product packaging option designed to make repairs easier.

The family of hand-held diagnostic tools celebrates a new addition to its brood in the form of the Vantage PRO enhanced component test meter and scope.

rong>If it’s incredibly low minimum access you require from your trolley jack then take a look at the new line of Viking trolley jacks from Sealey.

THE RIGHT To Repair campaign (R2RC) has disbanded after claiming victory in its mission to create a fairer and freer aftermarket industry.

SNAP-ON Tools' new boss says the company's sales are up 11% on the same time last year.

EURO Car Parts (ECP) has launched a fleet of vehicles to provide specialist brake-related advice and support to its customers.

APPRENTICE

BRAKING firm TMD Friction has appointed Rob Sweetnam as Managing Director of its UK division.

Texa has just released version 36 of its IDC3 software for cars, which includes new wiring diagrams for various marques including Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot, Seat, Volkswagen and VW.

rong>A comprehensive range of remanufactured Pagid brake calipers featuring brand new pistons and sliders are now supplied by Euro Car Parts. 

As part of an aggressive expansion policy, Fuel Parts UK claims it is the only company offering a fully-approved Euro 4-compliant range of catalytic converters. The latest additions to its range include cats for the Fiat Bravo and Scudo from 2007 onwards together with the Volkswagen Eos from 2006 onwards.

A few months ago, Aftermarket reported on the booming market for towbar installation work. Now, towbar manufacturer Bosal has come up with another potential aftermarket sales opportunity with its Compact bicycle carrier. The company claims there has been an explosion (not literally we hope, Ed) in the leisure cycling market. That means more people looking for ways to strap mountain bikes to their cars without breaking the law.

It looks like a horrible torture device but the latest product to roll out of Ayce Systems' headquarters is an alloy wheel-straightening machine. The number of scuffed and damaged alloys on the roads shows that wheels take a pounding on a daily basis (not helped by some people's inability to park without hitting the kerb). This product aims to correct the most severe cases of damage.

NEVILLE Briggs, managing director of dealer management system provider Pinewood, says the planned hike in VAT will affect both business and consumer confidence.

VAT will rise from 17.5% to 20% in January, chancellor George Osborne has announced as part of a huge package of tax increases and spending cuts.

JAPANESE and Korean parts supplier Solid Auto has experienced an "encouraging response" after joining forces with the United Aftermarket Network (UAN) buying group.

PLANS for national remanufacturing standards could end the confusion between refurbished, recycled and reconditioned products says Brian Ludford, secretary of the UK's Federation of Engine Remanufacturers (FER).

PARTS distributor Universal Automotive has appointed Ian Hughes as its business development manager for the south west of England.

BM CATALYSTS has announced a £6m expansion plan and the start of a second UK manufacturing plant.

Euro Garage Solutions (EGS) - the workshop equipment division of Euro Car Parts - has become the sole UK distributor of the Werther range of lifting equipment.

rong>With motorists everywhere keen to save pennies, Agriemach has released an Exhaust System Joint & Crack Sealer to help cut repair costs.

General Motors has renewed its approval of paint company Spies Hecker's products for repair and refinish of its vehicles.

STRICTER emissions controls will mean a rapidly-expanding market for lambda sensors, with added opportunities for garages and factors, says Denso aftermarket sales boss Paul Payne.

Pico Technology has announced more training dates to help repairers get the latest knowledge of scope-based fault-finding. The Pico courses are designed to take the fear out of oscilloscope diagnostics, guiding delegates through from the basic understanding of a scope, to the software interface and kit contents and then into the workshop to see the scope in action.

AN ACCIDENT helpline has been launched by the Good Garage Scheme in a bid to speed up the insurance claims process for its members and their customers.

GARAGE boss Keith Kingham has got his hands on a Snap-on SOLUS PRO diagnostic tool and more after taking top spot in Motor Codes' Golden Garages competition.

The Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme has celebrated its fifth birthday.