THE Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced that the closing date for the SkillAuto competitions has now been extended to 17 January.

THE REST of the country might grind to a halt at the first sign of a snowflake, but that simply isn't an option for the garage trade.

rong>The Cypher is a PC-based diagnostic tool pitched at the experienced diagnostic technician; enabling you to work now and into the future.

rong>This scanner is also J2534 pass-thru enabled and provides auto-search facilities for most makes, so there’s no need to enter VIN details or engine type.

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THE COUNCIL of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF)

rong>In Spring 2010, 250 steering and suspension part numbers joined FAI Automotive’s steering and suspension programme and were listed in a supplement to its catalogue, adding more than 1,000 new applications.

THE HEALTH and safety executive has issued a bulletin to garage owners warning about the risks of cutting up old containers oil drums.

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THE MOTOR insurance repair research centre Thatcham, has named Peter Shaw as its next Chief Executive. Coming from the energy sector, Shaw will join the organisation in April next year and succeeds Peter Roberts who has led the insurer funded Centre since 2001.

January 2011 sees the launch of what Lucas Diesel claim to be "the first true off the shelf" range of remanufactured diesel injection products, distributed through FAI Automotive.

AN INDUSTRY figure was warned that garages must modernise if they are to compete with franchised dealers for years to come.

EURO CAR PARTS (ECP) has opened new branches in Bristol, Liverpool and Peterborough.

rong>An Air Gun Sucker/Blower Kit with a standard airline and an air pressure of 90psi is available from Laser Tools.

rong>Anyone who has a classic Mini turn up in their workshop with one of the frequent gearbox problems will be pleased to know that the first and second gear complete inner assembly for all four-speed synchromesh gearboxes is once again available from Huddersfield-based Mini Spares.

MIKE Owen, head of the garage section in the IAAF, told a conference that he believes that making the price of a retest double that of the initial MoT inspection, would both improve public safety and improve government revenues, making the threat of bi-annual tests less likely.

rong>A VW-approved antifreeze and coolant is the most recent addition to Comma’s Xstream range containing Glysantin from BASF. 

rong>The new FSA 500 Mobile Tester and FSA and Hybrid Tester from Bosch are said to provide fast and accurate troubleshooting and the latter aids professional diagnosis of electronic and hybrid drives.

Organisers of the annual Golden Garages competition have launched the 2011 contest that last year attracted thousands of motorists to vote for the best service and repair garage in the country.

CAR manufacturers will have to provide security technical information to mechanics nationwide, regardless of their brand affiliation, the EU has ruled.

rong>Brake Gray is a heavy-duty brake fluid-resistant paint, containing pure stainless steel pigment in an ultra durable epoxy ester resin. Phew.

rong>If you’re after a MIG/MAG welder that offers a simple set-up then look no further than the Synergic single phase 13/23-V from GYS. Select the welding mode, wire thickness and metal type, set the current and you’re ready to go - the best wire speed is automatically chosen.

rong>The glue barons at Design and Engineering Inc have come up with a handy solution to sticky situations.

rong>The Fast Funnel range of disposable funnels has been created to eliminate the hazards of impurities and possibility of cross-contamination when using the same funnel time and time again.

rong>Bosch claims to have the right lambda sensor for virtually every vehicle, with around 85% market coverage in Europe and the range has now been expanded to include sensors for diesel engines.

TWO INDUSTRY appointments have been announced this week. Euro Car Parts (ECP) has appointed former Halfords divisional manager Andy Hamilton, pictured here, as its operations director.

A BODY repair shop has secured new business since gaining the Kitemark over three years ago when it was the first bodyshop in Lancashire and 12th in the UK to hold the mark.

SIX NEWLY-qualified technicians have been selected to represent the UK in an international tournament.

rong>ContiTech has expanded its range of kits with V-ribbed belts and torsional vibration dampers (TVD) and includes popular vehicle models of French manufacturers, including the Citroen C5, Peugeot 307 and 607, as well as the Renault Mégane.

rong>An electronic park-brake reset tool specifically designed for Audi A4, A6 and A8, Q7 and Passatt models from 2006 to 2009 is now available from Gunson.

rong>Leeds-based firm Brakeworld now carries a comprehensive range of re-manufactured callipers sourced from NK in Denmark. NK is one of Europe's largest remanufacturers of callipers, offering a comprehensive range for European, Japanese and Korean cars and light commercial vans.

rong>ACDelco has set itself the target to expand the number of clutch references it holds on a monthly basis until the end of the year and a further 16 clutch kits join its programme this month. Its range now stands at over 900 references, compared to 754 at the beginning of the year.

rong>The latest addition to the Auto Service Tools range of suspension bush removal/installation tools has been released covering applications on control arm bushes on Volkswagen Group vehicles.

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The WOMEN and Work scheme is operated through the IMI and gives £400 to businesses that invest in their female staff.

The EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association) and FIGIEFA (the International Federation of Wholesalers of Automotive Replacement Parts) are looking to recruit a technical advisor to support its lobbying activities in Brussels; which aims to safeguard a legislative environment in the EU that provides fair competition in the automotive aftermarket.

rong>Delphi’s steering and suspension range has been increased by 380 new part numbers since its last catalogue and can be found in the 2010/2011 version.

rong>European component distributor, Optimal is set to enter the UK aftermarket from a new central warehousing facility in the West Midlands.

rong>A self-adjusting clutch (SAC) tool kit from Sykes Pickavant has been developed for mounting and dis-mounting SAC assemblies to the flywheel.

rong>In an effort to market new kit to independent garages, diagnostic tool distributor Autoboss UK is due to bring out a new interface.

rong>A range of Sakura hi-visibility products are now ready for winter stocking and are available from Saxon, who also distribute car care and valet products.

A TRIO of technicians reached the grand final of a competition held to find the 'Worker of the Year'.

rong>This little device will remove Sealey plastic wheel nut caps fitted to Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW and Vauxhall vehicles.

rong>High performance engines require additional oil pressure because of the increased demand placed upon various components within the engine.

rong>Clutch and parts manufacturer National Auto Parts has redesigned its product cartons and website to make the products easier to find and the site speedier to navigate.

rong>Suspension manufacturer Cobra has released a spring upgrade kit for the latest version of the quirky Nissan cube.

rong>Aftermarket technical writer, technical trainer, workshop owner, Top Technician supporter and all round fab west-country bloke James Dillon is running some one-day training courses at his new training facility in Bridgwater next month.

GARAGE scheme Motor Codes has hit out at the decision by the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) to launch a rival garage organisation.

/>Despite this, data released by credit company Experian shows that September and October saw a slight drop in garages failing compared with the same period the previous y