The IAAF has teamed up with a pan-continental coalition representing the automotive aftermarket in Europe, including FIGIEFA, which is calling on the EU to accept a proposal for a Secure On-board Telematics Platform (S-OTP), allowing access for independent service providers when legislating on access to in-vehicle data.

Samantha Anscombe, a Parts Advisor at Sytner and one of the winners at the Autocar’s Great Women Rising Stars awards has become the first Ambassador for Drive My Career, the employment initiative developed by the NFDA to help dealers attract and retain candidates.
Samantha started as an apprentice with Sytner in 2017 and won Mercedes-Benz’s apprentice of the year in 2020. She has also just started a university degree course in psychology and counselling.

Commenting on her new Ambassador role, Samantha said: “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity Drive My Career has offered me. Being an Ambassador of something I am so passionate about is very exciting, I cannot wait to learn more about how the other side of this industry works and I look forward to starting to collaborate with the team”.

The Coronavirus pandemic is still impacting on UK car production, with overall numbers still down compared to 2019 as component shortages persist. Despite this, May saw the number of cars rolling out off the line shoot right up, with EVs and hybrids making up more of the total.

Data Refresh, a new service which ensures customer information is up-to-date, has been added to the TechMan garage management system

LKQ Euro Car Parts has by taken its Starline brand into electrics and wiper blades.
The expansion means there is now a wide range of Starline electrical components – as the HAAS range is effectively re-branded – including ignition coils, EGR valves and engine sensors, for most of the UK car parc. Meanwhile, they can also choose from Starline’s new range of flat and universal wiper blades.

There are still a few days left to enter Liqui Moly’s MotoGP ticket giveaway, which closes on Wednesday 30 June.

Could garages could soon see a spike in families looking for servicing and repairs on older cars bought for new drivers?

NGK Spark Plugs has committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and as part of that, is working on a solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) initiative.

Motorists may be more aware of their tyres than you might think, according to a new survey that found 77% would personally check or have someone else in their household check their cars tyres before using it to go on holiday.

BM Catalysts has become am affiliated member of the Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality (WCRAQ), set-up to improve air quality in the UK.

TRICO is to donate £1 of every wiper blade sale through A1 Motor Stores to a charity that hosts driving days for disabled people. Speed Of Sight is based in Bolton and run by blind race car driver and multiple World Record holder, Mike Newman and his co-founder, John Galloway. TRICO is the headline sponsor for the charity, which hosts driving experiences for children and adults with disabilities

NGK has launched a new mobile App for its BoxClever loyalty scheme enabling users to check their points balance, browse the gift range, redeem points and win prizes.

Snap-on has updated the Fast-Track Intelligent Diagnostics tool matcher feature on its website with the addition of the new APOLLO-D integrated diagnostics system.

Motul has added Worcester-based Nemesis as its newest distributor.

In a collaboration supported by Kalimex, bestselling marketing author Dee Blick is working with Darren Darling, founder of The DPF Doctor Network, to provide marketing knowhow to his members.

With a Summer of European International Football ahead of us, Lumileds - who are licensed to manufacture and market Philips Automotive Lighting products - are launching a football skills competition where the best entries will win Tournament Footballs.

The ongoing impact of 2020’s MOT exemption had been laid bare in a survey that found that 74% of garages saw their business decrease in April 2021.

LKQ Euro Car Parts has outlined the five key areas of vehicle health that garages should be focusing on this Summer:.

Automotive public relations and marketing agency Chicane has won an industry award.

TechMan has a released a new video to demonstrate how its GMS enables garages to book in customers in less than a minute.

The 100th garage has signed up to Garage Buying Group (GBG) seven weeks after launching.

Automechanika Birmingham is moving its next show to June 2023, with an interim specialist national garage and bodyshop event scheduled for 2022.

Just 6.5% of the automotive sector workforce was EV-qualified at the end of 2020 according to analysis by the IMI, despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

75% of motorists said their attitude and interest in the idea of a staycation has increased due to COVID-19, according to new research.

New car sales in May were up 674.1% on the same month in 2020, but were 14.7% down on May 2019’s total and 13.2% down on the 10-year average, the latest figures from the SMMT show.

Parking up an EV that is on a 70%-80% state of charge, (SoC) causes the greatest damage to the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and temperature plays a vital role as well, according to new research.

EV drivers are travelling 370 miles further per year than internal combustion engine (ICE) motorists according to a new research from Nissan, ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday (5 June).

LKQ Euro Car Parts Fit It For Me programme, which enables garages to capture work from consumers intent on buying their own parts, has sent over 21,000 jobs into garages since launching during 2020.

Motul, Witham Motorsport and Great British Sportscars are keeping open the entry deadline for the livery design competition of the Motul-Edition GBS Zero throughout half term week, in order to give families the chance to submit designs for the exciting hand-built sports car.

Motul UK Country Manager Callum Goodland commented: “We been impressed by the standard of entries that we have received, so far for the livery competition, with some good creative thinking evident. However, we really want to encourage families with kids still at school, to enter the competition, so we hope that, by keeping the competition open during half term week, it will give people the chance to spend a few hours having a crack at putting a design together.”

The competition is split into two age categories - over and under 16 years old. The overall winner will see their design used on the prototype Motul-Edition GBS Zero, but each category winner will receive a host of Motul goodies and, together with their families, will get to go behind-the-scenes with Motul as the company’s guests at the reveal of the car during The Classic at Silverstone, which takes place 30 July – 1 August.

A petition calling for greater support for the motor trade from government is seeing growing support, with Eurorepar Car Service now throwing its weight behind it.

The campaign is calling on government to act decisively with a package of financial support that could prevent garages badly affected by the pandemic from going out of business.

The Motor Ombudsman says it has received a positive response to its new in-house mediation service, which has been running since beginning of April.

Round one for Top Technician and Top Garage 2021 have both now closed. Those who entered both competitions for 2021, and make it through, will pass through to the second rounds.

There are just a few days left for members of NGK’s UK BoxClever loyalty scheme to win tens of thousands of extra points in the company’s latest promotion.

IMI members are now able to join the Eurorepar Car Service network at a discounted rate. Using a special code, IMI members can get their first three months of Eurorepar Car Service network membership free.

Darren Pengelly, Head of Marketing & Commercial Actions at Eurorepar Car Service, said: “The Eurorepar Car Service network is dedicated to professionalising the motor trade and raising standards. Working with the IMI, an organisation that shares these objectives, will help us to develop and grow even more garage businesses across the UK. We look forward to welcoming IMI members into our network”.

Julian Jack, Membership Manager at the IMI, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Eurorepar Car Service. With our like-minded goals there are real advantages in this partnership for aftermarket practitioners. The importance of training and personal development has never been greater, and the IMI provides a wealth of resources to help individuals future-proof their careers. We’re also delighted to give IMI members access to the Eurorepar Car Service network to tap into the business growth opportunities it offers.”

IMI members who would like to find out more about and claim their discount code should contact hello@theimi.org.uk.

Similarly, Eurorepar Car Service members should email info-uk@eurorepar.com to find out how to redeem their code for IMI membership.

The North West and South West of England adopted EVs faster than any other UK regions in 2020 with an 293% and 237% increases respectively, new figures show.

The sharp increase in the value of rhodium, platinum and palladium is behind a rising wave of catalytic converter thefts, with hybrids particularly targeted, and garages should be extra vigilant if they have vehicles stored overnight on-site.

Complex EU import rules and environmental concerns could put the classic car scene at risk of disappearing along with 113,000 specialist small businesses and supply chain jobs across the UK, a new trade association for the sector has warned.

Delphi Technologies is the latest original equipment manufacturer to join the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA).

Around 580,000 cars aged three years or less would likely fail a MOT test due to potentially dangerous faults, a new analysis of DVSA data has suggested.

LKQ Europe is opening a new Innovation and Service Centre in Katowice, Poland.

Commenting on the new facility, LKQ Europe CEO Arnd Franz said: “The establishment of the Innovation and Service Centre in Katowice will boost LKQ Europe`s innovation and digitalisation strategy. The city offers an outstanding infrastructure and international talent, and I am delighted that LKQ will be part of its success story. We are seeking the most qualified people and offering them an international working atmosphere and a unique business experience to support our customers across Europe, today and in the future.”

Andy Hamilton, CEO of LKQ Euro Car Parts in the UK and Republic of Ireland, added: “Digitalisation is key to the continued competitiveness of the independent aftermarket, and as its leading supplier – not just of parts, but of solutions, equipment and training – it’s our responsibility to drive this agenda forward, right along the value chain.”

UK energy regulator Ofgem has announced that will spend £300 million on infrastructure for electric vehicles and other low carbon projects, including 1,800 new ultra-rapid charge points at 39 motorway service areas, with another 1,750 in towns and cities.

Snap-on has introduced its new APOLLO-D9 diagnostic tool.

The DVSA has released an update to the MOT testing guide, which explains how the scheme is run, lays out the rules for Authorised Examiners and Testers, and details the facilities and equipment a Testing Station needs.

Vehicle numbers on UK roads fell for the first time since 2009 during 2020 as the pandemic put a stranglehold on sales according to the latest motorparc data released by the SMMT. However, independent garages may welcome the fact that the average car is now more venerable than ever at 8.4 years old, putting the majority squarely in the sights of the aftermarket.

Excel Automotive Group (EAG) is proudly showing off its environmental credentials by revealing the steps it has taken to reduce its impact on the world.

Garage Buying Group (GBG) has added a number of new product groups to its growing range, including Bartec Auto ID’s core range of TPMS sensor solutions, and Champion air compressors.

A/C demand is set to spike in the weeks ahead, and following months of lockdown and under-use, LKQ Euro Car Parts says air conditioning is the next forgotten problem for garages to deal with, but is also an opportunity.

Ben’s 2021 Industry Leader Challenge (ILC) fundraiser The Climb takes place 30 October – 8 November and will see a number of automotive industry company leaders climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise £300,000. The charity says this year’s ILC is the biggest yet.

Getting all new cars to be zero emission from 2035 will be a “huge challenge,” with consumer buy-in and matching charging infrastructure the biggest obstacles, a House of Commons committee has said.

A virtual event intended to support apprentice mental health is taking place next month.