Licensing latest

Super-complaint threat is back on agenda says IMI chief, but building trade is licensing priority
Published:  08 December, 2008

INDEPENDENTS not signing up to the Motor Industry Service and Repair Code (MISRC) may well see the National Consumer Council issue its long-threatened super-complaint, according to the IMI's chief executive.


Franchise chance

Business group says small firms should consider all options for expansion during downturn
Published:  08 December, 2008

FRANCHISING could be a solution for small firms looking to expand but struggling to raise finance, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).


Care for tough hands

Number 1 hand cleanser from Granville
Published:  05 December, 2008

/>This cleanser is now available in a new three-litre dispenser. It uses a blend of surfactants and natural citrus oils to shift dirt. These are combined with small polymer beads that loosen stubborn, ground-in dirt. It aims to be tough yet pleasant to use with a natural, lemony sme


Find battery faults

Advanced Battery Analyser from RW Motortec
Published:  04 December, 2008

/>The alternator test checks output under no-load and full-load conditions while the starter test identifies lazy starter motors, which are often at the heart of associated problems. The battery analyser is designed to give precise information about the state of a battery on both 12V and 24V systems, including precise % readings of remaining battery l


Labour rates

Jonas Zambakides urges garages not to cut costs on parts at expense of labour profit
Published:  04 December, 2008

GARAGES must stop chasing costs savings on parts at the expense of larger profits from labour rates, according to the new chairman of the Independent Garage Association.


Parts launch

ADF gives official backing to ATA parts advisor scheme at annual conference
Published:  04 December, 2008

The annual conference of the Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF) has seen the launch of the official launch of the ATA parts advisor scheme.


Help on complex repairs

Envirobase Internal Repair System from PPG Industries
Published:  03 December, 2008

/>It is based on the same painting processes found in car manufacturing plants. It is based on the Envirobase mixing scheme to which two new products have been added; a waterborne engine bay converter and a waterborne activator. PPG says colour matching and mixing are both easy and by mimicking the process adopted in factories, the system aims to reduce process times and materials consumpti


Xmas present

Tyre depot manager Tony Bowes wins £21,645 car thanks to Unipart and NGK
Published:  03 December, 2008

CHRISTMAS has come early for tyre depot manager Tony Bowes after he won a £21,645 car thanks to Unipart and NGK.


Judgement day

Technician Mark Banks appointed to panel of judges for Top Tech 2009
Published:  03 December, 2008

REIGNING Top Technician champ Mark Banks has been appointed to the panel of judges for the 2009 contest.


Max torque and min weight

MG725 impact gun from Snap-on Tools
Published:  02 December, 2008

/>The MG725 has a one-piece magnesium housing to give durability and minimum weight together with reduced vibration. It also has a patented ‘tip valve’ trigger mechanism that aims to increase air flow, and together with a twin hammer impact mechanism, give users greater control and pow


Luxurious added extra

Parking Heater Upgrade kits from Webasto
Published:  01 December, 2008

/>The parking heater pre-heats engine coolant and can be activated by timer, remote key fob or even a mobile phone to give pre-heated engines and an end to troublesome cold sta


Tool danger

Launch X-431 warns on dangers of dodgy diagnostic tools following rise in unofficial sales
Published:  01 December, 2008

LAUNCH X-431 has warned garages about the dangers of buying diagnostic tools from non-official sources.


Reman quality choice

Remanufactured components from Renault Service Exchange
Published:  28 November, 2008

/>It includes starters and alternators, brake calipers, drive shafts and steering racks. Also available as reman units are ECUs, air con compressors, radiators and clutches along with engines, cylinder heads, gearboxes and turbo charger


Charity boost

Garage Equipment Group helps take BEN fundraising to new level with £1,370 donation
Published:  28 November, 2008

A GENEROUS donation from the Garage Equipment Group has taken Aftermarket's fundraising for BEN up to nearly £5,000.


Body shop tailored solution

Hofmann C120 single-post lift from Maywood
Published:  27 November, 2008

/>Also out now from Maywood is a 2.5-ton version – although this is only available in three-phase. The company also offers a full range of two and four-post lifts for body shops and workshops


Investment call

SMMT boss urges industry not to cut research and development spending during credit crunch
Published:  27 November, 2008

THE INDUSTRY must create "rings of steel" around budgets for research and development during the economic downturn - that was the message from Graham Smith, the president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this week.


Pay scale

Dealer technicians lose out due to fall in overtime and bonuses, according to salary survey
Published:  27 November, 2008

FRANCHISED car dealers have frozen pay to help cope with the economic downturn, according to the latest industry survey.


Training time

SPX opens 16,500 sq ft training centre in Gloucester for diagnostic learning and more
Published:  27 November, 2008

AUTOMOTIVE firm SPX has unveiled a £1.1 million training workshop in Gloucester, to help educate the next generation of vehicle technicians.


Up-to-date cooling parts

Thermostats from Gates
Published:  26 November, 2008

/>Also out now are curved radiator hoses for the latest Toyota, Fiat and Ford models. More than 40 of these hoses have been added to the company’s rapidly expanding range of cooling compone


Energy saving headlamps

Ecovision halogen headlamps from Philips
Published:  25 November, 2008

/>The 12V halogen lamps are the latest additions to Philips’ range of automotive lighting products, which also includes the Blue Vision, X-treme Power and Vision Plus ran


Repair growth

Bosch plans for increased workshop growth and explains why industry may be set to benefit
Published:  25 November, 2008

BOSCH is planning a significant expansion of its Car Service network of garages, following a major review of its entire aftermarket operation.


Quick and easy installation

Moog all-in-one suspension kits from Federal Mogul
Published:  24 November, 2008

/>The latest front axle suspension kits out now are for the Volkswagen Golf 4, the Astra G/Zafira and the Citroen C4/Peugeot 307. They incorporate link stabilizers, bushings for the wishbone and ball joints to


Campaign trail

R2RC produces marketing packs in bid to secure one million petition signatures
Published:  24 November, 2008

THE R2RC campaign is producing a series of garage marketing packs in a bid to win the support of drivers.


Starter destruction testing

Starters and alternators from Valeo
Published:  21 November, 2008

/>Its reman process is based on the complete replacement of all wear parts with detailed inspection of every single unit followed by electric and electronic testing to root out and solve any potential proble


Business plea

Trade associations' appeal to government highlights future opportunities for repair sector
Published:  21 November, 2008

TRADE association bosses have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling asking for a range of measures to help stimulate the ailing motor retail sector during the economic downturn.


Energy saving body shops

REVO 180 drying system from Tri-Sphere
Published:  20 November, 2008

/>“As the rising costs of fuel are straight off the bottom line, the combined influences of the controlling sensors and power management systems integrated into the REVO 180 will contribute to an average fuel saving of up to 75%,” says a spokesman for Tri-Sph


Piracy penalty

£160,000 worth of pirated technical data lands West Midlands man in court
Published:  20 November, 2008

A MARKET trader caught selling bogus Autodata CDs in Dorset has been ordered to carry out 125 hours unpaid community work and pay prosecution costs of £1,000.


Added profit potential

Xstream coolants from Comma
Published:  19 November, 2008

/>Comma’s products are designed to match the original fill products in modern vehicles, particularly the 70% of vehicles made in the EU that have OAT (organic acid technology) coola


Diesel growth

Rise in independent sector diesel repairs prompts growth plans at Denso
Published:  19 November, 2008

DENSO wants to establish around 200 workshops to work on its common rail diesel systems within the next five to seven years.


New-look clutch range

Pizza packaging from ACDelco
Published:  18 November, 2008

/>The re-launched packaging coincides with the introduction of 64 three-piece clutch kits, two self-adjusting and three DMF kits. There are also 29 concentric slave cylinders availa


Factor change

New manager of EBC Motor Factors ready to serve Sussex garages
Published:  18 November, 2008

SUSSEX-based motor factor EBC has moved under new ownership, following the retirement of its founders.


Specialist vehicle power

RedFlash Deep Cycle batteries from DMS Technologies
Published:  17 November, 2008

/>Their absorbed glass mat construction allows them to be installed upright or on a side as there is no free electrolyte and, because they are sealed, there is no fear of acid spillage eith


Service shift

Find out how your customers could save £2,575 by booking in for a service
Published:  17 November, 2008


Efficient reman records

eCORPS core return system from Valeo
Published:  14 November, 2008

/>The eCORPS systems aims to give rapid and reliable recognition of the majority of collected parts for an optimal remanufacturing process and a bigger and faster credit on surcharge. The system gives core collectors real time access to customer information, such as the number of products purchased against the number of cores returned. The database in the hand-held device contains more than 14,000 technical references and is updated daily


Cash cow

Motaquip claims it's milking time for profit-rich cabin filter replacement work
Published:  14 November, 2008

MOTAQUIP says garages may be missing out on profit by ignoring the regular replacement of cabin filters.


For sale

Parts company AC Delco says it's "business as usual" as owner GM searches for a buyer
Published:  14 November, 2008

THE ENTIRE AC Delco parts business has been put up for sale by its owner General Motors, in a bid to raise funds for the cash-strapped US automotive giant.


High quality welding

Origo Mig C141 welding machine from ESAB
Published:  13 November, 2008

/>The unit has been released alongside the C151 version and both can use conventional solid wire or self-shielding cored wire. They are designed for welding steel, stainless steel and aluminium as well as Mig brazing with wire diameters of 0.6, 0.8 or 1mm depending on the work-piece size and materia


Reman debate

ZF Trading seeks to dispel claims that new is best at industry conference
Published:  13 November, 2008

PARTS company ZF Trading has stressed the quality and benefits of remanufactured products at an industry forum.


VM lifeline

Dealers and parts suppliers seek aid following economic downturn
Published:  13 November, 2008


Massive cooling choice

Radiators from Nissens
Published:  12 November, 2008

/>For added quality, the company double-fold the fin to give a strong surface that ensures handling does not damage the product. The company tailors each kit to the needs of end-users with blanks to help installers deal with radiators with or without small pipe


Boost your turbo power

Audi A3 Flywheel from Fidanza
Published:  11 November, 2008

/>It is made from high-quality machined 6061 T6 aluminium with a 1050 steel friction surface, CNC machined fastener holes and chamfers. It is suitable for use with almost any clutch disc material, from organic to Kevlar and even sintered iron. For added durability, it comes with a heat-treated ring gear and military-grade fasteners.


Safety and stopping power

Foundation Brakes Composite calipers from TRW
Published:  10 November, 2008

/>The programme comprises 14 references and is out now. Applications include the Audi Q5, S5 and Mercedes C-class. It aims to produce the stiff pedal action that lets drivers control brake force with their foot. The caliper’s high torque allows maximum deceleration to achieve the shortest stopping distanc


Parts solution

ATA parts advisor scheme goes live with special offer for workshops
Published:  10 November, 2008

GARAGES that reckon their suppliers could brush up on their parts picking skills might want to let them know about the latest ATA scheme.


Tour blog 25

Aftermarket makes it to John O'Groats with 100 garages under its belt and thousands raised for BEN
Published:  09 November, 2008

Thursday 6th November . . .


Core collection service

Remanufactured components from XL
Published:  07 November, 2008

/>“Remanufactured build quality is absolutely essential,” says Louise Wilkowski, XL’s account manager. “Wherever possible we improve on the original OE build quality to increase product performance and remove any OE weaknesses.


Smart repair market

SmartCabin spray booth from Junair
Published:  06 November, 2008

/>With its doors open, the booth can accommodate roughly half a car length to allow the refinishing of larger areas. The booth measures 3,800mm wide by 3,500mm deep and 2,430mm h


Rate slashed

A shock cut in interest rates this lunchtime by the Bank of England sees a fall of one-and-a-half percentage points, to just 3%.
Published:  06 November, 2008

This is the lowest interest rate since 1955. Last month the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut rates from 5% to 4.5% in an effort to ward off recession. Says Richard Lambert, CBI director-general: "This is a bold and welcome move by the Monetary Policy Committee, and achieves what the CBI had been calling for."


Asian cooling systems

Lexus GS300 radiators from ADL
Published:  05 November, 2008

/>Radiators for the Toyota Hiace Powervan 2.5DT D-4D and water pumps for the Isuzu Rodeo 3.0DT pick-up have also just been released. They are part of a cooling range that includes pressure caps, thermostats, viscous couplings and air con condens


Tour blog 22

It's a cold night in Aberdeen for Aftermarket On Tour as we continue our BEN fundraising trip
Published:  05 November, 2008


Tour blog 23

BEN charity trip embarks on its last-but-one day as it nears John O'Groats
Published:  05 November, 2008

Wednesday 5th November . . .



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