GOVERNMENT consumer minister Gareth Thomas has written an open letter to all car servicing businesses, calling on them to support the Motor Industry Service and Repair Code.

The remanufacturing company has unveiled new alternators for the Focus II and C-Max along with the Volvo S40 plus 1.6 and 2.0 diesel versions of the Mazda 3.

ORGANISERS of the ReMaTec exhibition in Amsterdam claim the global recession has created a surge in the demand for remanufactured goods.

rong>Laser says that following the introduction of its common rail flow meter kit, it realised its diesel engine compression tester was lacking the latest dummy diesel injectors and glow plugs.

CHRIS Wileman has become the 15,000th technician to attend one of Snap-on Diagnostic's TechEd seminars.

TOOLS and accessories firm Jack Sealey has issued a recall of selected fan heaters after a batch was found to pose a potential fire risk.

rong>Distributor FPS now offers a full range of Gates DriveAlign dampers (also known as TVDs) thanks to its status as the sole distributor for Gates products in the UK.

THE WEEKEND was a wonderful/terrible time for many, depending on which side of the footballing fence you sit on.

EURO Car Parts (ECP) has opened its latest branch in Ipswich with a 15-strong team of staff.

FOR THOSE who already knew the Italians could turn out an intriguing glass of wine and a stylishly figure-hugging frock, Autopromotec was a reminder that the country is a real force in technical innovation too.

rong>As customers’ cars get older, they’ll want to spend more money keeping them looking younger (it seems to work in the cosmetics industry!). That’s the thinking from Unique Products behind its latest accessory range.

GARAGES who work efficiently and invest in training and equipment will be able to increase their business, as car owners look for value for money, says the RMI's Independent Garage Association (IGA).

rong>A technical database (Hella DDS 100) has been combined with a diagnostic interface, giving information and diagnostics for more than 45 vehicle makes and around 33,500 models.

DENSO will launch a selection of new products into the UK market for the first time this June.

This oil was specially developed for vehicles with exhaust after treatment products and turbochargers.

THE AUTOPROMOTEC exhibition has officially opened in Italy, promising visitors a look-in on the latest technological developments within the aftermarket sector.

AUTODATA has brokered an alliance with Suzuki main dealers to help them tackle all-makes service and repair work.

These bright 6/12V batter chargers will go down well with anyone looking for a yellow colour scheme in their garage!

THE GOOD news for wholesalers of NGK spark plugs is that they could win a Bugatti Veyron worth more than £1.2 million thanks to the company's latest Milesmore sales incentive promotion.

rong>The surface finishing company is attempting to get ahead of its competitors with the claim that its products contain 25% more abrasives per litre than other leading brands.

A NOTTINGHAM tyre fitter swapped the forecourt for the fast lane after being chosen to switch tyres for racing stars Matt Neal and Jason Plato.

rong>Texa recently signed an agreement with the Piaggio Group meaning all Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Gilera workshops around the world will begin using the Navigator TXB diagnostic tool.

These fully-automated service units mean there's no need for manual shut-off valves, something Bosch says can prevent user errors and ensure work is safer and more effective.

BODY shop firm ClaimWatch is moving into the workshop sector with a marketing package for garages and MOT test stations.

SHELL Helix motor oils has scooped the title of Best Automotive Lube Range for 2009 from the Institute of Transport Management (ITM)

JEREMY Clarkson might hate them but like it or not, hybrids vehicles are here to stay.

WELL-known aftermarket figure Terry Smith has parted company with Snap-on Diagnostics to join the Open Road project in Norfolk.

BOSCH is spending a "very high six digit" sum on plans to expand its Car Service network beyond the 450 mark.

This clamp is designed for the recently-launched 878/879 series of press-and-pull sleeve kits for suspension bush removal and installation

rong>The new Smartie wheel from Rimstock’s Team Dynamics brand, coincides with a growing trend for smaller, more cost efficient cars.

This coolant was originally developed to address the needs of large-engined vehicles, such as the V8 Audi, V10 Bentley and VW Touareg.

Supertracker has a comprehensive range of equipment, from a basic aligner to a fully-computerised unit with printing and customer database features.

MAKING it to the finals of Top Technician 2009 has already brought added extras for the three highest scorers.

A HANDFUL of places are still available on Warwick Control's in-vehicle network training course on May 27th.

TRANSMISSION specialist ZF Great Britain is set to launch a remanufactured gearbox service for some of the latest high-end vehicles.

SPARK plug firm NGK has announced the appointment of a new managing director.

This automatic single-pass system removes air and moisture from the vehicle air con system while also checking for leaks

VOSA has formally acknowledged its obligations to MOT test stations for the first time.

rong>This elegant-looking tool comes with an LED work light built in so you’ll be able to keep a close eye on anything you’re working on, even in the darkest of spaces.

rong>Two new compression tester sets for petrol and diesel engines are out now, to eliminate the inaccuracy and hassle involved when using simple gauge-type compression testers.

rong>This electronic data module aims to help independents diagnose and repair vehicles fast.

rong>Out now is a robust ratchet with rubber grip and lock-on function which now offers 72 mechanisms for a smoother action.

BEN chief executive David Main presented AFTERMARKET magazine's editor Tom Mallens with an award at the Garage Equipment Associations Annual Dinner on April 29th in recognition of valuable contributions made to the automotive charity BEN.

rong>This comprehensive tool kit is made from tough alloy steel with split dies for precision threading jobs.

TWELVE of the UK's top repairers fought for the title of Top Technician at the impressive Jaguar Land Rover Academy in Warwick on April 29th.

rong>The timing belts specialist has made 67 additions to its tensioners and idlers range, which now covers 1,286 applications across 41 vehicle manufacturers.

MOTOR Codes - the firm behind the MISRC code of practice for service and repair workshops - has become a bigger player in the regulation of the motor trade.

GENERAL Motors is to retain its ACDelco independent aftermarket business.

rong>This tool is a wireless PC-based version of the company’s V30 diagnostic unit.

DIAGNOSTIC firm Texa has appointed Tim Snelgar as its latest technical sales engineer.